Deeply flawed luxury chess board from Chess Bazaar

 I am still waiting for the replacement pieces that CB  sent to me on May 6,2021. 

ogouriev---Worse than that.   They no longer answer my e mail.   I asked 3 ( unanswered ) questions--    Is the  "parcel " lost?   Can it be tracked?  Is it insured ?   

It's really a pity,regarding that board,because under normal/past circumstances they are really quite beautiful......I love the border,which has a strong and somewhat intricate look to it.....

Originally,these were priced at $299.00

Then they went out of stock for a while and came back recently,at $369.00

One would think the quality would be commensurate with that price increase.

Hope it works out for you,but the C.C. is a powerful tool for your protection......Good luck.

Unfortunately, the price increases we have all witnessed have nothing to do with better quality. Chess became overwhelmingly popular with the mini-series QG on Netflix that the chess purveyors ran out of pieces, boards, and about everything else that has to do with chess. Supply/Demand, nothing else. As supply catches up the prices should decline a bit.

Totally understand,but when a supplier of any type raises prices(in this case over 20%) one does not expect a drop off in quality,regardless of whatever the reason is.

Well said @magictwanger.

Business 101-Supply and Demand. The cost and availability of materials fluctuate thereby dictating the cost to the consumer. Increases and decreases of costs will always be reality. Quality and customer service are two aspects that need not be effected by the ebb and flow of supply and demand. On the contrary, quality and customer service are what distinguishes one seller over another. I learned long ago that the buyer who demands (and rightly so) high quality and service will pay for premium products and services. There will always be undiscerning or uncaring buyers willing to pay for lesser services. There will always be opportunistic sellers to capitalize on this aspect. The craftsman will never allow the fluctuations of the industry to determine quality. Unfortunately, in my opinion, the sudden popularity of chess and the on-going pandemic have created a void that is being filled with substandard goods. There will always be a low budget burger joint and a jacket-and-tie steak restaurant. Just don’t try to sell me a quarter-pounder at a filet mignon price for any reason or excuse. A poorly made board is and will always be no more than what is, a poorly made product. Mark it down to an appropriate price and someone will be willing purchase it. Establish a premium price point for high quality and the discerning buyer will happily purchase the product, even when the supply is low and time of delivery is extended. 
Class dismissed. Homework is due on Friday, (“Loss of limb will not excuse you.” Professor Snape) There will be a quiz on Monday.

Chess Bazaar replied and acknowledged the flaw. They offered me a $50 store credit. I politely declined and asked for a full refund. I also offered to send the board back at their expense. I will update as I learn more. Looking at this board makes me sad. 

Oh gawd. Of course, here comes the CB "Store Credit Song and Dance" again. Stick to your guns (politely). $280 for a wonky board you will most likely never use at this point is robbery. 

@chessintexas, I think what is going to happen that they will offer you to keep the board and you are going to receive a new one. Keep us posted of any changes please, I had a similar situation with them which is still unresolved. 

Ogouriev, I will want to return this board. Just don't want a replacement board at this point. Too many unknown problems, I am afraid. The bleeding and tiny tear-out between black and white spaces also bugs me now. It's not commensurate with the nice woods used. 

Here are the pics I promised:

Wow, that is pretty far off.  I do think they help the customer more these days. My offer for pieces gone wrong was 20% off any other set and I had to keep the junk set for full price. In about a month after that offer they had 30% site wide-LOL-Joke was on me and so was all that red stain that bleed from their pieces being improper stained and not sealed.  

Sorry that these issues exist on a relatively pricey board....I happen to be a huge fan of platform boards.....The Chess Empire offers some real killers,as in gorgeous!

You may want to check them out.....Good luck either way.

Jeeze-o-pete! The finish on the platform is atrocious! It’s gotta go away my friend. I’d say congrats to you if you decide to keep though.

Wow! That's some shoddy work all around from the cuts to the finish. I think the craftsman had one too many shots the night before. I would not accept that even with a 50% discount.

Chess Bazaar has requested more pictures of the bleeding and the poor finish. I obliged and thought I might just share them here as well. I am insisting on a full refund and optional return of board at their expense. But really, this board should have never been sold to begin with other than clearly marked as imperfect.

@chessintexas, I feel your pain my friend. I hope you find appropriate resolution quickly. The end grain shot is really breathtaking. Sometimes we are speechless and cannot find the right words but @MCH818 put it best, “shoddy”. I might replace the “o” with and “i”. We’re all pulling for you.

@chessintexas  It's hard to believe a huge company like CB would let this ferment and have all this bad "press" on here instead of resolving this quickly. All they had to do is apologize and send out a proper board or give you your money back. It's called customer service. If they did that they might have had a customer for life.  I just don't get it.  These companies need to hire people-oriented employees in their customer service departments.