Predator shaft quality problems?

klockdoc

klockdoc

ughhhhhhhhhh
Silver Member
Personnally I would never purchase another or recommend to anyone to purchase a Predator shaft. I still own three of them. One of them is split up the side of the shaft. I contacted Predator about the defect and they told me that they would not repair it..:eek:

Just seems incorrect when a manufacturer does not stand behind their product. I could see if it was mis-handled or my fault, but, Predator would not even take a look at it to determine the condition or the cause of it.

I remember a friend of mine purchased a Tim Scruggs cue from someone else. He wasn't the original owner. He sent it back to Tim for a new wrap. Tim looked over the cue and repaired several items that he said were manufacturers defects. He could have chosen not to, but, he wanted to make good a situation that shouldn't have been missed originally.

Now that is a class act.

Anyone else have any problems with their Predator?
 
I've owned something like 14 since 1995 so I've had plenty of opportunity to get some bad ones, which I did. The ferrules were terrible for a while. I had several of them split. I had one shaft split like you did. Fortunately, Predator took care of every problem, but that was when Shane was there. Can't tell you how they respond to quality issues today.
 
according to multiple reports on the issue, Predator's quality is lowering daily. So many ferrules broken, going off...
 
Two Words: Real Wood

get a nice old growth maple shaft and let your worries fade away, You'll imagine yourself in

old timey poolroom
the-pool-hall1.jpg



drinking Budweiser
budweiser.jpg



and conversing with a talking sea otter who loves the shit out of pool, JUST LIKE YOU

SeaOtterFace.jpg




sleeeeeeep sleeeeeeeeeeeeeeep
 
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I have owned 6 or 7 different predator shafts over the years and have never had 1 problem. I am sorry to hear that any of you have.

BVal
 
I have only owned one and it is the Original 314 without the cat. I have never had problems with mine but I have heard that the new ones are going down in quality also. I do have a 314 with the cat on it on the way and am anxious to compare the two.
 
I have never had problems with the 4 shafts I have used over the years. Predator has assisted a friend of mine on more than one occasion when he sent in shafts to be replaced/repaired. Predator did the right thing in all cases, and my buddy has been happy with their service.
 
mosconiac said:
I've owned something like 14 since 1995 so I've had plenty of opportunity to get some bad ones, which I did. The ferrules were terrible for a while. I had several of them split. I had one shaft split like you did. Fortunately, Predator took care of every problem, but that was when Shane was there. Can't tell you how they respond to quality issues today.
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Wow! I can't imagine playing with that many shafts. I have enough trouble shooting consistently with the 3 I've owned in 10 years.

I've had no problems with any of them.

Regards,
Jim
 
I'm just curious as to whether you were the original purchaser and had your purchase documentation which is a requirement of their lifetime limited warranty. That requirement is commonplace for warranted products.

As a Pred owner, although I've never had any problems and wouldn't expect to buy another shaft for several more years, I sure would like to know if Pred. is just refusing to honor their warranty.

Regards,
Jim
 
I've had 4 that I used regularly, 2 older 314's (which are retired) and two newer 314-2's. None have had any problems.

I agree that if a laminated shaft separates/splits with no signs of abuse it should be replaced by the manufacturer.

Chris
 
I own 3, and have noticed that they have a tendency to hang balls in pockets, get me out of shape, and they also choke on the 9-ball. I have contacted the company, but they do not return my calls. I am thinking of driving to Jacksonville and showing them in person.:eek:
 
I have 12 Predator shafts at this time. Because of all of the different joint pins out there.. but I have never had a problem with any of them as far as splitting or anything like that. Maybe it's because mine are the older ones. I don't know about the Predator 2 because I don't own any. I do know one thing.. that is my game has improved greatly since I have been playing with them. Much less deflection and better cue ball control. I love mine...
mosconiac said:
I've owned something like 14 since 1995 so I've had plenty of opportunity to get some bad ones, which I did. The ferrules were terrible for a while. I had several of them split. I had one shaft split like you did. Fortunately, Predator took care of every problem, but that was when Shane was there. Can't tell you how they respond to quality issues today.
Click to expand...
 
av84fun said:
I'm just curious as to whether you were the original purchaser and had your purchase documentation which is a requirement of their lifetime limited warranty. That requirement is commonplace for warranted products.

As a Pred owner, although I've never had any problems and wouldn't expect to buy another shaft for several more years, I sure would like to know if Pred. is just refusing to honor their warranty.

Regards,
Jim
Click to expand...

Jim,

Thanks for your inquiry. As a matter of fact, I purchased the shaft in Vegas at one of the BCA events. To answer your question about the original sales receipt, NO, I lost it. Guess coming back from the event, I mis-placed it.

To me though, they should be able to evaluate the shaft and determine if it is a manufacturing problem, or, a customer abuse problem. Seems like just an "out" to say original receipt is required. Sure they can tell who made the shaft.:confused:

That is why I mentioned Tim Scruggs. It seems like reputable manufacturers stand behind their products.
 
There definately seems to be more and more problems. I have had quite a few full Preds and shafts alone with just a small handfull of issues , only that I've sent back.

2 close friends of mine are gong thru issues right now with new cues. One is back at Pred for the 3rd time now still trying to fix a rattle in the cue.

At least they are 'trying'. ;)
 
9 on the snap said:
I own 3, and have noticed that they have a tendency to hang balls in pockets, get me out of shape, and they also choke on the 9-ball. I have contacted the company, but they do not return my calls. I am thinking of driving to Jacksonville and showing them in person.:eek:
Click to expand...
I think we got the same shaft.
 
pool room

bigskyjake said:
Two Words: Real Wood

get a nice old growth maple shaft and let your worries fade away, You'll imagine yourself in

old timey poolroom
the-pool-hall1.jpg



drinking Budweiser
budweiser.jpg



and conversing with a talking sea otter who loves the shit out of pool, JUST LIKE YOU

SeaOtterFace.jpg




sleeeeeeep sleeeeeeeeeeeeeeep
Click to expand...



hey! big sky can you tell me the name of that pool room in the pic? does it still exist? Thanks
 
I've owned 2 314's and 2 z shafts. never had a problem with any of them, but then I"ve never had any problems with any of the cues I've owned...well other than the fact they don't pocket balls the way they promise. Oh, and Shane still works for Predator, at least he did about a month ago when I called there. He's a good guy, you should call and ask him what can be done.
 
While I have not had an issue with a Predator shaft, several people at the pool hall have had problems. Predator has stood behind most of them. I think the splitting (or de-laminating) issue is the main one that they don't want to repair, probably because it requires a replacement. All the ferrule issues have been handled. The standard answer for the delamination issues have been that they feel the shaft got wet at some point.

It is very unfortunate that the change in product/customer service has come up since the move to overseas. I certainly hope that it does not continue and that quality control stays at the top of the list for them. Now I understand that they have come out with a lower end line of cues (Poison?). If so, perhaps they are re-directing their efforts to a different market.
Joe
 
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