Ever receive a bad sample set? (2 Viewers)

[Duck]

First time ordering sample sets, and I was wondering if it was normal to sometimes receive bad sets. I had just received a sample set of the Atlantic Club Inlaid Amold Chips from CPC and the quality isn't the greatest to say the least.

That being said I have a friend across the country who raves about these chips and highly recommends them. So I was wondering if it's possible to just receive a bad batch. Don't have much experience with sample sets, so wasn't sure if this was the norm.

 

[pltrgyst]

Sorry to hear that. What exactly are their shortcomings?

 

[Denali]

Pics?

 

[MegaTon44]

CPC is a site sponsor and a vendor that many PCF members have purchased from and rave about. Discussing quality concerns is valid, but please be sure to elaborate so many of the experts in this community can weigh in.

 

[Nex]

My samples (color set, mold set, random inlaid) have had various issues on single chips: Things like scraped-off material, embedded hair, different-colored dirt specks, scratches. The sample set of CSQ Rounders I got was all okay.

I've asked David about it and he confirmed my suspicion that it's simply lower quality standards for the samples in order to keep their manufacturing price manageable. Non-sample chips have higher quality standards.

 

[Duck]

Oh I don't mean to badmouth them by any means, I had also received a sample set of CSQ Rounders from CPC and they are phenomenal. I'll take photos of the Atlantic Club Inlaid Amold Chips later tonight when I'm home to show what I mean.

I think @Nex repsonse cleared up my question though. I was just wondering if it's possible for their to be a bad batch. And it definitely makes sense for them to have lower quality standards for sample sets. I just wanted to make sure that was the case.

 

[Rhodeman77]

My samples (color set, mold set, random inlaid) have had various issues on single chips: Things like scraped-off material, embedded hair, different-colored dirt specks, scratches. The sample set of CSQ Rounders I got was all okay.

I've asked David about it and he confirmed my suspicion that it's simply lower quality standards for the samples in order to keep their manufacturing price manageable. Non-sample chips have higher quality standards.

I think this is a bad business practice. Samples are supposed to represent exactly what I would get if I placed a full order. Trying to save a few dollars using seconds in a sample set could cost them thousands in sales when someone doesn't know.

If they do continue to do this, there should at least include a letter stating that they are seconds and that a full order will not include chips of this lesser quality. But then what is the point of samples?!?

 

[upNdown]

I've asked David about it and he confirmed my suspicion that it's simply lower quality standards for the samples in order to keep their manufacturing price manageable. Non-sample chips have higher quality standards.

That's the dumbest thing I've heard in a while. Aren't people buying samples to see if they want to buy a set? And aren't they less likely to buy a set if the samples aren't good quality?

 

[Denali]

Every sample set I have ordered have been excellent with the exception of a slightly warped white from the color sample set.

Have so far...
Horse Head mold Atlantics
A mold Atlantics
Full color samples (no inlays) -- (had the slightly warped white)
Mold sample set
Inlay sample set
Also have Key West Roulette & Poker samples

 

[Duck]

So these are a few of the chips that I got sent as part of the sample set.





In the 1000 chip the lack of color in the indents is the most noticeable thing.

All of the inlays are not really circular and have the chip bleeding into them. I took a picture of a Rounders CSQ chip I also got in a sample set as comparison. In the Rounders chip the inlay is perfectly circular.

 

[mipevi]

Have you tried cleaning the indents with a tooth brush?

The chip "bleeding" over the the inlay happens on molds with rougher texture. Is this what causes the inlays to not look circular to you? I can't see any difference from pics vs. the Rounders inlay.

 

[Nex]

That's the dumbest thing I've heard in a while. Aren't people buying samples to see if they want to buy a set? And aren't they less likely to buy a set if the samples aren't good quality?

I would agree with that for inlaid samples and samples of in-stock designs.
For samples whose primary use is to make detail decisions about the design of a custom, i.e. color, mold and inlay shape samples, not as much.

I do agree though they should probably clearly communicate this fact up front with purchasers to avoid confusion like this.

 

[pltrgyst]

Agreed, that quality should not be a concern with color and mold sets, or samples sent for free. But for purchased specific set samples, I'd expect the quality to be as good as the delivered full sets -- i.e., the best quality of which they're capable.

 

[rowlin]

I’m sorry you are not satisfied with your samples. The resolution of those photos makes it difficult for me to see them in any sort of detail.

In response to the question at the end of OP, I think the disclaimer about compression-molded chips that Michael (HPC) has on his site should be required reading, or at least stickied somewhere, for the community at large.

 

[BGinGA]

I think this is a bad business practice. Samples are supposed to represent exactly what I would get if I placed a full order. Trying to save a few dollars using seconds in a sample set could cost them thousands in sales when someone doesn't know.

I agree, but it's a pretty common occurrence for samples from many chip vendors. A new set owner is a lot more likely to complain (or even notice) flaws, plus they spent the big bucks.

Not saying it's right or smart, but that's the way it is.

The worst sample set I've ever received was from @Chippy McChiperson - every single chip was horribly warped, and the absolute worst of any chips in my collection. They won't even fit in air-tites, the warping is so bad. Dunno if it happened during transit, or if I did something to piss him off....

 

[David Spragg]

My samples (color set, mold set, random inlaid) have had various issues on single chips: Things like scraped-off material, embedded hair, different-colored dirt specks, scratches. The sample set of CSQ Rounders I got was all okay.

I've asked David about it and he confirmed my suspicion that it's simply lower quality standards for the samples in order to keep their manufacturing price manageable. Non-sample chips have higher quality standards.

What I actually said is that you might get the odd sample not 'up to scratch'. Most samples are certainly not made from rejects (as suggested elsewhere), from extra/spare slugs maybe, but not rejects.

 

[David Spragg]

So these are a few of the chips that I got sent as part of the sample set.


View attachment 124426 View attachment 124427 View attachment 124428


In the 1000 chip the lack of color in the indents is the most noticeable thing.

All of the inlays are not really circular and have the chip bleeding into them. I took a picture of a Rounders CSQ chip I also got in a sample set as comparison. In the Rounders chip the inlay is perfectly circular.

I see a little dust in the grooves etc. It will wipe off. That's how clay chips are supplied. Sometimes a tiny bit of clay encroaches on the inlay edges. That's true of any real clay chip ever made by any company. It's the nature of a 100% hand made one by one product.

 

[jja412]

So these are a few of the chips that I got sent as part of the sample set.


View attachment 124426 View attachment 124427 View attachment 124428


In the 1000 chip the lack of color in the indents is the most noticeable thing.

All of the inlays are not really circular and have the chip bleeding into them. I took a picture of a Rounders CSQ chip I also got in a sample set as comparison. In the Rounders chip the inlay is perfectly circular.

Do you mean the inlay is not centered, or that the inlay is actually not round? From the pictures off center looks to be a possibility, but they certainly look round.

Not taking sides, just asking for clarification.

 

[Krony]

I think he means jaggedness which is to do with the texture of the mold.

 

[Duck]

Have you tried cleaning the indents with a tooth brush?

The chip "bleeding" over the the inlay happens on molds with rougher texture. Is this what causes the inlays to not look circular to you? I can't see any difference from pics vs. the Rounders inlay.

Thanks so much for the advice! I'll definitely try brushing it with a toothbrush. And I think that may be it based on what people are replying in this thread. The inlays just seem jagged compared to the Rounders.

 

[Duck]

I’m sorry you are not satisfied with your samples. The resolution of those photos makes it difficult for me to see them in any sort of detail.

In response to the question at the end of OP, I think the disclaimer about compression-molded chips that Michael (HPC) has on his site should be required reading, or at least stickied somewhere, for the community at large.

Yeah sorry about that. Only camera I had access to was the one on my phone, but i'll give that disclaimer a read. Thanks for the heads up!

 

[Duck]

I see a little dust in the grooves etc. It will wipe off. That's how clay chips are supplied. Sometimes a tiny bit of clay encroaches on the inlay edges. That's true of any real clay chip ever made by any company. It's the nature of a 100% hand made one by one product.

Thanks for taking the time to reply, really appreciate all the info! Very cool that the site vendor comes down to explain the info. This is all still very new to me so really good to know.

 

[Duck]

Do you mean the inlay is not centered, or that the inlay is actually not round? From the pictures off center looks to be a possibility, but they certainly look round.

Not taking sides, just asking for clarification.

I think he means jaggedness which is to do with the texture of the mold.

Yeah @Krony nailed it. To me the inlays seemed to be jagged around the edges but I wasn't aware it was due to the type of material. Just threw me off since the inlays in the Rounders CSQ have no jaggedness whatsoever.

 

[v1pe]

I did find that some of the colors were less vibrant in the indents on some of the samples I received, also A mold. I gave them a light rub down with mineral oil, let them sit for a bit and rubbed off any excess and they seemed to brighten up. May try that if a clean doesn't seem to help.

 

[Chippy McChiperson]

I agree, but it's a pretty common occurrence for samples from many chip vendors. A new set owner is a lot more likely to complain (or even notice) flaws, plus they spent the big bucks.

Not saying it's right or smart, but that's the way it is.

The worst sample set I've ever received was from @Chippy McChiperson - every single chip was horribly warped, and the absolute worst of any chips in my collection. They won't even fit in air-tites, the warping is so bad. Dunno if it happened during transit, or if I did something to piss him off....

Are you serious?

 

[BGinGA]

Totally.

 

[Chippy McChiperson]

Sorry about that Dave, was it the Nirvana set or the Haus of Bluff set? I'm doing an add-on for the Nirvana set, so if it was that one I can send out a new sample set as soon as they come in. I can assure you it must have happened in transit, I wouldn't intentionally send out warped chips (not that I noticed any when I got them from CPC).

 

[WedgeRock]

Like range golf balls...

 

[JoseRijo]

every single chip was horribly warped, and the absolute worst of any chips in my collection. They won't even fit in air-tites, the warping is so bad. Dunno if it happened during transit, or if I did something to piss him off....

Which scenario seems more plausible?

1) There was exactly one one horribly warped chip of each denomination in his set and he thought, "I know just who to send these to..."

2) The envelope holding a set of perfectly fine chips was subjected to high temperatures either during transit or afterward.

 

[ranger764]

I don't remember who it was and it doesn't really matter, but I remember getting a sample of someone's chips where I felt like he sent out the chips with flaws for his samples. It was pretty obvious.