Do custom set buyers pick "rejects" for sample sets? (2 Viewers)

Mental Nomad

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I'm not going to rag on people who might choose to do this, but I really want to know if the buyers of custom chip sets who offer samples are making sure to keep the best chips for themselves and/or pull out "off" chips for the samples.

I ask because either this is true, or I've had some bad luck on sample sets I've purchased, or CPC's quality control is worse than I expected. Am trying to get a handle on which it is.
 
I wouldn't intentionally give people my worst chips, but I wouldn't intentionally give them my best either.
 
What did you think of the Iron Bank samples? That was pretty close to randomly distributed. I did cherry pick my 2 sets, but I just grabbed whatever was on top of the stacks for everybody else. 95% of them had to ship out, since I only had samples sets shipped to me from CPC.

Concerning the appearance of edgespots specifically, I have the vague feeling that the repeatability of CPC's process is below GPI's, but it's definitely still at a level I would be happy with (if I had the cash for a custom set).
 
I just can speak for myself. I did both, I traded with excellent samples and sold poorer sample chips for a fair price in the end as I had only a few left.
But I did mention that and sent out photos to enable people to decide wether or not to buy.
I also make the experience to receive not the best quality chips which doesn't bother me as one side of the chip was always good enough.
 
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I also make the experience to receive not the best quality chips which doesn't bother me as one side of the chip was always good enough.

That's a good point actually. I don't have customs but this makes total sense to me.
 
I'm not going to rag on people who might choose to do this, but I really want to know if the buyers of custom chip sets who offer samples are making sure to keep the best chips for themselves and/or pull out "off" chips for the samples.

I ask because either this is true, or I've had some bad luck on sample sets I've purchased, or CPC's quality control is worse than I expected. Am trying to get a handle on which it is.

I just grabbed a barrel out of each denom as my samples. They were what they were.
 
Random. If there was a problem with one of the chips I changed it out for a better one, but that was rare.
 
IIRC there have been several discussions of this in some of the more recent sample set threads, and sample set sellers were encouraged by buyers to send their more problematic chips out and keep the "good" ones for themselves (or just flat out stated that they had some not-so-great chips that would be used for the sample sets.) That may or may not have caused a trend with other sellers in cases where it wasn't specifically discussed. I haven't really noticed myself, because I'm fine with it and am comfortable with CPC's QC regardless. But if you're using recent sample set purchases to get a baseline on QC, you may be getting a skewed picture.

Oh, also specifically the samples that I sent you probably came originally from ASM-LV, and came out of my "extras" box which were some of the more less-than-amazing (but unused!) chips.
 
Luckily atomiktoaster handle the sample sets for me so I'm blameless ;)

If there was a problem with one of my samples I would try to replace it. When sending out the few sample sets I needed to do its was a completely random selection. I checked them quickly to make sure there were no obvious defects then sent them out.
 
So I looked at it this way. I didn't want to send all my best chips out but I didn't want to send ugly samples either. I sent a cash set (5 chips) and a tournament set (6 chips) out simultaneously. I picked what I would consider midline chips for every chip except one for each set and sent one lower level chip with each set. I did not send any fugly chips though.
 
So I looked at it this way. I didn't want to send all my best chips out but I didn't want to send ugly samples either. I sent a cash set (5 chips) and a tournament set (6 chips) out simultaneously. I picked what I would consider midline chips for every chip except one for each set and sent one lower level chip with each set. I did not send any fugly chips though.

Man that would've been time consuming with ASM Vegas chips ;)

Btw I thought the sample set you sent me was great apart from some uneven spots. But those type of things add character to the chips for me. :)
 
Man that would've been time consuming with ASM Vegas chips ;)
Lol it was

Btw I thought the sample set you sent me was great apart from some uneven spots. But those type of things add character to the chips for me. :)

That's part of the kicker to me. Part of a clay set is that it is organic. If it was cookie cutter perfect I think it would seem sterile. I tried to give everyone a good representation of average chips with one lower quality chip in each set. (Cash/tournament) I tossed all abominations. I didn't want ANYONE to have them. I never wanted my product to be associated with inferiority.

I couldn't send anyone a batch of bad chips even if they asked for them, my pride won't allow it.
 
I could see why people would pick the off chips but I plan on just grabbing a stack of each denom. Everybody has their own opinion but I for one like the "off" chips bc I think it adds character and displays the hand-made aspect.
 
I'm not going to rag on people who might choose to do this, but I really want to know if the buyers of custom chip sets who offer samples are making sure to keep the best chips for themselves and/or pull out "off" chips for the samples.

I ask because either this is true, or I've had some bad luck on sample sets I've purchased, or CPC's quality control is worse than I expected. Am trying to get a handle on which it is.

I’m very curious as to just how bad the chips are? OP, I understand you don’t want to point fingers publically, but would you mind sending me a PM with a picture?

I think if they chips were really really bad, then it should have been a reject issue with CPC itself. Examples would be warped chips, misshapen inlays, missing edge spots, etc. Otherwise, it’s just a matter of personal level of preference. I personally don’t like split edge spots, for example, but some others are ok with them.

I have purchased numerous samples sets over time, Paulson, BCC, ASM. I don’t think I’ve ever had a set so bad that I had complained to the seller about. Is it luck? Or maybe I don’t care that much for a sample set?

Back in the early CT days, I ran an ASM chip group buy with over 35,000 chips ordered. I think it would have driven me insane to inspect every single chip just to send off the “worst” samples. I just cared about getting the quantity and address right.

In the end, I personally think sending off bad samples is bad chip karma. This is a relatively small community, and if you’re not happy w/ your sample set, I think the seller should want to make an effort to make things right.
 
Btw if anyone got a error chip from my set (wrong spots, spot color etc.) I'll happily swap you. It may sound weird but I was hoping to find a quirky error chip :)
 
I like to collect sample sets and I display them in airtites in a closed display. Therefore, I usually encourage people who give me or sell me sample sets with any defect, as long as one side is display-able.

When I sent samples from my chips, I didn't review their conditions, I made stacks from each of the denoms as they came out of the box.
 
Not apples-to-apples, but when I've sent out sample sets (Lucid Diamond ceramics, CPS china clays), I've just grabbed chips for shipping and ensured that at least one side of every one was decent for presentation purposes. Error chips (wrong inlay/label, wrong/missing spots, etc.) I just keep.

As a recipient of many sample sets, all I really care about is decent inlay and edgespot quality on one side (also for presentation purposes). And preferably unbroken. ;)
 
Agreed. I have not been collecting sample sets very long. But as long as one side is in good shape with inlay and edgespots....that is perfect for me when I get my display case
 
I've had the exact same question in my head before, but I'm such a pessimist I just assumed that since I'm not a well known member I absolutely get "less than perfect" sets. I'm not into perfection, and when they go on my wall there is probably one side of the problem chips that I will display and it will be just fine, but I am 100% a believer that I have received sample sets of less than desirable chips that can't be random. Like I say, not the hugest deal, as long as they are in one piece I'm happy. The one that really bummed me out was the set that showed up with every denom having a chip/chunk out of it from mailing. I would much rather swap a replacement set than get a few bucks back, but when the extras are all doled out you can't break into fresh barrels just for a sample set. Those chips now reside in a land fill somewhere after I shuffled them for a little bit, all the others will be just fine for display on my wall, and my non chip nerd friends will never be able to pick out what is wrong with them. :D

When my custom set is made, and if sample sets are wanted, I've always just pictured myself grabbing the first barrels I see and breaking those up. Seems to be the best way, and if anybidy ever wanted to swap me I would be fine with that.
 
Speaking for myself, I consider all members here and on CT as equals, and would never discriminate based on posting count or 'well-known'-ness. That's pretty snobby behavior.*

If you have paid for a sample set and received damaged chips (especially to the degree of necessitating disposal) , I advise strongly contacting the sender for replacements/compensation. There is an implied contract in place with such matters, and I'd be shocked if it wasn't made right (or as right as possible).


* I do, however, discriminate against pessimists....
 
Speaking for myself, I consider all members here and on CT as equals, and would never discriminate based on posting count or 'well-known'-ness. That's pretty snobby behavior.*

If you have paid for a sample set and received damaged chips (especially to the degree of necessitating disposal) , I advise strongly contacting the sender for replacements/compensation. There is an implied contract in place with such matters, and I'd be shocked if it wasn't made right (or as right as possible).


* I do, however, discriminate against pessimists....
Even Mojo??? ;) ;) ;)
 
Everybody, even the assholes. And I'm not calling anybody out in particular..... as I'm quite sure that I'm on at least one or two asshole lists....
 
I've had the exact same question in my head before, but I'm such a pessimist I just assumed that since I'm not a well known member I absolutely get "less than perfect" sets. I'm not into perfection, and when they go on my wall there is probably one side of the problem chips that I will display and it will be just fine, but I am 100% a believer that I have received sample sets of less than desirable chips that can't be random. Like I say, not the hugest deal, as long as they are in one piece I'm happy. The one that really bummed me out was the set that showed up with every denom having a chip/chunk out of it from mailing. I would much rather swap a replacement set than get a few bucks back, but when the extras are all doled out you can't break into fresh barrels just for a sample set. Those chips now reside in a land fill somewhere after I shuffled them for a little bit, all the others will be just fine for display on my wall, and my non chip nerd friends will never be able to pick out what is wrong with them. :D

When my custom set is made, and if sample sets are wanted, I've always just pictured myself grabbing the first barrels I see and breaking those up. Seems to be the best way, and if anybidy ever wanted to swap me I would be fine with that.
I think this could be me. I could ship u a new sample set it u want. I didn't realize they were so damaged. Hope I can make it right.
 
Speaking for myself, I consider all members here and on CT as equals, and would never discriminate based on posting count or 'well-known'-ness. That's pretty snobby behavior.*

If you have paid for a sample set and received damaged chips (especially to the degree of necessitating disposal) , I advise strongly contacting the sender for replacements/compensation. There is an implied contract in place with such matters, and I'd be shocked if it wasn't made right (or as right as possible).


* I do, however, discriminate against pessimists....

I guess I just see it as a way of life, when you have a group of people in anything there are always going to be "core" groups of people that look out for each other. I don't think it's necessarily a bad thing, and I am definitely not saying that's "the way it is" here, I just assumed, and could definitely be wrong. Again though, while it could be snobby behavior, it's also human nature to look after the ones that are closer to you, or, at the very least, more familiar to you. And as far as the sample set that I threw away, it was only because they were to damaged to display and while I was shuffling them one of them just kept crumbling. I took it as an opportunity to dissect some CPC chips to see what was on the inside. The seller did offer a few bucks back (not a full refund if I remember right, but I never asked for anything), and while I appreciated it I politely declined. I'm not worried about a few bucks, I just like getting cool chips in the mail (god I love getting chips in the mail ) and if a new set wasn't available I considered it a done deal. I didn't mean for it to sound like I threw them away out of spite, I wasn't mad at all.

* As a pessimist I just assumed you discriminated against me no matter what

Even Mojo??? ;) ;) ;)

See, now even I've been around long enogh to know he's got you there. ;) j/k
 
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I once sent a sample set out with a reject chip in it but notified the person up front. Plus I gave them the sample set gratis, so if they no like they can do one!
 
When I pulled my samples I selected good chips for at least one side...unless I screwed up. I found several half pie inlays off a bit and kept those for myself. I'm happy with the quality of my chips and I received some extras. It more than covers a few unique chips
 

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