My experience with Chess Bazaar

It may not be what you ordered, but don't you think it looks fantastic when you see it in person?  I certainly did.  I think its a beautiful set.  Are you going to exchange it?  

@forked_again Honestly, I don't prefer the distressed look. I get why someone would want distressed especially for a Morphy reproduction, but I am not one who does. I just prefer plain boxwood. I think someone said on CB&E that they prefer their boxwood sets to age with them. I am just like that. Anyways to answer your question, it did grow on me a bit but Mandeep eventually sent me a plain boxwood half/side which I really love.

I think it really matters on why you buy a Chess set.

I am a Chess player with no desire for collecting as a collector does.  When I buy a set it is for the use and pleasure of playing with it.  I have no desire to duplicate an old set for my use.  This is why every set I own is a reproduction and not an original.  The newer sets are made better.  I also do not care at all for the antiquing or distressing of pieces.  I don’t necessarily dislike that but I just don’t care about it.  Therefore I want my sets to be the original wood, finished.  
I think if people want antiqued or distressed pieces that’s fine.  There’s nothing wrong with it.  Also if people want to buy the original sets that are usually antiques that’s also fine.  I just prefer not to buy this stuff.

I am with you Eyechess. I want all reproductions. I do always ponder buying an original 3.5 Morphy set at some point in my life. The conclusion that I always come to is that it would not be practical. I would be terrified to touch the set in case I damage it. It is not like I can find a replacement piece on the web. As a result, it would just sit in my closet. I rather have a repro I can use everyday to play and study chess without the worry about damaging it.

Agreed, 98% of all my wood sets from Antiqued  or Historical eras are reproductions with the exception of some of the Noj line I own. 

Yeah, we are all Chess players in this regard and not true collectors.  But there certainly is room for all types.

SELLING OFF MY FANCY CHESS SETS

I've sold, or am selling off all my fancy contemporary chess sets. All of my over-the-board play is done offsite, at coffeehouses mostly, with crowded spaces and small tables, not the type of environment I felt comfortable bringing my expensive chess sets.

I agree with Eyechess, if I'm not using a set why is it taking up space on the shelf? With the funds recovered I'm buying sets I'll be using on a regular basis.

@Loubalch I am somewhat in the same boat. I only want to keep sets I love and intend to use all of the time. I had 4 sets that were sitting in my closet all of the time. I sold one already. I promised to give the best of the four, the HoS Players Series in Indian Rosewood, to my friend when the pandemic is over. The last two, a 10" magnetic and a 3.75 french staunton variation, will be donated to the Salvation Army also when the pandemic is over. I hate stuff wasting away in my closet.

Always good karma to recycle those things we no longer need. Keeps the energy flowing and provides the space for stuff we do need (or want) to flow in. 

So true!

Only to an extent.

Works for me, YMMV.

When a few shekels become more important than maintaining good customer relations, it's not a good sign. Perhaps they're feeling the heat from other Indian manufacturers (consolidators) who are crowding into a market they've had mostly to themselves for a number of years.

You can only cut corners so much before you end up with a circle!

I definitely have to agree with the "great" Loubalch!

However, the Covid crisis that India is going through has to be seriously affecting companies like Chessbazaar and so many others! 

I want,so badly,to buy a set from C.B......but,I have to wait until, say the holiday season,to see how things shake out.

I am hoping it all clears up and they get back to offering good customer service and consistent quality.......So far,no cigar!

You'd think a company that manufactures chess sets would understand the meaning of the phrase, "the customer is king!"

I agree,but maybe they get a pass due to the current crisis.I hope I'm right,or it's sayonara to my future dealings with C.B.

Noting @sound67 's comment - I too have not had a bad experience but it is a much smaller window of experience! I have purchased three sets only. Full transparency, I am currently awaiting replacement pieces on my Shera set because of faulty lacquer when recently delivered, especially on the rosewood pieces but numerous boxwood pieces too. That said, the Chess Bazaar team have been very understanding and apologetic of this issue and notwithstanding this issue, I recommend Chess Bazaar - from my perspective, they provide good products and good value and if something goes wrong - they stand behind their guarantee and have always been responsive to me. Further, I am in no rush for replacements given the pandemic situation in India right now; happy to wait and get flawless replacements. (On a related note, I am posting this from a locked down Melbourne as we attempt to get a COVID outbreak under control here. All good I am sure we will. ) 

All that said, while I have never asked for one, I would be exceedingly angry if I could not get a refund such as noted by dbrit7. That would be frustrating indeed.