I've read this thread and like many others, find it very unfortunate. I regard myself as a friend to John Showman and a believer in his work. Showman cues are among the finest the craft has to offer.
I have only owned 1 Showman cue which, ironically, I sold to fund a legal defense several years ago. At the time, John's cue was the only cue I owned that I knew I could sell on 24 hours notice and have a buyer for all the cash... I don't see this thread causing any damage to the existing market for John's cues or their value when offered for sale by their owners.
As for repairs, new orders and perhaps sourcing of materials, I am sure a thread like this will have a negative impact for John...and hopefully, a positive remedy for Mike the OP.
It seems impossible, thus pointless to "circle the wagons" and begin publishing positive opinions of Mr. Showman and his demonstrations of good integrity that have happened in the past. This thread has already made that approach sound naiive or ingenuine.
All I want to add to this discussion is about the aspect of motive for behavior. Some have compared John's actions to those who deliberately decieve for their own enrichment. Little more beyond calling him lazy has been offered to explain how he could fail to deliver after making promises. Having known John for a long time, I do not believe there is any malicious intent in his case.
When he makes a promise to a customer, I believe he intends to honor it. Mr. Showman may not be cut from the same moral cloth as the OP or NYC Dude...those posters speak to a level of consistency and integrity that would never come to a pass like this in their professional endeavors...but they are not John Showman.
Yes there are bums and con men out there...some, I believe, in cuemaking past and present. I had a Szamboti stolen by a prominent cuemaker...I know the OP's pain. And Cardiac Kid...man I can't even say a word about your situation with Stroud. Makes me sick inside to think about it. There are also people, however, who despite being well meaning, lack a level of control in their lives that is requisite to function in business. These unfortunate individuals may suffer from depression, addiction or mental disorder. Some endure and overcome, others adapt to it and take on far fewer obligations, and others are exposed and banished for their struggles. An artist can be masterful in his work and a trainwreck in life. This can be a function of who they are or the situation they are trapped in. Indeed one circumstance may drive the other.
John Showman is no less a man than me. I hope for his sake he faces this latest life challenge and uses this thread as opportunity to make meaningful changes. I for one am rooting for him.
It is the failure of a man to make excuse after excuse for his inappropriate decisions. It is the role of the legal system to resolve and assign accountability in such cases...but it is the role of each and every one of us to try to understand human behavior and to act with constructive compassion. If all we have left is the leverage of humiliation or legal remedy...even if we win, we lose.
I for one believe the cue collecting world will lose something very special if we go one without Showman cues. That said we might consider knocking on his door to help him rather than collect our cues and deposits. 7K is a lot of money to a person like me...but John, if you are listening or word gets to you...I'll remunerate Mike the $700 on your behalf if you mail him the cue. Don't wait and don't think it over...just do it. It may or may not stop a law suite but it is the right thing to do. Some of us know that is who you are.
