Due to some fortunate circumstances I finally have enough space for a pool table in my basement, I have only ever played in bars for fun with friends but have always wanted to actually learn to play better, which requires practice obviously. I also don't mind the idea at all of playing alone against myself, I find pool quite meditative and relaxing in a quiet environment.
I do not care about table looks, and buying a new diamond 9ft is out of budget (as much as I'd like under 2k, I could go 3-4k, this all in, new cloth, good cushions, installed), so I have been looking at craigslist for some months and visited the one local (Madison, WI) store that sells used tables but am now in analysis paralysis and don't know what to do.
Size wise I think I have enough space for a 9ft (I put some tape on the cement floor, the basement is unfinished so it's easy, and i have a cue length plus at least 6" everywhere, but much more on average) so that's what I have been leaning towards, but 9ft tables are few and far between and very slim pickings used locally (there are two currently on CL, a brunswick viscount just listed, and a no-name that's been there for a long time). The store I visited has a couple, but of course at a much higher price point that gives me pause (as spending 4-5k for a used table is not that far from a new table cost, definitely a big difference from a 1-1.5k craigslist find).
With used of course there is the rails/slate/cushions... state question, as much as I've been playing a while I am no pro, and I for sure don't have the skills to assess if a used table is a good deal or a money pit that won't ever play right due to issues I couldn't see (it's not like I can ask the seller to take off the cloth to look at the slate even if I knew what to look for). Looking at the mechanics list on the site I also don't see any here so even if I wanted to buy used I wouldn't know where to start finding somebody trustworthy to move/set up the table.
If this was something that I could move myself, it might be different, but an item this large and this heavy (not to mention expensive) is not something I can try and return/give away if it doesn't work out and it feels like a one and done kind of deal (as in, once it's in, it is what it is).
I know I am likely overthinking this, not unusual for me, but I am finding it hard to figure out what to do. I also really really hate haggling and the store sales process in general, and unfortunately it feels buying a pool table is more like buying a car than buying a TV. Part of me feels like ok let's just save some more years and then buy a new diamond at list to avoid all the issues but it sure would be nice not having to do that...
I do not care about table looks, and buying a new diamond 9ft is out of budget (as much as I'd like under 2k, I could go 3-4k, this all in, new cloth, good cushions, installed), so I have been looking at craigslist for some months and visited the one local (Madison, WI) store that sells used tables but am now in analysis paralysis and don't know what to do.
Size wise I think I have enough space for a 9ft (I put some tape on the cement floor, the basement is unfinished so it's easy, and i have a cue length plus at least 6" everywhere, but much more on average) so that's what I have been leaning towards, but 9ft tables are few and far between and very slim pickings used locally (there are two currently on CL, a brunswick viscount just listed, and a no-name that's been there for a long time). The store I visited has a couple, but of course at a much higher price point that gives me pause (as spending 4-5k for a used table is not that far from a new table cost, definitely a big difference from a 1-1.5k craigslist find).
With used of course there is the rails/slate/cushions... state question, as much as I've been playing a while I am no pro, and I for sure don't have the skills to assess if a used table is a good deal or a money pit that won't ever play right due to issues I couldn't see (it's not like I can ask the seller to take off the cloth to look at the slate even if I knew what to look for). Looking at the mechanics list on the site I also don't see any here so even if I wanted to buy used I wouldn't know where to start finding somebody trustworthy to move/set up the table.
If this was something that I could move myself, it might be different, but an item this large and this heavy (not to mention expensive) is not something I can try and return/give away if it doesn't work out and it feels like a one and done kind of deal (as in, once it's in, it is what it is).
I know I am likely overthinking this, not unusual for me, but I am finding it hard to figure out what to do. I also really really hate haggling and the store sales process in general, and unfortunately it feels buying a pool table is more like buying a car than buying a TV. Part of me feels like ok let's just save some more years and then buy a new diamond at list to avoid all the issues but it sure would be nice not having to do that...
