most gambling pool players that I know are not that great at managing their money.
Someone posted this in a thread recently and called it something like " serious bankroll management issues "
When I used to hang out at the pool room a lot, guys would come up to me all the time to sell a nice cue for not too much for some seed money or when they were broke. Then, when they scored a big win, they would come buy them a real nice cue from me...of course, they would sell it back a little later for a lot less for some seed money.....vicious circle of the gambler...
Joe
This happens all the time. I have bought cues and case's from people under the stipulation that they wanted to get them back in a certain length of time. Basically they were pawning them but were getting more than they would at a real pawn shop. Sometimes they get them back and sometimes they dont and one thing I have learned from this is that it is best not to do it with good friends, just like renting a house or apt to a close friend (I could tell some horror stories about that). This doesnt happen all the time but more often than not the situation turns sour after a short while because people take advantage of a little more freedom with dealing with someone they know.
I have gotten lots of good deals on cues just like many others and numerous times I have paid the sellers asking price or very close to it. If someone is selling something because they are needing money and offer it under priced there is nothing worng with buying it, for a few reason's. They could have asked more because there is a good chance they knew what they had. You have no way of knowing how long you will have the item before you can move it. If it's from someone you have never met you may have no idea if it's stolen or legitment. When a pool player goes busted or someone is in need of money and sells a cue or case for way less than its worth to make some quick cash, it sometime's starts a chain of events. If I buy something for a very reasonable amount I will pass that deal on to someone else and try and make a quick profit and let the next person do the same, instead of holding out and trying to get top dollar. I have bought cues and sold them to friends for the same thing I paid for them but I have also had friends expect to pay the same thing if they wanted something. Very seldom do the pawn shop Szamboti's come along or someone walks up and says you want to buy this Tascarella for $500. I think people look at someone making a few dollars on certain deals as taking advantage of others....sometimes it happen's and sometime's it doesnt and lots of the time both parties are happy.