Help Me Decide

Lou, they had both the Golden Rosewood and Ebonized on Clearance awhile back, that is the Fischer-Spassky Commemorative set.  They did and still offer the Ebony for $595 and Blood Rosewood for $635.

The clearance price was for both was $149.95.  I received my Collector's Club 10% and free shipping bringing the delivered total to $146.28.

At the time, I thought all I would want of this set was the Rosewood as like you, I prefer the brown or reddish brown of the Rosewoods and Walnut.  So, all I got was the Golden Rosewood version.

Once I got the set, I really, really liked it for its finish, detail looks, weight and balance. 

So, once this movie version of the set came out with the sale, it got my interest.  Scott, the manager told me that this movie set and the original commemorative are the same except for the embossed leather King bottoms and this one comes with a free box.

Well, I looked and the clearance sales for this set are gone.  I found both the ebonized and G Rosewood on eBay where they are asking the original $395, which is the same asking price for the movie version with box.

I called them this morning and yes, the clearance is gone.  I told them that I really have no use for the box.  When they looked up the price of the box itself, it was something like $129!  So, I told them I wanted a board instead and since they see me as a very good customer (I've fooled them haven't I ) they swapped out the box for a Rosewood and Maple folding board to go perfectly with this new, ebonized set.

So, I am very pleased with the value for the money I spent.  I have the set and folding board, delivered for $300.

This is now my 3rd Ebonized set.  I have their one-off York Series that Official Staunton sells as their Morphy Series.  That set goes very nicely with a folding Mahogany board I got from the Rochester Chess Center and also on my 2.0" Drueke board.  And I have the Best Chessmen Ever, Stage 1, directly from Jonas which goes on his BCE board, also very nicely.

EDIT: I just received a call from HoS and there was an inventory glitch.  They are out of the folding rosewood and maple boards in 2.25" squares.  After a little bit of looking I am receiving a Montgoy Palisander and Bird's Eye Maple traditional board.

I should have some time come Thursday as my first completely free day off in a few weeks.  And I plan on taking pictures and sharing on this forum.

I think I might have the new set and board by Wednesday so Thursday should be a good picture day.

Eye, sounds great! I look forward to your post.

Hey Ron, just a quick note, personally we think ya should pick up the box as well, especially if it's an engraved part of the chess set with plaque or at least maybe have HOS put aside one for ya. Interesting that you also mentioned some discounts being gone. Ya know, we kinda wish we were a fly on the wall at HOS, who is really in the know, being in the bz, of how chess sales have been effected of late because of the movie. Also, looking forward to your photos too... Great choice, but of course, everyone knows we would say that lol !

It's Ron not Mike.

I got them to switch the box for a nice, Palisander board to match the set.  

I store all of my sets in flat tackle boxes wit foamed compartments.  That box would just be in the way.

Sorry Ron for the typo (corrected), we knew that of course, was speaking with someone else while posting.

In coin collecting...."limited edition" means not worth collecting, will not increase in value, etc. Not sure how it applies to sets, but ebonized > $150-$200 seems overpriced.