@ MsChanandlerBong95 I would be upset too. They have no business sending out the pieces in that condition. It's not as if they didn't notice if they were only sending out the 2 pawns. People have had good experiences with CB, but stuff like this just reinforces my suspicions.
I ordered from four of the major chess retailers and heres what happened.
Sort:
Wow MSChanandlerBing95, that is horrible. Sorry you had such a bad experience.
They are very hit and miss. I know I will not buy form them again after my experiences.
MsChanandlerBong95 wrote:
Update on my replacement pawns (detailed in my above post) if anyone cares. They finally came after 3 weeks, and both were completely ruined. Entire lacquer coating was cracked, sticky, and green (wtf?) in places. 3 weeks for a huge waste of my time. And now inevitably more exertion as I will try to get a refund for this garbage I just received. Pictures below.
I absolutely care, is there anyway you can contact your payment company and have them flag the payment? I wish they could be reported for their horrible buisness practices...
celticduck wrote:
I have purchased 3 sets from Chess Bazaar.
The first was a crimson Dubrovnik and I remain quite pleased with it.
The second was an inexpensive set that I wanted to keep in my office for lunchtime play. The knights were ferociously dissimilar and the leatherette pads were misaligned and, in some cases, torn.
The latest arrived with damaged pieces. They asked for photos and then said they would send me replacements if I ordered another set. This is a story I have heard often enough that I have to believe it is part of their business model. I was discouraged enough with their customer service that I decided I would no longer order from CB.
It is unfortunate as their prices are appealing and the pictures on the website look good.
I cant believe how awful they are...
Deadenglish wrote:
MsChanandlerBong95 wrote:
Update on my replacement pawns (detailed in my above post) if anyone cares. They finally came after 3 weeks, and both were completely ruined. Entire lacquer coating was cracked, sticky, and green (wtf?) in places. 3 weeks for a huge waste of my time. And now inevitably more exertion as I will try to get a refund for this garbage I just received. Pictures below.
I absolutely care, is there anyway you can contact your payment company and have them flag the payment? I wish they could be reported for their horrible buisness practices...
I contacted CB with the pictures requesting a refund, not more replacements. They ignored my request for a refund and instead send out more replacements -_- If they don't arrive perfect this time I'm going to take up the issue with paypal and get my refund one way or another.
MsChanandlerBong95 wrote:
Deadenglish wrote:
MsChanandlerBong95 wrote:
Update on my replacement pawns (detailed in my above post) if anyone cares. They finally came after 3 weeks, and both were completely ruined. Entire lacquer coating was cracked, sticky, and green (wtf?) in places. 3 weeks for a huge waste of my time. And now inevitably more exertion as I will try to get a refund for this garbage I just received. Pictures below.
I absolutely care, is there anyway you can contact your payment company and have them flag the payment? I wish they could be reported for their horrible buisness practices...
I contacted CB with the pictures requesting a refund, not more replacements. They ignored my request for a refund and instead send out more replacements -_- If they don't arrive perfect this time I'm going to take up the issue with paypal and get my refund one way or another.
Paypal wants me to send all the pieces back to get a full refund. Im not able to afford shipping to india and would not be worth the amount I would get in the refund if I did so...So im stuck too. I hope your experience is better. Im supposed to get my replacments tomorrow, after I get them ill contact paypal and either tell them to cancel the complaint or request them to try and compel CB to provide their own return label.
This is the advertisement next to the post BTW. Its very frustrating that it both mentions that they produce quality and their returns/replacements are sent out with no questions asked. I labeled it BS when I clipped it, You can guess why.
MsChanandlerBong95 wrote:
Deadenglish wrote:
MsChanandlerBong95 wrote:
Update on my replacement pawns (detailed in my above post) if anyone cares. They finally came after 3 weeks, and both were completely ruined. Entire lacquer coating was cracked, sticky, and green (wtf?) in places. 3 weeks for a huge waste of my time. And now inevitably more exertion as I will try to get a refund for this garbage I just received. Pictures below.
I absolutely care, is there anyway you can contact your payment company and have them flag the payment? I wish they could be reported for their horrible buisness practices...
I contacted CB with the pictures requesting a refund, not more replacements. They ignored my request for a refund and instead send out more replacements -_- If they don't arrive perfect this time I'm going to take up the issue with paypal and get my refund one way or another.
Also if I were you I would file the dispute with paypal now, theyll have you send a message through their site and than if everything falls apart and CB behaives how they have been you can contact paypal and have them escilate it (the initial complaint doesnt have a time limit on it for them to respond but once Paypal escelates it CB has ten days to respond or else they forfit the money...as I mentioned before they wouldnt talk to me until paypal escelated it and than CB emailed me imediatly saying they forgot to respond).
Mar 23, 2018
0
#31
Once again Stauntonmaster is giving false information. There are so many lies in the above writing it is better to disregard all of it.
Eyechess wrote:
Once again Chessmaster is giving false information. There are so many lies in the above writing it is better to disregard all of it.
Theres no one named chessmaster here. And I would not bad mouth one company while praising three others for no reason. If CB had any of the other threes quality or bushiness ethics this conversation wouldn't be happening.
Mar 23, 2018
0
#34
Stauntonmaster wrote:
There have been many people complaining on here for many years now about problems with wooden chess sets. The most common problem which has happened to most customers is hairline cracks at the base of ebony and padauk/bud rosewood chess pieces and next the turrets of the rooks, crowns of queens and the open jaws of knights that break very easily. These problems will continue persisting because of the wrong way that wood is processed and also the metal weights inside the chessmen are inserted so tightly that gradually due to the expansion and contraction in heat and cold they put pressure on the surrounding wood and cause the cracks. Also many of the luxury range chess sets are made just to attract the customers’ eyes ignoring the practical aspect for playing games, therefore, the ears and jaws of the knights, the crowns of the queens and turrets of the rooks are made very thin and delicate making them extremely vulnerable to breakage. It is also regrettable to see that chess makers have not addressed these problems although customers have always been complaining and yet we see more and more people everyday who feel that their chess sets are more a source of stress than joy.
The above quote is wrong in most points made.
Anyone that is serious should pay no attention to this fake, Stauntonmaster.
Mar 23, 2018
0
#35
Actually,Stauntonmaster does make "some" viable points.....I get the impression that many chess mfgrs don't "truly" take the time to properly select and "cure" their wood.I assume(could be wrong here) that a good amount of buyers are not overly concerned about the hairline crack issue and simply want a reasonable set to play with.Not to eyeball......Also,from my own limited experience,the way pieces are packed,before shipping, can cause issues down the road.
As I'd mentioned in a previous thread,the way Official Staunton packs the pieces is what seems to be the most logical way to avoid problems.....They have two separate cardboard boxes for each packed within another box.....The two separate boxes have individual cut outs for each piece,so no pieces are leaning/sitting on another......CB literally packs the pieces where they all sit in one box/container and though each piece is wrapped seperately and well,their collective weight sit upon each other.If the shipping guy feels like throwing the boxes around(they do this a lot and I know because I worked Parcel Post in my college years) the weights of the pieces can/will stress the wood.Even if this does not cause an immediate issue it can easily pop up at a future time.
I have bought quite a few sets from CB and have had issues myself,but they always came through and tried to make me happy.Even over a year after purchase they sent me 34 new pieces.Sometimes(often) did not require a photo,but I now send photos as to be fair to them as well......My 10 sets are all quite nice and most are pretty much perfect,except some do have subtle markings......My Official Staunton pieces are like a "proof coin"....Flawless!
Also,before I bout my sets I did an extensive web search.....HOS had a boat load of complaints and I came to the conclusion that I'm not going to get too nuts with a chess piece,like I would with my guitars.....If CB has a replacement policy,or I can rub some Konig soft wax into a hairline crack...no biggie!
I'm hoping companies like CB can truly get their act together,because they have offerings(like their Russian collection) that can't be gotten(new) anywhere else......I think as long as the sets sell the profit margin might be more important than ultimate reputation,but in time it will all play out.
Update to the post, I received my replacements today and a little more than half of them dont match (i base width and in general height), not only that but there were some glue marks on a few of the pieces...I contacted both CB and paypal with the update and researched shipping to india in case I had to make a return. Shipping is too expensive (even with paypal kindly offering up to thirty dollars to contribute), with the cheapest I foud being a flat rate box from USPS for around 90. DHL and my local pack and ship were well over 100 dollars. So Im in limbo right now and will update further if something changes.
Eyechess wrote:
Stauntonmaster wrote:
There have been many people complaining on here for many years now about problems with wooden chess sets. The most common problem which has happened to most customers is hairline cracks at the base of ebony and padauk/bud rosewood chess pieces and next the turrets of the rooks, crowns of queens and the open jaws of knights that break very easily. These problems will continue persisting because of the wrong way that wood is processed and also the metal weights inside the chessmen are inserted so tightly that gradually due to the expansion and contraction in heat and cold they put pressure on the surrounding wood and cause the cracks. Also many of the luxury range chess sets are made just to attract the customers’ eyes ignoring the practical aspect for playing games, therefore, the ears and jaws of the knights, the crowns of the queens and turrets of the rooks are made very thin and delicate making them extremely vulnerable to breakage. It is also regrettable to see that chess makers have not addressed these problems although customers have always been complaining and yet we see more and more people everyday who feel that their chess sets are more a source of stress than joy.
The above quote is wrong in most points made.
Anyone that is serious should pay no attention to this fake, Stauntonmaster.
Dont tell me they are wrong, instead tell me HOW they are wrong. Post your points out so I can know which to believe instead of a short (all be it succinct) statement.
Stauntonmaster wrote:
There have been many people complaining on here for many years now about problems with wooden chess sets. The most common problem which has happened to most customers is hairline cracks at the base of ebony and padauk/bud rosewood chess pieces and next the turrets of the rooks, crowns of queens and the open jaws of knights that break very easily. These problems will continue persisting because of the wrong way that wood is processed and also the metal weights inside the chessmen are inserted so tightly that gradually due to the expansion and contraction in heat and cold they put pressure on the surrounding wood and cause the cracks. Also many of the luxury range chess sets are made just to attract the customers’ eyes ignoring the practical aspect for playing games, therefore, the ears and jaws of the knights, the crowns of the queens and turrets of the rooks are made very thin and delicate making them extremely vulnerable to breakage. It is also regrettable to see that chess makers have not addressed these problems although customers have always been complaining and yet we see more and more people everyday who feel that their chess sets are more a source of stress than joy.
A note on the weights, I may be wrong but I believe its not the force in which they are stuck in the piece but the actual material. They use steel and harder metals instead of lead which had some give when wood would expand and contract, thats why a lot of older sets with the lead tend to have LESS problems there (atleast thats what I picked up).
magictwanger wrote:
Actually,Stauntonmaster does make "some" viable points.....I get the impression that many chess mfgrs don't "truly" take the time to properly select and "cure" their wood.I assume(could be wrong here) that a good amount of buyers are not overly concerned about the hairline crack issue and simply want a reasonable set to play with.Not to eyeball......Also,from my own limited experience,the way pieces are packed,before shipping, can cause issues down the road.
As I'd mentioned in a previous thread,the way Official Staunton packs the pieces is what seems to be the most logical way to avoid problems.....They have two separate cardboard boxes for each packed within another box.....The two separate boxes have individual cut outs for each piece,so no pieces are leaning/sitting on another......CB literally packs the pieces where they all sit in one box/container and though each piece is wrapped seperately and well,their collective weight sit upon each other.If the shipping guy feels like throwing the boxes around(they do this a lot and I know because I worked Parcel Post in my college years) the weights of the pieces can/will stress the wood.Even if this does not cause an immediate issue it can easily pop up at a future time.
I have bought quite a few sets from CB and have had issues myself,but they always came through and tried to make me happy.Even over a year after purchase they sent me 34 new pieces.Sometimes(often) did not require a photo,but I now send photos as to be fair to them as well......My 10 sets are all quite nice and most are pretty much perfect,except some do have subtle markings......My Official Staunton pieces are like a "proof coin"....Flawless!
Also,before I bout my sets I did an extensive web search.....HOS had a boat load of complaints and I came to the conclusion that I'm not going to get too nuts with a chess piece,like I would with my guitars.....If CB has a replacement policy,or I can rub some Konig soft wax into a hairline crack...no biggie!
I'm hoping companies like CB can truly get their act together,because they have offerings(like their Russian collection) that can't be gotten(new) anywhere else......I think as long as the sets sell the profit margin might be more important than ultimate reputation,but in time it will all play out.
Thank you for your input. I hope they get their act together as well, but for the time being I dont think ill go back. Im glad your numorous sets have all worked out for you though. Have you ever gone through another retailer that you would recomend since I and many others are weary of CB right now?
Also good point on the shipping, I never thought of it like that.
Mar 23, 2018
0
#40
Deadenglish wrote:
Dont tell me they are wrong, instead tell me HOW they are wrong. Post your points out so I can know which to believe instead
Alright:
Stauntonmaster wrote:
There have been many people complaining on here for many years now about problems with wooden chess sets.
In fact there have not been many people complaining as he says. I have been on this forum since November of 2014 and he is the only one making such complaints. And he has done this under previous accounts of his that have been banned for wrong posting. This is a fact. His ISP has been traced to prove this.
The most common problem which has happened to most customers is hairline cracks at the base of ebony and padauk/bud rosewood chess pieces and next the turrets of the rooks, crowns of queens and the open jaws of knights that break very easily.
Once again this is completely made up by him. There are a number of members on this forum that own a high number of sets of all ages, even going back to 1849. This guy has been the only one to make such a ridiculous claim.
These problems will continue persisting because of the wrong way that wood is processed and also the metal weights inside the chessmen are inserted so tightly that gradually due to the expansion and contraction in heat and cold they put pressure on the surrounding wood and cause the cracks.
This is yet another provable wrong statement. He tries to come off as an expert but his information is all wrong and apparently made up.
Also many of the luxury range chess sets are made just to attract the customers’ eyes ignoring the practical aspect for playing games, therefore, the ears and jaws of the knights, the crowns of the queens and turrets of the rooks are made very thin and delicate making them extremely vulnerable to breakage.
This is yet another completely wrong statement. These things have not been made too thin. When you have pointed parts, they can chip. And once again, the jaw breaking claim is completely wrong. Check what other, more expert people on this forum have said about this.
It is also regrettable to see that chess makers have not addressed these problems although customers have always been complaining and yet we see more and more people everyday who feel that their chess sets are more a source of stress than joy.
Of course the chess makers have not addressed these problems because they do not exist.
.
So, in all actuality everything he wrote in the above is wrong.
Update on my replacement pawns (detailed in my above post) if anyone cares. They finally came after 3 weeks, and both were completely ruined. Entire lacquer coating was cracked, sticky, and green (wtf?) in places. 3 weeks for a huge waste of my time. And now inevitably more exertion as I will try to get a refund for this garbage I just received. Pictures below.