Why don't you just give him back his deposit, don't you have the money? Just send him a check and sell the cue to someone else. I am a little confused, don't you want this guy out of your life?
BEWARE of Trent (Trent Cowgill) of Marley Custom Cues
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Its a principal thing, I didn't do anything wrong I made the cue as he asked he accepted the cue as it is and then out of no where wanted his money back.
Why should I be out my hard work and effort just because some joker wants his money back on a whim.
Yes I have money no I don't feel as tho he deserves to get it back. That's why I have a deposit. To many people flake out or don't have a job or loose a job or want to try and screw you on some BS and leave you on the down and out. I've worked with people so much from payments to trades to cutting my grass, I'm very reasonable I don't make cues for a living I nake them because I enjoy it. And I went about this situation as best I could with this man.
I have no dog in this fight and wish you all the best...
I have a suggestion that cue makers should have a standard order form to send to customers, to prevent any misunderstanding or miscommunication.
It could be a sketch of the cue, with a blank line pointing to each veneer where the customer types in the color. This way there is no mistake on the color or the order. You could have the thicknesses, the material, the number of veneers, etc. Just as an example. You would do this for each section of the cue. The joint, the wrap, etc. This drawing is the gold standard. Any "text" messages would be answered with put it in the drawing and date it with the revision.
I'm not stating who is right or who is wrong. But these types of order discrepancies happen a lot. A standard order form like this would, in my opinion, make life much easier for both the cue maker and the customer. The cue maker could spend time now to make a flexible order form/drawing to use on all future cues. It would save lots of drama in the future.
Just my 2 cents in this matter...
Wish you all the best.
I have a suggestion that cue makers should have a standard order form to send to customers, to prevent any misunderstanding or miscommunication.
It could be a sketch of the cue, with a blank line pointing to each veneer where the customer types in the color. This way there is no mistake on the color or the order. You could have the thicknesses, the material, the number of veneers, etc. Just as an example. You would do this for each section of the cue. The joint, the wrap, etc. This drawing is the gold standard. Any "text" messages would be answered with put it in the drawing and date it with the revision.
I'm not stating who is right or who is wrong. But these types of order discrepancies happen a lot. A standard order form like this would, in my opinion, make life much easier for both the cue maker and the customer. The cue maker could spend time now to make a flexible order form/drawing to use on all future cues. It would save lots of drama in the future.
Just my 2 cents in this matter...
Wish you all the best.
So that you don't have to deal with this kinda shit. We are certainly all different and have a right to our individual beliefs but to me this crap isn't worth the time it would take to argue the point. I agree it is certainly easier to just give the guy his money back and be done with this situation for what ever that is worth.
I hope things turn out well for all concerned, but I have felt your pain and I do understand how our pride can effect any given situation.
Well I don't know you or how you run your business but I don't get the principle thing. I have rental apartments and when I have a bad tenant I want them out of my life, I have no interest in winning an argument. From what I know about most cue makers, many don't have any kind of license or tax number. They don't pay taxes, local state or otherwise and probably operate out of a place that is not zoned for spraying finish or any business for that matter. Many are just in a closed in garage or basement in their house. Low profile is the rule of the day for them. That being said, someone who wanted to could cause them real trouble, who needs enemies.
Mac, I'm with you here! If I stood on principle every time I've had a bad tenant, I'd spend my life in court! I WILLINGLY give them their deposit back just to get rid of them! Been there, done that! Trent will learn it's never worth the hassle fighting with difficult customers. It can only end bad for him (this thread is evidence of that). Pay the man and move on is the order of the day.
Not me I run everything out of my Pool Room, and I never receive a return at the end of the year. But, I am also not afraid of an audit, I have a great accountant who tells me every year to pay ahead on my Federal tax every quarter, I just prefer to pay it all at the end of the year.:smile:
You are a legitimate business, many of these guys are not. I had a friend who was a fireman and restored classic cars in his spare time. He actually made good money with the cars. Then the local paper decided to do a human interest story on him, "Local Fireman and classic car expert". They ruined his life. First the city came down on him for the cars being at his home and all the equipment, it was a regular garage with a lift and everything.
Then it was found out he often worked on the cars at the fire station when he was on duty. He was very lucky he didn't lose his job. He also had wheeled and dealed one car into another reinvesting some of the profits into more high end cars. He had a few hundred thousand dollars worth of cars he could not explain. Long story short, it was amazing how much trouble he got into. Even if you are not doing anything wrong you don;t want people looking into your business.
Heck, I would not be surprised if one of those cue makers with illegal home shops had a fire in their house the insurance company would weasel out of paying saying they were running an illegal business in the house that started the fire. Especially if they found a bunch of flammable finish there.
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dom_poppa
Banned
There should be a period during the build that there isn't a refund because it has gone too far into production.
Like a "No Going Back" phase.
I am in the accounting industry and I am surprised not many cue builders are running their business more structurally.
Also, if these cue builders are really serious, there are bonds and insurance that protects a contractor from a client that backed out of a project. For example you win the bid to build 10 cues for someone, you buy the materials and the costly inlays and jewels and whatever raw materials you need.
Suddenly the client decides he withdraws from the build. Your butt is covered by the bond and insurance to help you recoup the cost of materials. Again, this is if everything is ran legit and your store isn't a message board or cue building is a hobby.
Technically, a cue builder would be considered a carpenter, should possess a contractor's license (if I am not mistaken.)
Like a "No Going Back" phase.
I am in the accounting industry and I am surprised not many cue builders are running their business more structurally.
Also, if these cue builders are really serious, there are bonds and insurance that protects a contractor from a client that backed out of a project. For example you win the bid to build 10 cues for someone, you buy the materials and the costly inlays and jewels and whatever raw materials you need.
Suddenly the client decides he withdraws from the build. Your butt is covered by the bond and insurance to help you recoup the cost of materials. Again, this is if everything is ran legit and your store isn't a message board or cue building is a hobby.
Technically, a cue builder would be considered a carpenter, should possess a contractor's license (if I am not mistaken.)
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I was referring to your new job, but I didn't really feel it was my place to explain your personal life. I know how you feel man, I work 3 weeks straight without a day off and then get a weekend off with my son. Life is hard to squeeze in with busy schedules like ours. Sorry if I implied you were having problems, although I never said "problems" to begin with. The way I see it, you are doing a helluva job juggling your life, work, family, and then making time for cues. Some people have no idea how difficult this kind of life can be. Again, sorry Trent if I somehow made it appear you weren't doing well.
Joe
If I read the thread correctly, I think Trent is already working on an offer from another AZer? If not, and if Trent is ok with it, I'll take over the cue with this offer if I can make a personal PayPal transfer to you (no fee and since I'm not in USA anymore so this is the only payment method I can do).
The part I don't understand is that Trent is getting offers on the cue left and right. Why not refund the deposit, finish the cue, and sell it to someone else? Problem solved and he builds a little confidence and respect from his other customers. it would pay off in the long run.
Hope this works out ok for both of you guys. It's a shame. Looks like the cue is going to be pretty nice.
Hope this works out ok for both of you guys. It's a shame. Looks like the cue is going to be pretty nice.
The part I don't understand is that Trent is getting offers on the cue left and right. Why not refund the deposit, finish the cue, and sell it to someone else? Problem solved and he builds a little confidence and respect from his other customers. it would pay off in the long run.
Hope this works out ok for both of you guys. It's a shame. Looks like the cue is going to be pretty nice.
That's about the same thing i dont understand. Trent says he barely has anything in his shop and that most cues fly out the door as soon as they're completed, then giving this guy his money back and letting this cue fly out the door to someone else seems like the best plan to me.
Maybe i just don't like confrontation just for the sake of always being right, even if i am right...lol.
How I conduct my shop and practices are of my concern, I'm actually very easy to work with and have had many happy people come to my shop.
This situation is being handled I'm in the process of selling this cue to another member who will give me number 9's deposit back minus 50 dollars as he offered.
As soon as everything is finalized he will receive the money.
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