Hello I wonder if anyone else is aware of this ? There are many different cues that look exactly like predator with the same name P3 and SP2 from Chinese Temu app. They are selling extremely cheap at 80-120 or so. I wonder if the butt's play an important roles ? And beside your love for the brand, is there any technical reasons that you should only get authentic predator butt's only? And is there a way to tell a fake one from an authentic one if you were to buy a used cue ?
Chinese knock off Predator P3 and SP2
- Thread starter vincett
- Start date
smiling_Hans
Well-known member
I've already seen them at the pool halls.
It happened to be somebody I know. I saw a big cat and a black shaft. As I got closer to him to shake his hand, I noticed that is not a model Predator has. To be fair, someone bought it for him.
Someone had to tell me it was fake.
Cues have become a status symbol now. It use to be about how they shoot.
What has always been a status symbol were Instroke/Justis cases that housed our cues.
It happened to be somebody I know. I saw a big cat and a black shaft. As I got closer to him to shake his hand, I noticed that is not a model Predator has. To be fair, someone bought it for him.
Someone had to tell me it was fake.
Cues have become a status symbol now. It use to be about how they shoot.
What has always been a status symbol were Instroke/Justis cases that housed our cues.
boogieman
It don't mean a thing if it ain't got that ping.
More than likely junk cues (they might be ok, who knows). People like to be billboards for products, I don't get it, but it's a thing. Anyone who ties status to brand of clothes or other items they own has lost me. I remember that stuff in high school but I guess many people never mature past that stage.
I'd guess it's an ok-ish cue but probably nowhere near the real thing.
chris_waddle
Registered
Yeah, those cheap cues from Chinese apps like Temu are definitely knockoffs.
The butt cap does matter, but it's not the only thing. Authentic Predator cues have a specific design, materials, and craftsmanship.
To spot a fake, check the logo, craftsmanship, materials, weight, and balance. And don't forget to verify the serial number and docs. If the price is too good to be true, it probably is.
smiling_Hans
Well-known member
This is what I don't get. It's the technology that makes the P3 impressive. I don't know why they would play with a fake Predator when I doubt the fake is laminating their butt/shafts.
Zerksies
Well-known member
It's probably more about vanity. People buy bootlegs all the time. I would say most don't care or would know the diffirence.
Is laminated wood under plastic a technology?
Its at least a low-grade scam. These knock-offs are not Predator cues --- they are Preoaidr cues! Preoaidr's scam is obvious with its crouching panther identical to the real Predator panther. In that cue, too, I can't find the word "PREOAIDR" on it.
The Preoaidr Z3 shaft looks identical to the Predator Z3 shaft! Look out! I don't think Preoaidr is printed on the shaft (although on the butt for that cue model). This is wrong.
The real Predator icon:
The Preoaidr Z3 shaft looks identical to the Predator Z3 shaft! Look out! I don't think Preoaidr is printed on the shaft (although on the butt for that cue model). This is wrong.
The real Predator icon:
All of the knock-offs I've seen previously were pretty obvious fakes, but that shaft is not. That's a dead-on clone of the 2nd gen Z shaft with the Lucasi style checkered collar.
They will commonly cue pictures of the real product, but sell you the fake one.
The butt does matter.
Crappy butts use crappy woods that play like crappies.
Crappy butts use crappy woods that play like crappies.
Fellini.
If a company wants me to be a billboard for them, they pay me, not the other way around.
smiling_Hans
Well-known member
People didn’t like it when I said cues should be sold with a letter authenticity.
Call a cue maker of whatever cue you’re selling and get one. If someone is selling a cue without it I think twice.
I’m getting some cues built and one thing I requested was a dated letter stating the build. It’s just good to have.
What is stopping someone from ordering a “homage” or “tribute” cue and ask the cue maker to put Scruggs or Tascarella on it because it would be more accurate.
How many tribute cues out there that can be modified and passed on as an original? A lot.
Call a cue maker of whatever cue you’re selling and get one. If someone is selling a cue without it I think twice.
I’m getting some cues built and one thing I requested was a dated letter stating the build. It’s just good to have.
What is stopping someone from ordering a “homage” or “tribute” cue and ask the cue maker to put Scruggs or Tascarella on it because it would be more accurate.
How many tribute cues out there that can be modified and passed on as an original? A lot.
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They have the p3 racer clone for like $90. I might get it just to see how good or bad it is. I love that cue but can’t bring myself to pay what they want for just the butt. lol I wouldn’t use the shaft but It’s uni lock so hopefully my revo just connects right to it. I’m sure it will end up in a case some place but for $90 I wouldn’t mind getting it and reviewing it for Everyone
yea but wood looks solid, not laminated. i guess if someone has never seen a Z2 they could be fooled
The fake Z3 looks very much like a Z3 even with a decal with a box. A Facebook seller described the fake as “13 mm shaft only uniloc joint” for $60. He warned buyers in his description:
Layered leather tip never been chalked... Fits Lucasi an Predator . Not a Predator shaft !
The photos below include the butt but he only sold the shaft
A real 314-3 (corrected from my earlier calling this a Z3):
Layered leather tip never been chalked... Fits Lucasi an Predator . Not a Predator shaft !
The photos below include the butt but he only sold the shaft
A real 314-3 (corrected from my earlier calling this a Z3):
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smiling_Hans
Well-known member
Crazy that pool is now a part of the bootleg world.