Your last paragraph is very telling. So Doug is a good guy but if he decides to be a bad guy (did you read his last e-mail) then it is "caveat emptor", let the buyer beware. I hope that you don't do business this way.
Jay, my last paragraph wasn't necessarily pertaining to Doug. It was pertaining to refunds in general. At a store like Wal-Mart, you can go to customer service, demand, hoot and holler, and as long as your claim is legitimate, you will get your refund.
When it comes to dealing one-on-one, it is not necessarily that way. I think many people are automatically expect that they can demand as if they were at a store when doing a person-to-person transaction. It is kinda the vibe I picked up from the OP, that he was barking out publicly, and it wasn't getting him anywhere. I've been burned before and I wanted to simply remind others out there that when dealing with an individual, you should always be careful, not necessarily speaking about Doug, just anyone. Because I put it bluntly in my previous post, I can understand how you would take me the wrong way, but please, if I was not to be trusted, don't you think I would've screwed someone on here by now? Don't you think you'd've heard about me doing it as well?
About Doug, I never said he was a good guy, I said I believe he is. I don't know the guy personally, but I do spend a good bit of time here. From my personal observations pertaining to this incident, I believe in my heart that Doug never tried to screw the guy. I also believe in my heart that Doug just needs some time and he will make it right. My foresight told me that is how this situation would play itself out and there was not much else the OP could do except wait. I didn't say it was right, and as a matter of fact, Doug made a big mistake here, but we all make mistakes don't we? Let's learn to be more compassionate instead of acting morally righteous and pointing the finger. I was simply asking people to give Doug a chance to do the right thing, which I guess we will have to wait and see.
I surely hope you don't think that because I was trying to point out a reality that you think I am some sort of bastard who has shady business practices or something. I've been in business for 25+ years and I have come to know that when dealing with an individual, you may or not get paid, and if the guy refuses, many times, there is not a damn thing (legally) you can do about it. To assume that I might be a crook because I was trying to help is not a fair assumption to make of me.
Did anyone ever think that the epoxy never cured properly because of the hole in the cue? That means that the defect in the cue was there all along, and happened this way because maybe God thought that Doug needed earn another cue maker's merit to get to the next level? I'd like to think of it that way instead of crying to the world saying how he didn't pay back my money at the snap of a finger like they do at Wal-Mart!!!
P.S. I think you've been way too harsh on Doug, and for what reason? Because he made a mistake? Come on. Posting publicly that
"Patrick's Custom Cues and Doug Patrick's reputation is sinking fast, never to be righted. You sold your reputation for $1,200. Good luck in your next line of work!"
is a bit presumptuous don't you think? only later to say that you think he's a good guy who made a mistake. I think you're compounding mistakes here. I just don't understand why you have to be so quick to jump on someone. You have a long history and big reputation and that is powerful in the sport of pool. I think you should be more careful how you use it. I hope you can be more constructive.
To the OP:
I think you let your emotions get to you. Simply put, the fear of losing your money has controlled your actions. Put your fear in check and you will see that there is nothing to worry about. I have said it time and time again, why can't we learn to be more positive, compassionate, and understanding instead of losing control of our emotions?
You are your own worst enemy because of your FEARS.
