Well, it was better in the not so old days when you bought your chess sets from an actual, brick and mortar, store. And you paid with actual money. Those were the days...
In the early 80s I bought a Lardy set from a cigar shop that also sold several chess sets....I still have it.
I've had some issues from RCM regarding shipping damage, and one set had some small cracks on a few pieces....I sent ONE email only with pictures. I received an email from Manwinder the very next morning; "We are sending out replacements ASAP". This was the response for both issues....I received them in perfect condition. No 5 emails of arguing, they were on top if it and I would 100 percent recommend RCM... And the chessmen were perfect!
I´ve even bought some set labelled as "slightly imperfect" from RCM and judging from the codition of thos RCMs quality control has to be extremely stringent. On two of these sets I haven´t been avle to find the slightest imperfection. On another I found a miniscule blemish in the ebonizing on one piece. The regular sets I´ve bought from RCM has all been perfect. When DHL botched a delivery RCMs customer support was most helpful.
I´ve also bought sets from CB without any issues. The same goes for orders from different european vendors and HoS. From HoS I ordered via Amazon but all other orders were directly from the vendor.
I ordered a set of chessmen for $400.00 that were actually on sale from $500.00! I received them TODAY and I actually felt SICK just looking at them!!!! I'm trying to find the words to describe them but can't! I'll add photos at the end of my rant.
Last year I bought an AWESOME set from RCM of 1849-50 Leuchars Cook Staunton Chess Set but later noticed the knight was TOO short and it annoyed me so bad I sought out another set that was very close but had a knight that BETTER fit to the rest of the set.
I engaged with CHAT with sales and begged them to OPEN and INSPECT the items for cracks and quality before shipping. The person told me.
"We are the best and largest chess company in the world, our products are the highest quality"!
The Antiqued Boxwood looked DISGUSTINGLY UGLY, SHOE POLISH BROWN UGLY! Nothing like the photos on their website!
Second issue, if that wasn't bad enough, is the pieces DON'T match, they are not the same size! It was so noticeable I could just see it right away... the two bishops have different sized bases, a big difference!
This is NOT a $400.00 value set of chessmen!
See photos please and please chime in and tell me if I'm crazy! For reference I put a few of my first 1849 set for comparison on the left side. I won't even tell you which ones I'm pissed about, you'll see straight off. Also you can see the size difference of the bishops...the BOTH are from the set I received today. I'm REASONABLE with most things...but this is S---! for spending $400,
I opened an email thread with their support today around 4pm EST, they told me they will get back to me tomorrow. I don't know the rules on this forum with regards to naming names, but If they will not resolve this with a REFUND or a replacement lite side WITHOUT the brown shoe polish and also THE CORRECT size....i would like to post the name of the vendor here to warn others...
Please let me know if I have a valid complaint....
thanks everyone...
Let's talk about your desaster, horrable spelling first.
Why not just get a refund , via your CC or pay pal . Send the s//t back on there own label & just be done with it ?
I've had some issues from RCM regarding shipping damage, and one set had some small cracks on a few pieces....I sent ONE email only with pictures. I received an email from Manwinder the very next morning; "We are sending out replacements ASAP". This was the response for both issues....I received them in perfect condition. No 5 emails of arguing, they were on top if it and I would 100 percent recommend RCM... And the chessmen were perfect!
I´ve even bought some set labelled as "slightly imperfect" from RCM and judging from the codition of thos RCMs quality control has to be extremely stringent. On two of these sets I haven´t been avle to find the slightest imperfection. On another I found a miniscule blemish in the ebonizing on one piece. The regular sets I´ve bought from RCM has all been perfect. When DHL botched a delivery RCMs customer support was most helpful.
I´ve also bought sets from CB without any issues. The same goes for orders from different european vendors and HoS. From HoS I ordered via Amazon but all other orders were directly from the vendor.
I've perused the listings at HOS and RCM for imperfect "sets" and it left me wondering; If they are selling a $500 set for $300 because of a few issues, then why the in the %$^&*#@ wouldn't it make sense to send it back to the person that produced it, and have them make and replace the few pieces so it will be return to a perfect $500 set???
Just went to the post office with the package so they could give me a price and the customs papers.
$75.00
I'm going to re-package everything properly and send it off tomorrow. I'm sending two ebony knights and bishops as well as they requested. They are also replacing the bishops because of the smaller base and they wanted to make sure they sent me 4 matching knights...
Go ahead and roast me if you must. For me it's the simplest resolution and when putting things in perspective....it's the same price as a tank of gas for my Toyota Tundra.
In the end, I'm getting the natural boxwood which I preferred from the start but wasn't offered...
Just went to the post office with the package so they could give me a price and the customs papers.
$75.00
I'm going to re-package everything properly and send it off tomorrow. I'm sending two ebony knights and bishops as well as they requested. They are also replacing the bishops because of the smaller base and they wanted to make sure they sent me 4 matching knights...
Go ahead and roast me if you must. For me it's the simplest resolution and when putting things in perspective....it's the same price as a tank of gas for my Toyota Tundra.
In the end, I'm getting the natural boxwood which I preferred from the start but wasn't offered...
Hopefully in ten years from now this will be your favourite set and all the hassle and expense but a vague memory.
Just went to the post office with the package so they could give me a price and the customs papers.
$75.00
I'm going to re-package everything properly and send it off tomorrow. I'm sending two ebony knights and bishops as well as they requested. They are also replacing the bishops because of the smaller base and they wanted to make sure they sent me 4 matching knights...
Go ahead and roast me if you must. For me it's the simplest resolution and when putting things in perspective....it's the same price as a tank of gas for my Toyota Tundra.
In the end, I'm getting the natural boxwood which I preferred from the start but wasn't offered...
Hopefully in ten years from now this will be your favourite set and all the hassle and expense but a vague memory.
I'm very OCD about keeping track of things that matter. Of the few chess related FB pages I follow. many people post sets of chessmen and have no idea where they came from or how old they are, in search of some info or history of that style. I have 4 very nice sets, one of which was only $219.00 of bud rosewood and boxwood which i custom ordered without weights or felt installed, I then installed the chessnut chips in them....and they work awesome on the chessnut pro board. This set in question will be my 5th and most likely last expensive collector set. I save all documentation of each of my sets with dates, what they are, and where I got them so when I'm long gone, who ever ends up with them will have all the info and hopefully they will hold some value. I also am looking for one of those $40 dollar "on the go" plastic sets with a travel bag and mouse pad board but that's for another project...
As long as you’re happy with the outcome, that is what matters - I hope the final set you receive is what you want. It seems you’ll have a set that is harder to find in future because the colour combination was not offered as an option at retail. Enjoy when it arrives.
I also am looking for one of those $40 dollar "on the go" plastic sets with a travel bag and mouse pad board but that's for another project...
Once you´ve got one it´ll probably be what you use the most.
I also am looking for one of those $40 dollar "on the go" plastic sets with a travel bag and mouse pad board but that's for another project...
Once you´ve got one it´ll probably be what you use the most.
No way.
I love a nice plastic set. But it does not hold a candle to a nicely weighted Boxwood and Ebony chess set.
Even these pawns play, look, and feel fantastic at 60 grams in real wood.
I hold little hope for you. my remark was directed at choppie3.
I completely mirror what Powder said. If it makes you happy, you don't have to worry about getting flamed from some forum folks and I doubt anyone following your story would do so anyway.. Do what's good for you.
Btw, I can guarantee I'm more OCD than you! Not something I'm particularly proud of.
Dropped off the return today, it was relatively painless, emailed the tracking number to support, they should have it within 10 days or less. They mentioned that the making of the replacements had started two days ago, I'll post a pic or two when I receive them, revealing the vendor in a positive light.
Has anyone had experience with The House of Chess? I see the prices are pretty good for a small set to torte around and free shipping in the US
=====UPDATE
shipping return update
Moving Through NetworkIn Transit to Next Facility
January 21, 2024
Arrived at USPS Regional Facility
MIAMI FL INTERNATIONAL DISTRIBUTION CENTER, UNITED STATES
January 20, 2024, 12:57 pm
===========UPDATE==========
After much researching this, I've concluded that what the vendor deemed as antiquated, was really "exactly" what other vendors call mahogany or walnut.
I've elected to pay shipping to return the wrong chessmen, along with ebony knights and bishops so they could send bishops with correct base size AND 4 matching knights.
I requested natural boxwood, which they don't offer as an option for THIS set, yes, sharing vendor name... see link below.
The reason I was interested in this set is because of the odd shape of the king's crown.
NOW....I can safely/correctly say, I have a one-of-a-kind set of chessmen as this exact set is not offered in plane boxwood, anywhere!
I'm reporting that I'm 100 percent happy with the replacements, extremely happy! See a few pics below...will post more later. Received these at my office today.
Looking at the rook, I'm seeing how impeccable the cuts are! Usually there are some very slight burs or stragglers on the inside edges....I wouldn't change anything about this replacement side...
Conclusion; I had an issue and sent an email, received response the next day, requested a plain boxwood replacement and received exactly what I wanted, and I'm very happy with the quality, it's awesome quality, perfectly carved.
Yes, I will 100 percent recommend The Chess Empire, their products are perfect and they stand behind making customers happy, and most of all their customer service responds instantly to issues...something that you don't find today.
I've had some issues from RCM regarding shipping damage, and one set had some small cracks on a few pieces....I sent ONE email only with pictures. I received an email from Manwinder the very next morning; "We are sending out replacements ASAP". This was the response for both issues....I received them in perfect condition. No 5 emails of arguing, they were on top if it and I would 100 percent recommend RCM... And the chessmen were perfect!