Amazing popularity of NOJ

I was scoping out a few chess set manufacturers and NOJ,who I had not looked at since obtaining a dark stained TAL set,with the upgraded Knights a while back, caught my eye.....Very professional people there,btw.

Wow! Almost a 2 year waiting period!

Admittedly,I am a fan of this company(though I doubt I'll buy another from them) yet was surprised at the wait time!

I guess the NOJ  quality and the popularity of the game has really helped these guys.

Funny.....My wait was only 2.5 months,but that was 1.5 years ago......Even got a slight discount.-

Lucky you! Couldn't have happened to a nicer guy...."you" and NOJ.

It's good , to  hear that Noj will not compromise on there make of chess sets , Which is often the case with , supply  & demand ? As we know from past posts etc .

Still I wonder how many , will still be willing to pay 1k + when there order is ready to be fulfilled ? Or is it a passing must have fad ?
 

Yes. It's one thing to simply put your name and email on an online waiting list with no obligation and no money down. It's quite another story when it comes time to put your hard earned money down on a $1000 set of game pieces. Sometimes you don't realize how much money that is until those bills are literally in your hand. OR.... I might just be trying to psych everyone out so they cancel and my name gets bumped up faster.

I joined the wait list more than 6 months ago for May, 2022 delivery of a Pavasovic set (I have a Dubrovnik Minceta). I will be fulfilling my order.

I wonder how much my Dark Stained Tal Set,with upgraded Knights go for now?

I think I paid about $865 including ship around 18 months ago...Btw,the box supplied is superb,even though not wood.

Really classy.Still in as new shape.

I own the GM Pavasovic set in Walnut.  This is a very nice set that competes nicely with the various Staunton sets.

2 year waiting list sounds like opportunity going to waste.  Of course they could maintain quality if done right.  Upsize the business and rake in the cash.  

I own a red Dubrovnik II.  I like it a lot.

Actually,I believe the wait time is the end of 2023.

They certainly won't upsize the business,imo......They are a quality first outfit and everything is carefully hand made.....No nasty or disappointing surprises from these guys once the set comes in.

Btw,a shout out to Eyechess(hope you're feeling better) for turning me on to NOJ,through many of his old posts.....He was flamed by some for telling the truth about this upscale company.

Should have added that I'm not attempting to be a fanboy of NOJ and have no interest in buying another set from them.....I was simply surprised by how popular they have gotten and how long a wait it takes to get one of their sets nowadays.

Owning one,I understand.

+2

Thanks Magic.  I also do not plan or expect on buying anymore sets from Noj.  My wife and daughter will tell you I already own too many.  I just had my Minceta set at our renewed Monday evening OTB club.  It really is nice and durable, too.

I haven’t played slow games in about a year and a half.  Boy, I really need to bone up again.

I also am surprised on their backlog going to the end of 2023.  And their prices are now higher than I would want to spend.  I’m really glad I already own what I do.

You can be quality first and increase output with no compromises.  It's really a simple business even if you want to maintain the same hand made methods.  A couple more lathes, a few more skilled workers to hire or train, and you can have 5 times the customers and 5 times the profits or more of course.

Compare making a few chess sets to making a billion, perfect, complex, COVID vaccines where one mistake can cost many lives.  There really is no reason to not to take advantage of the market that I can see.  They must be doing fine as they are and see no reason to do better, which is ok too as long as they are happy 

No argument from me....

Hello all and it has been a bit of a spell since I checked in. I received my 4” Minceta in March 2020 or so and posted a review (along with the board I had made up) here someplace. I received my pieces in around three months because, fortunately, I beat the rush. 

Approximately six weeks after delivery, I placed an order for another set and the wait time was quite different. No problem as I am in absolutely no hurry. Just enjoying what I have!

I recently contacted Gregor for an update just to make sure I wasn’t forgotten about or “lost in the shuffle” so to speak. He promptly replied and informed me I was most certainly on the list but it was going to be quite awhile. 

In order to make this short, I basically told him, “Hey no problem. I have the cash set aside. Just whenever.” He thanked me for my patience and, to quote, “We will not be increasing our monthly production under any circumstances. We are a small family run business, always will be, and our reputation and quality comes first.” 

In this day and age of everything is expected yesterday, I am very happy to wait my turn. Damned impressive considering these fellows are in a relatively obscure location and (at least to my knowledge) do zero advertising.

On another note, I am a terrible chess player.  However,  my 4” Minceta is wonderful and has brought me and my family many great memories. One day I look forward to another. 

@eyechess - If it’s not too much trouble I would like to pose a brief and generic question. However, I don’t want to bother you so if you don’t reply that is fine.

Best wishes to all.

EDIT: I received my first set of pieces in 2021. My apologies. Must have been another “senior moment.” Everyone have a great day!

Also they probably dont want the stress that comes with increasing the volume and size of the business. And buyers are attracted to buying something rare from a small family business. That advantage could be lost depending on how much they expanded.