My experience with Chess Bazaar
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Jul 3, 2019
0
#62
Knights come apart. Don’t appear to have ever been glued. Stain comes off on your hands. That’s very sloppy quality control.
Jul 4, 2019
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#63
I do get carried away with things where CB is concerned. Disclaimer: Probably no angels were harmed in the sales of CB or the writing of my comments. I just really don't approve of their business practices and I'm running out of nice ways to say that. I'll be quiet now.
Jul 4, 2019
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#64
I didn't think that posting my very minor event (wouldn't even call it an issue) with my knight would lead to an excuse to bash CB. I will reiterate that my set is beautiful, finish is very smooth,, color is fantastic and uniform, wood grain beautiful, detail work on the knights, rook crenelations, bishop miters all excellent and done with care, weight is perfect, etc.
True some people have had some noteworthy issues with CB, but obviously many others have not. And I would caution anyone who reads about a CB problem to look at the date of the post, because I have noticed that those complaints were much more common in the past than they are now.
BTW my knight has jumped back into action in my latest daily game.
AmandaThePawn wrote:
Bamboo58 wrote:
Not good that this had happened to both of you. Not a one off situation.
if this is the worst thing that ever happens to someone? count ur blessings... u lead a sheltered life
So one can't complain about possibly shoddy workmanship unless it's the worst thing that has ever happened to this person?
LOL at you.
Jul 4, 2019
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#66
DrChesspain wrote:
AmandaThePawn wrote:
Bamboo58 wrote:
Not good that this had happened to both of you. Not a one off situation.
if this is the worst thing that ever happens to someone? count ur blessings... u lead a sheltered life
So one can't complain about possibly shoddy workmanship unless it's the worst thing that has ever happened to this person?
LOL at you.
Sorry to have to explain this to you bro, but that is called a figure of speech. Figures of speech are not to be taken literally. It means, basically, don't make a big deal out of something so minor.
Jul 4, 2019
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#67
sound67 wrote:
Anyway, going through my sets I noticed that I was missing a "straight" Staunton set in my favourite wood combination (boxwood+bud rosewood) - of course that needed to be addressed immediately (#21stcenturyproblems). So I bought this "Sleek Staunton" set from Royalchessmall, and again it's a very nice set for a modest amount (I had a complaint about one bishop, let's see how that pans out. Nicely weighted, too: King=85g, Queen=75g, Knight=68g, Bishop=65g.
Dude if you keep showing me all these cool pieces I am going to catch your habit!
I checked Royal chess mall and didn't see that set, but this one is calling to me for $186!
Beautiful!
Jul 4, 2019
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#68
sound67 wrote:
The lacquered sets have been calling out to me too all the time, but so far I've managed to resist that call. I'm working with wood a lot myself (violin seller), and in my philosophy it's wrong to have beautifully textured wood - and then smear shellack gloss onto it to obscure it. But, no doubt, it'll happen sometime soon ....
BTW, on eBay, you can find the Sleek Staunton here: https://www.ebay.com/itm/4-Sleek-Staunton-Luxury-Chess-Pieces-Only-Set-Triple-Weighted-Bud-Rose-Wood/303130523825?epid=1833164668&hash=item4693fcb8b1:g:mSUAAOSwuG1cub71
I know what you are saying about the lacquer, but they do kind of replicate the look of the old ivory sets, and besides they are just plain pretty! A guy with a collection like yours needs at least 1 lacquer set!
But That set is called the stallion and it also comes in Boxwood/rosewood and Ebony /rosewood! I think I would like an ebony/rosewood set, where the rosewood pieces are the white.
sound67 wrote:
I wish one could buy knights separately, so many would go well with different Staunton sets.
You can buy them separately. Chessbazzar is the manufacturer, contackt them by email and tell them what you would like to buy. They can even make you a custom chess set to your design and specification. For a price.
Anyone ordered the Knubbel set from CB? How is the quality ?
till64 wrote:
Anyone ordered the Knubbel set from CB? How is the quality ?
https://www.chessbazaar.com/reproduced-vintage-1930-german-knubbel-analysis-chess-set-in-ebonized-and-natural-boxwood-3-king.html
I have the crimson version and have no complains. I got it when it's on sale (way less than 100 dollars), it's great value for me.
Aug 28, 2019
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#73
sound67 wrote:
Meanwhile, I've inquired with Chessbazaar whether they would sell sets of 4 knights separately, as there's a number of different sets where I'm intrigued with the knights, but not so much with the rest of those sets.
Turns out they would. I inquired about three different sets, medium- and higher priced (like the Duchamps knights) - their flat fee for a set of knights is US$200 - apparently regardless of the value of the rest of the set. That I find rather excessive.
I wondered the same thing. My Sinquefield cup set is based on the Jaques antique design except for the modernized knights, so I figured I could just by some Jaques style knights and completely change the look of my set. But for that price, it would be better to just buy a complete 1849 reproduction set.
Aug 28, 2019
0
#74
I had a similar experience with wanting a complete set of knights for their Latvian set.They changed the size of one of the replacement pieces,which was cracked.I waited a bit too long to let them know this,so figured I'd have to pay for the new,hopefully correct sized one.
They wanted me to buy 2,which made sense,but wanted $60 for the 2 pieces.At the time I kinda' forgot to obsess over it,but later decided to use a little psychology on them,explaining that they need to upgrade their consistency and that I had bought quite a few sets from them(it does not hurt to let them know you are a member of Chess.com).
Long story short,,,,they sent me a complete set of 4 knights for $50.00
I like C.B.'s offerings,but they are still very inconsistent.Color,finish,wood quality.....you never know what you will get.Even on replacements,which I've had numerous experiences with......Overall,I have been able to put together some perfect sets from them(never an issue with my NOJ/O.S./Era Retro,or even Royal Chess Mall sets) and am currently quite happy,but it too work!
sound67 wrote:
Took advantage of the recent "Labor Day Sale", 40% off pieces and sets from US$99.
Among the things I ordered is this rather nice "Contemporary Staunton Series & Board" I want to use for analysis. A little bigger than a travel set (15" board with kings at 2.6"). I had toyed with the idea for some time, but at €76 (!) incl. shipping I really can't complain.
For such small pieces, the detail is really quite good. Of course, grain inconsistencies are more notable on smaller pieces, but nothing really bothering. The board is pretty decent, too. Of course, I will have to add some glue to some of the felt bottoms, but by now I'm pretty much accustomed to that. It's a budget combo after all. And the differences in brightness of the sheesham black pieces is much less pronounced than what I expected.
Why the top of the rook from them is always dull?
Mohan_Kumar_Chess wrote:
Why the top of the rook from them is always dull?
Do you mean the round platform inside of the tower walls?
Sep 6, 2019
0
#78
DrChesspain wrote:
Mohan_Kumar_Chess wrote:
Why the top of the rook from them is always dull?
No such problem with my chess Bazaar rooks
What are the full wooden chess boards from CB like ? As seem to offer good deals on ebay .
As finding a full wooden board not of the veneer kind is not easy or cheap here .
I know I'm CB bashing a bit here, but I can't stop myself, it's just too much fun. Every time somebody buys a set off of them, an angel dies of aids.
If I paid good money for a set I wouldn't want knight torsoes coming loose. Just doesn't give you a nice fuzzy feeling inside, sheltered life or not (wtf sheltered life? Do we need to talk about Africa next?). It was the same story with the stain of red CB pieces rubbing off, regardless of how many members on these forums would advise simply to seal the sets yourself. I remember a couple of members on here even defended CB saying stuff like "Well, it's not like you're going to play with wet hands or sth." Which is as ridiculous as canned bread in itself.
I know CB has made strides in the right direction in terms of quality in recent years. In fact, the 1849 they have looks almost as good as the design from OS they ripped off. However, to me, CB's evolution over the years is actually part of a bigger issue, as they remain a slightly odorous, underhand company that simply doesn't know its own identity. Is it bang for your buck or is it not so cheap and better quality? If it were up to me I would pick a better intermediary company or deal with the indian carvers directly. They have various sites up and running I believe.
My hope is that if we all just agree to stay away from them, they will soon stop filling ether with badly designed sets, ridiculous, ostentatious knights and unsealed stains.