How is Dale Perry able to make such beautiful inlaid cues & sell them for under $150

J

justinb386

Banned
How is Dale Perry able to make such beautiful inlaid cues & sell them for under $150

I am sorry if this question has already been asked on here in the past, but I am very curious how Dale Perry is able to make such beautiful inlaid cues, and sell them for under $150 (and still make a profit)?

Does anyone know (for a fact) that he makes the cues himself, or does he import them, and then just put his signature on them?

If he actually makes each of the cues himself, than how is he able to make a profit?

I really love the looks of some of his cues (like the Bocote cue in the link below).

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dl...:MEWAX:IT&orig_cvip=true&rt=nc#ht_5455wt_1185

I am just amazed at how he is able to profit from such a nice looking inlaid cue.

I am thinking about buying one of his cues, but am just worried about the quality of the cue I would be getting (if it is actually possibly made in Asia).

I do not want to offend Dale Perry cues, but I would just like some facts about his cues.

I love the looks, but I am just worried about the quality and hit of his cues.

Sorry for going on to ask other questions (than just my original question).

I am mostly just very curious about the 1st question I asked.

Thanks.
 
justinb386 said:
I am sorry if this question has already been asked on here in the past, but I am very curious how Dale Perry is able to make such beautiful inlaid cues, and sell them for under $150 (and still make a profit)?

Does anyone know (for a fact) that he makes the cues himself, or does he import them, and then just put his signature on them?

If he actually makes each of the cues himself, than how is he able to make a profit?

I really love the looks of some of his cues (like the Bocote cue in the link below).

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dl...:MEWAX:IT&orig_cvip=true&rt=nc#ht_5455wt_1185

I am just amazed at how he is able to profit from such a nice looking inlaid cue.

I am thinking about buying one of his cues, but am just worried about the quality of the cue I would be getting (if it is actually possibly made in Asia).

I do not want to offend Dale Perry cues, but I would just like some facts about his cues.

I love the looks, but I am just worried about the quality and hit of his cues.

Sorry for going on to ask other questions (than just my original question).

I am mostly just very curious about the 1st question I asked.

Thanks.
Click to expand...
He has been building cues a long time. He has all the equipment needed and has a business plan that suits him. I have to say, he has been making a lot of money for a long time. If you clock what he sells and know what the actual manufacturing costs are, a lot of other cuemakers are probably jealous. Although he does sell cues lower then most think he should, he is satisfied. The real market for cues is in the lower and middle price range. You see guys trying to get $1500.00 for a cue that really should sell for like $500.00 and they would still be making a nice buck for themselves.

There is prestige in the high end cues but the middle priced and even low end cues are really where the money is. The market for a $300.00 cue compared to an $1800.00 cue is probably 50 or 100 to 1. I used to go to a lot of trade shows and you would actually begin to recognize the stock of over priced cues from the last show. Meantime all the SP and plain jane four point or plain BE's. cues would sell out. Dale has a business plan and it works for him. He is not selling cheap cues, he is selling good cues pretty cheap.

I should add, he used to sell through dealers so there was a price break down anyway. When he started selling on the net he just phased out the dealers and basically is selling wholesale to the public. Maybe even a little below what he used to sell to a dealer but his volume of sales I am sure are much more now. You may sell to a dealer who has many cues he carries, he is not pushing your cues. He may order a dozen cues and you don't hear from him again for a year. Dale is in control now he doesn't have to sit around waiting for an order from a dealer.

He gives you a lot of cue for the money. He jazzes them up pretty good with inlay and so on for a good price. You know, you can probably have this conversation with him just give hm a call. At the very least send him an email and maybe set a up a phone apportionment. You should feel good about a purchase and your concerns are easy to understand.
 
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That all makes a lot of sense. Thank you for your reply. So he probably is making all of his cues (not importing them from anywhere)? I would be too shy (scared, lol) to ask him this question. The curly maple, and other inlays (like bocote) look very beautiful on his cues, and I am just surprised that he is able to make a profit (if he is not importing them very cheap from Asia, or some other place).
 
I've not heard one thing about DP cues being imported. They play decent for the price, good enough for me to use for league every week so I don't have to bring my player and feel like I can't relax and take my eyes off it for a second.

Do a search on here. Some people have reported ferrules coming lose or ring work popping a little. I've had no problems with mine and would buy another when the need arises. Just make sure you get the shaft taper you want. I have a nice long pro taper on mine but I've seen some DPs that go conical quicker than I like.
 
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There has been a lot of discussion about his cues here. He is just a short drive North of me. I am trying to make some time to visit his shop.

Yes, they are made by him and one assistant in his shop. From what I hear if you call the shop he will most likely answer the phone himself.



.
 
I still have 2 of his cues and my wife plays with one. I have bought and sold
others. I don't know of the quality he is putting out now but the two that I have were purchased several years ago and they are what I consider, very well made cues.

This was before the cue market fell a bit and I paid more than what a person pays now but I still got great value for what I have.

Just the way it worked out, I have a near matching set with different woods. Yeah, I know, 1 of 1, same design, different wood. Who cares, I have a matching set and they look great. One is curly maple and the other Purple Heart.

They are a well made and balanced cue. I love the feel.

I don't know how many people are working in the shop with Dale but he obviously has the proper equipment and has a nice little production line happening.

Its kind of what us people that used to be in the green house biz called the Sea of Green method. Only Dale uses wood.

If you watch his EBay auctions, he has auctions ending and starting in a timely fashion. Consider how many cues he sells for in between $100 and maybe $200. When 5 of his auctions end, he has several more ending in 2, 3 and 4 days. Now times that by 30 and do a rough guesstimate of how many cues he is selling in one month.

He is making himself a tidy little living here. Never have I seen one of his auctions go without selling the cue, no matter how little it might go for.

If you're looking for your first custom or just need a knock around cue for league, try one before you listen to the nay sayers on AZ.

I have talked to Dale several times on the phone. He doesn't dilly dally on the phone. Many might take this as bad customer service.
If you call him, ask your questions and be done with it, you will get what you want. If you want to shoot the breeze with him, he will probably cut you short.
 
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Made in U.S.A.

I've recently been to his shop and they are definitely building the cues right here in the U.S.A. As I was talking to Dale Perry, he was busy doing inlay work. In the $150 range, I wouldn't hesitate; they're the best cue for the money. :thumbup:
 
The first DP Cue I bought (6) years ago was beautiful for
about six months, then the finish lifted in several places, the
inlays starting popping up, and the butt warped slightly.
Bear in mind that I am meticulously careful with all my cues
and store them in a climate controlled Safe, and there was NO
physical damage caused by me. I phoned Dale and even sent
detailed pictures of the affected areas, but he refused to believe
I hadn't used the Cue as a Jack Handle and offered to refinish it
for $150.00 + shipping both ways. So much for Customer Service !!!

I found a local player who didn't care how it looked and decided
to let it go cheap and be done with it.

Recently, I decided to bid on a DP listed on eBay and got it for $128.00
I was showing it off at a local pool hall and some guy offered to trade
his 6 pt. Coker for it and I couldn't refuse, Ha !!
A few days ago another local player offered me his Smith & Wesson Model
627 8-shot .357 magnum Revolver for the Coker ... Done Deal !!!

Finally, a really happy ending to a Dale Perry Cue experience.
 
With horse trading like that, you know what you have to do. Buy more Dale Perrys. Sounds like a winning situation you just had.

At least with a Make My Day gun, no one will steal a cue from you. Damn, guns laws in Canada suck.
 
ive heard stories about some cues being poorly manufatured like inlays floating in glue and some cheaper parts and stuff i cant say if these are true or not but i know his more expensive originals are very nice looking
 
The reason Dale can sell them for the prices he does is because they are.... Ummm...... Cheap pieces of $hit.

I have a friend who bought one on eBay a little while back and I did a review on it. It did play fairly well but the construction is poor at best. Neither the butt nor the shaft was turned on center and none of the inlays were centered in the points. Additionally, the shaft arrived with a warp. In the last week he ordered another one to see if the poor quality was consistent and it was. Not only was the cue not straight but Dale sent the wrong diameter shaft. My friend called him to try and work it out but Dale didn't want to here anything about it. Interestingly enough, he has since been blocked from bidding on Dales cues.

So I guess Dales target market is the people who either just don't care and want a bang around cue or those players who really do not know a good cue from a bad one.

And all that crap about them being collectors items in the future is just that. Crap. Honestly for my money I would rather buy a McDermott or a Viking than a DP.
 
Dp,,,,,,,,,,,!!

Dale built a shaft for ''Eddie Taylor's'' 1961 Rambow,,,

It's an incredible shaft,,,and I defy anyone to tell me which is the original ''Rambow'' and which is the ''Perry''.....

He's a great craftsman,,,,,,,,,,,,Alan,,,,,,,,,:thumbup:
 
There have been a myriad posts that relate to the poor quality of his cues. Basic things, like his pins unscrewing.

Underlying that however, is the fact that the building of a cue is cheap. The markup is sizable and today's machinery does all the work. One can build a workable, good looking, cr@ppy playing cue on the cheap.
 
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LAlouie said:
Underlying that however, is the fact that the building of a cue is cheap. The markup is sizable and today's machinery does all the work. One can build a workable, good looking, cr@ppy playing cue on the cheap.
Click to expand...

If that's the case then I think we are getting screwed more by others that are charging 10x's as much as Dale does.
 
They are good banger cues. I have had 3 and still keep 1 for leagues. The quality is fine for the price and have never had any of the issues some of the posters mentioned. Mine is still straight and solid 1.5 years after I got it.

We could discuss until the cows come home the difference between his and other cue makers but that horse has been well beaten. If you do a forum search there is plenty of info on him.
 
One of the cues I play with is a "cheap" Dale Perry I bought about 4 years ago on E-bay. Never had a problem with it, looks great (like new), and plays as well as my Schon. There's a lot of Dale Perry haters on this Forum but I think he builds a good cue for a very low price.
 
I have 4 DP's. One is a beautiful custom with 2 shafts that ran close to $1000. It is well made. It is a great shooter. It is my favorite.
The other 3 are ebay cues. Cheaply made. They are worth $125-$200 tops.
The rings are cracking on one. The shaft nicks real easily on the other and 3rd is ok so far. They play well but they cannot be compared to his older Customs. Do not think that you are getting a 1st class quality cue. You will get what you pay for...a cheaply made reasonably priced player. May I add his customer service/recourse is terrible.
 
LAlouie said:
There have been a myriad posts that relate to the poor quality of his cues. Basic things, like his pins unscrewing.

Underlying that however, is the fact that the building of a cue is cheap. The markup is sizable and today's machinery does all the work. One can build a workable, good looking, cr@ppy playing cue on the cheap.
Click to expand...

Of course the machinery does ALL the work. You don't think that we 'whittle' a shaft to final-taper do you?
Hand inlaid, man, what were they thinking???
And all those hours of hands-on labor that CMs try to pass on to the buyer; actually, that's the hours that
the epoxy is curing and the finish is drying. Think about it, we're getting paid BIG bucks to watch paint dry.
There you have the reason that so many newbs are becoming cue-makers. It's free money!!!
As fate would have it, you've figured us out so I have no problems with admitting to it.
Once you've got the magical cue-making machine paid for and you've laid-in a nice stock of cheap wood,
your only expense from there forward is gas for the buggy to carry the bag of checks to the bank.
I usually let the wife do that though. She so luvs handling other people's money. The more, the better.
I'm now her hero.


dom_poppa said:
If that's the case then I think we are getting screwed more by others that are charging 10x's as much as Dale does.
Click to expand...


You are absolutely correct but please bare in mind that Dale is WAY behind the curve.
I guess he just doesn't need the money. Fact is, I don't really think he does.
Why pay the INFLATED price??? Buy a $150 DP and beat those greedy CMs at their own game.
Please don't let some trivial adage sway you. Like: "you get what you pay for."

Are you convinced yet???
You're certainly welcome to go out and buy a shop-full of machinery (and a shop to put it in).
Then buy a couple of videos and cue-making books and you're in business.
Don't worry about falling on your face. At least you'll be doing something for the economy.

KJ
 
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