Sloppy and incompetent work by Jim Pierce, poor customer service

[ShootingArts]

I'm serious

Hu,

I'll tell you what, unless Jim Pierce comes up with a better solution, or someone comes up with a better offer, I very well might sell to you. Were you being sarcastic, or is this a legitimate offer? I have paperwork showing I paid $1,375, and Mike Wheeler would charge over $1,700 for the cue with 3 shafts.

If I do sell to you, it is strickly "as is", no returns....you are now aware of the crap work that Jim Pierce performed on this cue.

I'm dead serious about buying the cue and shafts as pictured and described. As I strongly implied in my first post, probably not intentional but your camera work is crap. The rail on the table is as badly bowed as the nose of the cue is. Also in another picture the shafts near the center of the image are straight while the ones nearer the edge are badly bowed near the joint end. Suspect you took the pictures with a cell phone with plastic lens. The fisheye is terrible.

You describe it as 2.5 centimeters cut extra in the wrap groove. 2.5 centimeters is almost one inch, obviously not the case. I suspect the wrap is a matter of a new tightly pressed wrap sitting a little below the height of the butt surface. A few months in the swamp down here will probably cure that with nothing else done! I can use a good playing cue with a wrapped handle and I'm confident that if I get tired of the cue I can make a nice profit in a face to face sale with all perceived flaws revealed.

Amazing how bad things look when they are blown up ten-twenty times or so. Take a really hard look at the silver Ginacue. Judged by the same standards people judge today's cue builders it would be considered a POS instead of one of the most valuable examples of the cuebuilders art in existance. I have a feeling the cue will play just fine and is easily marketable as a nice player. I didn't make an offer I planned to crawfish on. However, I do think you have exaggerated issues as an irate customer and when it comes time to sell the cue the problems won't appear near as bad.

This isn't a forever offer, it is open for three days which is two days longer than I leave offers open on real estate. That should give you plenty of time to work a deal or wake up and decide you don't really want to give the cue away.

Hu

 

[Salamander]

Actually, I'm pretty nice and down to earth, I just don't like getting screwed over. As far as buying from you Deano, I like photo's so that pretty much eliminates you anyway

Have a nice day.

if i had to bet i would bet that you are an overbearing person
with unrealistic expectations and a pushy pool hall harded attitude
that makes life miserablr for anyone who tries to please you.

no offense,i am merely making my offer to bet,clearly known

i have dealt with Pierce and he was great,perhaps not as punctual as i would like,but things seem to pop up that cause cue makers to be a little slow


meanwhile i will continue to buy Pierce cues just as i already do
but you are not eligable to ever buy from me

again nothing personal,i just don't like a blowhard who tries to wreck the livlihood of a person who has proven himself worthy of respect(not that you are such a blowhard,perhaps i am misreading your offensive post)

if anyone on the approved action list wishes to bet otherwise,please contact me by pm


dean

 

[Salamander]

You describe it as 2.5 centimeters cut extra in the wrap groove. 2.5 centimeters is almost one inch, obviously not the case. Hu

Thank you for the correction. I meant to say 2.5 Millimeters....wasn't thinking. The initial post has been corrected.

 

[mbj]

... I did get an offer for $900 for the Wheeler in question. I decided that I like the cue more than I liked the $900 and decided to get it brought back up to "mint" condition. It was worth it to me to have this done because I do like the cue. I also wanted to try out one of Jim Pierces shafts, just for the heck of it.

As far as "demanding" That Jim pay me $1,375....it was more requesting. That's the amount I have invested in it. My last "request" from Jim Pierce was to compensate me $500 for the damage that he did, which is a far cry from $1,375. As far as its value now....well, we shall see. I have two offers in the $400 range.

I tell you what, when I end up selling this cue in the $400 range, will that seem a little less shady to you? If that comes to pass, I will have lost almost $1,000 on my investment.

If you sell the cue in the $400 range it's because your very mention of that price range was absurd enough to draw a quick offer to purchase it for that amount. It would be a reflection of you putting a low figure out there moreso than a reflection of "damage" or "loss"

That said, I don't have a dog in the fight and really no opinion either way. I hope it works out to everyone's satisfaction.

 

[MRP2k12]

*This Message Has Been Deleted by the Poster*

 

[Salamander]

I have a feeling the cue will play just fine and is easily marketable as a nice player. I didn't make an offer I planned to crawfish on. However, I do think you have exaggerated issues as an irate customer and when it comes time to sell the cue the problems won't appear near as bad.

This isn't a forever offer, it is open for three days which is two days longer than I leave offers open on real estate. That should give you plenty of time to work a deal or wake up and decide you don't really want to give the cue away.

Hu

I do plan to sell the cue, and I do plan to list the cues problems, and I would rather overexaggerate their problems rather than have an unhappy customer. This ain't real estate, and I'll wait for as long as it takes the dust to settle. If it is less than 3 days fine, if it takes longer, so be it.

 

[Salamander]

I dont know why people have to hang their dirty laundry on the internet, this sounds like its between you and mr. pierce, figure it out before you go and try to smear someones good name...which is what i feel like you are attempting to do.

The problem is that I tried to reach resolution with Pierce. It failed, so I am now voiceing my opinions on the quality of his work and customer service as it pertains to this cue.

 

[CocoboloCowboy]

I dont know why people have to hang their dirty laundry on the internet, this sounds like its between you and mr. pierce, figure it out before you go and try to smear someones good name...which is what i feel like you are attempting to do.

AMEN!:thumbup:

 

[bdcues]

A lot of posts, a lot of opinions. Here's mine as to the "air" under the front of the forearm. Why can't the cuemaker simply spray another coat of finish, feathering back from the joint? Sand out flat again and buff. You are looking at maybe .001 - .002" of taper here. Do you truly believe the cue is damaged because of this? Add another coat of finish and straighten it out.

As for the wrap groove being cut to deep... easy to find out, as are the 4 holes, simply take the wrap off and look. Has the handle been recut? Are there more than 2 holes to start the wrap? I believe you state that the front of the wrap area is also cut forward some now. The location of all the holes should tell you if this is true or not.

The back of the wrap area certainly looks different, once again, nothing that can't be fixed and selling the cue off at a ridiculously low price proves nothing about it's worth. You are upset with the transaction and now are willing to take it in the shorts just to prove how you have been wronged... Great. I'll give you $250.00 for it and you can show you have lost even more on the deal.

Bob Danielson
www.bdcuesandcomix.com

 

[the diesel]

I have talked to Jim Pierce many times on the phone and I believe he is a honest, very good person. He has a passion for building great cues and wants every one of his customers to be extremely happy and has told me this every single time we have talked on the phone. Jim gets excited just talking about building cues and to be honest, I have a very very difficult time believing he would screw anyone over. Its just not like him.

 

[Spimp13]

I have talked to Jim Pierce many times on the phone and I believe he is a honest, very good person. He has a passion for building great cues and wants every one of his customers to be extremely happy and has told me this every single time we have talked on the phone. Jim gets excited just talking about building cues and to be honest, I have a very very difficult time believing he would screw anyone over. Its just not like him.

This sounds like a very good person doesn't it? I don't know TROB at all or his friends story, but I haven't heard anything bad about his rep on here? Yes there are 3 sides to every coin...just from a professional perspective this seems a bit much.

http://forums.azbilliards.com/showthread.php?t=267597

 

[plshrk22]

I have no dog in this fight and I really do understand the frustrations of dealing with bad communicating cue builders. I have gotten to know Jim pretty well and I do call him a friend.

I find these issues that he had to be highly unlikely just because I know that Jim pours his heart and soul into everything that he does. He guarantees all of his work for life to the original owner and I dont think there are many cue makers out there that would do that. If they were his fault Jim is the kind of guy that is not going to leave it unresolved. Either way things will work out for you I am sure because Jim is a stand up guy.

Like I said above, I am not trying to take sides just wanting to express my confidence in Jim.

Alex

 

[HouseMan]

I have no dog in this fight and I really do understand the frustrations of dealing with bad communicating cue builders. I have gotten to know Jim pretty well and I do call him a friend.

I find these issues that he had to be highly unlikely just because I know that Jim pours his heart and soul into everything that he does. He guarantees all of his work for life to the original owner and I dont think there are many cue makers out there that would do that. If they were his fault Jim is the kind of guy that is not going to leave it unresolved. Either way things will work out for you I am sure because Jim is a stand up guy.

Like I said above, I am not trying to take sides just wanting to express my confidence in Jim.

Alex

How much are those ten Pierce sneakys you have coming in a month?

 

[Salamander]

How much are those ten Pierce sneakys you have coming in a month?

I'm sorry, even I had to chuckle at that. That for cheering me up.

 

[Salamander]

Well, I'm about done with this, unless it is to respond to something Jim Pierce writes. I've said my take on the matter and supplied photo's, descriptions, etc....

While I'm sure there are a bunch of people out there that have had nothing but great work and service from Jim Pierce, I did not.

I found Jim to be open and friendly when all of this started, but the minute I started to express disatisfaction with his not delivering a supposedly finished cue, his demeanor and attitude drastically changed. I even went so far as to contact Tommie (a dealer friend of his) to ask if something had happened to Jim since my cue was supposed to have shipped two weeks prior and Jim was not returning phone calls or emails.

As far as workmanship, well I've made my thoughts on that abundantly clear.

As far as "working it out", Jim dropped all communication with me about a week prior to my starting this thread. My last offer on the table was to ask that he compensate me $500 for the damage to the cue, an amount that I feel is not unreasonable given the extent of mishap. I never got a counter offer, apology, nothing....

I don't care for confrontation, or being the bearer of bad news, but in this case I felt it was all I could do.

For those of you that continue to do business with Jim Pierce, I wish you the best of luck and hope the product is delivered as promised. I'm thankful that this experience did not cost me more than it could have....hey at least I did not send him a Szamboti or something.


Doug

 

[Drew]

Brutal thread...

I have known Doug personally for about 6 or 7 years. We don't always get along. Actually, I'm being pretty honest when I say I don't much care for his personality. Suffice it to say he has some anger issues and certainly doesn't any volume control for his voice.

However, I've never known him to be dishonest--not once--except maybe that one time he blew his lid and swore to never return to the pool room, then showed up a 3 months later, LOL. Either way, I have not seen the cue in question, but if he's going off about it like this, then he genuinely feels wronged. No BS. I guarantee he wouldn't lie about this. Yes, his expectations are high...as they should be from such an esteemed cue maker as Jim Pierce. There is no excuse for submitting less than ideal results while claiming perfection.

Best of luck to you, Doug, and I hope this whole thing gets resolved.

 

[barryc]

Pierce workmanship

In regard to the cue in question, I had pictures sent to me when I was consideing buying one or perhaps both the Wheelers Salamander had. The pictures show the rings in cue in question to be perfectly in tact and not narrowed. Additionally, after getting the pictures I saw both cues in person. Neither had defective rings and both were nearly as new. I also rolled both cues side by side and noticed no visible dishing in either. As it turned out we did a swap for some other cues because he didn't want to split the pair up for what I was offering for just one. Part of the swap agreement was I could buy one or both at a later date for cash price if I sold some of my other stuff. I checked with him on several occasions and the cues were stowed in a case and had no work done as far as I know until being sent off for a shaft a refinish. I do not have a dog in this fight only telling you what I saw and why. Some of you will have comments, I'm sure, because that's the way AZ is and I wouldn't expect any other behavior. It doesn't bother me because I have handled the cue, and have the pictures and I'm confident in what I saw. I don't tolerate any sort of fraud and if I thought there was any here I'd say so without hesitation. Based on my observation both cues were nearly mint and I'm sure the second one still is. When sending a cue to a cue maker of Jim Pierce's reputaton I do not think it's out of line to expect good work and a good turnaround time. Why else send it there? It's unfortunate this had to happen for all involved. The cue was not damaged when I handles it. However, whether the damage was an honest mistake or bad workmanship the damage is done and there's no easy way out. Too bad for everyone. Except me because maybe I can now take advantage of the situation and buy it cheap as some of you have already so "graciously" offered to do.

barryc

 

[CO_Kid1]

It blows me away a guy comes on here to talk about an all around bad experience and all you do is bash him what does it matter why he sent it to PIERCE simple fact is he sent it to him to have what everybody said is quality job done and he did a hack job and then followed it up by poor service seems like an all around hack to me. It just goes to show the ignorance of the average AZer and as one other member did I would venture to bet that most of these people do not even know what a quality job is and can not even think for themself that is why they just go with the pack and jump on the PIERCE banwagon. It is a damn shame there are so many Good cue makers out there and yet here is a second rate hack that gets all the credit. Sorry about your luck.

 

[schmizz]

It blows me away a guy comes on here to talk about an all around bad experience and all you do is bash him what does it matter why he sent it to PIERCE simple fact is he sent it to him to have what everybody said is quality job done and he did a hack job and then followed it up by poor service seems like an all around hack to me. It just goes to show the ignorance of the average AZer and as one other member did I would venture to bet that most of these people do not even know what a quality job is and can not even think for themself that is why they just go with the pack and jump on the PIERCE banwagon. It is a damn shame there are so many Good cue makers out there and yet here is a second rate hack that gets all the credit. Sorry about your luck.

It was the original post that turned everybody against this guy, because instead of reaching out for help to come to an amicable solution, he just came out of the pen like a rabid pit bull and tried to destroy someone's livelihood. If he had handled the situation differently there would probably be a lot more empathy for his situation. But he comes off as a guy who has a permanent chip on his shoulder and the type that is impossible to please. And quite frankly you are starting off in the same manner.

Why are you even bothering to hang around a forum full of ignorant AZer's anyway. You're to cool for this site, so go start your own.

 

[scsuxci]

It blows me away a guy comes on here to talk about an all around bad experience and all you do is bash him what does it matter why he sent it to PIERCE simple fact is he sent it to him to have what everybody said is quality job done and he did a hack job and then followed it up by poor service seems like an all around hack to me. It just goes to show the ignorance of the average AZer and as one other member did I would venture to bet that most of these people do not even know what a quality job is and can not even think for themself that is why they just go with the pack and jump on the PIERCE banwagon. It is a damn shame there are so many Good cue makers out there and yet here is a second rate hack that gets all the credit. Sorry about your luck.

Not saying that something wrong didn't happen but the reason for people jumping on Jims banwagon is because a high percentage of players, buyers and collectors have had great experience's with him.I'm not saying that a mistake might not of happened but as far as being a hack is way out of line IMO but thats just me and you have every right to voice yours.