Bert Schrager cuemaker or crook. Whats your opinion?

jimmycue

jimmycue

AzB Silver Member
Silver Member
Back in 2000 i was thinking about building poolcues and bought a bunch of wood and cue building items. Around that time i was also looking to get on Bert Schrager's list to build a cue. He knew i was starting out in building them and i had alot of shaft wood. So i sent him some shaft wood in trade for him making me a basic cue. After keeping in touch now and then over the last 6 years i find out from Bert that he sold his shop and no longer can he make me a cue. Does anybody know if this is correct? Did he sell his shop? At this point it wouldnt matter if he did cause he told me i will get nothing in trade for the wood i sent him. But i could look at it this way, i guess i got the shaft in the end didnt i ? I have heard that he has done this to other people thru the years. Has anybody on this list got the same treatment from Bert Schrager again i ask cuemaker or crook? PM me about your opinion if you dont want to respond on the forum.
Thanks
Just had to vent somewhere.
 
Man, sounds rough, I don't think Bert has had all his faculties about him for the last several years. Bert is truly a nice guy, but I think father time has put him out to pasture. I had an older cue that was in his shop for five years waiting on a re-finish and shaft. Last year, someone from his shop finally contacted me and finished the job. The guy's name escapes me, but at that time he told me he was there to wind things down for Bert.
 
well, first off, as already stated, bert is OLD as in O-L-D.

second, there are a ton of irresponsible cuemakers who live on a different clock than everyone else. something like one month = a cuemaker's day. if he tells you 5 days, expect a 5 month wait.

third, i could tell you personnal stories about two of THE most respected cuemakers in the biz that would leave anyone shaking their head.

....and did you hear the one about tim padget being taken to "people's court "where he was virtually laughed out of court because of his tardiness.
 
All I can tell you is for the past few years Mr. Schrager has been very ill, his shop was for sale whether or not he actually sold it I don't know but it is definitely safer for him if he no longer chooses to do this. Please forgive me if I don't speak of his problems, I don't feel it's a topic for this forum. Mr. Schrager received some of his training from Mr. Harvey Martin and has passed his knowledge on to quite a few cue makers. I have never heard one bad word about him.
 
bruin70 said:
well, first off, as already stated, bert is OLD as in O-L-D.

second, there are a ton of irresponsible cuemakers who live on a different clock than everyone else. something like one month = a cuemaker's day. if he tells you 5 days, expect a 5 month wait.

third, i could tell you personnal stories about two of THE most respected cuemakers in the biz that would leave anyone shaking their head.

....and did you hear the one about tim padget being taken to "people's court "where he was virtually laughed out of court because of his tardiness.
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Being O_L_D and in poor health can be mitigating factors.
 
ribdoner said:
Being O_L_D and in poor health can be mitigating factors.
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yes, i don't want to give the impresion that bert was like other cuemakers. of this i have no knowledge. i was pointing out that irresponsibility is an issue with many cuemakers.
 
I met Bert a few years ago up at Lake Isabella. His health was seriously deteriorating and as I recall he was going to get someone in his shop to help him and his wife (Pat, who also helps with the cue construction).

When I met them, they were genuine and hospitable. He welcomed me into his home and took me to his shop to show me a few things he was working on. His wife Pat even gave me an ivory tiger; an extra that she had laying around that didn't make it into a cue.

I'd hate to think of Bert (or Pat) as a crook. I'm sure it's mostly his health is in worse condition, however I'm sorry to hear that you got caught up in an unfortunate circumstance.
 
bruin70 said:
yes, i don't want to give the impresion that bert was like other cuemakers. of this i have no knowledge. i was pointing out that irresponsibility is an issue with many cuemakers.
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I have first hand knowledge. Back in the day his word was as good as gold.:)
 
fact's are when someone says they'll do something for something they should do it in a timely manner according to the time of the benefit(s) they've received. the fact that it took more than 5 years is a travesty. it's a testament to the persons real character or maybe, and this could even be a stretch, the state their character is in within this time. totally unacceptable and after that amount of time imo blatant usury. the bottom line is if there was an issue with his ability to "deliver" than he should have offered to pay for the product received at a small premium because of his indiscretion as an attemt to make things semi right.
 
skins said:
fact's are when someone says they'll do something for something they should do it in a timely manner according to the time of the benefit(s) they've received. the fact that it took more than 5 years is a travesty. it's a testament to the persons real character or maybe, and this could even be a stretch, the state their character is in within this time. totally unacceptable and after that amount of time imo blatant usury. the bottom line is if there was an issue with his ability to "deliver" than he should have offered to pay for the product received at a small premium because of his indiscretion as an attemt to make things semi right.
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Words so true
Thanks Skins
Also should a mans word be forgotten just because he is OLD?
 
jimmycue said:
Words so true
Thanks Skins
Also should a mans word be forgotten just because he is OLD?
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FWIW I appreciate your concerns.

What recourse is there if a good man is too old and/or infirm to honor his committments?:(
 
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Bert Schrager has been my good friend since we first met in 1974.
I could virtually walk into his shop where he would make me a extra shaft for my Schon or put on a ivory ferrule while I patiently waited in his shop.
While the glue dried we would walk down the street and have lunch.
(He bought lunch). We would talk about the now famous cuemakers Tad, Ginacue, Joss West, etc. about all the great work they have accomplished (this was 20 years ago).
His wife Pat would be setting the inlays (steady hands better vision).
His equipment has always been refurbished, altered lathes and mills.
No CNC back then. Still no CNC now. He has and always was a one man operation.
Even remember when Kirschenbrock was living in Bert's camper in back of his shop. Bert let him help out when he was down and out.
Bert has always extended a helping hand to various new and upcoming cuemakers. Even taught Tim Padgett (Tim left and started his own shop).:mad:
The man has given all to his craft. Because of his age and failing health,
I am sure his priorities have changed quite a bit over the past 5 years.
I sincerely hope that my experience with Bert over the last 32 years will shed a light on whether or not he is a "crook"or just plain irresponsible.
 
oncue4u said:
Bert Schrager has been my good friend since we first met in 1974.
I could virtually walk,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,
I sincerely hope that my experience with Bert over the last 32 years will shed a light on whether or not he is a "crook"or just plain irresponsible.
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i only ever heard warm-hearted things about bert. "crook" is a poor choice of words.
 
This is unfortunate because I think Bert's a good guy and I can't imagine him intentionally stiffing you. I know people who have had ongoing business relationships with Bert for many years and they hold him in high regard.
 
One more good thing

I have known Bert since 1968 when he had a very small shop across from Universal Studios. I have done him favors over the years and he has done me a few. He has sent me cues, all over America, to sell for him and he has given much to the billiard world. Not getting the trade for the wood is unacceptable but he HAS been in very poor health for quite a few years. Not a justafiable excuse, But If I had the where- with -all , "I" would gladly make the deal right> just to do it for HIM! I have not heard that he sold his shop. I have not been in touch for a few years...I travel a lot.
 
I dealt with Burt in the old days and he performed in a fair manner. Those bug eyes he had because of Peter Lourie were the only issue with him that cast doubt ;) , but he did his work as asked. I would not put his ability up there with Stroud or McDermott (in the day) but a reputable person gettin' his work done as promised, and one of the earlier cue makers after Rambow etc.
 
I spoke to Bert several weeks ago concerning a similar matter. He told me the shop was sold and the person they had helping out, Doug, left some months back. He and Pat are both very kind and I am sorry for their rescent problems. He has presented me with a very kind and generous solution to our little problem. I hope that we can see it through and put this behind us.

Until then, I am at a lost; and it's not the money I miss.
 
jimmycue said:
Does anybody know if this is correct? Did he sell his shop? .
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Bert fell ill. I don't know how he's doing today.

He remains my favorite interviewee.

Fred
 
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jimmycue said:
Back in 2000 i was thinking about building poolcues and bought a bunch of wood and cue building items. Around that time i was also looking to get on Bert Schrager's list to build a cue. He knew i was starting out in building them and i had alot of shaft wood. So i sent him some shaft wood in trade for him making me a basic cue. After keeping in touch now and then over the last 6 years i find out from Bert that he sold his shop and no longer can he make me a cue. Does anybody know if this is correct? Did he sell his shop? At this point it wouldnt matter if he did cause he told me i will get nothing in trade for the wood i sent him. But i could look at it this way, i guess i got the shaft in the end didnt i ? I have heard that he has done this to other people thru the years. Has anybody on this list got the same treatment from Bert Schrager again i ask cuemaker or crook? PM me about your opinion if you dont want to respond on the forum.
Thanks
Just had to vent somewhere.
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I want to thank all the az members that had input on my problem with Mr B.S. cuemaker. Whether you agreed or not it is nice to have a place to vent and hear responses about my concerns with Mr B.S. and his business practices.
Jimmy K
 
mr schrager

I ordered a cue from bert years ago, I received it about 4 years after I ordered it, I was quoted a time of 3 months for completion. I even paid 100% upfront. Well, bert and pat made it right, without me asking. They went over above and beyond and are great people. I am sure that if you a patient with them and let them know you are unsatisfied they will make it right.

best of luck! the Schrager's are top notch folks.
 
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