Checking progress with cue maker. How often?
- Thread starter baller4lifeii
- Start date
My experience has been... take the original completion date estimate and triple it to establish a more likely completion date.
Start calling/emailing a month or so before the originally-quoted completion date to find out what progress he's made. Can he show you anything in person? If you're remote, photos of the forearm would suffice no matter what progress has been.
If in that phone call or email you tend to hear reasons/excuses why he's not done (or almost done), tell him not to rush and that you'll check with him every couple of months. You want the cue done right and that takes time. Things happen in a cuemaker's life that at times he can't control.
Bugging a cuemaker any more frequently than every couple of months makes me (and the cuemaker, in all likelihood) uncomfortable.
Think of him as an artist... not a mechanic. That may help. You wouldn't want to rush a Van Gogh or a Picasso, would you?
Also... and this is important... Buying a custom cue and waiting for its delivery date is not for the impatient.
Start calling/emailing a month or so before the originally-quoted completion date to find out what progress he's made. Can he show you anything in person? If you're remote, photos of the forearm would suffice no matter what progress has been.
If in that phone call or email you tend to hear reasons/excuses why he's not done (or almost done), tell him not to rush and that you'll check with him every couple of months. You want the cue done right and that takes time. Things happen in a cuemaker's life that at times he can't control.
Bugging a cuemaker any more frequently than every couple of months makes me (and the cuemaker, in all likelihood) uncomfortable.
Think of him as an artist... not a mechanic. That may help. You wouldn't want to rush a Van Gogh or a Picasso, would you?
Also... and this is important... Buying a custom cue and waiting for its delivery date is not for the impatient.
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I think this is one hellofa great idea!
And thus the birth of AZies List
Paul Dayton has delivered ahead of schedule for me. Great guy too.:thumbup:
I am always amazed at cue makers that quote a 2-3 month build. I have never had a cue come in under 6 months...which is fine with me, as the wood needs to properly season between turns to help prevent movement (warpage). I always expect the build time quote to be no less than 6 months...and generally closer to 9 months.
There are a few well regarded makers that as a rule, do not provide in-progress pics...they're simply too busy (there are others waiting for their cues as well)...but will provide pics of the finished or nearly finished cue at the end of the build. I don't have an issue with this, as most of the makers I have worked with have delivered within a month of the quoted completion date, and delivered exactly what was expected. Because I have full trust in these makers, I have learned to just leave them be, they'll let me know when we're done or close.
There has been enough said about certain makers here on AZB, that you can typically find out which makers may be a crap-shoot, and which ones are very reliable. Doing one's research before placing your order is the difference between a pleasurable experience and a nightmare.
Lastly....NEVER pay for a cue in full at the time of the order...it leaves little incentive for the maker to complete in a timely manner, as he already has your money. Be very leery of makers who require the full amount due prior to the build.
There are a few well regarded makers that as a rule, do not provide in-progress pics...they're simply too busy (there are others waiting for their cues as well)...but will provide pics of the finished or nearly finished cue at the end of the build. I don't have an issue with this, as most of the makers I have worked with have delivered within a month of the quoted completion date, and delivered exactly what was expected. Because I have full trust in these makers, I have learned to just leave them be, they'll let me know when we're done or close.
There has been enough said about certain makers here on AZB, that you can typically find out which makers may be a crap-shoot, and which ones are very reliable. Doing one's research before placing your order is the difference between a pleasurable experience and a nightmare.
Lastly....NEVER pay for a cue in full at the time of the order...it leaves little incentive for the maker to complete in a timely manner, as he already has your money. Be very leery of makers who require the full amount due prior to the build.
baller4lifeii
Registered
The maker asked for a 25% deposit to begin work, which I thought was reasonable. Though, I had no previous experience and wouldn't know if it wasn't.
the reason they dont want to send pictures is that they havent even started your cue when you email them.
unless they have a good rep for finishing on time never send money in advance. unless you like coming on here crying about it. cue makers are individuals that dont like time tables. so they are optimistic about them and then get lazy with your money in their pocket. some just keep your money. some are great and do what they say. use them.
unless they have a good rep for finishing on time never send money in advance. unless you like coming on here crying about it. cue makers are individuals that dont like time tables. so they are optimistic about them and then get lazy with your money in their pocket. some just keep your money. some are great and do what they say. use them.
baller4lifeii
Registered
It sounds like most everyone here share the same sentiment. One definitely wouldn't want to rush the process, but at the same time, communication goes a long way.
In his defense, the weather where he lives has been brutal over the last 6 months. I've been told that cuemakers don't like to work on wood unless the condition is just right, which makes sense.
Though, I would personally appreciate some heads-up emails about the delays. Rather than having to find out through my own asking. I've also asked for progress pictures since the beginning (at the time of ordering) and he agreed to it. After months, I've only received (two) pics once, after having to ask for them again late april.
I think I will take the advice on here and give him a call.
In his defense, the weather where he lives has been brutal over the last 6 months. I've been told that cuemakers don't like to work on wood unless the condition is just right, which makes sense.
Though, I would personally appreciate some heads-up emails about the delays. Rather than having to find out through my own asking. I've also asked for progress pictures since the beginning (at the time of ordering) and he agreed to it. After months, I've only received (two) pics once, after having to ask for them again late april.
I think I will take the advice on here and give him a call.
baller4lifeii
Registered
I'd also like to hear comments from the other side. If any cuemakers would like to share their view on the issue, I'd really appreciate it.
Thanks all.
Thanks all.
I have good friend who is a cue maker. Constantly getting calls while they're in the shop is frustrating, to say the least. Would you want to be in the middle of turning down a cue on the lathe, and be interrupted by the phone constantly ringing? I know I can call him earlier in the day...roughly 10 am, and I am good, because he's usually up til the wee hours out in the shop, and is just settling in for his morning cup o' joe then. Ask your maker if there is a time when he is better able to handle a call from you...you may get a more receptive response. Consider that you may not be the only one calling the maker...and every interruption while in the shop adds to the length of time it may take to complete a cue.
Given what I read on AZ, I'd just assume any custom be a year minimum no matter what he says,
I'll hear nothing at all during that time, and the money is gone and may never be recovered.
You're just paying to get on their "things to do" list.
More than likely, if the cuemaker is not the type of organized, responsible human being
who will meet the quoted deadline,
they are also not likely to quibble about who-ordered-what-first.
In other words, it stops being about first-come first-served and starts being about the squeaky wheel
getting the grease. Once the deadline is blown you might as well call often and be a pain in the ass.
They may put yours on the front burner just to get you out of their hair.
I'll hear nothing at all during that time, and the money is gone and may never be recovered.
You're just paying to get on their "things to do" list.
More than likely, if the cuemaker is not the type of organized, responsible human being
who will meet the quoted deadline,
they are also not likely to quibble about who-ordered-what-first.
In other words, it stops being about first-come first-served and starts being about the squeaky wheel
getting the grease. Once the deadline is blown you might as well call often and be a pain in the ass.
They may put yours on the front burner just to get you out of their hair.
I don't see a problem with that.
He can turn off the ringer if it bothers him so much and listen to all the messages at the end of day and reply to the ones who need replying.
Pretty standard business procedure.
He shouldn't give out his phone number and have a phone in his shop if he is so bothered by people using it.
Are you a cue maker?
Agree. Don't put yourself in the position where you have to be answering the phone, sending pictures and answering emails. Problem solved.
Some makers are wonderful in that respect and others prefer not to have to do it.
If at the end of your work day, take a couple of progress pics, answer your emails, then it can be done.
It is an added hassle but its also part of customer service. Some are wonderful at it and seem to have no problem and others don't do so well in the Customer Service Dept.
If I give someone a time line for a repair, its done and hand delivered on league night. But thats me. If you are going to be late, take a minute or two out of your day and give your customer the respect that they deserve and explain the situation.
Don't leave them hanging by not answering the phone or emails.
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Amazed
I am amazed when I see these threads. I have never had a cue maker late on a cue, when they told me to expect it to be done it has always been done in the time frame expected. I have a new Cognoscenti that I will be picking up from Joe this week, he told me when I started it would be early July. The same exact thing happened with my Dave Kikel cue, I guess I must be lucky.. Or maybe the cue makers I buy from a really professionals and understand that when you give your word it's important to deliver.. As to contacting them I never bothered because I knew they would do exactly what they said they would do, that is what professionals do so there is no need to bother them. Leave them alone and let them do their job!!
I am amazed when I see these threads. I have never had a cue maker late on a cue, when they told me to expect it to be done it has always been done in the time frame expected. I have a new Cognoscenti that I will be picking up from Joe this week, he told me when I started it would be early July. The same exact thing happened with my Dave Kikel cue, I guess I must be lucky.. Or maybe the cue makers I buy from a really professionals and understand that when you give your word it's important to deliver.. As to contacting them I never bothered because I knew they would do exactly what they said they would do, that is what professionals do so there is no need to bother them. Leave them alone and let them do their job!!
