From: Hoffman.es@Xerox.ARPA Subject: Puzzlers Club resurrected? To: Cube-Lovers@MIT-MC.ARPA cc: Hoffman.es@Xerox.ARPA This came Tuesday (spelling and grammar as you see it). See my comments at the end. Dear Sirs, It has come to my attention that apparently quite a lot of the puzzles we sent to Puzzlers Club members were not received by them. Upon careful investigation of this matter, it now appears that they were confiscated by the Customs who must have thought at the time that they were Taiwan copies. As we did send the goods and paid the Airmail postage and then had so many claims to send the goods a second and third time, the Puzzlers Club suffered a very big loss and consequently had to closed down. Due to the suppressed Puzzle market, we are not producing new Puzzles at this time. However, we will be releasing later this year the "I.Q. DIE" which is the Skewb with Die markings, and a Game called 'King/Ace'. It is the Pyraminx without the 4 apexes, decorated in the 4 Card Suits, the Game is similar to Back-Jack. The "I.Q. DIE" and 'King/Ace' including instructions are now available to Ex-Puzzlers Club members and collectors at US$25 each including registered Airmail postage. Also a few 5 x 5 cubes and Regular Skewbs, Timber finished Pyraminx and Immposi-ball are still available as per price list below, including registered Airmail postage. A copy of the registered receipt will be sent by separate airmail. Stocks, however are limited, as there will be no additional production for several years at least. Please let me know if you wish some of the above items. I do apologize if you were one of the unfortunate ones who were affected by the customs action. However if you would like to send us your new order with payment, I personally guarantee that you will get the goods this time. (The customs have been notified that we are the legal copyright holder.) Once again my apologizes for any inconvenience caused. With warm regards, Mr Uwe Meffert 1985 PRICE-LIST Descriptions Item No. Unit Price 5 x 5 x 5 cube CE8426 US$25/Air Skewb CE8431 US$15/Air Pyraminx CE8423-24 US$20/Air Timber finished Pyraminx US$20/Air Impossi-Ball CE8429 US$29/Air 3D Nought's + Crosses CE8434 US$ 9/Air *All plus US$1 for registered mail. Please rush me with Item No...............Amount:............... PRICEWELL (FAR EAST) LIMITED Excellente Commercial Bldg., (Fifteenth Floor) 456 Jaffe Road Hong Kong. Postal Address: P.O. Box 31008 Causeway Bay, Hong Kong. Tel.: 5-8939944 Cable: "REFOUNDEL" Telex: 75600 REF HX ------------------------------------------------------ It was accompanied by one color page (sloppily torn out of a brochure) containing pictures of the puzzles. Well, I'm one of those who got burned, though I never was a member of the Puzzlers Club. In January 1983, I sent Meffert a Cashier's Check for a Skewb. I followed up by letter late that Spring. In Summer '83, I paid for and received very promptly a 5x5x5 cube from him. In January 1984, I wrote a second letter about the missing Skewb. I never got the Skewb nor any replies to my letters until this arrived! So now it's all the (U.S.) government's fault. Hmph. (Maybe I should attend those occasional Customs sales I've heard about!) I'm just a Skewb-hungry sucker, for I'm going to try again. But I'm not very reassured by his "personal guarantee". What good will that do me? The man doesn't even answer his mail. Oh, well. Order at your own risk. --Rodney Hoffman ------- Date: Wed, 18 Sep 85 21:38:00 EDT