Pool Table Mechanic Directory - Bad Experience

[TableTek]

Hi Chuck,
Just getting up and around after the 23 1/2 hour day yesterday. Actually I have been up for a couple of hours now. My third stop was very understanding, so we'll have to stop his house next time through the area. I am happy on how the table came out, you did make a wise purchase. I wish I would have had some time to play both of you on it after we finished, but at 1am with a 3 hour drive home that was pretty far from my mind. The level on the table came out very close all over and the cloth went on well. It is a shame that the original installer did not take a little pride in his work. Below is a list of things we found during the repair last night.

1) Slate not leveled, or even on plane (3-6 clicks out on each slate)
2) Ball return not mounted correctly, hardware left unattached
3) Only a single 1/8 facing, apparently it was supposed to have new 3/16
4) Cloth was wrong in both brand and color

I do have to say that while this was not a total hack job, it wasn't top notch either. As a paying customer you should get what you order, not what the installer feels like. He did install the (wrong)cloth well, albeit with 3x the staples needed. If he took the pride in the setup he takes in the cover his work would be very nice. Not saying that I am perfect, I am still having trouble getting the stretch index right for staples at the side pockets. Just want to put this out as a FYI, this forum is about improving and not slander to benefit the customer as well as the mechanics themselves.

 

[Dartman]

Hi Chuck,
... Below is a list of things we found during the repair last night.

1) Slate not leveled, or even on plane (3-6 clicks out on each slate)
2) Ball return not mounted correctly, hardware left unattached
3) Only a single 1/8 facing, apparently it was supposed to have new 3/16
4) Cloth was wrong in both brand and color

I do have to say that while this was not a total hack job, it wasn't top notch either. As a paying customer you should get what you order, not what the installer feels like. He did install the (wrong)cloth well, albeit with 3x the staples needed. .... .

Let's consider the cloth an integrity issue based on what's been previously stated.

My opinion - there are no "degrees" of hack work. The table is either done right or it's hack work.
What good is pretty cloth if the table isn't level and parts aren't properly installed.
Pretty obvious from your findings and OPs issues that the guy hacked the table.

 

[alterego61]

Man...I have got a headache

Unfortunately, this seems to be Jl's standard operating procedure. A friend of mine had a table in storage with Jl's for over three years. I agreed to store the table for my friend and we attempted to arrange delivery. JL's was very hard to reach and did not return any phone calls or emails. We finally were able to get the table delivered and they loaded it into a trailer at a warehouse site that did not seem to be theirs. When we got the table home, there were no top rails and none of the accessories that were originally stored with the table. Since then the company has refused to answer any phone calls or emails. I have filed a complaint with both the BBB and the Fairfax County, VA Consumer Affairs agency, but so far no response. This guy is definitely not someone to do business with.