Granted, but you'd think that someone promoting a product might make an effort to appear coherent (or, gasp, professional). The post I quoted looks like a text from an 11-year old cranked up on energy drinks.
New Line Of Cues( Unity) to be Introduced At WCCS
- Thread starter tommie1351
- Start date
Granted, but you'd think that someone promoting a product might make an effort to appear coherent (or, gasp, professional). The post I quoted looks like a text from an 11-year old cranked up on energy drinks.
It's not about grammar. It's about taking the time and effort to express yourself in a thoughtful and meaningful manner. The lack of professionalism reflects poorly on the product and those making an marketing it. The idea of announcing a new product on a forum like this is to make sure the public knows about the product, knows as much as possible about its origins, what makes it unique, and how to buy the product. This thread has done more to alienate the potential buying public than to woo them, IMHO. The critical comments are manifestations of that alienation.
I am curious to see what people say who have bought a "Unity Cue" or are wa the winner of the one that was raffled. Hope the Unity Cues will soon be seen in the Cue Review Section of AZB.
I apologize for the long post. I wanted to take the high road and not comment, but I couldn't take it anymore.
If you take a look at the petty and childish amounts of whining that have occurred in this thread alone, it is very easy to see why the cue makers don't want their names attached to the cue line. This would create an endless line of whiners saying things like "What do you mean that is a $1000 cue? I have seen how well you make the Unity cues for $300-$350, So you should make this cue for me for $500."
We all know this situation would occur, as part of playing pool is the hustle. To Further illustrate my point, let me give an example. I will use a cue maker who is no longer with us so that there can be no mistake that this is not one of the cuemakers involved. If Jerry Franklin started making cues under a different moniker to try and help those who play with cheap production cues be able to afford a quality cue, There would be an endless line of people asking "Why do I have to go on a 10 year waiting list and pay $3000 for a cue when you are selling those cues for $1000 and I can get them now?"
The line I made larger is the prime reason that this cue line was started. These cuemakers were in the pool hall one day and said wouldn't it be nice for people to get quality custom made cues for the same price point they are paying for the cheap production cues. They are doing this for the good of the pool community, and I think they should be applauded and not given endless grief over the fact that they wish to remain anonymous.
I have no first hand knowledge of who the cuemakers are. I would, however, give anyone 5 to 1 odds I definitely know one of them, and if he is involved then I am 99% sure of who the most likely second maker is.
I purchased the Curly Maple cue (I will write a full review when I get time). After seeing the quality of this cue, looking at little details as well as the astoundingly solid hit, I immediately knew who worked on this cue. Like I said, I have not been told the makers identity, but I am sure of who it is. He is a player as well as a maker, he makes cues for the player. Solid hit and top notch quality construction. You will not be disappointed if you buy a Unity.
Roach
Spider-you have eloquently said what needs to be said. I too have a new Unity cue, and gave a previous testimonial of the quality and hit of my new cue. I have a goodly collection of cues, none with extravagant prices, however, all are of high quality craftsmanship. My $350 Unity cue has a hit equal to my $1300 Jerry Olivier cue. It matches the hit of my beautiful Joe Callaluca cue. I am truly excited to say that I only paid $350 for THIS cue! People who have hit with my cue stand there with open mouths and the first question is, "HOW MUCH did you pay for this cue?".
In fairness to the builders, I can say that the reason for the hush-hush of who the builders are, it is based on a contractual agreement, and Tommie is NOT allowed to name the builders.
I can tell each and every one of you that MANY of you have owned cues made by the two cuemakers, and are proud to have them in your cases.
In the case of the young man who needed the DNA of the cue, I would say this. YOU are asking for an enexpensive cue, because you are a beginner. I will promise you that one of these cues would be IDEAL for a young beginner. You would pay $300-$400 for a cue that is equal to that of a $500-$700 cue if it had a different emblem on it.
I will make a statement to the young man. Buy one of these cues from Tommie. Shoot with it for 60 days, and, if it is not to your satisfaction, I will buy it back from you.
You mentioned the stellar rep of Tommie. There are NONE BETTER on this forum. Hundreds have purchased from him, and, IF there was EVER a problem, Tommie made it right. Just ASK.
I'd say that I"VE given you a pretty good guarantee.
I've said all that I can say, I am simply a very satisfied customer. I am receiving nothing for making this statement. If anyone else would like to communicate with me, I would gladly respond.
As stated by Spider, two brilliant cuemakers are trying to make it a little easier for people to buy quality cues at a price people can afford in today's troubled economy. If one cannot appreciate that, go buy a $700-$1100 Predator, and see if it might play any better.
In fairness to the builders, I can say that the reason for the hush-hush of who the builders are, it is based on a contractual agreement, and Tommie is NOT allowed to name the builders.
I can tell each and every one of you that MANY of you have owned cues made by the two cuemakers, and are proud to have them in your cases.
In the case of the young man who needed the DNA of the cue, I would say this. YOU are asking for an enexpensive cue, because you are a beginner. I will promise you that one of these cues would be IDEAL for a young beginner. You would pay $300-$400 for a cue that is equal to that of a $500-$700 cue if it had a different emblem on it.
I will make a statement to the young man. Buy one of these cues from Tommie. Shoot with it for 60 days, and, if it is not to your satisfaction, I will buy it back from you.
You mentioned the stellar rep of Tommie. There are NONE BETTER on this forum. Hundreds have purchased from him, and, IF there was EVER a problem, Tommie made it right. Just ASK.
I'd say that I"VE given you a pretty good guarantee.
I've said all that I can say, I am simply a very satisfied customer. I am receiving nothing for making this statement. If anyone else would like to communicate with me, I would gladly respond.
As stated by Spider, two brilliant cuemakers are trying to make it a little easier for people to buy quality cues at a price people can afford in today's troubled economy. If one cannot appreciate that, go buy a $700-$1100 Predator, and see if it might play any better.
I wish I was knowledgeable enuff to be able to pick out who the cue makers are.
What these guys are attempting to do is a good thing.
Why should the makers out themselves and hoop themselves in the butt for
future sales for their own line?
Why not just take a great looking cue for a decent price and be happy.
Curiosity killed the cat. I know, satisfaction brought him back but it won't work in this case.
What these guys are attempting to do is a good thing.
Why should the makers out themselves and hoop themselves in the butt for
future sales for their own line?
Why not just take a great looking cue for a decent price and be happy.
Curiosity killed the cat. I know, satisfaction brought him back but it won't work in this case.
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Can we get a list of the available custom options and a estimated wait time frame on one ordered to be built to my specs ?
Thanks.
Thanks.
Those are great opinions.
Not sure where else to post this, so this will have to do.
My understanding is that someone associated with Unity Cues is very upset with me and is calling around trying to get my physical address. No one has me directly for such information.
If you want it, PM me and ask for it, along with a good reason.
My understanding is that someone associated with Unity Cues is very upset with me and is calling around trying to get my physical address. No one has me directly for such information.
If you want it, PM me and ask for it, along with a good reason.
That is sooo not cool.
Maybe they have a Vito Spatafore model they want to deliver?
You know, in all the years I've been dealing with internet threats, the only concern I've EVER had is that a certifiable lunatic with some bucks might send Guido over to do their work for them.
If it's someone living nearby, they can catch me at Jillian's in Seattle today, for about the next 5 hours.
I have a feeling it wouldn't help them at all. Would have been easier to just say it was a new builder making them, but instead you genius folks went with "two well known makers" and created a shit storm.
And now you've managed to damage your image before it even got started. I suspect you are behind on your other orders, or have pissed off a bunch of customers and don't want your names attached to avoid backlash in actuality.
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Careful CW, this is the only thread where we have information about Unity - if you question a sell on AZ, the thread gets yanked.
I shared a bunch of PMs with these guys, and I admit that the reason I didn't just drop this after asking a few questions and not getting direct responses, was Bama's jumping up on his pedestal. Other than one rather angry PM, which was probably justified, they have been very reasonable in their responses to me, and offered to discuss if I called. Given that, the content of their PMs, and the fact that their cues are selling to people other than Tap and Bama, who like them, I've got nothing further to say about their venture.
The veiled threat is another thing, and hopefully it's just some AZ weasel trying to make his voice heard because he was ineffective in the forum discussion. I just thought it good to post it publicly, just in case something weird happens. But I'm really not that hard to find.
The quote from them just makes zero sense to me is all. Personally I like how the cues look. Like that some have linen wraps in the pictures. I just don't get why you'd even bring up cuemakers being known if you didn't want to cause this very issue.
The reality is I could care less about who makes a cue, if they stay on the market long enough it will all come forward at some point. And if not then there is a limited run of inexpensive cues that look like they are worth the money asked from photos.
The reality is I could care less about who makes a cue, if they stay on the market long enough it will all come forward at some point. And if not then there is a limited run of inexpensive cues that look like they are worth the money asked from photos.
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Scott, this is really starting to get old.
We were under the impression, from you, that this matter had been resolved amicably.
But for some reason, you still want to "stir the pot" and continue trying to harm our business and damage our reputation with childish lies and innuendos.
We did ask for your address... from YOU (and only you), in the following Private Message, sent on 12-09-2010 at 1:06pm:
UnityCustomCues said:
You seemed to have such very strong opinions of our cues, without ever seeing one or trying one out in person.
Our solution was to send you a cue, so you could evaluate it on its merits -- workmanship and playability.
The offer still stands. We will send you a Unity Custom Cue to test out. Play with it and give us your honest opinion. All you have to do is pay the shipping.
In the meantime, we have reported you and this thread to the moderators.
We are here to run a business and build cues. Nothing more.
Can I get people to send me products that I negatively speak about before ever touching them?
I have a list of things that I'd like to "try" if people will start sending me stuff.
Seriously though this whole thing is a major lesson in how NOT to market a product.
If the product is NOT DONE yet then follow Apple's lead and create buzz by cleverly designed rumors and press conferences, send out some demos to influential people ahead of the official launch. Don't actuall SAY anthing about the specs of the product, just talk about what it means to humanity.
The first thing one needs is a list of ITEMS with prices and options to be ready WHEN the product launches. At that point consumers should be saliviating to get their hands on it.
Saying things like two prominent scientists have worked on this project only creates confusion and negative speculation. Better to allow the product to stand or fall on it's own if you don't want to actually USE the names of the scientists and their associated reputations. Well it COULD be Einstein and Hawking or it could be Miss Cleo and Kevin Trudeau........working on the time travel machine.
Better to go back in time to a simpler time and prepare a brochure and price list that can be emailed to prospective customers. This takes less than an hour to make on software that is free. Then when the "buzz" marketing does it's job and people are interested then ship them a brochure and take orders. Simple. Or spend a half day and create a simple website and send everyone to it. Simpler.
Doing all this cloak and dagger is the wrong way to go about it.
We live in a world NOW where it's possible to find out the origins of just about anything. When a new IPhone comes out there are companies which dissect it and post the exact contents on the web alongside the cost price of each component.
This is a tight knit community. We have all been around each other virtually for a long time. Even if we disagree sometimes we are looking out for each other as well. So whenever someone comes along with the offers we look to dissect them and find the hook. This is frustrating for sellers but at the end of the day only the really strong and worthwhile products can stand up to scrutiny.
And no, I am not sending a free JB case to anyone who doesn't like me, my marketing or my products. If you want to know how great our cases are you have to buy one. (see how I slipped that little ad in there).
I have a list of things that I'd like to "try" if people will start sending me stuff.
Seriously though this whole thing is a major lesson in how NOT to market a product.
If the product is NOT DONE yet then follow Apple's lead and create buzz by cleverly designed rumors and press conferences, send out some demos to influential people ahead of the official launch. Don't actuall SAY anthing about the specs of the product, just talk about what it means to humanity.
The first thing one needs is a list of ITEMS with prices and options to be ready WHEN the product launches. At that point consumers should be saliviating to get their hands on it.
Saying things like two prominent scientists have worked on this project only creates confusion and negative speculation. Better to allow the product to stand or fall on it's own if you don't want to actually USE the names of the scientists and their associated reputations. Well it COULD be Einstein and Hawking or it could be Miss Cleo and Kevin Trudeau........working on the time travel machine.
Better to go back in time to a simpler time and prepare a brochure and price list that can be emailed to prospective customers. This takes less than an hour to make on software that is free. Then when the "buzz" marketing does it's job and people are interested then ship them a brochure and take orders. Simple. Or spend a half day and create a simple website and send everyone to it. Simpler.
Doing all this cloak and dagger is the wrong way to go about it.
We live in a world NOW where it's possible to find out the origins of just about anything. When a new IPhone comes out there are companies which dissect it and post the exact contents on the web alongside the cost price of each component.
This is a tight knit community. We have all been around each other virtually for a long time. Even if we disagree sometimes we are looking out for each other as well. So whenever someone comes along with the offers we look to dissect them and find the hook. This is frustrating for sellers but at the end of the day only the really strong and worthwhile products can stand up to scrutiny.
And no, I am not sending a free JB case to anyone who doesn't like me, my marketing or my products. If you want to know how great our cases are you have to buy one.
(see how I slipped that little ad in there).
Pardon me? I found out shortly before posting in this thread that someone associated with Unity was looking for my physical address, and it probably wasn't to send me a Christmas card. I take that type of thing seriously, as should you.
By posting your wares in AZ, you've built yourself a nice little group of nuthuggers, but you're going to have to take the bad along with the good.
Again, I do not wish to harm your business - read my last post.
Thanks - it's important that they know when this board is being used to make threats against its members.