Custom Pool cue makers from China?

Flakeandrun said:
Just a little check-in. My friend is on a business trip. Waiting for him to come back, I don't want to annoy him :)
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Cool, thanks for remembering my question. I have been going down the rabbit hole of Goofish / Xianyu for the last several weeks, and it is pretty fascinating, all of the really cool custom cues, from China. A lot of really beautiful Snooker cues too.
 
vintagecollectibles831 said:
Cool, thanks for remembering my question. I have been going down the rabbit hole of Goofish / Xianyu for the last several weeks, and it is pretty fascinating, all of the really cool custom cues, from China. A lot of really beautiful Snooker cues too.
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That's awesome! You use Xianyu! An amazing app, especially finding things in your area. You can try the thing, barter a little. So much better than eBay or similar. The buyer protection is also really strong. Are you situated in China?
 
vintagecollectibles831 said:
No, I am in the US. I just learned of the website, a few weeks ago. I learned that I would have to use an Agent, like Superbuy for example, to have them buy the items for me, and then ship to the USA. So, I woukd have to pay domestic and then international shipping costs, and the Customs fees. Woukd be expensive after all of the costs.
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Domestic shipping fees are pretty cheap, and it's fast. Whole country can be accessed for under $20 with insurance (in my experience) - International incoming is annoying, outgoing isn't too bad. A little expensive, but EDM is very secure and good value. UPS, DHL are also options, but paying a premium for their name.

vintagecollectibles831 said:
I have had my eye on a few Peri cues that I really like though.
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There are some really nice ones.
vintagecollectibles831 said:
There are some really nice customs, with Chinese writing on the logos, that I really love too.
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There are many good ones, the quality of which is on a par with some big names. It is hard to be definitive without having one in your hands. This is one reason why the app is quite good when you are here. Arranging to meet up with a person to try it (they often offer to ship it to you for a time period to try to - which is crazy if you ask me)
vintagecollectibles831 said:
I have no way to communicate with the sellers, and translating Chinese to English makes the translation look very confusing to me.
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I understand that. These type of services are obviously making a sum on the side. If there is anyway I can help, feel free to DM me. Whether it's clarifying prices, or looking at items and checking them on the APP. Can send me images, and I can image search it on the APP
vintagecollectibles831 said:
I see what looked like a very good deal for a Piston cue, with a ZEN shaft, for under 3,000 Yuan.
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Which Zen shaft? What condition? A new Xpro is 3500rmb (I think)
vintagecollectibles831 said:
Some of the Piston cues I seen look super nice.
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My friends is pretty solid. He changed it for a Cuetec recently, and I think he prefers the feel of that (but people here are prone to shiny new thing syndrome lol)
 
Flakeandrun said:
Domestic shipping fees are pretty cheap, and it's fast. Whole country can be accessed for under $20 with insurance (in my experience) - International incoming is annoying, outgoing isn't too bad. A little expensive, but EDM is very secure and good value. UPS, DHL are also options, but paying a premium for their name.


There are some really nice ones.

There are many good ones, the quality of which is on a par with some big names. It is hard to be definitive without having one in your hands. This is one reason why the app is quite good when you are here. Arranging to meet up with a person to try it (they often offer to ship it to you for a time period to try to - which is crazy if you ask me)

I understand that. These type of services are obviously making a sum on the side. If there is anyway I can help, feel free to DM me. Whether it's clarifying prices, or looking at items and checking them on the APP. Can send me images, and I can image search it on the APP

Which Zen shaft? What condition? A new Xpro is 3500rmb (I think)

My friends is pretty solid. He changed it for a Cuetec recently, and I think he prefers the feel of that (but people here are prone to shiny new thing syndrome lol)
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Thanks a lot for the really nice offer. I was also worried about the possibility that the ZEN shaft was not genuine. I see a lot of fakes / copies on that site. Like, fake Joss cues, and fake Snooker cues, like Fake John Parris cues, and Fake Trevor White cues. The quality looks really good though, on some of these copies.
 
Flakeandrun said:
No problem at all. I am curious about the site you are using and whether it is a reliable 'agent' for searching Xianyu.
Like I said, happy to DM and ask any questions :)

EDIT: I see you did :)
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Hi,

Goofish is not an Agent. It is basically the same as Xianyu, I assume. I am able to translate everything on Goofish to English, but the translations are very confusing.

Superbuy, for example, is an Agent, who can help me buy items on Goofish, and ship them to their warehouse, so that they can then be shipped to me in the US.

Thanks again.
 
Quesports said:
Speaking of Japan. I’m surprised no one mentioned Mezz. One of the oldest cue makers in the world.
There Exceed line of cues may be the most in demand cues anywhere.
An intricate one is quite likely to run five figures.

The only dealer in America is J&J Cues. The plain Jane’s are even rare going over four grand. Just about the only place to get one is on the secondary market.

If you want one from J&J good luck. They have a list of buyers that will take every one they can buy.

Hotter than any US Cuemaker even Southwest. IMO. There are more Southwest for sale than Exceed across all markets..
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Yeah, this happened with Mezz only over the past 5 years or so too. Quality was always equal or above even most custom cues, but they were very affordable and plentiful. Now, we seem to have a version of cue inflation going on. Everywhere. In 2020 even a Carmeli base model you could get easily for around $1500 with 2 shafts. Now it's double to get into a base model. Same with Mezz. And good luck finding either even at twice the 2020 intro price for a basic model.

I got my Mezz for $575 in 2020. There were plenty of styles in stock for around this price too. Ranging from $375-1075. I mean for a top quality incredibly beautiful and amazing hitting merry widow, we are talking about cues that sold for under $400. Mine is fairly fancy one at just under $600 too. Really beautiful in every way. Look. Feel. Workmanship. All second to none really. Now they are selling second hand for about $1500-2000, and there IS no stock of new product. Also, those 2020 models were dumped and replaced with new ones that are not nearly as nice. In my opinion, ugly even in comparison. I doubt they play as good too.

Frankly, I resist the notion that this economics model is justified or viable. This is an artificial inflation scenario. Tell me the cost of making this cue is double what it was 5 years ago. Or that they take 3 times as long to produce. BULLSHIT.

There is a reason why the local residents of many of the worlds most beautiful resort cities will often have bumper stickers that read, "Welcome to (city name) - now go home." lol I know, I lived in one once upon a time.
 
Garo 7 said:
Yeah, this happened with Mezz only over the past 5 years or so too. Quality was always equal or above even most custom cues, but they were very affordable and plentiful. Now, we seem to have a version of cue inflation going on. Everywhere. In 2020 even a Carmeli base model you could get easily for around $1500 with 2 shafts. Now it's double to get into a base model. Same with Mezz. And good luck finding either even at twice the 2020 intro price for a basic model.

I got my Mezz for $575 in 2020. There were plenty of styles in stock for around this price too. Ranging from $375-1075. I mean for a top quality incredibly beautiful and amazing hitting merry widow, we are talking about cues that sold for under $400. Mine is fairly fancy one at just under $600 too. Really beautiful in every way. Look. Feel. Workmanship. All second to none really. Now they are selling second hand for about $1500-2000, and there IS no stock of new product. Also, those 2020 models were dumped and replaced with new ones that are not nearly as nice. In my opinion, ugly even in comparison. I doubt they play as good too.

Frankly, I resist the notion that this economics model is justified or viable. This is an artificial inflation scenario. Tell me the cost of making this cue is double what it was 5 years ago. Or that they take 3 times as long to produce. BULLSHIT.

There is a reason why the local residents of many of the worlds most beautiful resort cities will often have bumper stickers that read, "Welcome to (city name) - now go home." lol I know, I lived in one once upon a time.
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The prices of Mezz cues is based on two things availablity and marketing.

The availability is being artificially affected by Mezz intentionally making them in very small quantities.

Then there is the wait list at J & J which is (imo) heavily populated by dealers and flippers that are buying up the limited stock. J & J is no longer posting prices last time I looked.

So the folks that wish to buy one are stuck paying inflated prices from a third party dealer or possibly a flipper.

I lost interest long ago.
 
you guys bitchin about prices is not going to make them drop. costs since '19 for overall overhead have close to tripled, maybe more for some stuff like insurance, etc. Mezz for one is a small shop and they have no chance of meeting worldwide demand. Can't afford it don't buy it. Call Cody Cash at PK cues and have him make u one. For a grand he'll make you a helluva cue. Guessing 6mo del time.
 
Garo 7 said:
Yeah, this happened with Mezz only over the past 5 years or so too. Quality was always equal or above even most custom cues, but they were very affordable and plentiful. Now, we seem to have a version of cue inflation going on. Everywhere. In 2020 even a Carmeli base model you could get easily for around $1500 with 2 shafts. Now it's double to get into a base model. Same with Mezz. And good luck finding either even at twice the 2020 intro price for a basic model.

I got my Mezz for $575 in 2020. There were plenty of styles in stock for around this price too. Ranging from $375-1075. I mean for a top quality incredibly beautiful and amazing hitting merry widow, we are talking about cues that sold for under $400. Mine is fairly fancy one at just under $600 too. Really beautiful in every way. Look. Feel. Workmanship. All second to none really. Now they are selling second hand for about $1500-2000, and there IS no stock of new product. Also, those 2020 models were dumped and replaced with new ones that are not nearly as nice. In my opinion, ugly even in comparison. I doubt they play as good too.

Frankly, I resist the notion that this economics model is justified or viable. This is an artificial inflation scenario. Tell me the cost of making this cue is double what it was 5 years ago. Or that they take 3 times as long to produce. BULLSHIT.

There is a reason why the local residents of many of the worlds most beautiful resort cities will often have bumper stickers that read, "Welcome to (city name) - now go home." lol I know, I lived in one once upon a time.
Click to expand...
The prices of Mezz cues is based on two things availablity and marketing.

The availability is being artificially affected by Mezz intentionally making them in very small quantities.

Then there is the wait list at J & J which is (imo) heavily populated by dealers and flippers that are buying up the limited stock. J & J is no longer posting prices last time I looked.

So the folks that wish to buy one are stuck paying inflated prices from a third party dealer or possibly a flipper.

I lost interest long ago.
garczar said:
you guys bitchin about prices is not going to make them drop. costs since '19 for overall overhead have close to tripled, maybe more for some stuff like insurance, etc. Mezz for one is a small shop and they have no chance of meeting worldwide demand. Can't afford it don't buy it. Call Cody Cash at PK cues and have him make u one. For a grand he'll make you a helluva cue. Guessing 6mo del time.
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If you’re referring to my post I’d respectfully say I never ‘bitched’ about Mezz prices or any others for that matter.

All I did was comment about my experience with Mezz and their only real distributor in America. My observations were based on two years of watching and learning how their cues were being marketed. That was one major factor in the escalation in their prices. Which is why it was done.

I can’t even recall the last time Mezz USA had an Exceed Cue for sale. That is just one example of the strategy they are using.

I do agree with you about buying cues elsewhere which is just one of the reasons Mezz lost my interest along with others.

The same thing happened with Searing way before he was outed for several questionable business practices. I waited long enough and realized there were too many red flags popping up.

As far as I am concerned they can charge whatever they want it makes no difference to
me whatsoever.., I have no interest in their products…
 
Quesports said:
The prices of Mezz cues is based on two things availablity and marketing.

The availability is being artificially affected by Mezz intentionally making them in very small quantities.

Then there is the wait list at J & J which is (imo) heavily populated by dealers and flippers that are buying up the limited stock. J & J is no longer posting prices last time I looked.

So the folks that wish to buy one are stuck paying inflated prices from a third party dealer or possibly a flipper.

I lost interest long ago.

If you’re referring to my post I’d respectfully say I never ‘bitched’ about Mezz prices or any others for that matter.

All I did was comment about my experience with Mezz and their only real distributor in America. My observations were based on two years of watching and learning how their cues were being marketed. That was one major factor in the escalation in their prices. Which is why it was done.

I can’t even recall the last time Mezz USA had an Exceed Cue for sale. That is just one example of the strategy they are using.

I do agree with you about buying cues elsewhere which is just one of the reasons Mezz lost my interest along with others.

The same thing happened with Searing way before he was outed for several questionable business practices. I waited long enough and realized there were too many red flags popping up.

As far as I am concerned they can charge whatever they want it makes no difference to
me whatsoever.., I have no interest in their products…
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Mezz cues can be had, direct from Japan, on the used market, for very reasonable prices. You just might have to get a 3rd party to buy one for you. I would much rather have a Keith Andy cue though. Those cues hit really amazing. They are super expensive though.
 
Mezz are very popular in Europe, you can see that many European players are using them and sponsored by Mezz.
It's easier to get them in Europe but you pay in Euros and that will more expensive than what it'll cost off the shelf in the USA if they were available.
 
skor said:
Mezz are very popular in Europe, you can see that many European players are using them and sponsored by Mezz.
It's easier to get them in Europe but you pay in Euros and that will more expensive than what it'll cost off the shelf in the USA if they were available.
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That Wavy joint is amazingly solid. The cues just feel so incredibly solid, and have a super stiff hit, in my experience.
 
garczar said:
That joint is the worst thing about Mezz. Not because it doesn't work but because it massively limits your shaft choices. BTW, the pin has nothing to do with how it plays.
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Well, the cue sure does take some time to screw together. Each turn of the threads, you can feel. Super tight fitting threads. I never felt anything like it, when putting a cue together. That Pin is also so huge, making it take even longer to put together. I just assumed that had something to do with why the cues hit so solid.

The United Joint feels like a super solid connection too.
 
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