Like bytes in a megabyte (1030 I think) it is rounded down for ease of reference. As a connoisseur of QUALITY puzzles - not bragging, but at any one time I have over 140 of them, like Ravensburger, Gibsons, Falcon and Clementoni, who are second only to Ravensburger, I can categorically say the QUALITY ones have 1008 pieces. Those of lower quality like Smiths, or King have 1000 pieces.
Most of Ravensburger puzzles are 1000 pieces, but their 500 piece puzzles contain 500 pieces as stated on the box. With the top four I mentioned, you should be able to almost lift the puzzle on it's side without it falling to pieces, and the quality of the box it come in should be a dead give-away to it's contents. Count the pieces carefully. If you count out 1007 pieces, reject it. The pieces cut from the jig must be divisible by four. Don't take a chance - people remember others for their errors, not for their accuracy. If you're going to take a chance, clear yourself by saying sold as seen. Then there are no comebacks. I've sold literally hundreds of puzzle over the years and have only come unstuck three times. I usually put "Any queries please contact me directly." I hope this helps.
