Sorry if someone already posted this ... it's INSANE!!!
Why is it insane?
I think it looks like a pretty typical cheap $19.99 plastic set. Pump it up on TV and sell it for $40? And add $20 for shipping and suddenly you're making money.
It's the American way .https://www.mychess2020.com/Home
According to Rolling Stone, the company that sells it has already spent $153,000 advertizing it on TV. That must mean they expect to sell at least 10,000 of these.
I meant insane like the way Crazy Eddie's prices were insane, as in AMAAAAZING!
When they decide who the Democratic nominees are, you can special order that side's King and Queen (it's just two podiums now)!
And it comes with a numbered certificate of authenticity!
Hey, wait a second ... Obama and Biden are the Rooks on that side –– does that mean if Biden's nominated he'll get to be a King and a Rook?!?
It wasn't just a triple Knight fork... it was an impeachment!
uh oh....
With this set, you don't say "checkmated", you say "removed from office"!
Wait for the Trump Inaugural Collectors Edition.
I was gonna win the game, but my Bishops declined to hear the case!
I wouldn't want to be the one to tell Pence that he's Trump's Queen!
Does anyone have one of these sets yet? I got sucked in yesterday. I ordered two sets, with the "deluxe" folding board. I figure that I'll stash it away as a gift for a friend or family member. Curious to see what the left side king and queen end up costing. Can't say that I'll be inclined to buy them. I'll probably just keep the empty podiums. Oh, and hi, my name is Nik and I'm new here. If I get my set before anyone else posts it up, I can offer up some pictures and first impressions. I'm not expecting it to be a terribly nice set. Time will tell!
Nik
Hi Nik, welcome aboard. I actually ordered one, a midrange model. Just as a fun novelty item. This was a couple of days ago, and it still hasn't shipped as far as I can tell. I hope they are real, and it's not some kind of scam!!! I'll update and maybe post some pics if it ever actually gets here!
P.S. They are saying the sets max out at about $100 or so, but to get the eventual Blue King and Queen, they want $1000 apiece.
The Symbolic Podiums are non- refundable, and cannot be traded-in.
One thing to note about these kinds of collectibles, though, is that they are better off left in the box with the original wrapping intact. That way they are sure to increase in value as they are handed down through the generations.
Also, of course, the lower the number on the Certificate Of Authenticity, the greater the eventual profit when the time comes to sell the heirloom.
Day 4: No shipping notification yet.
I'm thinking maybe they only made the one set so far ... for the commercial?
That might be a logical explanation for the order backlog.
No reason to doubt it's legit.
NOTICE: This will be my last report until, and unless, someone responds. I have now run up against the chess.com "Five Consecutive Post" rule. DISCLAIMER: For the record, I AM NOT...repeat AM NOT endorsing, recommending, or promoting this product in any way, shape or form. It was covered on an "irreverent" CNN segment, and, as notmtwain mentioned, in Rolling Stone magazine. This thread was posted as a news report about a new chess set with a little bit of tacky humor sprinkled in –– nothing more! Will continue to report in if someone, ANYONE(!!!) replies.
UPDATE: Order placed on 1/12/20, finally decided to follow up on the status. Here's what happened:
Called the number on the ad, reached a call center. Inquired as to why I hadn't received any shipping notice. Was told, after a lot of stonewalling, that the order would not be shipped until March. Was able to glean, upon further inquiry, that indeed there is apparently only one extant set, the prototype, that was used for the commercial. When I attempted to cancel the order, they asked for my card information, which, of course, they already had. Additionally they said that they had to add more $ for my State's sales tax, even though the shipping address for the company is in NJ, not my State, and therefore does not pass the so-called "nexus test" –– as far as I can tell. So I hung up. I then called the number on my bank statement, which is different than the ad number, with a Jersey area code, and reached something called Baldhead Productions. I was again asked a lot of questions including my full card number which I refused to provide. I was then transferred to the number on the ad, so I again hung up. I was never able to talk to anyone about the set itself, like when the left side king and queen would be manufactured, and their cost etc.
Bottom Line:
I ended up cancelling the charge through the bank. I can't say for sure that these sets will never exist, but I can't take that chance. If this was a pre-order, it should have been disclosed on the ad, and on the ad site, so kindly provided by notmtwain. Additionally, I have contacted both CNN and Rolling Stone magazine about their role, even if unintentionally, in promoting this most likely fraudulent product. Caveat Emptor. It's the American way.
P.S. Thank you admins, and mods, for agreeing to this exception to the 5 Consecutive Post Rule.
I guess it turned out to be the 2020 battle to acquire the Battle for the White House 2020 Chess Set...
Hardee har har!
Both of you ... blocked.
That's right –– get off of my lawn!!! *shakes fist*
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Sorry if someone already posted this ... it's INSANE!!!