Cue from Russia. Is it dangerous?

DBK

DBK

AzB Silver Member
Silver Member
Interesting. I get many questions about my cues, asking how to pay, how with the shipment, and often learning that cues from Russia renounce the deal. What is this? Mistrust of my experience and quality? But I'm not the first year of doing this business and if my cues were bad, the Internet would not allow to hide this fact. Or is this fear that I will not send the cue after payment? No problem, I am ready to send the cue after the deposit will receive a third person who is trusted, and I get paid only after the cue comes to the customer. If only because I'm Russian, well here do not fix it:wink:.

Recently I answered more than 20 PM's and seven of them, which started as an order, ended with nothing, no "yes" no "no." Maybe I'm not familiar with the specifics of business abroad, but here in Russia we are accustomed to when customers say "yes I will buy this thing " or "no I do not buy this thing, because ..." or "I can afford to buy this stuff later, please hold it for me." Then I would be calm.

Sorry, I'm probably a little upset when I write this post:sorry:. Most likely I will remove it later, but right now I would be very grateful if someone honestly explain the situation.

If it is only because I am from Russia, Well, I was the first Russian cuemaker, who appeared on this forum, I can leave it to not irritate visitors. Nobody can prevent me from reading this forum, right?:wink:

Sorry for my English.

Good luck.

Dmitry Komarov, cuemaker from Russia.
 
Hi Dmitry:
I've been on this forum a while and in the business a lot longer, I have never heard one bad thing about you or your cues. As for the pm's, Inquiring minds always want to know, so inquiries and other questions are fair game, It's part of what we do as Cue makers. To answer questions and give a brief description of our thoughts and techniques. It is also a way for people to get to know us a little. Some dealers here a while back had confirmed emails from people saying they wanted a certain cue the Dealer had, Then after a while, no word, no nothing. Dealers were upset. Nothing is final til you both agree and a confirmation of a down payment or full payment is taken. It's the world we live in. Don't take it personal.
Hope some of this helps.
 
Good explanation. I'm sorry this is happening to you like this. There is something not personal about the internet. This causes people to drag on and ask questions, maybe not realizing how much time and effort you are spending answering and then just losing interest.

One thing I would tell you is that an interested customer will start working to close a deal within about 3 - 5 contacts. A time waster will ask questions not related to closing the deal indefinitely. Work on a nice way to drop these people, or at least realize they are not buying now so you are not treating them like a potential customer. That should help you. Also, make a deal with your self about exactly how much time you will put into a deal before getting money and stick to it.

Good luck.
 
DBK said:
I get many questions about my cues, asking how to pay, how with the shipment, and often learning that cues from Russia renounce the deal. What is this? Mistrust of my experience and quality?
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Dmitry,

You have 2 problems that you must overcome.

1.) Getting people to buy your cues in the USA market. Every cue maker in the world has that problem until they develop a reputation or a following. Most of us start out selling cues locally and over time get national or world wide customers interested in our product because of word of mouth and marketing.

Being from Russia should not be a deterrent but it can be a distraction to say the least. I am 56 years old and grew up during the cold war and I believe that I am a typical American male, I can tell you up front that there is not a prejudice or dislike for Russians by Americans. For me, I have a great respect for Russian culture concerning ingenuity and resolve. So if you are thinking Americans are not buying your cues because they don't like Russians, get that out of your mind.

2.) Marketing your product to a specific sector of the billiards world. Examples: Billiard Cues, Snooker Cues, Low Deflecting - Conical - Parabolic Shafts, Stiff Hitting Cues for One Pocket - Straight Pool - 8 Ball, Thin Whippy Shafts for 9 Ball. These may be bad examples but I feel with all of the competition and the high number of cue makers out there, you must define your nitch in the market. Americans are people who are very spoiled and like options to choose from when they buy products. You can't be everything to all peoples wants and needs. Define the specific attributes of your cues.

You are in a very good position to stand out as you are different because you are from Russia. They may forget the name of your cue at first but they wont forget you are that guy from Russia that makes great cues. You must use that to your advantage. Is there some special woods that comes from Russia or the Siberian Forests that you feel makes a great pool cue or hits better that the typical woods we see used everyday here in the USA. If so promote that fact and educate the people here. Americans like exotic stuff from foreign lands.

As far as down payments, shipping, and the "business deal" is concerned, use Pay Pal and advertise on AZ & Ebay and be done with it. People feel safe with that. If you can get an exclusive dealer to sell your cues here, that would also be helpful.

I had a Antique diving helmet collection that I had collected for over 30 years and I recently sold it piece by piece to fund my 3 kids college funds. I never had any problem buying or selling big ticket items overseas since ebay and pay pal has been around. People don't like down payments and then I will send the cue type of thing. Cash and carry is the best with your guarantee. If someone wants their money back for some reason you must give them the money back and reimburse them for all of the shipping without question or argument no matter what the circumstances. If you fail to do this and the word gets out, it can destroy your business by people who will ruin your reputation without giving it a second thought. In America, right or wrong the customer is king. Not understanding this cultural nuance can destroy your ability to compete in the USA. Remember bad new travels fast.

Get a "great digital camera" and start posting pics of your finished cues on the cue gallery on AZ from time to time and tell people why you think your cues are the cats meow! Salesmanship starts with believing you have built the better mouse trap and telling your story. If in the end people don't like your cues because they play like shit, you will find out and hear about it very fast. If on the other hand the word gets out the that guy from Russia makes a killer cue, you can have problems filling orders.

Your cues look great to me. Don't try to blend in, stand out as the "Russian Cue Maker". Hang in there and persevere. That's in the Russian DNA, remember Stalingrad!

Good Luck,

Rcik Geschrey
 
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DBK said:
Interesting. I get many questions about my cues, asking how to pay, how with the shipment, and often learning that cues from Russia renounce the deal. What is this? Mistrust of my experience and quality? But I'm not the first year of doing this business and if my cues were bad, the Internet would not allow to hide this fact. Or is this fear that I will not send the cue after payment? No problem, I am ready to send the cue after the deposit will receive a third person who is trusted, and I get paid only after the cue comes to the customer. If only because I'm Russian, well here do not fix it:wink:.

Recently I answered more than 20 PM's and seven of them, which started as an order, ended with nothing, no "yes" no "no." Maybe I'm not familiar with the specifics of business abroad, but here in Russia we are accustomed to when customers say "yes I will buy this thing " or "no I do not buy this thing, because ..." or "I can afford to buy this stuff later, please hold it for me." Then I would be calm.

Sorry, I'm probably a little upset when I write this post:sorry:. Most likely I will remove it later, but right now I would be very grateful if someone honestly explain the situation.

If it is only because I am from Russia, Well, I was the first Russian cuemaker, who appeared on this forum, I can leave it to not irritate visitors. Nobody can prevent me from reading this forum, right?:wink:

Sorry for my English.

Good luck.

Dmitry Komarov, cuemaker from Russia.
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This is the very reason that I've recently added the 'disclaimer' to my signature.
Some people want to talk to you about buying a cue or whatever, even though they currently don't have the funds. Maybe they think that if they can keep a 'deal' tied-up long enough, the funds will magically appear to them.
I could say that it's the economy but that to me is a 'cop-out'.
If you ain't got the cash, don't talk the trash.

Look, I'm very willing to discuss any particulars a potential buyer might have. It's part of doing business and I appreciate their interest. It tells me that there is something about what I'm doing that got their attention and inspired them to make contact. That's a good thing.
But I also agree with what 'nksmfamjp' states here:
"One thing I would tell you is that an interested customer will start working to close a deal within about 3 - 5 contacts. A time waster will ask questions not related to closing the deal indefinitely." Truth.

If my disclaimer and my writings put some people off, so be it.
Guess who I'm putting-off.
We also have a saying in this country. "You can talk the talk but can you walk the walk?"

PS. Dmitry, I hope that you stay on this forum as long as it pleases you.
I for one, appreciate the diversity of different cultures and welcome yours.
Your work is very impressive.
 
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DBK said:
Interesting. I get many questions about my cues, asking how to pay, how with the shipment, and often learning that cues from Russia renounce the deal. What is this? Mistrust of my experience and quality? But I'm not the first year of doing this business and if my cues were bad, the Internet would not allow to hide this fact. Or is this fear that I will not send the cue after payment? No problem, I am ready to send the cue after the deposit will receive a third person who is trusted, and I get paid only after the cue comes to the customer. If only because I'm Russian, well here do not fix it:wink:.

Recently I answered more than 20 PM's and seven of them, which started as an order, ended with nothing, no "yes" no "no." Maybe I'm not familiar with the specifics of business abroad, but here in Russia we are accustomed to when customers say "yes I will buy this thing " or "no I do not buy this thing, because ..." or "I can afford to buy this stuff later, please hold it for me." Then I would be calm.

Sorry, I'm probably a little upset when I write this post:sorry:. Most likely I will remove it later, but right now I would be very grateful if someone honestly explain the situation.

If it is only because I am from Russia, Well, I was the first Russian cuemaker, who appeared on this forum, I can leave it to not irritate visitors. Nobody can prevent me from reading this forum, right?:wink:

Sorry for my English.

Good luck.

Dmitry Komarov, cuemaker from Russia.
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I don't know if I really have any advice. Part of it may just be them not wanting to go through all the hassle when here in the US there seems to be a cuemaker on every corner they can buy from. I am curious though, is there much of a local market for cues where you are? How many cues do you produce a year? You may want to try to get a dealer in the US or even just an agent in the US to handle your cues. They could also represent you at tournaments and trade shows. Of course this all depends on how many cues you make. Truth is, most cue makers make so few cues that if they have a following they can probably sell every cue they make within a fairly small area even if the rest of the country have never even heard of them.
 
DBK said:
Interesting. I get many questions about my cues, asking how to pay, how with the shipment, and often learning that cues from Russia renounce the deal. What is this? Mistrust of my experience and quality? But I'm not the first year of doing this business and if my cues were bad, the Internet would not allow to hide this fact. Or is this fear that I will not send the cue after payment? No problem, I am ready to send the cue after the deposit will receive a third person who is trusted, and I get paid only after the cue comes to the customer. If only because I'm Russian, well here do not fix it:wink:.

Recently I answered more than 20 PM's and seven of them, which started as an order, ended with nothing, no "yes" no "no." Maybe I'm not familiar with the specifics of business abroad, but here in Russia we are accustomed to when customers say "yes I will buy this thing " or "no I do not buy this thing, because ..." or "I can afford to buy this stuff later, please hold it for me." Then I would be calm.

Sorry, I'm probably a little upset when I write this post:sorry:. Most likely I will remove it later, but right now I would be very grateful if someone honestly explain the situation.

If it is only because I am from Russia, Well, I was the first Russian cuemaker, who appeared on this forum, I can leave it to not irritate visitors. Nobody can prevent me from reading this forum, right?:wink:

Sorry for my English.

Good luck.

Dmitry Komarov, cuemaker from Russia.
Click to expand...

imo people are just leery of doing business with people overseas. it just seems like it'd be easier for someone overseas to take the dough and not send anything. not only that but there're a number of people that have horror stories from buying cues from the PI.

i think the longer you stick around the more people will understand that you're on the up and up.

since i've been on az i've done deals with people from all over. singapore, isreal, germany and the US. i'm always a little anxious but i'm a little more anxious when i do deals with people overseas. i just know that if there's a problem it'll be a lot more trouble to get it resolved.

it's not that you're russian. it's that you're from overseas. the longer you're here the more people will trust you.

i've seen your cues first hand and you're work looks flawless. i only with i'd hit a ball with the cues i saw!!!!!!
 
Many people from the USA are mistrusting of people from other countires not delivering product after payment is received. This is because of a small minority of very active con artists who have scammed people from here. To be honest with you your best shot at breaking into the USA or Japan markets might be to get some cue dealers in these countries to push your product for you.
It is not because you are from Russia, it is just that people over here have been burned by others and have a uneasiness about sending money to those they do not know.
As already mentioned, until you get cash in hand no deal is final. People show massive interest one day and disappear the next day, and I am talking about them buying from American cuemakers also.
I wish you well with your product sells.
 
DBK, there is nothing wrong with you or your cues as far as I know but the possible shipping/warranty/repair issues are probably causing problems as far as getting customers to buy.

You should talk to Marcus (Fast_N_Loose) about his "ESCROW" setup for payments and shipping. (the third party thing you mentioned)
Here is a link to the escrow instructions and offer.....http://forums.azbilliards.com/showthread.php?t=115543

About possible repair issues are your cues constructed with pretty much industry standard parts and techniques? (forgive me...I'm not a cuemaker)
In other words if say a pin got bent would a local cuemaker have any trouble with the repair?

Your written english is understandable, don't worry about it too much, just be aware that it could cause occasional misunderstandings.:wink:
 
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Thanks for your feedbacks, they were very helpful to regain confidence. I want to say that this is not the anger say, but rather bewilderment. Sorry if I offended anybody.

The world today has become so small so do not be afraid of the distance:). I realize there are fears that the cue can be warped when arriving in another part of the world. But if I was not sure of the stability of my cues I would not offer they.

Now my pool cues are in more than 10 countries, including about 35-37 cues and blanks in the U.S. and Canada, and about 25 in Europe, there are in China, Taiwan, Philippines even, in Russia of course. I recently calculated that by the spring of next year I will make the 100th pool сue.

Junior champions of Russia and Germany playing with my cues, medalists of the Junior European Championship. Yes, I do bet on young:). Perhaps it is difficult to say that I'm an absolute beginner.

Now I'm making about 25-30 pool cues per year. Of course I can more, but each cue, even the most simple, I make as the unique (one of kind?). Plus, the bulk of my work are Russian custom cues.

I can decorate cues with inlays, with CNC. I can make even a such hand made cue.

139288594.jpg


But will it play better than the more simple? I'm not sure. But I sure that it would cost more than ten simple but well playing cues:). Now my main task to make cue with a great gaming properties, and just then I can think about decoration.

So I think the main thing is the mutual respect, the maker to the customer and the customer to the maker. I think the maker should answer all questions, except for very stupid:wink:, at least I will answer all questions nonetheless, maybe a bit later, but I will answer all questions. For a potential customer there is nothing easier than to write to the end of the discussion at least, "thank you, yes" or "thank you, no", but not to leave without a word. Then the work is easier and mood is good, even if the deal was not completed.

Once again sorry for the negative, that I expressed in the first post.

Yours respectfully Dmitry.
 
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DBK said:
I recently calculated that by the spring of next year I will make the 100th pool сue.
Yours respectfully Dmitry.
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Dmitry:
You have cues in all those places and you haven't built 100 cues yet, You might be doing better than you think you are.
 
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Michael Webb said:
Dmitry:
You have cues in all those places and you haven't built 100 cues yet, You might be doing better than you think you are.
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I graduated with honors from the Technical Institute, and even wrote the dissertation thus arithmetics should be all right:smile:. But it was about twenty years ago, so check it out:wink:.
Here I mentioned about 60 cues and cue blanks, in Russia about 35-40 cues, including the jump cues (one time they were very popular here, though not cheap). Given that in an year I can do about 25 cues, just sometime in the spring 2011 will be the 100th., I had this in the mind. Even if not count cue blanks and jump cues, then the end of next year will be net hundred, I hope.:smile:
 
DBK said:
I graduated with honors from the Technical Institute, and even wrote the dissertation thus arithmetics should be all right:smile:. But it was about twenty years ago, so check it out:wink:.
Here I mentioned about 60 cues and cue blanks, in Russia about 35-40 cues, including the jump cues (one time they were very popular here, though not cheap). Given that in an year I can do about 25 cues, just sometime in the spring 2011 will be the 100th., I had this in the mind. Even if not count cue blanks and jump cues, then the end of next year will be net hundred, I hope.:smile:
Click to expand...


Always forward my friend, The promise of what tomorrow may bring, will keep you strong.
 
So I think the main thing is the mutual respect, the maker to the customer and the customer to the maker. I think the maker should answer all questions, except for very stupid, at least I will answer all questions nonetheless, maybe a bit later, but I will answer all questions. For a potential customer there is nothing easier than to write to the end of the discussion at least, "thank you, yes" or "thank you, no", but not to leave without a word. Then the work is easier and mood is good, even if the deal was not completed.
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For me you've nailed it. Thats the part of our life as a cuemaker to answer those questions even the result is favorable or not. As for me i'm just making sure that in every conversations one of us learn something, maybe the customer or the cuemaker, and that i can say that my time was not wasted for nothing..

I know you make great cues, buddy. just keep it up and let your works do the talking. More powers and Take care!

Your oversea fellow cuemaker,

Al
 
DBK said:
Interesting. I get many questions about my cues, asking how to pay, how with the shipment, and often learning that cues from Russia renounce the deal. What is this? Mistrust of my experience and quality? But I'm not the first year of doing this business and if my cues were bad, the Internet would not allow to hide this fact. Or is this fear that I will not send the cue after payment? No problem, I am ready to send the cue after the deposit will receive a third person who is trusted, and I get paid only after the cue comes to the customer. If only because I'm Russian, well here do not fix it:wink:.

Recently I answered more than 20 PM's and seven of them, which started as an order, ended with nothing, no "yes" no "no." Maybe I'm not familiar with the specifics of business abroad, but here in Russia we are accustomed to when customers say "yes I will buy this thing " or "no I do not buy this thing, because ..." or "I can afford to buy this stuff later, please hold it for me." Then I would be calm.

Sorry, I'm probably a little upset when I write this post:sorry:. Most likely I will remove it later, but right now I would be very grateful if someone honestly explain the situation.

If it is only because I am from Russia, Well, I was the first Russian cuemaker, who appeared on this forum, I can leave it to not irritate visitors. Nobody can prevent me from reading this forum, right?:wink:

Sorry for my English.

Good luck.

Dmitry Komarov, cuemaker from Russia.
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Dmitry,

As others have mentioned I think you're doing better than you think. I've seen a few of your cues and hit with them., I like them enough to discuss your work with other people.
Not everybody wants to go through the extra effort of buying overseas. Our economy is a bit sluggish right now therefore you have to be competitive in pricing.
We have some great cuemakers in this country and the transactions are easier for the most part. No matter at what step of the sucess ladder you are " The wheat has to be separated from the shaft":)

The fact the you received twenty e-mails is a positive, not negative, sales is a game of numbers. Specially when they're coming from another country. Perhaps the next ten e-mails will result in seven sales.

Dealing face to face you can tell when you're being pumped for information and when you're talking to a potential buyer ready to buy. In the internet world you have to play along longer before you can come to any conclusions.

Language and culture can also play an important part. The behavior that seems disrepectful in Russia could be very acceptable here and abusive in japan. Such is the small world the internet has created.

If you ask any or all of the cuemakers on this site what countries they will not ship to, you'll get and idea of the universal problems we all face and why.

The Russian guy makes good cues:)

Best regards, Mario
 
cueman said:
Many people from the USA are mistrusting of people from other countires not delivering product after payment is received. This is because of a small minority of very active con artists who have scammed people from here. To be honest with you your best shot at breaking into the USA or Japan markets might be to get some cue dealers in these countries to push your product for you.
It is not because you are from Russia, it is just that people over here have been burned by others and have a uneasiness about sending money to those they do not know.
As already mentioned, until you get cash in hand no deal is final. People show massive interest one day and disappear the next day, and I am talking about them buying from American cuemakers also.
I wish you well with your product sells.
Click to expand...

I agree 100%.

Ken
 
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