“We are not allowed to divulge information about our production process”, the company told a frustrated puzzle enthusiast. David Farrier investigates this utterly pointless mystery.
Thanks so much for sharing this story! Don’t worry about the absence of a M. Night Shyamalan-ending, still an interesting read. :)
On the topic of puzzles...you might be interested in this Dutch news story: https://nos.nl/l/2330401
Sometime ago a lady received a puzzle by mail that she, nor her family or neighbours ordered. She stored it away, but decided to take it out to give her grandchildren something to play with during these boring times. Turned out, the box did have a lot more than a puzzle in it: approximately 500 xtc-pills! Curious to see if the police will be able to get to the bottom of this one.
There is nothing I have discovered of yours that isn't absolute gold! My fiancee sat with a Disney themed, 1000 piece Clementoni puzzle on our coffee table for months. One piece missing. It was absolutely heartbreaking seeing her work so hard on something that will forever be incomplete! Thank you for the article and I look forward to reading the rest!
Same thing happened to me. I am googling how to get the missing parts, then I find this story and your reply. It’s so frustrated that they don’t provide after sale service in USA.
I'm amused - mainly because I am one of those bastards who likes to sneak in occasionally and remove a single piece from a mammoth jigsaw which is in the process of being assembled. I bet the company owner is like me.
Thanks for helping me to feel better about my 1 missing piece from a brand new Clementoni branded puzzle—that was also in a sealed plastic bag when I opened the plastic wrapped box!—I just finished (sans the one missing piece!!!) comforting yet disheartening all at once!
Thanks for this story. It makes me feel a little bit better that I’m not losing my mind after tearing apart my apartment looking for one remaining puzzle piece from my beautiful Clementoni Venice puzzle.
OMG, its Rochelle here from Retrospace, I kid you not, I have the exact same issue to solve for a customer during lockdown... a sealed 1000 piece jigsaw with one piece missing! My first thought was they may have just lost the piece, but now I think there is a wider thing afoot....perhaps they should send them whole, and supply a craft knife to DIY it..... This brand of the puzzle is Haynes, a Star Trek Klingon battle cruiser that will forever stay battle damaged....
Oh my gosh - hey Rochelle (PS everyone, when lockdown ends please check out Retrospace online or in store... all the pop culture you could want!) - sorry to hear about this. What the heck is going on? Does this conspiracy extend beyond the Clementoni puzzle enpire?! Let me know if you find an explanation or solution!
They are “not allowed to divulge information about our production process” yet there is a YouTube video which appears to be produced by them showing the entire production process
Just finished it, and NO missing pieces! Delighted yet a tiny bit disappointed that it’s all here?! Yes, I’m weird! It’s the 500 pc Bengal Tiger Cub puzzle and is beautiful.
A great read whilst drinking my coffee this morning! Reminds me of a different yet similar experience...
When my daughter was 3, she completed a 40piece rocket puzzle from the Early Learning Centre. So proud of her achievement, however there was a final price missing!
After a trip to said shop they insisted that the fault could not be their own and refused to replace the piece or refund the puzzle.
Easy to blame a toddler.
Emotionally scaring experience for both child and adult alike!
Puzzling!
Thanks so much for sharing this story! Don’t worry about the absence of a M. Night Shyamalan-ending, still an interesting read. :)
On the topic of puzzles...you might be interested in this Dutch news story: https://nos.nl/l/2330401
Sometime ago a lady received a puzzle by mail that she, nor her family or neighbours ordered. She stored it away, but decided to take it out to give her grandchildren something to play with during these boring times. Turned out, the box did have a lot more than a puzzle in it: approximately 500 xtc-pills! Curious to see if the police will be able to get to the bottom of this one.
That is... a lot of pills. Wow.
me reading this instead of paying attention to my zoom class
This was so interesting, it’s like 11:30 pm and I’m like losing my shit I’m so bored, ty for everything, cheers
Cam, I'm glad you enjoyed it. Little distractions can be nice during strange times like these.
There is nothing I have discovered of yours that isn't absolute gold! My fiancee sat with a Disney themed, 1000 piece Clementoni puzzle on our coffee table for months. One piece missing. It was absolutely heartbreaking seeing her work so hard on something that will forever be incomplete! Thank you for the article and I look forward to reading the rest!
You have your own Clementoni story! What on god's green earth are they up to!
Same thing happened to me. I am googling how to get the missing parts, then I find this story and your reply. It’s so frustrated that they don’t provide after sale service in USA.
I love your writing.
I'm amused - mainly because I am one of those bastards who likes to sneak in occasionally and remove a single piece from a mammoth jigsaw which is in the process of being assembled. I bet the company owner is like me.
You absolute demon.
You end up giving back... RIGHT?
I hope they find the ~missing pieces~ of this mystery
Thanks for helping me to feel better about my 1 missing piece from a brand new Clementoni branded puzzle—that was also in a sealed plastic bag when I opened the plastic wrapped box!—I just finished (sans the one missing piece!!!) comforting yet disheartening all at once!
I am SO glad you found this first Webworm piece ("piece!" ha!) and it caused some closure or you. Very glad.
Now following Clementoni on Twitter. currently close to finishing a 1000-piece puzzle, from another vendor.
Thanks for this story. It makes me feel a little bit better that I’m not losing my mind after tearing apart my apartment looking for one remaining puzzle piece from my beautiful Clementoni Venice puzzle.
I’m here for you!
OMG, its Rochelle here from Retrospace, I kid you not, I have the exact same issue to solve for a customer during lockdown... a sealed 1000 piece jigsaw with one piece missing! My first thought was they may have just lost the piece, but now I think there is a wider thing afoot....perhaps they should send them whole, and supply a craft knife to DIY it..... This brand of the puzzle is Haynes, a Star Trek Klingon battle cruiser that will forever stay battle damaged....
Oh my gosh - hey Rochelle (PS everyone, when lockdown ends please check out Retrospace online or in store... all the pop culture you could want!) - sorry to hear about this. What the heck is going on? Does this conspiracy extend beyond the Clementoni puzzle enpire?! Let me know if you find an explanation or solution!
Will do!! A local supplier, but again the Puzzles are an overseas release hmmmm
They are “not allowed to divulge information about our production process” yet there is a YouTube video which appears to be produced by them showing the entire production process
I completely missed this Darren! Amazing fact. What a strange lil' company.
You know i just have to order a puzzle now, right, lol!!
Just finished it, and NO missing pieces! Delighted yet a tiny bit disappointed that it’s all here?! Yes, I’m weird! It’s the 500 pc Bengal Tiger Cub puzzle and is beautiful.
Great read David. Looking forward to more, all the best from Canada
A great read whilst drinking my coffee this morning! Reminds me of a different yet similar experience...
When my daughter was 3, she completed a 40piece rocket puzzle from the Early Learning Centre. So proud of her achievement, however there was a final price missing!
After a trip to said shop they insisted that the fault could not be their own and refused to replace the piece or refund the puzzle.
Easy to blame a toddler.
Emotionally scaring experience for both child and adult alike!
There is NOTHING worse than a missing puzzle piece. I feel you.