Yeah....I'm thinking twice.
Really sorry you're having a hassle...Been there and it sucks!
Post Your Chess Sets
Sort:
Mar 10, 2021
0
#1743
On a lunch break from work and I just set up my GM Blitz Edition on a new board that I purchased a week or so back. I really like it. This is a 50cm board with 5cm squares. I wasn't intending to purchase a board but I walked past a general games shop and noticed this board. Nothing special and not expensive - just a nice usable board, I reckon.
(Here in Melbourne - our lockdown only recently ended and I hadn't been to a chess or games shop for well over a year.) I am happy I walked past and then into this shop in the city. I also purchased a smaller board (40cm) that should work at the local pub. :-)
Interestingly, they noted that they had very limited supply - this was their only two boards and expected next delivery was in May. Seems retail is stuck in the same supply pickle due to increased global demand.
PS @Loubalch - sorry to hear you are having a rough time getting a replacement.
GambitHawk wrote:
@loubalch Ouch, that's a nasty crack, sir. Sounds like SC needs a PR person or email handler.
What is the wood for that Knight?
Gambit,
That's what's so surprising, it's stained boxwood! This leads me to suspect that in a rush to scale up production they may be using wood that's not completely dried.
Mar 10, 2021
0
#1745
Lou, looking at that crack it makes sense the wood was not properly cured. That’s a big and long crack. I can envision the wood contracting around the weight and cracking.
Mar 10, 2021
0
#1746
loubalch wrote:
MORE HASSLES WITH THE CASTLE.
Staunton Castle, that is. One of the dark knights from my 1950 Dubrovnik set developed a large crack in the base. I immediately sent an email to Mandeep on February 14th and he responded right away saying they would send out a replacement "soon." I waited 10 days, no replacement, no shipping notice. I sent a second email on February 24th, again NO RESPONSE. Today I sent a 3rd request (14 days later!). No telling if or when I'll be getting a response. This level of customer service (or lack thereof) is totally unacceptable! I've been a good customer, purchasing three expensive chess sets from SC, but I'm sorry to say that if and when the replacement ever arrives, I am not inclined to purchase anything further from Staunton Castle until they get the heads screwed on straight! What good is a product guarantee if the manufacturer doesn't follow through?
I feel your pain. I've been trying to get two cracked pieces replaced. First request was January 6. Since then they respond politely to each email I send, they ask for photos and then do nothing. I have sent them pictures of the cracked pieces 3 times.
loubalch wrote:
MORE HASSLES WITH THE CASTLE.
Staunton Castle, that is. One of the dark knights from my 1950 Dubrovnik set developed a large crack in the base. I immediately sent an email to Mandeep on February 14th and he responded right away saying they would send out a replacement "soon." I waited 10 days, no replacement, no shipping notice. I sent a second email on February 24th, again NO RESPONSE. Today I sent a 3rd request (14 days later!). No telling if or when I'll be getting a response. This level of customer service (or lack thereof) is totally unacceptable! I've been a good customer, purchasing three expensive chess sets from SC, but I'm sorry to say that if and when the replacement ever arrives, I am not inclined to purchase anything further from Staunton Castle until they get the heads screwed on straight! What good is a product guarantee if the manufacturer doesn't follow through?
That is one serious crack, Lou. Check out my Danum thread. Mandeep responded to my request quickly though one replacement piece missed the quality control exit door.
loubalch wrote:
MORE HASSLES WITH THE CASTLE.
Staunton Castle, that is. One of the dark knights from my 1950 Dubrovnik set developed a large crack in the base.
Fuuuuuuuugggg. That is nasty. It pains me to see that. And it's boxwood too? Dang.
What do you mean by it "developed" a large crack? You received the set. Inspected. Looks fine. It was fine for X-amount of days. Played with it. Put it away. Played with it. Put it away. Then one day out of the blue, you wake up and there's a crack there?
You didn't keep your set in the refrigerator, did you Lou?
Remember that beautiful $1000 custom Oleg Raikis set posted here a few days ago? Unweighted. Oleg ain't messing around with potential cracks due to lead weights in drilled holes and replacement pieces. No sir. Wide base is fine.
https://www.chess.com/forum/view/chess-equipment/oleg-raikis-staunton-set-for-sale
Mar 10, 2021
0
#1751
Pawnerai wrote:
Remember that beautiful $1000 custom Oleg Raikis set posted here a few days ago? Unweighted. Oleg ain't messing around with potential cracks due to lead weights in drilled holes and replacement pieces. No sir. Wide base is fine.
https://www.chess.com/forum/view/chess-equipment/oleg-raikis-staunton-set-for-sale
That set is quite lovely!
Mar 10, 2021
0
#1752
Pawnerai wrote:
loubalch wrote:
MORE HASSLES WITH THE CASTLE.
Staunton Castle, that is. One of the dark knights from my 1950 Dubrovnik set developed a large crack in the base.
Fuuuuuuuugggg. That is nasty. It pains me to see that. And it's boxwood too? Dang.
What do you mean by it "developed" a large crack? You received the set. Inspected. Looks fine. It was fine for X-amount of days. Played with it. Put it away. Played with it. Put it away. Then one day out of the blue, you wake up and there's a crack there?
For me, yes that's exactly how it happened. Although my pieces were stored, not used or displayed every day.
Brynmr wrote:
You didn't keep your set in the refrigerator, did you Lou?
No, it was set up on the kitchen table @ 66F degrees. I just hope this was a fluke and not a foreshadowing of things to come. 
STAUNTON CASTLE UPDATE!
Posting here in the forum must have done the trick. I heard back from Mandeep who apologized for the delay and assured me the replacement knight will be sent out tomorrow! You know what they say, the squeaky wheel gets the grease. Thanks to fellow forum members for all your support! (Fingers crossed)
Mar 10, 2021
0
#1756
You're absolutely correct....Ha!
But....me'thinks it would be better for me to let things play out for a few months.I can't stand seeing so many people being disappointed and don't get me started on the cracks issue,which seems to have greatly increased with the sudden surge in chess popularity.
If I can hold out,it would be great,but temptation usually wins out.
Btw,I have been quite vigil with my indoor RH and in room temperature,where I keep my sets.It has been a really cold winter and when things get really cold,my Rh is still in the low 40's.
I use a good portable humidifier and could keep things closer to an almost exact 50%,but don't wish to overwork the unit......Wood's not going to crack at a 40% humidity for a few days,before it goes up to 45-50%.
loubalch wrote:
ADDENDUM: Posting here in the forum must have done the trick. I heard back from Mandeep who apologized for the delay and assured me the replacement knight will be sent out tomorrow! You know what they say, the squeaky wheel gets the grease.
MORE HASSLES WITH THE CASTLE.
Staunton Castle, that is. One of the dark knights from my 1950 Dubrovnik set developed a large crack in the base. I immediately sent an email to Mandeep on February 14th and he responded right away saying they would send out a replacement "soon." I waited 10 days, no replacement, no shipping notice. I sent a second email on February 24th, again NO RESPONSE. Today I sent a 3rd request (14 days later!). No telling if or when I'll be getting a response. This level of customer service (or lack thereof) is totally unacceptable! I've been a good customer, purchasing three expensive chess sets from SC, but I'm sorry to say that if and when the replacement ever arrives, I am not inclined to purchase anything further from Staunton Castle until they get the heads screwed on straight! What good is a product guarantee if the manufacturer doesn't follow through?
What a sad commentary on customer service. For such a specialty item as chess sets, it is so imperative to have superlative customer service. Good luck on your replacement.
Mar 11, 2021
0
#1758
loubalch wrote:
STAUNTON CASTLE UPDATE!
Posting here in the forum must have done the trick. I heard back from Mandeep who apologized for the delay and assured me the replacement knight will be sent out tomorrow! You know what they say, the squeaky wheel gets the grease. Thanks to fellow forum members for all your support! (Fingers crossed)
I think it was my email to him. After reading your complaint and that of others, I decided to write to him, pointing out these posts and trying to convince him that if he wants to be in business for the long run he needs to pay better attention to customer service and quality. Hopefully, SC will be a seller we can count on.
Mar 11, 2021
0
#1759
Powderdigit wrote:
On a lunch break from work and I just set up my GM Blitz Edition on a new board that I purchased a week or so back. I really like it. This is a 50cm board with 5cm squares. I wasn't intending to purchase a board but I walked past a general games shop and noticed this board. Nothing special and not expensive - just a nice usable board, I reckon.
(Here in Melbourne - our lockdown only recently ended and I hadn't been to a chess or games shop for well over a year.) I am happy I walked past and then into this shop in the city. I also purchased a smaller board (40cm) that should work at the local pub. :-)
Interestingly, they noted that they had very limited supply - this was their only two boards and expected next delivery was in May. Seems retail is stuck in the same supply pickle due to increased global demand.
PS @Loubalch - sorry to hear you are having a rough time getting a replacement.
Nice board! And they way the border is done encourages you to focus on the game!
RichardHG wrote:
loubalch wrote:
STAUNTON CASTLE UPDATE!
Posting here in the forum must have done the trick. I heard back from Mandeep who apologized for the delay and assured me the replacement knight will be sent out tomorrow! You know what they say, the squeaky wheel gets the grease. Thanks to fellow forum members for all your support! (Fingers crossed)
I think it was my email to him. After reading your complaint and that of others, I decided to write to him, pointing out these posts and trying to convince him that if he wants to be in business for the long run he needs to pay better attention to customer service and quality. Hopefully, SC will be a seller we can count on.
Welcome to 'we who demand the quality that is advertised'.
Hmm?I am on the cusp of getting the Pre Staunton 1900/01 set from Staunton Castle.Now I am on the fence.
Hope you get the deserved customer service.
I'll hold onto my money for a while,as I ponder switching to my # 2 choice,when it's back in stock.... C.B.'s 1951 Ceska Kublovska pieces.
Magic,
I hope you like to gamble. Doing business with SC right now is tantamount shooting craps! A word that pretty much sums up the quality of their customer service. . .CRAP!