Why is so uncomfortable being a customer?!?!?!?!

ridewiththewind said:
If it is a JB case....be aware that John is quite frank about his email answering lapses...which is why he does ask folks to contact his wife, Karen. karen@jbideas.com and you will get a response.
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Lisa is correct. I'd like to add that if its John Barton then you have absolutely zero to worry about...the man is good as gold and will not screw anyone (unless you match up badly with him at a little 1-hole :grin:). In fact he goes out of his way to help others and gives away more product than anyone else I'm aware of in the industry. Like everyone that makes such a quality product...he's high in demand, very busy, and its possible he may of accidentally missed an email. Again, have no worries as John will indeed come through with an exceptional case. :smile:
 
I'm ok with whatever wait time there is. This is not the issue. I am not worried about getting stiffed. Again not the issue.

My frustration is with the promised response, and then lack of it. Not once, not twice, but multiple times. It is custom yes, but not here is my money build whatever you feel like. So communication is very important.

Actually, the builder saw the thread and PM'd me and said I will have a sketch for you tomorrow. No sketch.

Not only is it bad business, it is terrible common courtesy.

But whatever.... I have league tonight, so I will walk up on my opponents shots, put my chalk upside down on the rails, talk during his stroke, and whatever other dumb thing I can think of.

Mike
 
tksix said:
I'm ok with whatever wait time there is. This is not the issue. I am not worried about getting stiffed. Again not the issue.

My frustration is with the promised response, and then lack of it. Not once, not twice, but multiple times. It is custom yes, but not here is my money build whatever you feel like. So communication is very important.

Actually, the builder saw the thread and PM'd me and said I will have a sketch for you tomorrow. No sketch.

Not only is it bad business, it is terrible common courtesy.

But whatever.... I have league tonight, so I will walk up on my opponents shots, put my chalk upside down on the rails, talk during his stroke, and whatever other dumb thing I can think of.

Mike
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that dumb stuff might get you punched in the face. you should just buy off the rack and save yourself the frustration
 
Bigjohn said:
If you are not willing to wait, don't order custom. Buy from the secondary market or off the shelf production. No respectable cuemaker is going to rush his work and send out something sub standard.
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Agreed 100%.....but sometimes the maker has such little concern/respect for the customer that he doesn't even start the order or builds your cue/case and sells it to someone else for more $$$.

It behooves anyone wanting to order a custom "anything" to do a great deal of research on the maker you're about to deal with.

In this industry, poor business practices are often rewarded. That shouldn't be the case.
 
As a business man for 50+ years I understand how things go and how things can go wrong. I also have a pretty good sense when things don't add up. As custom cue purchaser all we ask is a fair amount of communication. If nothing else an e-mail that confirms the product has not been lost or forgotten and is still "in process" would be nice. I don't think that is too much to ask as long as the timing corresponds with what was agreed upon. Beware of those builders who will not give you a timeline. Beware of those that do not respond to your first contact. This is their way of telling you they do not want your business!
 
Hey Mike, It may be better for you to ask for your deposit back, since the maker is so difficult to communicate with. Then you can put this mess behind you and consider naming the responsible party so other customers can be forewarned. Nobody wants to be outed on AZ!!!
 
cueaddicts said:
Agreed 100%.....but sometimes the maker has such little concern/respect for the customer that he doesn't even start the order or builds your cue/case and sells it to someone else for more $$$.

It behooves anyone wanting to order a custom "anything" to do a great deal of research on the maker you're about to deal with.

In this industry, poor business practices are often rewarded. That shouldn't be the case.
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Tap, tap, tap!!

While I realize that this does not apply to the OP, it is still extremely good advice!

A little research here can and will reveal those makers who have a reputation for excellent customer service. Sadly, some people are so determined to get a cue from a maker that they will look for the tiniest glimmer of positive in the middle of negative reviews....they get tunnel visioned.

As stated before...I have had no issues with the makers I have dealt with. I would say that I count myself lucky....but really, it was all about being informed.

Lisa
 
Well I stuck to my gentlemanly ways and saved a punch in the face! LOL!

AZ has paid off again.... the maker PM'd me and a day later sent sketches and samples as promised.

I have a case and cue in process, for a SURPRISE gift for my son. Once both are in my hands I will post the pics.

Mike
 
tksix said:
Well I stuck to my gentlemanly ways and saved a punch in the face! LOL!

AZ has paid off again.... the maker PM'd me and a day later sent sketches and samples as promised.

I have a case and cue in process, for a SURPRISE gift for my son. Once both are in my hands I will post the pics.

Mike
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I can't wait to see him and let him know!!!!
 
People are different to different people.
One person might make a customer comfortable and another uneasy.
After talking with the craftsman, if you don't feel 100% in dealing with him, use your gut instinct, and don't.

I also think that $100, or there about, should be more than enuff to secure your place in line for a cue or a case. Its a small token of trust. If you by chance have way more than that tied up for many years, then you are paying the persons wages for too far in the future with no guarantees of a completion date.

I doubt myself or any other posters here get paid before they put in the hours at work and I don't think a cue maker should be any different.

Of course, my opinions are always humble. That way I can't get into too much caca for them. Hahaha.
 
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Not sure who the case maker is, but I have never had a problem getting a hold of most any of them. If it is a JB case....be aware that John is quite frank about his email answering lapses...which is why he does ask folks to contact his wife, Karen. karen@jbideas.com and you will get a response.

As for having communication issues from cue makers.....my rule is simple: if I contact a maker, and do not get a response from my initial email, then I typically move on. To me, it screams....'I don't need/want your business enough to do you the courtesy of responding to you.' Fine by me.

Look, often times you just gotta listen to your gut. If it feels 'off', it probably is. One needs to have complete confidence in the person you're dealing with, otherwise, get out....quick!

I have never had an issue with cue maker communication...or even delivery times. But then again, I have always made sure everything was clear on both sides as to what was expected, right outta the gate, in writing. The only 'surprises' I have ever encountered when ordering a custom cue was a little extra work...which made the cues even nicer.

Lisa
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The Sad part is i already fell in love to this cuemaker cue..i ask him to give me a favour to build the fancy one..and he seem to busy to even answer my mail or PM :frown: damn...

in this couple of years ..i buy 12 custom cue plain jane from 7-8 cue maker for finally find this "magic" cue.:..

Right now...i've got a delay order from 2 cuemaker and 1 case maker....1..promise me he will send the cue in April...2..promise me to send me his shaft last week and give me the shipping info.....3. a case that i order nearly 2 years ago, but i give him the sketch design 4 month ago:p i guess it's my fault anyway....but, yes i guess he got a problem with communication...

ohhhh...i wonder...maybe because i'm a foreigner here...so nobody give a damn on me:frown:
 
tksix said:
Well I stuck to my gentlemanly ways and saved a punch in the face! LOL!

AZ has paid off again.... the maker PM'd me and a day later sent sketches and samples as promised.

I have a case and cue in process, for a SURPRISE gift for my son. Once both are in my hands I will post the pics.

Mike
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Mike, as you know extortion is now a good thing to do according to the other thread, so for a relatively small fee I will promise not to spill the beans to JM. I'll send you my address in PM so you can send payment ASAP!!
Dan
 
I have a custom break/jump cue from Trevor Donahue @ Carolina Custom Cues & I have to say aside from his stunning work his turn around times are always bang on & if there is a problem he is very quick to rectify the situation no questions asked.

In all I think it just comes down to doing your homework & if you go for a lesser manufacturer then you should be prepared to possibly run into problems ie lengthy waiting times & unanswered emails etc.
 
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