Cue makers to stay away from

The fact that he says it was late clearly demonstrates that there was some kind of promised completion date, otherwise it wouldn't be late. And as I mentioned before, how long it was supposed to take isn't really important anyway. What is important is how long past the due date it is, although how late it is compared to how long it was supposed to take does make a small difference (like eight months late when it was promised for ten years is not quite as bad as eight months late when it was promised for one year although neither are acceptable).

All that being said, I just went back and reread the first post and there is a little ambiguity there. The way I first read it, and the way it still sounds like it probably means, is that it is eight months past the due date. But there is a chance that what he was trying to say was that it was late and past due date and finally after eight months from the order date is when he got fed up and wanted the refund. Like an example of that would be that the cue was promised to be delivered in four months, and it wasn't and then he got nothing but excuses for another four months before he finally got fed up. It that case it was eight months after the order date, but only four months late.

Like I said I think he meant eight months late, and either way it probably doesn't matter. Once you are real late the buyer is entitled to a full refund. It would be nice if the OP would come back and clear up the confusion though and tell us for sure how late it actually was, and maybe how long it was supposed to take since that might make a tiny bit of difference.

As for a restocking fee, you have to have taken delivery of the item and then returned it for it to need to be restocked. The buyer never even got his item (which is the whole problem) much less returned it. There is nothing to restock. Also the reason for the return has to be the buyers fault and cannot be the sellers fault. Like maybe you ordered a shirt from online and when it came it didn't fit, or you just changed your mind. Well that isn't the seller's fault so there might be a restocking fee. But say you ordered the shirt in blue but they sent a red one so you return it. Well that isn't the buyer's fault, he didn't get what he paid for, so no restocking fee. Or what if they never did send your blue shirt and after months of waiting for it you finally tell them to just forget it, you don't want it any more. Should you pay a restocking fee on the blue shirt they never did send? Of course not. And here the buyer didn't get X cue by Y date that he paid for either and it wasn't his fault, it was the seller's fault. No restocking fee.

The fact is the OPs friend obviouly knows that the cue is being made on the side in a top 5 in the world cue makers shop and his little 2100 cue would take a back seat to Tony's cues some of which go for 10s of thousands of dollars so I can surly see how Bernie had reasons why he could not get the cue done on a said time line which possibly couldn't be guaranteed ,,
The Op asks the question like its a regular cue maker , he only later brings up the fact that he's a cue maker using anothe cue makers shop on the side so it's a rediculas question to begin with
Personaly I think the OPs friend was crazy not to wait ,, good things come to those who wait and to have a cue come out of black boars shop for 2100 could very well be a huge bargin ,
Personaly I would have waited that and longer knowing the cue could very well be made under the watchful eye of one of the greatest cue makers the world has ever seen
Infact I would love to hear more about the cue and the design cause I'd be interested in having it finished myself ,,

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A cue maker can't deliver a cue within 10 months of a promised date despite being fully pre-paid, repeatedly misses new deadlines and keeps a portion of the deposit when the customer decides enough is enough and cancel the contract.

Judgement to plaintiff, breach of contract due to failure to perform, $900 plus interest and legal fees. Case closed.

Case closed?... Far from it Chris

Sure the plantiff wins.... Now try and collect.

Once the judgement is awarded the judge will give the looser so long to pay it off. If they dont meet that time frame the winner must go back to court and file a writ with the court to either garnish their wages, their bank account, or even put a lean on any real estate they own to recover your damages eventually when that property sells... If they dont have a job, bank account, or own any property, you're SOL.
 
Anybody that pays a rookie cuemaker up front for a cue is looking to get robbed. Materials in most customs isn't more than 400 bucks. You want a contracted job done poorly? Pay up front for the work. Buyer beware.
 
Case closed?... Far from it Chris

Sure the plantiff wins.... Now try and collect.

Once the judgement is awarded the judge will give the looser so long to pay it off. If they dont meet that time frame the winner must go back to court and file a writ with the court to either garnish their wages, their bank account, or even put a lean on any real estate they own to recover your damages eventually when that property sells... If they dont have a job, bank account, or own any property, you're SOL.

golly gee, it's not that fukn complicated, just go and get what's yours
 
Infact I would love to hear more about the cue and the design cause I'd be interested in having it finished myself ,,

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Here are a few examples of cues made! Several I have seen in person! he makes his own blanks! he got his start getting premium wood for Tim Scruggs and now gets some for Black Boar!

Production is/was never the question! The guy makes cues.
Having full details and knowledge of the situation is not why the guy obviously backed out and he knows he backed out!

Why else is he not here complaining? Just a friend that goes off the reservation!

Ps: stuff like this may keep good cue makers from teaching!!!

Additionally, the buyer knew 100% that Black boar had nothing to do with his cue deal! Also knew making waves and threatened the work relationship between Bernie and black boar. A big no-no! With full disclosure made the deal and a friend of his/her lobbing pot shots is not cool!

Kd



Sent from my XT907 using Tapatalk
 
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KD, is this guy your best friend or a good friend? I like some of his shaft wood. Should the OP's friend get a full refund?
 
a few observations/opinions from an intermittently sane person (me).

I lean toward this deal being between the op (and not "a friend") and a guy named Bernie because in the first post the op wrote the reason he didn't get a full refund was "he said I cancelled the order".

There is a legal maxim that refers to "dirty hands" that may apply in this case. If the buyer of the cue knew this Bernie fellow was taking orders or making cues without Tony's blessing (assuming any of this even happened at BB shop) then the buyer also has "dirty hands" so the court is not going to provide any relief - or in this case, AZB shouldn't look to help or sympathize either. This hasn't been determined yet, one way or another.

If Bernie does, in fact, work at BB shop and did have Tony's okay to make and sell cues, and if he did not complete the cue and it's 8 months overdue then unless there was some written agreement specifying a loss of deposit, etc., I think the buyer deserves a *full* refund.

And, if this negative bs is running alongside of Tony's generosity in mentoring Bernie at his shop, it once again proves the old adage that "no good deed goes unpunished".

best,
brian kc
 
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a few observations/opinions from an infrequently sane person (me).

I lean toward this deal being between the op (and not "a friend") and a guy named Bernie because in the first post the op wrote the reason he didn't get a full refund was "he said I cancelled the order".

There is a legal maxim that refers to "dirty hands" that may apply in this case. If the buyer of the cue knew this Bernie fellow was taking orders or making cues without Tony's blessing (assuming any of this even happened at BB shop) then the buyer also has "dirty hands" so the court is not going to provide any relief - or in this case, AZB shouldn't look to help or sympathize either. This hasn't been determined yet, one way or another.

If Bernie does, in fact, work at BB shop and did have Tony's okay to make and sell cues, and if he did not complete the cue and it's 8 months overdue then unless there was some written agreement specifying a loss of deposit, etc., I think the buyer deserves a *full* refund.

And, if this negative bs is running alongside of Tony's generosity in mentoring Bernie at his shop, it once again proves the old adage that "no good deed goes unpunished".


best,
brian kc

Bingo

we have a winner!!!

now how do we prevent Tony from getting punished for his good deed???

KD
 
Bingo

we have a winner!!!

now how do we prevent Tony from getting punished for his good deed???

KD

it would be appropriate for Bernie to give a full refund since for whatever reasons (these really don't matter), he did not meet the agreed completion date by a long shot *if* that's actually what happened.

Again, plenty of guessing and speculating here since the op says he is not the buyer and we haven't heard from the seller.

Not so easy to sort it all out without firsthand info.

best,
brian kc
 
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KD, is this guy your best friend or a good friend? I like some of his shaft wood. Should the OP's friend get a full refund?

Allen,

I do not know the full story! I can only give my opinion and I know the guy and can not say my opinion is unbiased!

If the cue was ready or near ready and Bernard sold the cue to refund the money then in that scenario a full refund may not be appropriate!!!

Vs.

Cue never started and no work done and after the deadline says "refund" then yes a full refund is appropriate!!!


Given the knowledge about health issues and the cue being a side job! I would expect "ALOT" more latitude and understanding regarding the timeline and "estimate" not try to weasle out of the deal on the grounds that some estimated completion date was not met!!!

Kd
 
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What to do when a cue maker doesn't live up to his promise? Keeps making excuses why the cue wasn't done. After 8 months , agreed to refund the money but only refunded $1200 of the $2100. Claims the rest was a down payment and refuses to refund it. His excuse was I cancelled the order after all the broken promises.

Small claims court.
 
Allen,

I do not know the full story! I can only give my opinion and I know the guy and can not say my opinion is unbiased!

If the cue was ready or near ready and Bernard sold the cue to refund the money then in that scenario a full refund may not be appropriate!!!

Vs.

Cue never started and no work done and after the deadline says "refund" then yes a full refund is appropriate!!!


Given the knowledge about health issues and the cue being a side job! I would expect "ALOT" more latitude and understanding regarding the timeline and "estimate" not try to weasle out of the deal on the grounds that some estimated completion date was not meet!!!

Kd

Have you ever played with any of his cues? They look pretty good.
 
Call Tony up and tell him to start reading and let him sort it out himself.

That could result in him saying "This is more headache then it is worth" Bernie loses!Tony loses! the cue world loses as a result of the knowledge not being passed down from generation to generation!!!

Funny thing is how "VOCAL" bernie is about protecting TONY and Black Boar!!! With all potential customers!!! How else do I have pictures of his cues to post up??? Because, I spoke to him about building a cue! So, I know that he goes over things with all customers to prevent any "Threats" like this to his business relationship with Black Boar and Tony!!!

1st sign of financial trouble with this buyer and Bernie refunds what he can get for the cue and I am certain he would have preferred to give the cue instead of the money! Now, because the amount is $900 less the guy or his friend thinks it is cool to throw bernie and tony under the bus with this smear thread!

This thread is not about applying pressure for the refund. Its about ruining the relationship and business agreement. So, lets not lose sight of what this is about!!!

KD
 
Funny.
When I talked to Tony at the expo, he showed me a pretty sweet, slim butt player cue that he wanted Hopkins to hit with, and I showed him the 6 pointer 1 of a kind parabolic he made for me.
Good times.

He then went off about how he is sick of people making a killing off his cues, and how now, he would rather go room to room, and sell them himself to players that truly want them, than sell them to these broker guys.

About teaching.
Tony trained Vollmer though. A long time ago.
I don't see him getting upset at Vollmer every time he sells a cue.

So, about this situation of Bernie in his shop.
For all we know, Tony is gladly teaching this guy some of the trade.
For all we know, Tony might get a % of each cue this guy makes, OR, Tony might charge him $$X per cue made. For all we know, Tony might be letting him use the equipment for services rendered, to help the guy get a start in the business.
There are so many different business scenarios that could take place that we aren't privy to. Only way to know is if THEY WANT you to know.

About the money.
I don't order custom cues anymore because of situations like this.
It gets too complicated.
If I ever get another custom, it is COD. I see the cue, I hit with it, I pay for it.
All that pay a big deposit for a cue just so the cuemaker can hold you hostage with it when they don't deliver, will never be me. EVER
 
That could result in him saying "This is more headache then it is worth" Bernie loses!Tony loses! the cue world loses as a result of the knowledge not being passed down from generation to generation!!!

Funny thing is how "VOCAL" bernie is about protecting TONY and Black Boar!!! With all potential customers!!! How else do I have pictures of his cues to post up??? Because, I spoke to him about building a cue! So, I know that he goes over things with all customers to prevent any "Threats" like this to his business relationship with Black Boar and Tony!!!

1st sign of financial trouble with this buyer and Bernie refunds what he can get for the cue and I am certain he would have preferred to give the cue instead of the money! Now, because the amount is $900 less the guy or his friend thinks it is cool to throw bernie and tony under the bus with this smear thread!

This thread is not about applying pressure for the refund. Its about ruining the relationship and business agreement. So, lets not lose sight of what this is about!!!

KD

Would you pay up front for a cue from this guy if you might not get it for 10 or 18 months?? If so I'd say you were a very trusting person. When he's got money trouble, you'll have it too.
 
That could result in him saying "This is more headache then it is worth" Bernie loses!Tony loses! the cue world loses as a result of the knowledge not being passed down from generation to generation!!!

Funny thing is how "VOCAL" bernie is about protecting TONY and Black Boar!!! With all potential customers!!! How else do I have pictures of his cues to post up??? Because, I spoke to him about building a cue! So, I know that he goes over things with all customers to prevent any "Threats" like this to his business relationship with Black Boar and Tony!!!

1st sign of financial trouble with this buyer and Bernie refunds what he can get for the cue and I am certain he would have preferred to give the cue instead of the money! Now, because the amount is $900 less the guy or his friend thinks it is cool to throw bernie and tony under the bus with this smear thread!

This thread is not about applying pressure for the refund. Its about ruining the relationship and business agreement. So, lets not lose sight of what this is about!!!

KD

Ok. So now Bernie sold the cue and gave the OP a refund of what he got out of the cue? When did this take place? Tony doesn't have anything to do with this cue or transaction so he should be left out of it from now on. No one is trying to ruin Tony's name.

How do Bernard's cues play? They look good.
 
Have you ever played with any of his cues? They look pretty good.

yes, I have played with a few of his cues and I do like the hit!

The nicest cue of his I have seen is/was just delivered to an Asian guy in Northern Virginia! 8 point full splice made out of bocote and he made matching break cue!

Maryland, DC & VA players see his cues around as he sells totally by word of mouth! He does his sales pitch as described in the thread. But, he knows what he is talking about and gets the information from one of the best cue makers in the world and tons of it. Some that do not know the situation might think it some snake oil sales man stuff. But, with a little research and investigation. People find out the guy is not lying about things.

KD
 
It was a heavy set Pacific island girl, maybe Hawaiian & a black girl. Didn't catch their names. This was almost a year ago anyway right after I got back into the game. Bobby Hawk steered me there to put me on this guy Jimbo. I've only been in there once or twice since then, place is kind of run down with these ancient Brunswick home tables with the deepest pocket shelves I'd ever seen on a table. I don't normally butt into other people's business but I just hated to see these two getting conned so we exposed him & chased him off.

I feel the need to shed some light on some things mentioned throughout this thread, especially seeing i'm the black girl described here. I'm not one for debates and such, so I intend to make this my first and last post on this discussion.

1. When you saw me I was playing with the cue Bernie made for me. I've had my cue for 1.5 years now and I love it! My cue is in my avatar pic. It was back then that my friend was inquiring about getting a cue of her own because she loved the playability of the cue; she became a customer too.

2. I don't know you and never had anyone chased Bernie away from me :lol:

3. Bernie indeed worked for Black Boar and was allowed by Tony to make his own cues. I've had plenty of times that I went to Tony's shop when my cue was being made and Tony was right there.
 
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