...In any other industry, those offering a product to the consumer are typically competing for your dollars with others who may offer a like product. In some circles, they are practically falling over one another to make the sale. They are offering a product, and are thankful for the business, in most cases.
So why is it, that in the billiard/pool industry, many of us are willing to stand in long lines (a list) in order to be abused by some cue makers?
You're told 5 years, and then it's more like 10. You're quoted one price at the time you are accepted to a list, only to have that price jacked when the cue is finally ready for delivery. You're patiently waiting on a list, only to see others that you know got on later, receiving cues...possibly even your cue. You pay a required deposit, and wait......and wait.....and wait...to never receive a cue OR your deposit back. You are lucky enough to get a cue from a 'desired' maker, only to have to send it back in for repairs, for whatever reason, only to never see the cue again.
WHY?!!
Because they're the cue maker du juor, and you have fooled yourself into thinking that they will retain an investment value? Even tho' we've all seen some of these once lauded makers fall from grace, and the bottom fall out.
Only in this industry do we give up the power of the consumer, and give it all away, willingly, to those providing the service (whether the sevice is actually provided or not). For some reason, after receiving one build quote, and then being told at time for delivery that there is an additional $600 cost, we're supposed to smile and say..."sure, whatever you say!", because after investing so much time waiting, they are afraid they will never get the cue...which does happen. And if we don't, then we are ridiculed by others who think this type of behavior is okay....because the 'investment value' of the maker's cues will more than offset the unagreed upon, unexpected price increase. Or, worse yet, perhaps, because we desire to have a cue from a maker whose production is lower than the next guy (and for bragging rights), we are willing to pay the flippers' prices...knowing full well, that that is NOT what the maker sells them for direct. For example...a cue that maybe was between $800-$1000 when acquired from the maker, being flipped for $2100 by someone looking to make a buck or two off the backs of the makers who actually did the work.
I don't get it....I think it's stupid....and a sure sign of greed (one of the 7 Deadly Sins, btw). If the consumers refused to pay the ridiculous prices that the flippers are attempting to get, then the market will eventually stabilize to where it should be.
I am not saying that there are not some makers out there who have not 'paid their dues' and deserve to charge a higher build price. But when you take some makers who think they deserve to command these higher prices, and then you get your chain yanked.....repeatedly...and you do nothing about it, you give up ALL your power as a consumer.
The reality is this...in a fair market, it doesn't matter what prices are being asked...the consumer will dictate whether or not that the price is in line, by either spending or not. They are freaking cue sticks, for pete's sakes!!....not a precious metal or gem. The best way to combat this is by not being so free with opening the purse-strings. If you quite rewarding this type of behavior, it will stop.
Let the justification begin!!
So why is it, that in the billiard/pool industry, many of us are willing to stand in long lines (a list) in order to be abused by some cue makers?
You're told 5 years, and then it's more like 10. You're quoted one price at the time you are accepted to a list, only to have that price jacked when the cue is finally ready for delivery. You're patiently waiting on a list, only to see others that you know got on later, receiving cues...possibly even your cue. You pay a required deposit, and wait......and wait.....and wait...to never receive a cue OR your deposit back. You are lucky enough to get a cue from a 'desired' maker, only to have to send it back in for repairs, for whatever reason, only to never see the cue again.
WHY?!!
Because they're the cue maker du juor, and you have fooled yourself into thinking that they will retain an investment value? Even tho' we've all seen some of these once lauded makers fall from grace, and the bottom fall out.
Only in this industry do we give up the power of the consumer, and give it all away, willingly, to those providing the service (whether the sevice is actually provided or not). For some reason, after receiving one build quote, and then being told at time for delivery that there is an additional $600 cost, we're supposed to smile and say..."sure, whatever you say!", because after investing so much time waiting, they are afraid they will never get the cue...which does happen. And if we don't, then we are ridiculed by others who think this type of behavior is okay....because the 'investment value' of the maker's cues will more than offset the unagreed upon, unexpected price increase. Or, worse yet, perhaps, because we desire to have a cue from a maker whose production is lower than the next guy (and for bragging rights), we are willing to pay the flippers' prices...knowing full well, that that is NOT what the maker sells them for direct. For example...a cue that maybe was between $800-$1000 when acquired from the maker, being flipped for $2100 by someone looking to make a buck or two off the backs of the makers who actually did the work.
I don't get it....I think it's stupid....and a sure sign of greed (one of the 7 Deadly Sins, btw). If the consumers refused to pay the ridiculous prices that the flippers are attempting to get, then the market will eventually stabilize to where it should be.
I am not saying that there are not some makers out there who have not 'paid their dues' and deserve to charge a higher build price. But when you take some makers who think they deserve to command these higher prices, and then you get your chain yanked.....repeatedly...and you do nothing about it, you give up ALL your power as a consumer.
The reality is this...in a fair market, it doesn't matter what prices are being asked...the consumer will dictate whether or not that the price is in line, by either spending or not. They are freaking cue sticks, for pete's sakes!!....not a precious metal or gem. The best way to combat this is by not being so free with opening the purse-strings. If you quite rewarding this type of behavior, it will stop.
Let the justification begin!!