I forgot Rick Howard and Richard Harris at Blue Grass, they both make great cues in the SW pin style. I hade a 30th anniversary Bluegrass that was a great hitter.
Best Playing Cue Builder
- Thread starter Shooter08
- Start date
I have only commissioned cues from a few makers (Showman, Tascarella, Joey in Cali, Paul Drexler) and was fortunate to have great experiences with them all. I have been lucky enough to develop relationships with a lot of resellers and cue enthusiasts and have traded around and sold cues with them over the last 30 years with about 99% positive experiences.
There is always going to be somone who is not satisfied. They are always going to complain. And there is always going to be times when something happen in the best situations. For every bad situaltion you hear there many that are good. And lets face it, these cuemakers are dealing with pool community. A lot of flaky and unreliable people here. I have seen complaints that after hearing the other side of the story, the issue is the buyer not the cuemaker. Thats not to some have been screwed over, they have but take the stance that every cuemaker is an evil mastermind out to steal your money is a bit much.
I have a sugartree cue that is top 3 playing cues i have tried (Cam, Sugartree, and someone elses Mobely that i am jelous of). I reached out about a full splice, he had Rouncville blank, and i said done. About one year later it was shipped. He didnt want a deposit, we emailed every few months, and when it was done he shipped it up to me in Canada. That was 2017/18. Eric was solid to work with, and i would do bussiness with him again if i had the chance.
I have ordered cues from 4 or 5 cuemakers directly. Some were late, some on time. No ones is perfect. I have two on order right now. One is late but i dont care and told him to take his time since i dont need it. The other was just ordered for my bday in june, i am hoping that one is on time, really looking forward to it. Expected in Jan/feb timeframe.
9ballglue
Active member
To try to avoid answers like yours that waste everyone's time
Sounds like you're one of the lucky ones. I read about the ongoing problems firsthand on the internet as they happened and as they dragged on. Just sayin' what those who were shafted and getting shafted posted and it wasn't just one or two.
This is a thread right here on AZB. I've seen even worse on other pool forums when they were up and running.
Sugartree cues (Eric Crisp)
Back in 2008-09, I sent three cues to Eric Crisp to convert for me- a Brunswick 26.5, a one-piece titlist and a Willie Hoppe Pro. Over the years, I kept in touch with Eric through emails, DMS and texts to check on the progress of my cues. We agreed to auction off the Brunswick 26.5 after it...
forums.azbilliards.com
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big difference in being late to deliver the cue and not ever delivering it and keeping the deposit. the list of cue makers that fit that bill is long.
but many buyers hound the maker until he is disgusted with that buyer and doesn't want to give him the time of day. it works both ways.
the old saying that if you pay in advance you tend not to get good work or on time work done, is true.
but many buyers hound the maker until he is disgusted with that buyer and doesn't want to give him the time of day. it works both ways.
the old saying that if you pay in advance you tend not to get good work or on time work done, is true.
No clue where that saying comes from, but It is normal to put a deposit down in most industries. A deposit shows you are serious. I manage the vendor and financials of large and small projects. You always pay for custom work partially up front, or as the project meets mileatones (or time and material). Why would someone work for free, and risk getting screwed by a stranger by the end of it? Cuemaking is no different to me. I sure as hell wouldnt work on something for 6m or a year for free.
smiling_Hans
Well-known member
Some of these cue makers don’t even play with their own cues.
A friend of mine called a famous cue maker and they were chatting it up. Pretty long conversation about cue making and other things about a possible build. Finally he asks “what do you play with and your specs.” The cue maker said Manzino. Well my buddy went with the manzino. His reasoning is if a cue maker plays with another then it’s a damn good cue.
Another maker I know of plays with Davis blanks even though his own is highly regarded. Even post it on their socials.
I guess it’s hard to make what yourself something. Like cooking a steak we can all do it but The chef wants to eat out too.
A friend of mine called a famous cue maker and they were chatting it up. Pretty long conversation about cue making and other things about a possible build. Finally he asks “what do you play with and your specs.” The cue maker said Manzino. Well my buddy went with the manzino. His reasoning is if a cue maker plays with another then it’s a damn good cue.
Another maker I know of plays with Davis blanks even though his own is highly regarded. Even post it on their socials.
I guess it’s hard to make what yourself something. Like cooking a steak we can all do it but The chef wants to eat out too.
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a small deposit is okay. and paying as it develops is fine as well. but a large deposit on nothing done is what gets you in trouble.
and cue makers arent working on your cue for a year. they are using your deposit to live off and working on some other cues.
and any notable cuemaker can resell any cue he makes that isnt too personalized for full price or more by the time he is done if the customer waffles.
and cue makers arent working on your cue for a year. they are using your deposit to live off and working on some other cues.
and any notable cuemaker can resell any cue he makes that isnt too personalized for full price or more by the time he is done if the customer waffles.
For sure, and that is what i was getting at. So many posts saying these cuemakers dont deaerve any money up front. And some wont accept a deposit. But some of the bigger names require one to ensure the buyer is serious and not wasting their time. And they have enough bussiness to not be concerned if you dont order a cue.
smiling_Hans
Well-known member
I agree.
The reason why big name guys ask for a deposit because they don’t want tire kickers. Eventually they have to pay in full and it comes as a shock even though they know what they’re getting into.
Your balance is $4500 remaining is hard to swallow for some.
I give them the deposit and pay every time I get an update or pics.
By the time the cue arrives I would have forgotten the cost.
I’m contemplating commissioning another one too.
the cost is the cost anyway you imagine it. also money in advance is money not working for you. and losing interest or appreciation value.
but the high deposit you give puts you at risk of getting nothing back. the longer you have to wait for your cue the more likely you lose all the money. no matter who is the maker. your money is not in escrow as big deposits are in most other cases.
but the high deposit you give puts you at risk of getting nothing back. the longer you have to wait for your cue the more likely you lose all the money. no matter who is the maker. your money is not in escrow as big deposits are in most other cases.
Still want to shoot
Well-known member
Lol DeeDeecues,. i have no idea why. but i read your post and the voice in my head was those old tv lawyer commercials.
Did you get in an accident
Do your feet hurt.
We can get money for you. call us at.
In no way am i trying to diminish your post.. i just thought it was funny.
DeeDeeCues
Well-known member
No win, no fee!
smiling_Hans
Well-known member
They are beautiful but he’s a rip off artist. He really knows how to take money but not deliver.
My answer was Prewitt is the best.
Pierce lol
smiling_Hans
Well-known member
I know what you meant.