was that TONY ZINZOLAS hand in my pocket?

Well

Not at all. TZ has screwed over many people on this board, and his reputation deserves the nosedive it took. He should definitely refund you 100% of your money.

In the meantime I'm merely pointing out the fact that you didn't know any better when you received the cue. Ignorance isn't a crime, but it can be entertaining.

-roger


Well Rog, so nice of you to help me with my shortcomings...so glad that its entertaining to you.....lol
 
Just curious, is that pic supposed to show why the cue is a piece of shit?

Cuz it looks pretty nice. Really nice. Is that the zinzola in your avatar? If so then it can't look TOO terrible.
I guess there are little bits that look off around the fleur de lis, but to be honest
nobody's gonna see that unless they've got their earl strickland magnifying glass out.

Obviously if it warped that's no good, but you're saying you bought it in 2008 and you
send it back in december of 2010 to deal with the warp? So did it arrive warped or did it warp over
the course of 2 and a half years?

For 2700 it better be close to perfect on the inlays... and they are not even close...
 
Zinzola is currently ripping off two of my friends.Both were suppose to have there cues within 3 months and it has been over three years. He has giving them both countless delivery dates just to let them down again and again. His latest excuse was he was to busy to build cues this summer because his other business was doing so well.Imagine saying that to someone who has payed you in full for a cue.

There are many reason why I will never get into Custom Cues and the Strongest one for me is how impatient i am,,, I could not wait all that time for a Cue,, and I'm sorry to hear about you friends and same goes for you Tikkler,, does anyone know how many people work in TZ Shop or does he work alone?
 
There are many reason why I will never get into Custom Cues and the Strongest one for me is how impatient i am,,, I could not wait all that time for a Cue,, and I'm sorry to hear about you friends and same goes for you Tikkler,, does anyone know how many people work in TZ Shop or does he work alone?

This whole thread just makes me glad I decided to go with a Keith Josey cue when
I decided I wanted a custom. I've never read a bad word about Keith and Sherri on this
forum.

I'm a player, not a collector...just to let folks know where I'm coming from.

Anyway, Sniper...if you want a cue with a great hit AND beautiful veneer work, you can't go wrong with Keith's work.
Mine is one of his old style pantograph cues...it's 4 points are needle sharp with beautiful inlays.
 
Last edited:
I have had personal dealing with Tikkler, as he was very interest in the purchase of a friends Old Cue that was believed to be a Balabushka. The Cue was shipped to Tikkler with the promise he would either make an offer if his expert authenticated the Cue, or it would be returned to my friend ASAP. My friend got the Cue back ASAP Federal Express, at Tikklers expense.

Tikkler is a man of Integrity who if you were looking into the Websters Picture Dictionary, under the word INTEGRITY you would find Tikkler Photo.

This situation between Tony Zinzola, and Tikkler has been going on over 4 years, and has not been resolved, after Tony has made many promises to Tikkler.

I honestly do not understand ANY CUEMAKER would treat a Cue Collector like Tikkler, the way Tony Zinzola has treated Tikkler.

Most cuemakers with 1/2 of a brain would love to have someone who collects Pool Cue like Tikkler a satisfied client, not someone who was upset with you.

I personally owned a Tony Zinzola Cue # 113, had another on order, and canceled that order when I learn of how Tony treated Tikkler. Sent Tony a e-mail & letter canceling my order, telling him why, and Tony never even acknowledged my letter. BTW # 113 was sold.

Tony IMHO needs to figure out if cue making is a hobby, between watching kids, & makin babies, or if he wants to be a cue maker with a reputation of making a good Pool Cue, and something he stand behind, or care to even make Cues at all.
 
Last edited:
I think my zinzola was worse . . .

I bought what I thought was a spectacular looking (based on a couple of misleading pictures - see top one) Zinzola a year or two ago that I was astonished had ever left his shop, or garage, or wherever he made it. The lizard wrap was gouged and the rings were atrocious - mis-shaped, crooked, and some touching the others (not part of the design).

Upon receiving this cue, and once I could wrap my head around its condition, somewhat, I called Tony to ask him wtf was he thinking. His response was that he must have been distracted by his kids and some other bs about in-laws living there etc., etc., etc.

He, I, and all of you know there is no excuse for what he did in my situation, as well as tikkler's, and I know there have been others, too.

I started getting the runaround about how he has money on the way in and that I'd be paid in full in two weeks. Mind you, I had just paid him close to two grand, why not just refund it. I returned the cue to him, he missed the promised 'refund in two weeks'.

I got very strong with him over this (had to) and he came across with my refund in full, all within that following week.

I would not have discussed this publicly as I believe in giving the benefit of doubt, however, I have seen other reports and now this new one from tikkler so, obviously, Tony has not changed.

He actually came across to me as a nice guy, maybe just overwhelmed, but apparently, there's more to it.

It also seems a real shame because I feel he had a genuine flare for coming up with some impressive and beautiful designs.

best,
brian kc
 

Attachments

  • Zinzola-rosewood-full-cue.jpg
    Zinzola-rosewood-full-cue.jpg
    32.9 KB · Views: 903
  • zinzola-ring-problems-1.jpg
    zinzola-ring-problems-1.jpg
    56.2 KB · Views: 936
  • zinzola-ring-problems-3.jpg
    zinzola-ring-problems-3.jpg
    89.9 KB · Views: 941
  • zinzola-ring-problems-2.jpg
    zinzola-ring-problems-2.jpg
    63.5 KB · Views: 940
  • zinzola-ring-problems-wrap.jpg
    zinzola-ring-problems-wrap.jpg
    85.7 KB · Views: 928
Last edited:
This whole thread just makes me glad I decided to go with a Keith Josey cue when
I decided I wanted a custom. I've never read a bad word about Keith and Sherri on this
forum.

I'm a player, not a collector...just to let folks know where I'm coming from.

Anyway, Sniper...if you want a cue with a great hit AND beautiful veneer work, you can't go wrong with Keith's work.
Mine is one of his old style pantograph cues...it's 4 points are needle sharp with beautiful inlays.

I am in complete agreement brother !! you can not go wrong with Josey's and I can't imagine anything hitting any better. Maybe there is but I haven't found it yet !
 
Hey

Thanks to the moderators at AZ for putting this thread back on....I am sure we are going to hear from a lot more people on this.

Thanks to Kevin posting his thread also.


.
 
Steve, not to worry, there may be some AZ'ers who have some Prulhiere cues they want to sell.
 
Zinzola is currently ripping off two of my friends.Both were suppose to have there cues within 3 months and it has been over three years. He has giving them both countless delivery dates just to let them down again and again. His latest excuse was he was to busy to build cues this summer because his other business was doing so well.Imagine saying that to someone who has PAYED you in full for a cue.

Its spelled paid not payed... Just trying to help
 
BTW # 113 was sold.

Tony IMHO need to figure out if cue making is a hobby, between watching kids, and maker babies, or if he wants to be a cue maker with a reputation of making good Pool Cue, and something he stand behind, or care to even make Cues at all.

Maker babies?? Is that English?? Not to be a royal ass by my god re-read your typing!!! Unless this is just how you are built and if it is I have no idea how you have made it through life...
 
I love and cherish my Zinzola and couldn't be happier!! About lack of ability?? I find it hard to believe that Tony would put out something less then amazing. He re-did my cue and it came out GORGEOUS!! It seems most arent too happy but my god is my cue brilliant!! He was very punctually and professional in my purchase. I have no problems with Mr. Zinzola
 
I love and cherish my Zinzola and couldn't be happier!! About lack of ability?? I find it hard to believe that Tony would put out something less then amazing. He re-did my cue and it came out GORGEOUS!! It seems most arent too happy but my god is my cue brilliant!! He was very punctually and professional in my purchase. I have no problems with Mr. Zinzola

Why did he have to re-do your cue???
 
When we were young and used to watch Stampede Wrestling, we used to head butt each other and call them Coco Bonks. I think Bruce may have received his share at some point as well.

Brian, bar bells that touch and some missing part of the bell. Absolutely I cannot see why anyone would allow that to leave a shop and expect the buyer to accept that is beyond comprehension.

Tony may have gone to quick too fast. Gotten into CnC when he should have been perfecting points and veneers. Making perfect Merry Widows.

Myself, if I were into building rather than just repairs, I would rather been known for making decent playing Widows than a screw up with terrible customer service.

I know Kevin Varney got himself into a bit of hot water a couple of times but he made a heck of a pretty Widow that played great. He was satisfied with what he was putting out there and it showed. I have a Varney Bar Cue Conversion. Just a decent butt with one of his shafts with it. It plays great and will always be with me.

Huge difference between the two builders.
 
Last edited:
Back
Top