I recently have had this issue to deal with. I bought a decent (built well but inexpensive) used table from a local retailer. At the time of purchase I had assumed everything needed replaced (rubber, cloth etc.). This was not the table I wanted but a fill-in until I build up the funds for the table I do want. Remodel went way over budget and ate into the table fund.
After the table was delivered and installed, I had a few days of evaluation time. I discovered the table just didn't play well. The corner pockets were not playing correctly and the rails were too low causing the ball hop or irregular bank angles. I really was not ready to spend more on this table than I purchased it for so I had two choices. One, take the table apart and put it out for the trash or two, spend a month doing every bit of research I could trying to understand what exactly needs to be done and am I capable of doing it? After I come to the conclusion I was going to abandon the table I thought, hey before I throw it out, why not use it as a trial and error table.
I made a living as a finish carpenter for many years, so I have experience with various materials and tools. Prior to this point, I had already bought the 860HR so it was already bought before I even tore the table down. After pulling the rail cloth, I was presented with a horror of a sight. (click the link in my signature for the azb thread of the rails and self repairs). I took my time and and was very nervous at a few steps along the way, such as gluing and cutting the rubber and installing the new cloth on the rails.
Long story short, The results shocked me. It is not something I would recommend anyone try unless they are quite the DIY'er and willing to ruin new material should things go south. I had an awesome backup mechanic (Josh Ebert) who was willing to jump in should I foul it all up. Fortunately for me, things worked out and I now have a really decent playing table to fill the void until I get that table I wanted originally.
So back to the topic at hand. The mechanic I did trust in his abilities (Josh), was not local but willing to travel and quoted me a more than acceptable price for the job. In hindsight that is the route I should have gone, but things worked out for me and I consider myself lucky that they did. There is a certain amount of pride in being able to accomplishing a project successfully. The fear I had was the local mechanics (meaning guys on craigslist and the phone book, not Josh) that were available to me, I don't think could have done half the job I was able to accomplish on my own (maybe I'm wrong, but there are a lot of tables around town that are hacked to pieces in commercial environments).
Sadly I don't think there is a way to "Pre-Screen" a mechanics abilities. So maybe he has the best customer service in the business, that does not equal quality craftsmanship, maybe the guy who does have that great craftsmanship is unreliable or sketchy in some manor or over booked, maybe his helper is a part-time thief and looking for potential victims, who knows and how does one know? Unless you have seen (and played on) the results of a real pro, it's truly a gamble as to what you will get. So just as you would look for a good doctor, dentist, auto mechanic, roofer you name it, you go by others experiences and word of mouth and even then, all you have left is to hope for the best.
There are some "REAL" professionals out there who are suffering due to the thousands of shady hacks ripping people off, and it's twice as hard to find the good one because not many people own a table or even have a clue what a good mechanic can even do. So the old "ask around" isn't as reliable as one would think. Be careful when asking the local poolhall owner as well, unless he has the best playing tables you've ever seen and played on, chances are he's been a victim of a hack as well, as they commonly are looking for lowest bid type work.
The moral of the story is buyer beware, do your homework, ask for references, and if possible go look at and play on these tables. Being a consumer in these times is a real pain in the ass....................
Dopc.
In addition: I re-read this post and it sounds like I'm saying all table mechanics are dirty thieving hacks. That is not my intention and I mean no ill harm to those who are truly skilled and knowledgeable professionals. A true professional will leave you with no questions or concerns from the time they leave the job to 3 months down the road. A hack, you'll question and regret sooner than later.
