Cuemaker Estimated Completion Dates

[ace911]

I know you should never rush a cuemaker. I'm just curious about your thoughts of cuemakers and estimated completion dates. When a cuemaker says the cue will be done by X date, and then it isn't and you call them, they give you another date, then you call again and it still isn't done, should I just stop calling? Like if they pushed the dates back, everytime I called (which is usually when the cue is supposed to be completed).

 

[manwon]

I know you should never rush a cuemaker. I'm just curious about your thoughts of cuemakers and estimated completion dates. When a cuemaker says the cue will be done by X date, and then it isn't and you call them, they give you another date, then you call again and it still isn't done, should I just stop calling? Like if they pushed the dates back, everytime I called (which is usually when the cue is supposed to be completed).

If you have been given a completion date as part of your transaction with a cue maker you have every right to call and to see if the cue is ready. I personally do not think completion dates are a great idea and if given they should only be done as an estimate, but this should still be outlined in the original agreement between you and the cue maker. Things that can go wrong will and sometimes things will take longer than planned. However, if you are dealing with someone who cares enough to do what is right he, he should contact you if things go bad it is only common curtsy.

I do not take deposits from anyone for the same reason, when some one takes money they are obligated even more to insure that their communication is good, and that they keep their customers informed of the status of their cue. Some will disagree and some will agree, but cue makers are just like anyone else they are in business and customers deserve to be informed, if a cue maker doesn't agree you should spend your money else where.

Now please let me be clear, all of this depends on you the customer, some have a habit of being more trouble than others. Some do not understand that calling too often can be considered harassment, cue makers can not answer their phones all day long or they will never get anything done. Cue makers also have lives and families just like everyone else and things come up, and also some build for a living and others only part time. All these factors play into this conversation and must be considered!!!

 

[rellek]

I have been waiting on a cue for a lot longer then was originally implied, I just try to keep in touch every couple of weeks to see how things are progressing. The cue maker in question has always been really nice and has explained why things are taking so long. I don't think you should stop calling, just be cool and remember that art takes time, and sometimes it takes more time that we think.

 

[Mr Hoppe]

If he has already missed his date, then I think you should ask him when he thinks it will be ready, and call back then. If he misses that date, do the same. If he has any pride or professionalism, he'll take it upon himself to get the job done if for no other reason than he won't want to have to give a bunch of excuses yet again the next time that you call. If it gets to the point that you feel it's unreasonable, call him up and say thanks but no thanks and get your deposit back if you left one, then call another cue maker. Losing business is the only way that some people will learn.
Good luck.
Mr H

 

[I'mdoingit]

Time

I am not a cue maker but I call about a cue being made for me for over a Year. Then when I told the cue maker to return my money he so happen to had started on it that day.....Stick with most popular Cue Makers or one with cues ready for shipment. JMO

 

[jazznpool]

Sounds like you're learning about "cuemaker time."

Martin

I know you should never rush a cuemaker. I'm just curious about your thoughts of cuemakers and estimated completion dates. When a cuemaker says the cue will be done by X date, and then it isn't and you call them, they give you another date, then you call again and it still isn't done, should I just stop calling? Like if they pushed the dates back, everytime I called (which is usually when the cue is supposed to be completed).

 

[ace911]

I know about "cuemaker time," but I just wanted to know what the proper reponse to it should be.

 

[Dave38]

It is an on going question on the forum. My first question is, was a deposit given? and does the cuemaker have a good rep? If both are yes then just try to be patient. If the first is yes and the second is I don't know or no then, you may want to press alittle. It really depends on who the maker is. Run their name thru the search function and see any history, if any here. As Craig mentioned above, A lot of variables come into play, and depending on those, should dictate your response. It also depends on a time frame that was given. If they said 2 months for a custom built cue, I'd figure 2 things, full of BS, and 2nd, Not happening. If they said 8-10 months, and their rep is good, then I'd cut some of slack.
I just cored about 25 pieces of burls and soft woods this weekend. Some of which I have promised into some cues for friends, including a donation to a teamates Jack-n-Jill party in July. I stabilized quite a bit of those pieces prior to this, using very expensive stabilizer. While putting the newly cored pieces into a box to take from the shop into the basement, I dropped a couple. A nice spalted piece hit the floor and split apart!!! It was going into an ebony cue, for the Jack-n-Jill raffle, but.....not anymore Things do happen, but some makers, it happens more than not, so it's important to know who your dealing with. It's hard to give an appropriate response to your question, as more info is needed, such as time frame given, how much time has really passed, etc. If no deposit was given then you can move on, But, just as a curtousy, let the maker know, for 2 reasons, he may rethink his time estimations for the future, and 2, he may do things differently for future orders due to losing business. Just my thoughts.
Dave

 

[tattoo]

If it gets to the point that you feel it's unreasonable, call him up and say thanks but no thanks and get your deposit back if you left one, then call another cue maker. Losing business is the only way that some people will learn.
Good luck.
Mr H

rep coming to you sir......maybe losing business wont hurt that maker just from me.....but it sure makes me fill better when i know i would have bought three or four more fancier cues from him and now he can kiss my A$$ ps you know who you are....you dont have to dog the maker in a public forum it will come back to get them in the end....mickey

 

[TripXQ]

cue time

Loss of business and loss due to refunding hurt the most. You will also bad mouth him most likely which takes away "atta boys" also.
Tom Gedris, Triple Cross Cues

 

[scdiveteam]

I do not take deposits from anyone for the same reason, when some one takes money they are obligated even more to insure that their communication is good, and that they keep their customers informed of the status of their cue. Some will disagree and some will agree, but cue makers are just like anyone else they are in business and customers deserve to be informed, if a cue maker doesn't agree you should spend your money else where.

Hi, I don't believe in taking deposits either. Rick Geschrey

 

[blud]

time factor

I know you should never rush a cuemaker. I'm just curious about your thoughts of cuemakers and estimated completion dates. When a cuemaker says the cue will be done by X date, and then it isn't and you call them, they give you another date, then you call again and it still isn't done, should I just stop calling? Like if they pushed the dates back, everytime I called (which is usually when the cue is supposed to be completed).

I've made it a habit to take a deposit, if I have never dealt with this customer. If I know the person, I don't take one, but so many times, guys don't have the money or have changed there minds, so the cuemaker has to do what suits him.
I also give an estimate on when it will be ready, making it clear it could take longer due to weather conditions, meaning, humidty, rain, and just damp weather effects my cue painting and turning woods. If it's dry, it will be on time, for the most part. Some cuemakers turn wood and paint, in really humid or damp weather. I will not. Woods soak up the moister, and the finish can become cloudy, in a few month's.

MOISTER CONTENT!
I've been ask several time over the years, WHY IS THE MOISTER CONTENT HIGH in my woods. It was shipped at a low moister content, and was sent over several states and days, and when it arrives, it's got a higher content than when it was processed and shipped. Differant humidty in differant places..Most of the time some blame the wood processor, it's not his fault, mother nature is to blame.
blud

 

[qbilder]

I personally don't like giving ETA's. It's nothing to do with me trying to screw somebody or make things difficult for them. It's about me knowing myself & being able to pattern & predict my lifestyle. Things happen. I'm a full time dad to a 3yr old boy & 15yr. old girl, & husband to an active duty military wife. I can tell you that your cue will be completed on January 3 11, but I know dang well something in life is going to require my time that I hadn't planned for. That means your date just got pushed back. It can happen over & over & over again. Is it my fault? Yeah, I guess it is because I prioritize myself & my family higher than your cue. Will that change? Never. So what can be done about it? All I can do is be honest & tell people i'll try my best but can't make promises. As such, I won't ask for deposits.

I know I cannot give realistic deadlines, so I don't ask for money until the cue is complete. That's not good enough for some people, and that's ok with me. I'm not pretending to be anything i'm not. Others are ok with it, but find the wait is more than they were ready for. That's ok, too. They have no deposit & are free to walk anytime they want with no hard feelings from me. My goal is to ensure we are all on the same page. I don't ever pressure anybody into buying, and I appreciate when i'm not pressured to build.

I know this isn't the typical arrangment. It's not very "business" like. But i'm not Wal-Mart. I'm a one man show & cues are not at the top of my priorities in life. I can't tell my co-worker to cover my load while i'm out. I suspect a lot of other cuemakers are in the same boat as me but they attempt to be more "professional" by offering tighter timelines & such. It gets them into trouble with customers, though, when things in life happen that prevent them from keeping their promises. It sucks. But it is what it is. They make promises they cannot keep, and it's not because they are bad people or even bad managers of their time. It's just that life happens unexpectedly & it takes priority over cues. Most folks are understanding & deal with it. Some are jerks & wanna ruin the cuemaker in public because of it. But like I said, it is what it is. It's cuemaker time. It's a one man show & no matter how much he pretends he's a professional business man, as soon as his family needs him he dumps the cues until he can resume work again. Personally, I prefer to clear the air right away & let people know what to expect, which is the unexpected. Right or wrong, it's the only way I know to keep everybody on the same page. It's not very professional or business savy, but if you want a cue from me then be ready for the brutal honesty & unexpected time delays. It is what it is.

Hopefully this makes some sense without stirring any drama. The biggest problem with builder/buyer relationships is misunderstandings & false expectations. Avoiding it saves a lot of trouble.

 

[ratcues]

You have every right to call but just be cool about it. There is nothing more irritating than being a little (lot) behind and having the same customer call every day. That means I have to stop what I am doing, forget what I was doing, answer the call, and then try to figure out what the hell was going on. A 5 minute conversation take 15 minutes.

Juat call and say you want to touch base. Ask if you can call back in a couple of weeks or so and check in.

If you can email, that's even better. I check the computer when I am waiting for something to set up, cure, dry, settle, cool, or I'm just tired. Emails are quick and easy.

 

[perspicaz]

Of course, everybody wants their cue as fast as possible. But...
to be completely honest, I prefer a cuemaker that takes the time to do things right and also expect any self respecting man to put their family and kids before my cue.

When my orders get delayed I just email to see everything is right; expressing I am not meaning to rush in anyway and, if given a proper explanation, I will wait patiently until the next "ETA".

Honestly, wood moves, things happen, shows come up, family needs to be taken care of and, fortunately, life is not so boring that we can predict everything.

Of course, if your cuemaker never starts the cue and you NEED it faster than he will deliver, by all means, switch to a cuemaker that satisfies your expectations.

I say: proper communication, honesty upfront, and a great deal of patience on both sides are the way to go

Congrats to Eric Crisp for being honest and prioritizing his family over our 'toys'. :thumbup: