Fat2.
This should be a sticky - IMHO
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Learning how to buy cues is never talked about on AZB, cue builders are artists and they need time, space, room to create. Trying to push them into a cue on a deadline will not ever get you very far with any good cue maker. A thread on how to "Buy a custom cue" is what is really needed. its not like buying a microwave or tires. If you think about it when you buy different things in life the nature of those transactions are different. A house deal is different than buying a office building or a pizza. Think about that, the first time you called Domino's to buy a pizza you had to learn how to buy a pizza, now its second nature. One time in the 80's I saw some old people walk into a McDonalds and sit down, they were waiting for someone to take their order. I politely told them to go to the counter and order there-they had no idea what they were doing. And IMO thats the case with lots of 1st time cue buyers, it aint the cue maker it's the buyer not knowing how the biz works.
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Reading and writing...
So, why did you say "Is it worth..." when what you really meant was
"I'm so smart I can tell cuemakers what they are doing wrong."
Dale
let me put it this way. lets say you are reatoring a 57 chevy. you hire me "as a well known engine builder to build an engine to your specs.
i tell you it will take 6 months and you say ok you cant wait to get it.
over the next few months you call or e mail me for progress. i tell you how its coming along. 8 months pass and i tell you i am behind a little. 10 months pass and i quit answering your call and do not respond to your e mails. a year passes and you finally get a hold of me only to find it is still not complete. you say you found another builder and you want your money back. i tell you times are tough but i will get it back to you in installments.
are you cool with that ?
thanks, Its probably the only topic that I have never seen discussed here-ever. And it took me a couple years to learn how to buy cues. Back in the 80's and it hasnt changed since. The customer has to know the biz before they can really buy true costumes, once they learn it is pretty much the same from cue maker to cue maker.
I could and would be glad to write it up if anyone likes and will welcome any critism from anyone, i might learn something.
best
eric :smile:
I'm just wondering if there is or should be a mathematical relationship between the price of a custom cue vs. one's experience level or skill. For example, on your first year of playing, no more than $100. 2nd year, pay up to $500. 3rd year, up to $750, 5 yrs., up to $1,000, and over 5 years, the sky is the limit.
And if the scale is based on playing skill, how do you calibrate the price? One can practice 1,000 hours and his skill is not worth more than a $100 cue. Another can be a novice and deserve a $2,000 cue because he has innate talent.
I myself have been playing less than a month and I am already salivating after hearing about all those expensive cues. At the same time, I don't want to appear like a pompous "Fast Eddie" Felson wannabe at the local pool hall if my playing ability is not justified by buying expensive equipment prematurely. In effect, I don't want to drive around in a 200 mph Lamborghini Aventador sports car if I can drive no faster than 60 mph.
Am I making sense?
Are custom cues really worth the $$$...hell yeah!! The experience of hitting with a sweet playing cue is worth more than money itself. If you haven't had that kind of experience...you're missing out. Have you ever played with a cue and the feel and hit was so good that you enjoy every shot of the game?