Cue market and new perspective

[simmer1]

With several posts remarking on how low the cue market is and how hard it is to sell a cue, it got me to thinking. Maybe we need to look at our game of choice from a different perspective.

Are we all in this game of pool for the love of pool, the joy of pool, the thrill of victory and the agony of defeat, or are we in it to show off our cues, give lady luck a ride, and let's make a buck off a sucker, either at the table, or through a cue sale?

Let's take a new perspective. Instead of beating him like a drum and taking the 'chump's' money, let's break even and leave the learners some dignity. Let's show some compassion, and let them keep their rent money. Let's teach them and help them learn how to make those difficult shots, and not play them so safe that they never get a decent shot. Let's not drive them to the point where they 'blow up', start slinging the bar cues around, drain the bottle of beer, and start screaming at you "Are you doing that on purpose?".

And as to selling cues, are we just trying to make a buck, or are we really interested in promoting the great game of pool by providing someone with a better piece of equipment that will enable them to reach the next level of pool excellence. Rather than pricing these great pieces of wood at unheard of prices, maybe we should just send them a great hitting cue, beautiful in workmanship, which will enable them to have pride in themselves, have the desire to practice with such a piece of artwork, and improve their game. We should even throw in the shipping! When they have experienced the joy of playing our beloved game with such a great and beautiful piece of workmanship, they will most assuredly, out of gratitude and respect, send a more than compensatory amount of money for the cue.

So, what do you think? Let's try a new perspective. Or Not. Besides, what has satire to do with life.

Let the flames reach high.

 

[Franky]

I get no respect!

Spoken like an under appreciated and underpaid cuemaker. Or did I somehow miss the point?

 

[Gerry]

Maybe in some nirvana-like perfect world, but this is the epicenter of free trade, you get what you can for what you got...so to speak. I say, if someone is willing to pay "X" for a name it is up to them to make the distinction if that is a good buy or not.

I'm all for bringing notoriety to our great sport, but maybe by giving out free lessons or information? or teaching our newbys about the great history of pocket billiards.....

I own a plumbing business and I am NOT cheap, but I show up on time, I have 22 years of experience, keep their house clean when I work, I"m pleasant to be around, and don't show any buttcrack! My customers get THE BEST service for their dollar.

.......or should I do it to just break even?


yea right!

Gerry

 

[SPINDOKTOR]

I try to help as much as I can, reguardless if its appritiated or not.

I also know what makes a good cue, and I believe we focus on "hit" to much. If hit is so subjective why talk about it? I can go to wal mart buy a 30$ cue replace the tip and get a good HIT. How about power to speed? and tell me why it is you can buy a 65$ players cue that is dead straight, yet spend 750$ or more on a cue with a slight roll in the taper?

As a player, I want a cue for performance, I dont care if it has a million inlays if it feels good and the taper and balance are right for me I'll use it.

Based on this and not really caring about fancy ring work or ultra sharp points gives me a very differnt perspective from most people.

SPINDOKTOR

 

[Maniac]

I try to help as much as I can, reguardless if its appritiated or not.

I also know what makes a good cue, and I believe we focus on "hit" to much. If hit is so subjective why talk about it? I can go to wal mart buy a 30$ cue replace the tip and get a good HIT. How about power to speed? and tell me why it is you can buy a 65$ players cue that is dead straight, yet spend 750$ or more on a cue with a slight roll in the taper?

As a player, I want a cue for performance, I dont care if it has a million inlays if it feels good and the taper and balance are right for me I'll use it.

Based on this and not really caring about fancy ring work or ultra sharp points gives me a very differnt perspective from most people.

SPINDOKTOR

But....I'm not one of them. I basically share the same perspective as you do. Ivory, ebony, fancy rings, phenolic joints, exotic wood, etc., are not what I desire in a cue. Give me one that feels good in my hands and plays the way I want it to play.
BTW, I own two $23 Rage cues that I've re-tipped. They play fairly good for cues of this price range. They are in the rack with my other house cues. Shootin' with some friends the other day, I ran a four-pack of Cutthroat with one of them cheapo cues!!!

Maniac

 

[SPINDOKTOR]

But....I'm not one of them. I basically share the same perspective as you do. Ivory, ebony, fancy rings, phenolic joints, exotic wood, etc., are not what I desire in a cue. Give me one that feels good in my hands and plays the way I want it to play.
BTW, I own two $23 Rage cues that I've re-tipped. They play fairly good for cues of this price range. They are in the rack with my other house cues. Shootin' with some friends the other day, I ran a four-pack of Cutthroat with one of them cheapo cues!!!

Maniac

My two boy's love the game, and Im happy I can afford decent cues for them to practice and learn with. and not be concerned with nicks and dents.

I may play in the US open next year with a 30$ cue. maybe I can get Players or Rage to Sponcer me, Hell,I bet they would even silk screen me a personal cue, lol, I'll Have em put SPINDOKTOR on the cue so everyone will know its me..


SPINDOKTOR >>>>>>Actively seeking spocership From Rage or Players cues. someone Hook me up! lol