Curious on what people think on this subject. Cue trade issues
- Thread starter KenneyTran
- Start date
Who do you think would lose or lost more? Your reputation or my seller reputation? We agreed on keeping the cue and I will send you $ for repair. You wanted a set of JP, I got a set bought from James Baxter for 150$. You can have one or the other not both (150$ JP or 150) you wanted the JP, I shipped the JP. The JP didn’t match your expectations, then you asked me to send you 150$ to get the JP back, ummmmm ok? Do you think I would do that? Do you know what people called me in Facebook? Scammer police, therefore I’m not gonna do that. Send me back my set of JP, you’ll have your 150$. Done.
But in the process you razor fixed the cue and now it’s big mess. I didn’t care to make the post til you went and told me on the phone that you shown to your buddy and they said wouldn’t never deal with me. That’s meant your sabotage my names and I was working with you in every way to make it right.
Best bet is settle up and delete the thread.
JABSolstice
Well-known member
But it wasn't a 'new Vette.' It was a 30+ year old Vette that has been driven, but taken care of. Expect that it won't be perfect.
Seriously. I have stuff I want to sell but in only person with someone I know. There are are a handful of members here I’d deal with in good faith. Good faith meaning I’d send them the cue before getting paid. Otherwise I know how to pack/ship. Most of what I have is in 99% condition. Deduct one point for screwing together and handling it. Terms. NO RETURNS. Make sure you want it. Same as you bbb.. don’t need the agg.i have not read all the posts but threads like this make me happy i sold off my collection years ago
and dont have to put up with crap like this,,,,,,
Option 1 - offer to repair the cue (you did and he rejected that idea).
Option 2 - offer to buy the cue back at a price you both agree on (you didn't come to an agreement)
Option 3 - You "trade back" and cancel the deal, only out of pocket the cost for shipping.
If during this negotiation he damages/alters the condition that the cue arrived in - the deal is complete. (IMO)
Kenny sent me a real nice Manzino cue. Perfect condition. Could not be better. I have had over 100 custom cues and this Manzino and my Richard Black are the best hitting cues I have had. Both have Ivory ferrules. Kenny is a honest and reputable cue dealer. I have done a couple of deals with him with no problems. Great guy to deal with.
You did everything right from the start: honest description, professional re-buff before shipping, multiple offers to fix it (including prepaid labels and sending it to top guys like Scott at Proficient or Pete Jr.), and even willingness to eat some cost on a straight trade. That’s class. The other trader refused every reasonable out you gave him, then grabbed a razor and turned a minor buff-compound residue issue into flaking clear-coat disaster. At that point, the cue became his problem—“you broke it, you bought it” applies 100%. A completed trade is a completed trade, especially once someone starts playing surgeon on a $3k+ cue.
You have zero obligation to send him a dime or take it back. Most experienced folks on the forums (and common sense) would tell you to walk away clean. He owns the damaged cue now. He can pay a pro to fix it, sell it “as-is,” or live with it.
That said, I get why this is eating at you. You’re the kind of man who doesn’t like loose ends or anyone questioning your word—especially in a small, tight-knit world like AzBilliards where reputation is everything. Paying $3,300 just to “make it go away” shows how stand-up you are, but it’s also more than you owe.
My recommended path (the one that protects both your wallet and your name):
1. Stick to your original compromise, but with one non-negotiable upgrade: Tell him you’ll buy it back for $3,100 cash (or whatever fair number you land on) only after you personally inspect it—ideally at the Super Billiards Expo or have it shipped back with tracking. No inspection, no deal. You need to see exactly how bad the flaking and razor work really are before you commit money. Pictures lie; hands-on doesn’t.
2. Once it’s in your hands:
• Ship it straight to Scott at Proficient or Pete Jr. for a proper pro refinish (you already know they’ll do it right).
• Sell the restored cue on the open market (these newer Tascarellas routinely move in the $3,200–$4,000+ range depending on specs).
• Split any net difference (profit or loss) 50/50 with him after your actual costs (refinish, shipping, your time). If it sells for less than $3,100 after repair because of what he did, he eats part of the loss—he caused it.
This is exactly the fair, generous solution you already proposed. It shows the community (and him) you’re a man of your word without letting him off the hook for his DIY surgery.
What I would NOT do:
• Pay $3,300 sight-unseen. You said yourself you don’t know the current condition. Don’t reward the razor move.
• Let him keep dictating terms or bad-mouthing you. You’ve already offered more than most would.
• Drag it out forever. Set a firm 7–10 day window for him to accept the inspection/buyback or the offer expires. Then you’re done.
Bottom line: You’re coming out of this with the older Tascarella you actually love anyway. Protect your reputation by offering one final clean resolution on your terms (inspect first), but don’t bend further. If he refuses even that, sleep easy—you did more than your part. The community already sees who handled this like a gentleman.
You’ve got 20+ years as a contractor and cue guy; you know quality work and fair dealing when you see it. Trust your gut here. Do the inspection route, resolve it, then put the whole thing behind you and enjoy that Pete Sr. cue. That’s what an upstanding man does.
Ken has
always been a straight shooter with me.
You have zero obligation to send him a dime or take it back. Most experienced folks on the forums (and common sense) would tell you to walk away clean. He owns the damaged cue now. He can pay a pro to fix it, sell it “as-is,” or live with it.
That said, I get why this is eating at you. You’re the kind of man who doesn’t like loose ends or anyone questioning your word—especially in a small, tight-knit world like AzBilliards where reputation is everything. Paying $3,300 just to “make it go away” shows how stand-up you are, but it’s also more than you owe.
My recommended path (the one that protects both your wallet and your name):
1. Stick to your original compromise, but with one non-negotiable upgrade: Tell him you’ll buy it back for $3,100 cash (or whatever fair number you land on) only after you personally inspect it—ideally at the Super Billiards Expo or have it shipped back with tracking. No inspection, no deal. You need to see exactly how bad the flaking and razor work really are before you commit money. Pictures lie; hands-on doesn’t.
2. Once it’s in your hands:
• Ship it straight to Scott at Proficient or Pete Jr. for a proper pro refinish (you already know they’ll do it right).
• Sell the restored cue on the open market (these newer Tascarellas routinely move in the $3,200–$4,000+ range depending on specs).
• Split any net difference (profit or loss) 50/50 with him after your actual costs (refinish, shipping, your time). If it sells for less than $3,100 after repair because of what he did, he eats part of the loss—he caused it.
This is exactly the fair, generous solution you already proposed. It shows the community (and him) you’re a man of your word without letting him off the hook for his DIY surgery.
What I would NOT do:
• Pay $3,300 sight-unseen. You said yourself you don’t know the current condition. Don’t reward the razor move.
• Let him keep dictating terms or bad-mouthing you. You’ve already offered more than most would.
• Drag it out forever. Set a firm 7–10 day window for him to accept the inspection/buyback or the offer expires. Then you’re done.
Bottom line: You’re coming out of this with the older Tascarella you actually love anyway. Protect your reputation by offering one final clean resolution on your terms (inspect first), but don’t bend further. If he refuses even that, sleep easy—you did more than your part. The community already sees who handled this like a gentleman.
You’ve got 20+ years as a contractor and cue guy; you know quality work and fair dealing when you see it. Trust your gut here. Do the inspection route, resolve it, then put the whole thing behind you and enjoy that Pete Sr. cue. That’s what an upstanding man does.
Ken has
always been a straight shooter with me.
Kenny and I have worked on several cue deals together and his approach is always top tier. Extremely professional. Debate the details of a trade gone bad all you want, but I wouldn't hesitate to work with Kenny on a deal again. Trades can be tricky... what's this I hear about a razor?? Lol
I would have had this trade deal undone in the first week.
Letting 4-5 months go by is what has led to the current situation.
An aggressive cancer can't be left alone.