http://cgi.ebay.com/Balabushka-Fancy-Authentic-Pool-Cue-w-Certificate-60s_W0QQitemZ120183294622QQihZ002QQcategoryZ21212QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem
I have read some of the postings about this cue and that it is probably a real deal. If someone wins it, I hope that is true. However, I do have some reservations about the listing that might indicate it is a scam.
1. Of course, a brand new account is always cause for concern.
2. Some minor mistakes that indicate the person who wrote the listing might not be totally familiar with the English language. Misspelled words (colector, synonmys), incorrect capitalization of words, hyphenation of new-york city, improper puncutation.
3. The phone number listed uses periods to separate the area code and number. That is something not usually done in this country.
4. The phone number could be a virtual one that could be located anywhere in the world. I have a Vonage phone account and just checked to see whether I could get a phone number in the 786 area code and they are available with Aventura, Florida listed as one of the cities covered by the area code.
5. When you click on the letter of authenticity from Pete Tascarella, a new window or tab opens with a large picture of the letter. If you right click on the picture of the letter and try to save the picture, you will find that the title of the picture is "Pascarella_Letter122.jpg". The logo at the top of the Tascarella letter could be read wrong by someone not familiar with cues. I don't think that someone who professes to have owned a Balabushka and have taken it to a World Championship would not know how to spell Mr. Tascarella's name properly.
I hope that I am wrong about all this, but in case I am not someone could be out a lot of money. I would certainly recommend that anyone who bids on this cue take all precautions to make sure the transfer of the cue is secure. An escrow agent would be a good solution. If the seller refuses to make such an arrangement, it would be an indication that something could be wrong. Meeting with someone in person to make the transaction could be inadvisable. With this amount of money involved, anything could happen.
I am only posting this because I appreciate many of the pieces of information I have gained while reading this board and I would like to contribute my thoughts on this subject. Again, I hope I am wrong but there are enough points of concern on this eBay listing that I feel I must share my thoughts here.
I have read some of the postings about this cue and that it is probably a real deal. If someone wins it, I hope that is true. However, I do have some reservations about the listing that might indicate it is a scam.
1. Of course, a brand new account is always cause for concern.
2. Some minor mistakes that indicate the person who wrote the listing might not be totally familiar with the English language. Misspelled words (colector, synonmys), incorrect capitalization of words, hyphenation of new-york city, improper puncutation.
3. The phone number listed uses periods to separate the area code and number. That is something not usually done in this country.
4. The phone number could be a virtual one that could be located anywhere in the world. I have a Vonage phone account and just checked to see whether I could get a phone number in the 786 area code and they are available with Aventura, Florida listed as one of the cities covered by the area code.
5. When you click on the letter of authenticity from Pete Tascarella, a new window or tab opens with a large picture of the letter. If you right click on the picture of the letter and try to save the picture, you will find that the title of the picture is "Pascarella_Letter122.jpg". The logo at the top of the Tascarella letter could be read wrong by someone not familiar with cues. I don't think that someone who professes to have owned a Balabushka and have taken it to a World Championship would not know how to spell Mr. Tascarella's name properly.
I hope that I am wrong about all this, but in case I am not someone could be out a lot of money. I would certainly recommend that anyone who bids on this cue take all precautions to make sure the transfer of the cue is secure. An escrow agent would be a good solution. If the seller refuses to make such an arrangement, it would be an indication that something could be wrong. Meeting with someone in person to make the transaction could be inadvisable. With this amount of money involved, anything could happen.
I am only posting this because I appreciate many of the pieces of information I have gained while reading this board and I would like to contribute my thoughts on this subject. Again, I hope I am wrong but there are enough points of concern on this eBay listing that I feel I must share my thoughts here.
In all seriousness, you have made some great points that should be taken to heart. These are all valid concerns and with I am sure that any responsible buyer would make sure they are protected on a transaction of this magnitude (i.e. pick the cue up in person and make payment; COD; through a local third party intermediary; etc.)
