Cues As Investments

Biloxi Boy

Biloxi Boy

Man With A Golden Arm
My perception is that cue investors are first pool players. Anyone know anything different? Simple economics teaches that price is based upon demand. There is little question that, at least in the US, the number of pool players is declining. It seems to me that this decline will significantly impact the value of cues as investments. Any thoughts?
 
Pool 'fans' would capture more than pool 'players'.

I don't think anything dramatic will happen with cue prices in the coming decade or two...other than further carbon evolution and more competitive pricing of carbon items.
 
Biloxi Boy said:
My perception is that cue investors are first pool players. Anyone know anything different? Simple economics teaches that price is based upon demand. There is little question that, at least in the US, the number of pool players is declining. It seems to me that this decline will significantly impact the value of cues as investments. Any thoughts?
Click to expand...
They ain’t going up
 
Collect any "thing" that interests you for the sake of your enjoyment. If you want an investment, you go to a fee only financial advisor.
The only "investment value" of collectable items like pool cues is the value you ascribe to them to keep your spouse from smacking you in the head with a skillet for how much you just spent!

I have some quite expensive "collectable" items, but I know that has nothing to do with why I bought them. I bought them because I wanted them. I JUSTIFIED my spending by convincing myself they were an "investment" but they weren't. :-)
 
Biloxi Boy said:
My perception is that cue investors are first pool players. Anyone know anything different? Simple economics teaches that price is based upon demand. There is little question that, at least in the US, the number of pool players is declining. It seems to me that this decline will significantly impact the value of cues as investments. Any thoughts?
Click to expand...
I don’t think cue collectors are into it for the investment. It’s no different than any other hobby in my opinion. I’m sure Jay Leno doesn’t buy and restore all those classic cars for the investment aspect.
 
Collectors are not really in it for investment per se however they do know the value they have. I wouldn't say its mostly players that buy for investment though.
 
As kids we bought things/cues to use and enjoy (still do). The thought that anything would be a collectable never entered the mind. If we knew then what we know now...blah blah I'd would have bought a few Doc Frye's and some Rich cues and never used or touched them. As for cues...take me back to 60's and oh baby. The most sought after Gina Cue was offered for $3500... nobody wanted it. Last time I read the offer was $100,000 and a boat...and turned down.
Buy cues today.... who knows... the value is as good as the demand. Buy your favorite cue and enjoy it. Never mind getting one for an investment. My .02.
 
Right now, there are lots of cues out there that are unattainable because some people are hoarding them for investment purposes and that's aggravating for someone like myself who likes to collect not for the sole reason of investments. I don't think this will change anytime soon, but its hard for the up-and-comer builder to standout because of all the imported cues that are preferred by the upper echelon of players.

A little off topic but something that really annoys me these days is the middle man cue sellers who buy new and used cues for near retail and then turn around and attempt to sell for more than retail and advertise it like its a smokin deal, wont last long bullshit. And those poor people who buy it will lose a ton of they decide to part with it.
 
puckdaddy said:
A little off topic but something that really annoys me these days is the middle man cue sellers who buy new and used cues for near retail and then turn around and attempt to sell for more than retail and advertise it like its a smokin deal, wont last long bullshit. And those poor people who buy it will lose a ton of they decide to part with it.
Click to expand...
Like on our "For Sale" Forum? It seems that the minimum price for a used custom cue is always $2,500.00. Am I correct that few sell? Also, how about sellers with 2 year old listings and no price drop?
 
Biloxi Boy said:
Like on our "For Sale" Forum? It seems that the minimum price for a used custom cue is always $2,500.00. Am I correct that few sell? Also, how about sellers with 2 year old listings and no price drop?
Click to expand...
Id say this is more a of Facebook phenomena. The sales practice is a little purer here, lol, only slightly.
 
Men relate to things physically and emotionally and cues are just like guns, knives, cars, watches, etc.
First and foremost they serve a functional purpose. Thereafter, it becomes a matter of taste & affordability.
With cues, it comes to knowing what you like, want, what’s available, waiting period and design esthetics.

I’d rather wear a Rolex than my Breitling but realistically, even a Timex fills the bill. My Para P12 fits all my
requirements but I’d rather have a Wilson Combat EDC X9. I could recite more examples of price difference
and quality distinction that correlate to production vs. custom cues and cue maker reputation, etc. Ultimately,
what you buy and also actually use just reflects your taste and what you can afford. That’s exactly why I don’t
drive a new Aston Martin. One thing is for sure. Buy quality & take care of it and you always fetch the highest $.
 
Just buy what you fall in love with. It's a hobby. I will end up with a really nice Tasc or Owen within the next few years built to my specs and will play with it all the time. Maybe it goes up a bit, but that's not why I am buying one. Way easier to invest in something else like firearms if your into that thing. I know of a few that will go up exponentially over the next 10 years due to upcoming bans and potential trade embargo's. I just keep buying pool stuff because at this stage I get more enjoyment out of pool and that's what's it all about to me anyway.
 
I don't see cues as investments at all. I completely agree with Nyquil they are a hobby. Investing is serious business. Pool on the other hand is fun and a great way to socialize. If you like fancy cues great but do not expect them all to gain substantial value over time. Invest in ways that are solid proven ways to get a good return. I would not put pool cues in that realm...
 
I have bought cues with the intention of profit and did well. Overall I’ve made more on cues than I’ve lost. Not every deal was a winner. I’ve lost money as well.

Sometimes I like a cue and don’t care.

Other times I’ve bought cues with only the intention of reselling fast as possible with a intended profit.

Depends on the cue, and my mood.

I like pool first, cues 2nd.

Best
Fatboy

PS : having said what I did, it would be more beneficial for me to sell off the “Fatboy Collection” now than later. It’s a big number. But my $’s ok and I like my cues. So yeah I’m losing $ on them and I don’t care. Some of that money is profit from cues I’ve owned 30+ years.


I wouldn’t want to make it a biz I had to live off of.
 
A small question I have in mind. How crucial is the overall appearence of a cue for its resell value? Is it necessary to keep a cue 100% mint, which means no playing, no dents, no blueing? Or would it be possible to just give the cue a refinish, shaft cleaning, etc. before selling it without decreasing its value?
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top