Missing Piece - Puzzle Exchange

In a beautiful, magical way, Missing Piece Puzzle Exchange came into my life a little over two years ago and has since become a constant and joyful part of my routine. I first found them as I sought out puzzle competitions (as I had just learned that these types of competitions were a thing from an out-of-state friend) and was intentionally seeking a competition near me. From the first competition, Erin (the owner) made me feel like part of the family—the family of people passionate about puzzles, even though I pale in comparison to the puzzle champs that have come out of Missing Piece in more recent times. I’ve roughly participated in a puzzle competition with Missing Piece now at least every other month for two years. Their competitions are extremely well run and they’ve done an excellent job picking some fantastic puzzles for the competitions. Erin’s team has grown over the last two years, but the joy and warm welcoming to their competitions and, more recently, their physical store have stayed true to the original warmth and joy upon which Erin founded Missing Piece. I must touch on this additional impressive attribute that Missing Piece offers: they have the ability to recreate an actual missing piece from a puzzle. I have no idea how, but she did it for me for one of my puzzles one time, and I will forever be grateful. To sum it up: if you like puzzles, a warm and inviting community, and having a resource in your back pocket to replace the dreaded missing piece, Missing Piece Puzzle Exchange is where it’s at! I love this company and community so much. Pics from over the years included because it was fun going down memory lane.

I gave the Puzzle Exchange two stars solely for past good experiences. My wife is an inveterate puzzle worker who is very good at at it, mainly because it is her passion. We have made the 70 mile trip to Denver many times over many years past, always happy with not only the trip, but coming home with a treasure trove of puzzles. With our last trip, this all changed. We left with a bitter feeling about the place, and a promise to never return. We had taken 30 puzzles down to exchange. When the owner looked at these puzzles in our car outside, she figured a bit then offered fifty dollars for all of her puzzles in (literally) like-new condition. As the bystander in the operation I said nothing, but quickly figured that the lady was about to make out like a bandit. My shy wife, not used to barter or haggling said "OK", much to her regret later on. Had I been a little more on the ball, I would have said "We'll take one hundred", but I didn't. The fifty dollars, when exchanged for puzzles, translated to a paltry few, especially since the prices for even average used puzzles now seem to start at twenty dollars and soar from there. The Missing Piece Puzzle Exchange is now missing two loyal customers who will never be back. This operation is now a greedy, one-sided deal, definitely not in favor of the customer. Buyer beware!

Love this business! You can rent puzzles as a local and trade in as much as you want, 4 puzzles at a time. Staff are always willing to help you pick out puzzles based on your interests. I recently requested puzzles to practice speed puzzling, and the photos are all the puzzles they recommended. You can also buy new puzzles from them. They also host puzzle competitions throughout the year.