2025 Southwest Cues

I like cues and there is no doubt in my mind they are good cues. Yea the wait sucks but it is what it is.

Many will buy it if they called.
The wait is simple.

Jerry had a list from almost day one. It was there in 87 the first time I walked into the shop. I ordered my cue 7-2-87, it arrived in April 88. Pretty short list.

Anyways after some time the list got longer & longer. The formula never changed. So the list has grown impossibly long.

It’s that simple

Fatboy
 
... They never made 500 cues on their busiest year ever.
Correct. One of their cuemakers was on a TAR podcast in 2012. He said the most they had ever made in a year was about (?) 254, and that they were making about 125 per year at the time of that podcast. What the count has been since then, I do not know.
 
I giggle at this thread.....but maybe I can share a bit more information for those who are not familiar with Southwest.

Once Laurie gets ahold of you and telling you your number is up, then she gives price sheet, wood, and veneer options for your cue. After you give Laurie your choices and 1/2 of the purchase price they start on your cue. Delivery from this point is supposed to be 12-18 after. What everyone told me it would be 18 months, not 12 months. It was 18 months.

Mine came and it wasnt exactly what I ordered. Laurie appoligized and offered to correct the error but said it take months to repair. After talking to a couple friends for advice, I decided to just keep it as delivered.

Ken
What was the error? Still looks awesome
 
I giggle at this thread.....but maybe I can share a bit more information for those who are not familiar with Southwest.

Once Laurie gets ahold of you and telling you your number is up, then she gives price sheet, wood, and veneer options for your cue. After you give Laurie your choices and 1/2 of the purchase price they start on your cue. Delivery from this point is supposed to be 12-18 after. What everyone told me it would be 18 months, not 12 months. It was 18 months.

Mine came and it wasnt exactly what I ordered. Laurie appoligized and offered to correct the error but said it take months to repair. After talking to a couple friends for advice, I decided to just keep it as delivered.

Ken
Bro it looks nice!

I don't see anything wrong with it LOL
 
Correct. One of their cuemakers was on a TAR podcast in 2012. He said the most they had ever made in a year was about (?) 254, and that they were making about 125 per year at the time of that podcast. What the count has been since then, I do not know.
That was Al Lawrence, he’s a super great guy, amazing bank player and retired now. Moved out of Vegas back to home again-bank pool country. I’m too tired to recall where he’s at. Laurie gave me the heads up on Al last month. I haven’t spoke to him in a very long time, can’t say enough good about him. I’ve known him since 92 as I recall.

And his numbers sound right about production. Laurie has detailed records of every cue ever built there. Ofc I never ask about the “numbers” but it’s known and maybe someday those will become public.

She wouldn’t give me the original order sheet of my cue from 87, she did let me take a pic of part of it. I promised her I wouldn’t ever share it. So you’ll just have to trust me on it. Was cool it has my mom’s old phone number on it as I had just moved out. And her address. Cool memories.

SW cues has always been about Jerry’s legacy after he passed. Ofc they must make $ as none of us work for free, but profit hasn’t ever been the most important thing at SW Cues. Jerry’s legacy is first 🙏🏼, profits are next. And Laurie has maintained that for decades now, in a tough biz that’s dominated by men. I respect that so much!

I have very stony feelings about this topic, as it hits super close to home for me. And SW has been part of my life for 38 out of 58 years. It’s very personal for me, as I have no surviving family. SW is family to me, always has been.

Best
Fatboy😃
 
You need to contribute more to cue threads. You and a few here are knowledgeable about this stuff. There use to be a wealth of cue information online and now its littered with the modern production carbon stuff.

All these stories of customs will eventually get lost.
Thanks, I do my best. I know a lot about a few different cue makers and a handful of production stuff. I only speak about things I’m well informed on. I don’t make things up or embellish anything.

I’ve been around cues for 4 years now, they have been part of my life, even during periods of time when I wasn’t playing.

I share here much as I can. There’s plenty of things I have little knowledge about. And I’m first to ask questions to learn.

Thx for the kind words. And yes there have been many brilliant cue experts here over the years. Im not sure I fall into that class, maybe I do with some cue makers as I’ve known them for years.

Thanks again🤗

Best
Fatboy 🥛
 
Thanks, I do my best. I know a lot about a few different cue makers and a handful of production stuff. I only speak about things I’m well informed on. I don’t make things up or embellish anything.

I’ve been around cues for 4 years now, they have been part of my life, even during periods of time when I wasn’t playing.

I share here much as I can. There’s plenty of things I have little knowledge about. And I’m first to ask questions to learn.

Thx for the kind words. And yes there have been many brilliant cue experts here over the years. Im not sure I fall into that class, maybe I do with some cue makers as I’ve known them for years.

Thanks again🤗

Best
Fatboy 🥛
You speak with the wisdom of someone who has been around cues far longer than 4 years, amigo. 😁
 
You don't. You put your name down and forget about it and buy cues just as you would normally.

I put my name down through email to Laurie when I was in college and totally forgot about it till this thread. Sadly, I can't find that email or forgot which one I used. I may have missed the call. That was 23 years ago. LOL

I had foresight then and thought by the time I get the call I would be able to afford it but I've moved on.
you might be the exception, Reality is you just forgot. There is people around here that are like i put my name on the list 15 years ago and I'm almost ready to get my cue. These are the wackjobs i'm talking about.
 
You speak with the wisdom of someone who has been around cues far longer than 4 years, amigo. 😁
Did I say 4? I was tired last night, I meant 5 lol 😉.

Truth is 40 on the nose, I’m not liking this getting old bit, but the alternative sucks and I’ve been lucky along the way! Good times with good friends, and nice wood😍

Best
Fatboy 😃😃
 
I don’t know why the concept is so hard for some to grasp. They are receiving far more orders than they are able to produce, but they keep taking orders because eventually they will be able to fulfill them if they are still in business. Since they’re not taking any deposits, no one‘s getting harmed The reputation is impeccable. The queue quality is terrific and when someone receives a new queue from the Southwest shop they immediately can sell it and make a lot of money with it so it’s actually a great business model. A lot of Q makers when they get to a point like this just stop taking orders.

I have a lot of respect and admirationfor Southwest shop and Laurie for continuing on after Jerry’s untimely passing. Well done!
 
I don’t know why the concept is so hard for some to grasp. They are receiving far more orders than they are able to produce, but they keep taking orders because eventually they will be able to fulfill them if they are still in business. Since they’re not taking any deposits, no one‘s getting harmed The reputation is impeccable. The queue quality is terrific and when someone receives a new queue from the Southwest shop they immediately can sell it and make a lot of money with it so it’s actually a great business model. A lot of Q makers when they get to a point like this just stop taking orders.

I have a lot of respect and admirationfor Southwest shop and Laurie for continuing on after Jerry’s untimely passing. Well done!
But, Mr. Chicken... I don't like it so there's something wrong with it.

All joking aside, I'm right there with you in that I can't figure out what's so hard to understand other than it's not a "typical" business model. And I have to believe that if it wasn't working for Laurie she wouldn't still be doing it. It's really that simple.
 
I don’t know why the concept is so hard for some to grasp. They are receiving far more orders than they are able to produce, but they keep taking orders because eventually they will be able to fulfill them if they are still in business. Since they’re not taking any deposits, no one‘s getting harmed The reputation is impeccable. The queue quality is terrific and when someone receives a new queue from the Southwest shop they immediately can sell it and make a lot of money with it so it’s actually a great business model. A lot of Q makers when they get to a point like this just stop taking orders.

I have a lot of respect and admirationfor Southwest shop and Laurie for continuing on after Jerry’s untimely passing. Well done!
There lies the problem.
 
There lies the problem.
I'd agree that's a big part of how their list got so long. But, again, it's working for the company so it's not really a problem. Also, based on some things I've read, it sounds like they've adjusted their pricing so flipping won't be nearly as lucrative as it was not so long ago. It's also my understanding that they haven't allowed "two cues" per year per person for a while now too.
 
I'd agree that's a big part of how their list got so long. But, again, it's working for the company so it's not really a problem. Also, based on some things I've read, it sounds like they've adjusted their pricing so flipping won't be nearly as lucrative as it was not so long ago. It's also my understanding that they haven't allowed "two cues" per year per person for a while now too.
My issue is the reselling of a spot. Them taking orders isn’t the issue.
 
There lies the problem.
No not at all. It’s the opposite

Most cue makers who leave some meat on the bone for their customers are doing better in the long run than cue makers who’s cues sell for 50% less than they charge for them.

I won’t name names, but we know who’s cues are worth more in the after market and who’s are worth less. The numbers are all there

Best
Fatboy
 
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