buying cues from overseas??

thefonz

thefonz

It's not me...it's my ADD
Silver Member
hey all!! I'm thinking about buying a cue listed for sale by one of our fellow AZer's. The guy seems on the level, cue's looks good, the only thing that bothers me is that it's going to be shipped from overseas. I've had two bad experiences with buying cues overseas (once Asia, the other England) with one instance costing me 2G's:angry:. The cues would be straight for about four months and then go crooked! Can anyone tell me what I should be doing to keep this from happening? Should I be storing the cues in a controlled environment like a cigar? and gradually decreasing the humidity level?(in my house it sits somewhere around 35%)
 
When I dealt cues in Japan, on more than one occaision, I had cues shipped from the US to Japan and then warp within hours of taking them out of the package. However, the used cues that were generally made from higher end cuemakers actually returned to their straight forms after about a week or so. The newer cues wouldn't usually return to their straight form. Keep in mind, this was MOST of the time.
My advice would be to go ahead with the deal if you're dealing with a used cue that is straight now before shipping. I wouldn't buy a new cue and have it shipped it overseas if the climate is considerably different from where you live.
dave
 
thefonz said:
hey all!! I'm thinking about buying a cue listed for sale by one of our fellow AZer's. The guy seems on the level, cue's looks good, the only thing that bothers me is that it's going to be shipped from overseas. I've had two bad experiences with buying cues overseas (once Asia, the other England) with one instance costing me 2G's:angry:. The cues would be straight for about four months and then go crooked! Can anyone tell me what I should be doing to keep this from happening? Should I be storing the cues in a controlled environment like a cigar? and gradually decreasing the humidity level?(in my house it sits somewhere around 35%)
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Is there no good cue makers where you live? If you are thinking that you are getting a good deal by paying less for, say, a cue from the philippines, you should think again. Not saying they're bad cues, but there is a great deal of risk with the change in weather conditions.

That is your main concern.

I would definitely bite the bullet and stick with someone in the U.S. or around your area. I am sure you have plenty of good makers to choose from.
 
What about a cue that was made here in the USA, shipped to Asian or Europe, and then offered up for sale that might bring it back to the USA?
 
Normally if the cue does not warp in Asia countries with high humidity, there is lesser chance it will warp in the US climate. Another factor is the way wood is seasoned, treated and turn down by the cue maker. Cue from well know cue makers who put efforts into these processes are less prone to warping.

Nevertheless, wood is still wood and no one can predict when the wood will move. Therefore, if you like that cue, you should buy it and not worry about the questionable problem in the future :).
 
If you are looking at getting a phillipino made cue I may be able to help you out if you are interested. And if you are looking at doing this within the next few weeks save you shipping costs as well. Are you coming down to play in the Walker tourney this month..

Greg
 
I think he's interested in a cue that was originally made in North America, was exported to Asia, and wants to buy it thus bringing it back to North America.

The warping was something that I was worried about too... Nevertheless, its already there in another country, thus the wood has already become accustomed to that environment. Hopefully, the change isn't too drastic and the cue it protected well in a nice case. I presume vacuum sealed would be nice.
 
gwjackal said:
If you are looking at getting a phillipino made cue I may be able to help you out if you are interested. And if you are looking at doing this within the next few weeks save you shipping costs as well. Are you coming down to play in the Walker tourney this month..


Greg
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not a phillipino made cue, I was interested in a good US made one.
thanks though.....
 
nope, just paid for it though. it's the murrell that torqiun's selling.
 
mamono said:
Using an escrow?
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nope, i've got some good advice that makes a lot of sense to slowly let the cue acclimatize to the drier climate where i live. i think everything will work out just fine.....:thumbup:
 
mamono said:
Was that advice posted anywhere to reference?
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nah, but it makes a lot of sense. I kinda related it to buying cigars........they'll keep their moisture level if you have them in a zip lock bag but they'll eventually dry out even in the bag over a couple of days if it's really dry wherever you're from.
 
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