what do you expect from custom cue builders

Quick Answer

The quick answer is it all depends who you're dealing with.

beneath_the_sur said:

do you expect to get what you asked/payed/agreed for?

whether it be a design,
a wrap
a weight
a color
a dimensional spec, or several?
a shaft

how about all of the above in a single cue being wrong

is it too much to expect exactly what you ask for when the builder agrees to it?

because im striking out this yr, not 1 cue ive had built has come the way I asked it to be,

thoughts?

Click to expand...

Anyway it could be a simple mistake?

Maybe they sent the wrong one?

What did they say when you asked?


If they gave you a bad response, let us know. If you never asked, why are you here telling the World?

You deserve your money back or a new cue the way you wanted it.

easy answer
YES
you should get what you agreed to
or at the least VERY CLOSE

beneath_the_sur said:

Anyway it could be a simple mistake?
I agree a simple mistake of not paying attention to the details agreed upon

Maybe they sent the wrong one?
not at all

What did they say when you asked?
yes of course I can do that

If you never asked, why are you here telling the World?
of course I asked

Click to expand...

Let me get this straight, you asked AFTER you got the wrong cue, RIGHT? Then you believe you got the RIGHT cue? But yet its totally wrong?

No way they said they sent the WRONG CUE?


I am asking WHAT did they say when you contacted them AFTER receiving the cue you got?

Surely you told them you got the WRONG CUE and you're saying they said

"Of course we can do that."

MAKES NO SENSE and that equals NO CENTS.

Maybe I got it now,,,,,

You got the wrong cue, you asked if they sent the wrong cue,

They said,,,,,


"We can do that."

Looks like you got what you asked for then.


OK, just some humor. Contact them and let us know, Thanks and have a great day.

I've never dealt with a custom cue maker directly, but based on having been a member on here for many years and reading the threads, I expect the following:

1. Massive delays
2. Being lied to about the reason for the delays
3. Having my cue held hostage for more money than agreed upon
4. Getting a cue that is completely the opposite of what I wanted, or not get anything at all.
5. If cue is received, having to put a Predator shaft on it, because the shaft is unplayable.

Disclaimer: Based on reading Azbilliards forum only. Exceptions may exist, although I'm beginning to have doubts about that.

Straightpool_99 said:

I've never dealt with a custom cue maker directly, but based on having been a member on here for many years and reading the threads, I expect the following:

1. Massive delays
2. Being lied to about the reason for the delays
3. Having my cue held hostage for more money than agreed upon
4. Getting a cue that is completely the opposite of what I wanted, or not get anything at all.
5. If cue is received, having to put a Predator shaft on it, because the shaft is unplayable.

Disclaimer: Based on reading Azbilliards forum only. Exceptions may exist, although I'm beginning to have doubts about that.

Click to expand...

Easy way to avoid some problems.

1. NEVER pay up front, not one cent. Pay when it's ready for shipping. PICTURES help as well, what happened on this deal?

2. Once a liar, always a liar, don't do business with liars.

3. Hostage taking is AGAINST THE LAW. Really, this is one great thing about AZBILLIARDS, call out the hostage takers.

4. If you had this happen, LET US KNOW.

5, My favorite,,,,, BUY AMERICAN, at least they understand English when you order.

DISCLAIMER,,,,, I understand the above posts DISCLAIMER.

I disagree with no money up front. The customer needs to make a down payment consistent with the final cost of the cue.

The cuemaker will invest time and money to build the cue and the customer needs to up front pay at least the cost of materials used.

Not all customers wind up buying the cue they ordered due to changes in their life, such as the loss of a job. The cue that person loves may be difficult to sell to another customer.

A reasonable down payment, labor by the cuemaker-now both parties have skin in the game.

Just my 2 cents after 23 years as a cuemaker.

Kenny Murrell and Pete Tascarella are the only two makers I have dealt with so far, and both built the cue I envisaged, both communicated in a timely fashion, both were $500 down, both charged me the balance of the agreed upon price when the cue was completed.

There are good guys out there for sure, these two have an excellent reputation and it is fully deserved.

Straightpool_99 said:

I've never dealt with a custom cue maker directly, but based on having been a member on here for many years and reading the threads, I expect the following:

1. Massive delays
2. Being lied to about the reason for the delays
3. Having my cue held hostage for more money than agreed upon
4. Getting a cue that is completely the opposite of what I wanted, or not get anything at all.
5. If cue is received, having to put a Predator shaft on it, because the shaft is unplayable.

Disclaimer: Based on reading Azbilliards forum only. Exceptions may exist, although I'm beginning to have doubts about that.

Click to expand...

I'm not saying that everyone purporting to be a cuemaker is without problems but it's unfair to post hearsay, even with a disclaimer.

Like in all businesses, a certain percentage of customers are difficult and cause their own problems. Without knowing both sides of every story about a problem with anything, not just a custom cue order, it is impossible to judge.

do you expect to get what you asked/payed/agreed for?

whether it be a design,
a wrap
a weight
a color
a dimensional spec, or several?
a shaft

how about all of the above in a single cue being wrong

is it too much to expect exactly what you ask for when the builder agrees to it?

because im striking out this yr, not 1 cue ive had built has come the way I asked it to be,

thoughts?


I just recently had a cue made for me by cue maker in my home town who also happens to be a member here, Jeff Cole. I paid him half the money up front. He stayed in constant contact with me as it was in production and on its time frame, even sending me pictures periodically without being asked. Answered every one of my questions and even asked some of his own to verify what I wanted. Only one miscommunication which was probably my fault, and he still took care of it immediately. I just laid eyes on it in person for the first time last night, and it is GORGEOUS. Exatly what I wanted: Woods, veneers, rings, joint collar, hoppe ring, everything. Only change from my original vision was he suggested a leather wrap and was able to talk me into it, but clearly asked me before it was applied. And boy I'm glad he did. Exact weight, balance, specs, everything. And all of his cues play amazing!! THIS IS WHAT I WOULD EXPECT from a cue maker.

Little known cue maker, nationally that is. Look him up.

beneath_the_sur said:

do you expect to get what you asked/payed/agreed for?

whether it be a design,
a wrap
a weight
a color
a dimensional spec, or several?
a shaft

how about all of the above in a single cue being wrong

is it too much to expect exactly what you ask for when the builder agrees to it?

because im striking out this yr, not 1 cue ive had built has come the way I asked it to be,

thoughts?

Click to expand...

You deserved to get everything you asked for WITHOUT A DAMMN DOUBT. ( within reasonable deviance of course )


If i go to Macdonald's and order a a Big Mac and i got say a double cheeseburger instead n the saleperson tells me hey they are both beef patties, they're about similar, i'll slap him across his face !

I feel your pain buddy,
I asked a well-known cue maker for black joints and buttcap and got ORANGE, was quoted a month delivery for a completed cue that a customer backed out, turns out he sold it and made me a complete different cue a year later and i mean TOTALLY DIFFERENT n took 6 months to make me an extra shaft. He must have thought i was an idiot that will not be able to differentiate different shades n color of cocobolo , bem and color of joint n buttcap !

These shitty experiencesand i mean from American Cue makers makes me look for custom versions from respectable production companies like exceed mezz or musashi adam and on the secondary market for customs.

However, a pleasant experience from Keith Josey still keeps my little custom hope alive , he delivered everything in the cue that i asked for although there was a lil hiccup in delivery time, wished i was informed if delivery was to get delayed ( communication problem ) overall , Keith Josey is a cuemaker i will go back to


Good luck

what do you expect from custom cue builders -???

following instructions and honoring a delivery time.

I ordered a cue in June. Was to take 4-5 weeks. Still do not have it. Was called for the balance to be paid as it was almost finished. Paid in full. Check cashed. I know I'll get the cue but will not order a custom again. I'll buy a built or production cue. Just suggesting to buy a cue from Seyberts or someone reliable that take returns or will exchange.

Scherf said:

do you expect to get what you asked/payed/agreed for?

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I have only had 2 cues built by custom order. Neither were delivered as I requested. I still own both because nobody would buy either of them if I tried to sell.

When I finally got to the point where I could afford to have higher end cues built for me, none of those cuemakers would accept my order. Should I just count my blessings?