Can someone explain the price gouging business model?

spin-right-round

spin-right-round

Member
So I have been out of the cues market and playing in general, but got back a few weeks ago (and naturally the fudgebook algorithm starts bombarding me with pool related posts).

Anyway, what the @&%#!$ is going on with these break and jump cues from a well known manufacturer, available in more than 1076536 colors, and all claim to be “limited” edition and “rare” but they don’t have serial numbers or anything (XYZ of ABC) etc.. and the price gouging is just absolutely obnoxious. To be very honest, I was contemplating picking up one of the commemorative “USA” themed break cues for ~1k, but why spend that when I can get one for +50% higher? Literally every other post in my feed afterward was someone selling theirs for 1300, 1500, I think I even saw one for 1800 💀 Just because of this I didn’t pull the trigger because I’m sure I could get one for like 700 in an ebay auction when these scalpers realize they got got. And who tf is even buying this 💩 ? Have people become THIS stupid in just 2 years?

Rant over.
 
The BK Rush pricing is pretty crazy. But, you will not be getting any of the popular limited edition colors for $700, unless it is absolutely beat to shit. The popular one off colors still bring over $1k, You can get a black one cheaper if you watch Facebook. I have two USA breakers on the way. I bought one, and my wife bought me one without telling me for my birthday.
 
spin-right-round said:
So I have been out of the cues market and playing in general, but got back a few weeks ago (and naturally the fudgebook algorithm starts bombarding me with pool related posts).

Anyway, what the @&%#!$ is going on with these break and jump cues from a well known manufacturer, available in more than 1076536 colors, and all claim to be “limited” edition and “rare” but they don’t have serial numbers or anything (XYZ of ABC) etc.. and the price gouging is just absolutely obnoxious. To be very honest, I was contemplating picking up one of the commemorative “USA” themed break cues for ~1k, but why spend that when I can get one for +50% higher? Literally every other post in my feed afterward was someone selling theirs for 1300, 1500, I think I even saw one for 1800 💀 Just because of this I didn’t pull the trigger because I’m sure I could get one for like 700 in an ebay auction when these scalpers realize they got got. And who tf is even buying this 💩 ? Have people become THIS stupid in just 2 years?

Rant over.
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If you’re talking about predator it’s the secondary market. Predator charges the same price as they do any color. If people are paying it then the price is right. Would I pay 3k for a bk rush because it’s red..ughhhh hell no. But if someone else wants to it’s there money lol
 
I understand people are trying to make a quick buck and the Rush is in demand but its something i just don't agree with. Why buy something your'e just going to resell? Just so you can rip someone off for a few hundred bucks? Theres more honest ways to make money than that.
 
enimrac said:
I understand people are trying to make a quick buck and the Rush is in demand but its something i just don't agree with. Why buy something your'e just going to resell? Just so you can rip someone off for a few hundred bucks? Theres more honest ways to make money than that.
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Dude that’s all business. Lol every thing you buy is bought cheaper then they sell it to you. A cue flipper is a middle man no different than Walmart. Lol the only question is are you willing to pay it? As I said I have no clue why someone would spend more then twice as much to buy a rush Simply because it’s a different color but if you want to rock on. If people would pay that much they wouldn’t be selling it for that price.
My cue of choice right now is the p3 and the price they get on eBay is wild. People pay 3k for a predator p3 “limited edition” butt only and I don’t understand it at all. I feel that’s custom cue prices at this point. It’s not like it has a bunch of inlays or anything lol
 
Screenshot_20260708_131319_eBay.jpg


i don't think OP really understands all the work and pink paint and stuff that's put in when they make these masterpieces
 
skogstokig said:
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i don't think OP really understands all the work and pink paint and stuff that's put in when they make these masterpieces
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I have no problem with predator making different colors for people who like different stuff but it blows my mind someone will pay that just to have a pink rush instead of a black one for like $850 less lol but to each his own
 
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nataddrho said:
Everyone, for the love of god, please stop complaining about cues! Cue prices, cue sales, cue trading, cue identification… please focus on the actual game instead, and keep things positive and productive 🙏
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Strongly agree. Enjoy the game. The equipment. The people you meet. Be happy for what you got.
 
Just buy a regular black one when you can, or a cool color if you can find one for a reasonable price.

Like many things, limited run colors gets collectors all excited and that's what drives up the prices....collectors, not players. And I say let them, who cares. I had a very nice green set of BK Rush and Air Rush I bought for retail when they dropped. But after seeing the used prices they went for I sold the set for $2000.....should have asked more, sold within the hour and could have sold it 5x over at that price easily. I had one offer of $2500 I think it was to break my already agreed upon deal at $2000 (didn't do it).

Bought a BK Rush shaft to put on my BK4 butt and a Wheat State Quantum jump cue and still pocketed $700 on the deal and couldn't be happier with the replacement cues.

Sadly now it's harder to get those custom color ones at retail price unless you catch the drop right away. So that does suck, but it's not too hard to get a standard black one at least, they're in stock now at Seyberts for example.
 
Stuff sells for the price the market allows.


An old business school joke that also illustrates a point...

A man is walking down the sidewalk and comes upon a little boy with a stand in his front yard that has a sign reading "pencils for sale".

The man stops and says to the little boy, "That's very entrepreneurial of you. When I was your age I used to sell lemonade out in front of my house and that's what helped me decide to eventually go to college and become the successful businessman that I am today."

He continued "I'd be happy to buy a pencil or two from you. How much are they"?

The little boy responds "$1000 each".

The man is shocked, and says "Son, just how many pencils do you think you're going to sell for $1000 apiece"?!

The little boy responds "I only have to sell one…!" 😁
 
Supply vs Demand determines pricing for anything. Nothing to get emotional about. If the asking price is incorrect, it won't sell.
 
nataddrho said:
Everyone, for the love of god, please stop complaining about cues! Cue prices, cue sales, cue trading, cue identification… please focus on the actual game instead, and keep things positive and productive 🙏
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No. It’s a forum where you talk about everything g good and bad. Go make your own forum if you don’t like it.
 
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