Just received the set the other day, thus haven't had a chance to use the set much yet -- just for some exercises, to work out some illustrations and problems in a chess book or two. So no reason to mark it down. I'm just about to leave for three months on my sailboat, so we'll see how durable the set turns out to be. My guess is that it'll do fine. Some initial impressions:
The size works well for me -- not quite full size, but large enough to use comfortably. It fits in my backpack; TBD if it will make the cut for a longer trip (I don't want to get a bigger backpack, but I also find those really teeny chess sets discouragingly hard to use).
The set is not elegant or fancy -- it's straight-ahead simple and functional. It's also not very expensive. A good combination for me.
The slip of paper with the chess and checkers rules of play is laughably incomprehensible. Probably not an issue -- I doubt someone approaching the games as a rank beginner (as I am) hasn't found a basic introduction to the games before ordering this set.
The degree of magnetic stickiness seems about right. The pawns and pieces stay put but aren't hard to pick up.
I improvised protective caps or sleeves out of cardboard and duct tape, to slide over the ends of the set when folded. This is more to protect the interior of my backpack from chafe from the corners than to protect the chess set (though the caps will help with that as well). I'll probably round off the corners with sandpaper when I get a chance. They're not rounded at all.
The set does not include extra queens. No big deal -- use inverted rooks or some of the checkers pieces if needed.
I put the checkers pieces in a small (approx. 2" x 4" ) zip-lock bag I had lying around rather than keep them loose, then deal with 24 small objects kicking around and trying to lose themselves in impossible places every time I open the board for a chess game. Then with a bit of blue painter's tape I taped the zip-lock bag to the storage area.
I like that the ranks and files are numbered and lettered, respectively.
Check back in 5 or 6 months, when it'll be clear how the set has stood up to some land and sea travel and casual to moderate use.