Recently I bought a couple of spots in an action started by forum member via for a Varney Jump Break cue. I spent $40 and bought 4 spots in the auction and I was notified on November 11th that I won. All communication from this point forward was very professional until I received the cue and I discovered that it was not as described by the seller.
This is the sellers description of the cue in question:
"Up for Raffle
Brand new Kevin Varney Jump Break Cue
Birdeye Maple Forearm & Alves Butt Sleeve
19.2 oz.
13mm shaft with phenolic tip
large 3/8-10 radial joint pins
no nicks, dents or scratches! 100% mint"
Below is a link to the auction in question:
http://forums.azbilliards.com/showthread.php?t=161307
When the cue arrived there was no sign of damage to the packaging which is every surprising considering that the cue was shipped from Asia in only a paper wrapping not a cardboard tube or box. When I removed the cue from it's package and inspected it I found the following problems.
1) The wood around the ferrule had swollen leaving a ridge.
2) Next the cues butt has a major wobble at the jump joint, that could be due to facing, the pin or the female threaded section
All the above was checked on my lathe when turning between centers and the run out at that joint was beyond .40.
Now I immediately contacted Via about this these problems and below is my Pm's and his response:
My first PM sent to Via:
Hello I received the cue today, but there are some problems - 11-20-2009, 09:59 PM
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Hey Bud, I received the cue today but the butt has a major wobble at the joint for the jump handle. In addition the ferrule is smaller then the shaft.
Even though I could most likely fix these problems I do not want to touch this cue. So, give me a cue maker in the States to send it to to have it repaired, and I will send it to them.
Please understand this has nothing to do with how I personally feel about Varney, the cue is just screwed up and I want it fixed so I can sell it.
I will wait for your reply
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Put your heart into America or get your A$$ out of it
Craig W. Rittel
Full Splice Billiards
His response:
Re: Hello I received the cue today, but there are some problems - 11-21-2009, 03:11 PM
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i sent a brand new varney that is perfect. i don't understand why u said the ferrule is smaller and the butt has roll?
My next PM:
Re: Hello I received the cue today, but there are some problems - 11-21-2009, 08:42 PM
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I think I was very clear in my statement, so please recommend some one on the board that it can be sent to for repair. Like I said above the ferrule has either shrunk or the wood has expanded around it. The cues butt has a major roll in the Joint where it breaks down for jumping, so the butt wobbles.
Now, none of this was described in your action statement, so I kinda figure that you never checked it and that the problems came like this from Varney. There is no obvious sign of any damage from shipping, so the problems must be pre-existing. Any way, I do not what to cause any trouble for you over this, I just want it right so I can sell it. This is why I gave you a choice where I should send it, some one you trust so that they can tell you that there is a problem and then fix it.
I would recommend Ryan form Ratcues here on the forum, he well known and very honest.
Like I said I do not want this to blow up into any kinda of thread where people are thrown under the Bus, I am giving you the opportunity to take care of this.
Please let me know what you want to do.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Put your heart into America or get your A$$ out of it
Craig W. Rittel
Full Splice Billiards
His reply:
Re: Hello I received the cue today, but there are some problems - 11-23-2009, 11:20 AM
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ship it back to me using the address on the shipping . once i received it, i will refund you. thank you
Now I find the statement above interesting, this was not the sale of cue it was an auction, so if I send the cue back to him and get my $40 I lose a couple of hundred on this deal, and he gets the cue back and sells it again for double profit.
My next PM to Via:
Fw: Hello I received the cue today, but there are some problems - 11-22-2009, 10:41 PM
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Hello, maybe you did not check your Pm's today, I know I always don't feel like checking mine either. Please let me know what you want to do, I am not unreasonable, so please suggest what you think is fair.
Take Care
While Via was on line throughout the day no Pm / response was sent.
My next Pm to Via:
I do not want a refund, I want the problem corrected. Why should I loose out on a cue that I can make money on when it is fixed. It most likely will not cost that much to fix.
What is the problem with sending the cue to a third party to verify that a problem exists and to then have it fixed?
I do not believe that you are dishonest, I also do not believe that you are trying to get over and I have said that from the beginning.
Lets handle this the easiest way possible and end this debate, I feel like you are questioning my integrity by not believing that there is a problem. But that is OK, I understand it is most likely my history with Varney.
Please handle this fairly that is all I want.
My last and final PM to Via:
Varney Cue - Today, 12:15 AM
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This will be my last attempt to settle this issue with you, I have tried to be very understanding and respectful of you to this point. You have stopped replying to my Pm's and yet you have been on the forum every day, to me this speaks volumes to me personally.
I am going to send the cue to a well respected cue maker on the forum so that he can verify and correct the problems. Then I am going to personally out you for the way you handled this situation so that others know how you chose to do business. This entire situation could have been take care of for $40 or $50 most likely and yet you feel that the only route is to return the cue for a refund of my raffle payments and with shipping at my expense to China.
I am sorry but your solution doesn't work for me, because I will get $40 refunded and then you can sell the same cue again and double your profit, all I can say is wrong idea Bubba.
Take Care
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
What does everyone think of this situation am I wrong or am I right. I personally do no think I have been out of line with this gentleman in any way, however, I am losing patients with him. If any one out there is his Friend talk with Via, I am not asking for anything except what I deserve.
JIMO
This is the sellers description of the cue in question:
"Up for Raffle
Brand new Kevin Varney Jump Break Cue
Birdeye Maple Forearm & Alves Butt Sleeve
19.2 oz.
13mm shaft with phenolic tip
large 3/8-10 radial joint pins
no nicks, dents or scratches! 100% mint"
Below is a link to the auction in question:
http://forums.azbilliards.com/showthread.php?t=161307
When the cue arrived there was no sign of damage to the packaging which is every surprising considering that the cue was shipped from Asia in only a paper wrapping not a cardboard tube or box. When I removed the cue from it's package and inspected it I found the following problems.
1) The wood around the ferrule had swollen leaving a ridge.
2) Next the cues butt has a major wobble at the jump joint, that could be due to facing, the pin or the female threaded section
All the above was checked on my lathe when turning between centers and the run out at that joint was beyond .40.
Now I immediately contacted Via about this these problems and below is my Pm's and his response:
My first PM sent to Via:
Hello I received the cue today, but there are some problems - 11-20-2009, 09:59 PM
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Hey Bud, I received the cue today but the butt has a major wobble at the joint for the jump handle. In addition the ferrule is smaller then the shaft.
Even though I could most likely fix these problems I do not want to touch this cue. So, give me a cue maker in the States to send it to to have it repaired, and I will send it to them.
Please understand this has nothing to do with how I personally feel about Varney, the cue is just screwed up and I want it fixed so I can sell it.
I will wait for your reply
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Put your heart into America or get your A$$ out of it
Craig W. Rittel
Full Splice Billiards
His response:
Re: Hello I received the cue today, but there are some problems - 11-21-2009, 03:11 PM
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
i sent a brand new varney that is perfect. i don't understand why u said the ferrule is smaller and the butt has roll?
My next PM:
Re: Hello I received the cue today, but there are some problems - 11-21-2009, 08:42 PM
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I think I was very clear in my statement, so please recommend some one on the board that it can be sent to for repair. Like I said above the ferrule has either shrunk or the wood has expanded around it. The cues butt has a major roll in the Joint where it breaks down for jumping, so the butt wobbles.
Now, none of this was described in your action statement, so I kinda figure that you never checked it and that the problems came like this from Varney. There is no obvious sign of any damage from shipping, so the problems must be pre-existing. Any way, I do not what to cause any trouble for you over this, I just want it right so I can sell it. This is why I gave you a choice where I should send it, some one you trust so that they can tell you that there is a problem and then fix it.
I would recommend Ryan form Ratcues here on the forum, he well known and very honest.
Like I said I do not want this to blow up into any kinda of thread where people are thrown under the Bus, I am giving you the opportunity to take care of this.
Please let me know what you want to do.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Put your heart into America or get your A$$ out of it
Craig W. Rittel
Full Splice Billiards
His reply:
Re: Hello I received the cue today, but there are some problems - 11-23-2009, 11:20 AM
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ship it back to me using the address on the shipping . once i received it, i will refund you. thank you
Now I find the statement above interesting, this was not the sale of cue it was an auction, so if I send the cue back to him and get my $40 I lose a couple of hundred on this deal, and he gets the cue back and sells it again for double profit.
My next PM to Via:
Fw: Hello I received the cue today, but there are some problems - 11-22-2009, 10:41 PM
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Hello, maybe you did not check your Pm's today, I know I always don't feel like checking mine either. Please let me know what you want to do, I am not unreasonable, so please suggest what you think is fair.
Take Care
While Via was on line throughout the day no Pm / response was sent.
My next Pm to Via:
I do not want a refund, I want the problem corrected. Why should I loose out on a cue that I can make money on when it is fixed. It most likely will not cost that much to fix.
What is the problem with sending the cue to a third party to verify that a problem exists and to then have it fixed?
I do not believe that you are dishonest, I also do not believe that you are trying to get over and I have said that from the beginning.
Lets handle this the easiest way possible and end this debate, I feel like you are questioning my integrity by not believing that there is a problem. But that is OK, I understand it is most likely my history with Varney.
Please handle this fairly that is all I want.
My last and final PM to Via:
Varney Cue - Today, 12:15 AM
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
This will be my last attempt to settle this issue with you, I have tried to be very understanding and respectful of you to this point. You have stopped replying to my Pm's and yet you have been on the forum every day, to me this speaks volumes to me personally.
I am going to send the cue to a well respected cue maker on the forum so that he can verify and correct the problems. Then I am going to personally out you for the way you handled this situation so that others know how you chose to do business. This entire situation could have been take care of for $40 or $50 most likely and yet you feel that the only route is to return the cue for a refund of my raffle payments and with shipping at my expense to China.
I am sorry but your solution doesn't work for me, because I will get $40 refunded and then you can sell the same cue again and double your profit, all I can say is wrong idea Bubba.
Take Care
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
What does everyone think of this situation am I wrong or am I right. I personally do no think I have been out of line with this gentleman in any way, however, I am losing patients with him. If any one out there is his Friend talk with Via, I am not asking for anything except what I deserve.
JIMO
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