Another Scam on E-bay?

  • Thread starter Thread starter Bruce S. de Lis
  • Start date Start date
deadstroke32 said:
Check out the grip :( :(

I did check out the Grip, think that is .45 Caliber Model 1911 Pimp Gun Grip.

But it is a Magic Cue, and will make you a the World Best Pool Player.

The guy selling the cue in L.A. should go to work writing Science Fiction, like a Star Wars Sequel with Luke Sky Walker & Darth Vader Shoot is out once and for all in a Race to Seven at NINE BALL.

Both armed with Magic Cues, to see which Magic Cue is better.
;)
 
Bruce S. de Lis said:
Check out this link, as the Cue is a Unique Design. Great Photography, but $60.00 for Postage?
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=21212&item=7146003063&rd=1#ebayphotohosting
Wonder why seller is in L.A., and Cue is still off shore.... ;)

several Filipino cue "brokers" sell the same cues with that weird handle, but their shipping is lower, the shipping is high to make a profit, Plain & Simple ! I have dealt with four of them (3 were OK, one was a crook),,,I've never dealt with this guy and can't tell you a thing about him.

,,,have bought similar sticks for $5.50 to $25.00 each, 59 or 60" long and shoot pretty good,,,sell them for a little profit,,,some are really ornate (like a Filipino taxi, if you've ever seen one of them,,,)
 
Jack Flanagan said:
several Filipino cue "brokers" sell the same cues with that weird handle, but their shipping is lower, the shipping is high to make a profit, Plain & Simple ! I have dealt with four of them (3 were OK, one was a crook),,,I've never dealt with this guy and can't tell you a thing about him.

,,,have bought similar sticks for $5.50 to $25.00 each, 59 or 60" long and shoot pretty good,,,sell them for a little profit,,,some are really ornate (like a Filipino taxi, if you've ever seen one of them,,,)


hmnnn... i've suspected a few...most of them are "foreign" cue brokers that even disguise themselves as "cuemakers"! most of them sells at "auctions" have internet site/s but cant indicate their true identity-(nationality) or complete philippine shop address/contact numbers??? :mad: "philippine cuemakers" and the industry itself are just victims in this situation...
local cuemakers here are being exploited by "foreign-hustlers" that prey due to poverty/poor economic conditions...and are here for the fast money "plain and simple" :mad: they dont care about the reputation/industry they tarnish... or to the product they sell??? not even a slight idea.... a regular pampanga made cue cost @$25-40 .... at "ebay" $?????easy money isn't it.... :confused:
 
Want a good laugh at an obvious scam? Check this out (search for) ebay item # 7316227370. I collect French impressionist art...this is a good one. Original Renoirs are in the upper 6-7 figure range. :p
 
linds said:
hmnnn... i've suspected a few...most of them are "foreign" cue brokers that even disguise themselves as "cuemakers"! most of them sells at "auctions" have internet site/s but cant indicate their true identity-(nationality) or complete philippine shop address/contact numbers??? :mad: "philippine cuemakers" and the industry itself are just victims in this situation...
local cuemakers here are being exploited by "foreign-hustlers" that prey due to poverty/poor economic conditions...and are here for the fast money "plain and simple" :mad: they dont care about the reputation/industry they tarnish... or to the product they sell??? not even a slight idea.... a regular pampanga made cue cost @$25-40 .... at "ebay" $?????easy money isn't it.... :confused:
Allow me to elaborate. Most cuemakers here barely make ends meet and thus competition between them is fierce. Middlemen who recognize this take advantage of the situation by negotating an almost "zero" profit margin for the cuemaker (naturally as that is what business is all about). If a point is reached where the cuemaker can't budge on his selling price, the middleman usually brings a photo of a higher level specimen thus giving him the ability to sell at a higher price. Due to the fierce competition, the poor cuemaker has no choice but to give in to such request and this is the reason for the upsurge of counterfeits or "design theft". I've seen Snake Skeletons and it's variations, split points, Rasputins, Tads, SW, G. 'boti's, JW and even prodction models such as Meucci's and Predators. Computer print-outs and magazines brought by these middlemen can be seen taped to walls in these small cue shops.

These cuemakers counter such moves, from middlemen, by scrimping on parts used like improperly selected, aged and stabilized woods, fabricating their own low strength ring, joint and butt phenolics, use of felt tip pens instead of inlaid veneers and borders, cheaper glues and finishes, etc.

It is a viscious cycle and the middlemen profit the most. As for the cuemaker, he hardly makes ends meet so improvement in equipment and product quality takes a back-seat. Bottom-line is, the enduser and the local cuemakers who take pride of their craft that continiously work on bringing quality products to the industry consumers suffer the most.

The quality craftsmen too aren't immune to these middlemen. And the usual scenario is; if you don't take them for the ride they'll work hard on busting your tires!
 
Bruce S. de Lis said:
...but $60.00 for Postage?

I can't say one way or the other about whether or not this auction is a "scam," but almost all of the Philippine cues on eBay are $40-$45 shipping so it's not that far above the norm.

As long as the fee is clearly stated in the auction description, I personally don't care what any seller charges. When I bid on an item, I factor in the S&H charges when figuring what I am willing to pay for an item. Many of them also require payment thru Western Union (or similar), and since the fees for such a transfer are sometimes steep, I include that as well.

I have minimal experience with Philippine made cues. I own a couple Audrick cues ("billiardcuemaster" on eBay) and they both hit well enough. Both are full of ivory and came with 2 shafts, JPs, and in a cheap case so they were well protected. I have owned them over a year now and neither has shown any signs of warpage yet. Shipping & money transfer fees included, they were in the $200-250 range. They are all handmade, and therefore have "imperfections," but no more so than many American handmade cues I have seen.

I also have a "Vince cue." I have seen some of the stink raised on the boards here about that whole situation (although I'm still not sure I fully understand). The cue however is gorgeous, and IMO seems to be put together much better than the Audricks. The hit is very nice & the cue is loaded with Amboyna & Ivory (including both ferrules, joint & buttcap). I don't personally care who actually made the cue, and I have no plans to sell it.

I'm sure there is a lot of junk out there too. I've seen a bunch of cues that looked like they were put together by children who hadn't even learned to color inside the lines yet. I guess no matter what it's "buyer beware."

~Chris
 
Back
Top