I would like to know how a custom cue maker determines the price for one of their cues. I know that obviously there is the materials used and amount of time and work required. but are there any other variables that determine the price. The reason that I ask is because I have contacted a lot of cue makers about a design that I have for a cue and there was this wide range of prices from 450 to 1500. That is a big difference. Are there cuemakers out there that charge more for their cues just because of their name and reputation? I know that there are some famous cuemakers out there that make some awesome cues but why would their cues cost so much more than the others if they are using the same materials and taking the same amount of time. Now Im not talking about some no name cuemakers that I just happen to come across. All the cuemakers that I have talked to ( I feel) are some of the best cuemakers out there. They have been talked about numerous times on this messageboard. But are some cuemakers better than the others? Is one ACA members cue better than another members or non-member?Its not that I have a problem with their prices its just that I would like to know why there is such a huge difference in the pricing ?What are some opinions are custom cue pricing?
Custom cue pricing
- Thread starter NOSAJ03
- Start date
Custom cue making is a very demanding process. The skills necessary take years to develop. The materials used in most cues are not a big part of the cost. The cost is the cue makers time and overhead. When you have employees and machinery, electricty, rent, and never ending needs for supplies and tools, you can't afford to give your time away.
The big name makers charge more because there is more demand for their cues and less of a supply. I wonder how many of them are really making a profit - there are so many cue makers.
A custom cue is just that - it's your personal thing. If you can get what you want at a price you can afford, you've done well. If you can do it from a big name maker, so much the better.
Chris
The big name makers charge more because there is more demand for their cues and less of a supply. I wonder how many of them are really making a profit - there are so many cue makers.
A custom cue is just that - it's your personal thing. If you can get what you want at a price you can afford, you've done well. If you can do it from a big name maker, so much the better.
Chris
There is alot of paying for name in custom cues. Some cue makers will sell you a completely plain, no points cue for $400, some will charge you $1000 or even more.
If you have a cue maker that wants to make the cue for the lower end of your money scale and you like his work (both asthetic and the playability of former cues) then by all means give him the business. There is a very good chance that the cuemakers that are willing to make the cue for less are just as good at making cues and are just a little more in need of the work due to being a little less well known and mainstream like a Richard Black, Southwest, ect....
Just as long as you have done your homework and know that the cuemakers on the lower end of the scale can build you the cue you want. You need to be able to judge this.
If you have a cue maker that wants to make the cue for the lower end of your money scale and you like his work (both asthetic and the playability of former cues) then by all means give him the business. There is a very good chance that the cuemakers that are willing to make the cue for less are just as good at making cues and are just a little more in need of the work due to being a little less well known and mainstream like a Richard Black, Southwest, ect....
Just as long as you have done your homework and know that the cuemakers on the lower end of the scale can build you the cue you want. You need to be able to judge this.
What's the difference between a $400 KC cue that looks and is built 'like' a Soutwest cue vs. the real $2,500 Southwest cue. No disrespect to Mr. Franklin but only the maker could tell you. I've never hit a SW cue so I coulnd't tell you.
The hit...OOOH do the Southwest cues that I have hit have a sweet hit. Of course that is totally up to the player.. Top cuemakers have the right to charge more, they have earned their reputation and there is a DEMAND for quality out there.
I would rather spend a boatload for something that I know is going to last and a cue that fits my stroke. It all boils down to what you want...
I'm outta here..............
I would rather spend a boatload for something that I know is going to last and a cue that fits my stroke. It all boils down to what you want...
I'm outta here..............
Yeah I was looking around online for makers to make me a cue this last January. Most said it would be about $1500+ for what I wanted, and with their back log of orders be over a year and a half. Just by randomness I went into a bar by my parents and saw my maker (who I've known for a few years) and he said he started making cues. He said he could make mine in 6 months for $700. I told him to go for it. Is it a Southwest? No. Is it a Samsara or other well known cuemaker? No. It is an unknown cuemaker that will probably never go bigtime. Do I care? Perhaps. Does it hit like a Southwest? Yes it does and that is all that matters to me....of course I would like it to be worth as much as a Balabushka some day, but oh well it'll do me just fine for now. Half price and way less the wait is just fine by me.
One cue maker that I think is under rated and is less known is Bill Dominiak. I have been playing with one of his cues made this year and IMO, hits great. I like his craftsman ship, customer service, he's a great guy and I've talked to his wife a few times. His cues are really, really good, IMO.
(and I'm not just saying that because I sell his cues, that's what I prefer to play with also!)
Zim
(and I'm not just saying that because I sell his cues, that's what I prefer to play with also!)
Zim
I am actually looking to have a cue made for me by Viattorre cues in the Phillipines. I like what I've seen of their products online, the craftsmanship looks great. I have submitted my design and they quoted me a very reasonable price and reasonable turn around. I also like how they post pictures of your cue in progress on the site, that is key since I am in the states. If they do a good job on this cue, which I am sure they will, I already have a second one lined up to be built.
Even with big names, it seems that there is a big variation depending on what you want. We were talking to scruggs about a cue for my husband and what he wanted was no points, no inlays, irish linen. I got points and leather wrap so the price was higher. I think his basic cue is very reasonable. Mine was pretty reasonable too when you consider what I got.
You may pay something for the name, but what is the value of knowing you will be getting perfection.
Laura
You may pay something for the name, but what is the value of knowing you will be getting perfection.
Laura
Bluewolf said:
I really dont think that is fair to say because that would imply that any other name would be inferior or less than perfect. However, if what you say really is the case then why the variation and what would make one cuemaker differ from the others if in the end what I will get is perfection? I really just want to know why some cuemakers charged differently if they are all making the same thing. Why would I pay 1500 if I can get the same thing for 450? I was asking the same thing from each of the cuemakers nothing more nothing less. I was just amazed at the huge difference in price. What would cause a cuemaker to charge more for the same thing that another cuemaker is making for less?
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At the orientation for my current job they asked us how we thought the company arrived at the figure we are paid. Most said things like cost of living, current profit margins, price of raw materials, etc. The answer was that the company polled similar companies in the area and payed us just a little more, but as low as possible, to insure that they attracted and retained the best possible prospects.
I would say that any craftsmen selling his/her creations sets prices in the same way, just kind of flip-flopped. They would sell them for as high a price as possible, but just low enough to attract and sell to the type of customer they are targeting. A good reputation, or a good marketing plan with a picture of a tourney winner, or dealers like Zim who plug your product will allow you to charge more than the next guy.
I would say that any craftsmen selling his/her creations sets prices in the same way, just kind of flip-flopped. They would sell them for as high a price as possible, but just low enough to attract and sell to the type of customer they are targeting. A good reputation, or a good marketing plan with a picture of a tourney winner, or dealers like Zim who plug your product will allow you to charge more than the next guy.
For the most part, cuemakers who have "made it" charge more and imho, deserve to charge more. After a cue is created, it stays in circulation for a very long time. Asides from aesthetics (perfect ringwork, perfect points, seamless veneers, etc), a cuemaker's reputation rests upon the durability and playability of their cues.
When you hand your $450 to a rookie cuemaker, you are hoping and praying that it will turn out perfect. Maybe it will, maybe it won't. Only time will tell. But for those cuemakers who've withstood the test of time, you are paying for promised perfection, and that of course come at a premium price.
Roger
When you hand your $450 to a rookie cuemaker, you are hoping and praying that it will turn out perfect. Maybe it will, maybe it won't. Only time will tell. But for those cuemakers who've withstood the test of time, you are paying for promised perfection, and that of course come at a premium price.
Roger
NOSAJ03 said:
Why does a Rolex cost more than a Timex? Does the same thing, parts are similar. The answer is not as easy as you are trying to make it out to be. Cuemakers like Paul Mottey can get more for a cue than Joe Blow cuemaker. Why? Because its like buying a Porsche in comparison to a Hyundai, or a Van Goh to a velvet Elvis.
You say you are asking the same thing from each cuemaker, but unless you draw up precise plans, including assembly, you are not. I would bet they all have their own way of assembling the joint, forearm to handle connection, to even doing a butt sleeve. Besides the name, they all know what it takes them to do a cue. Maybe cuemaker A needs 40 hours and cuemaker B needs 35 hours. Cuemaker A makes X per hour as does cuemaker B. Maybe cuemaker A lives in Bergen County NJ where the taxes are 5x more than cuemaker B in Bumbleweed Texas.. There is more to pricing a cue than the outer appearance of said cue. If it is so easy... maybe you should make one.
Joe
classiccues said:
I understand that there are other factors than aesthetics, I said that in my original post. I fully understand that concept but Im not comparing legends to nobodies. Im not comparing high end to low end, porsches to hyundais, it was more like Lamborghini to Ferrari. Im talking about the cream of the crop. I just didnt want to mention any names because I did not want to seem like I was talking bad about any of the cuemakers. I will just tell you that almost everyone that I had spoken to was either in the American Cuemakers Assoc. or their cues have been in the Blue book of pool cues. I didnt not want to put any money into a no name cue maker. I provided them with all the specifics of my cue from the butt cap to the tip. I am pretty sure that they all going to use the same materials because I specified what materials were to be used. I tried to be as precise as possible.
I didnt have a problem with their prices, Im sure that they are all justified in what they quoted me. I just wanted to know what are some of the reasons why someone would charge so differently. As I said before there was a huge difference in the price range. 450 to 1500 and to my suprise the one who quoted me the lowest price was actually the one who I thought who be the most expensive. This reason being I was wondering what are the factors that determine the price of a cue?
This link may answer some of your question about cue building pricing:
http://arnotq.com/pages/84/84.html
If you go to www.arnotq.com and click on 'Site Map', you will find other interesting information, including why 'the wait' is so long for your new cue(s)... Doug
http://arnotq.com/pages/84/84.html
If you go to www.arnotq.com and click on 'Site Map', you will find other interesting information, including why 'the wait' is so long for your new cue(s)... Doug
NOSAJ03 said:
Trying to be politically correct here.. but you have some flaws in your thinking..
A - Just because a cuemaker is in the ACA and or the Bluebook, doesn't make them the cream of the crop. It just means their cues passed ACA inspection and they filled out the right paperwork. I have seen cues by some people in the ACA and they obviously submitted the best work they could do to get in.
B - Does one cuemaker have alot of work, and the other no work at the moment. Times are tough, depending upon alot of factors, you will get varying prices. There are so many factors you may never know the answer to your question to full satisfaction.
Joe
Joe
classiccues said:
I appreciate your decency in responding to ways of thinking. However it may be a little hard for you to fully understand my logic because of the fact that you are unaware of who exactly I have spoken too. That is one factor that would completely justify my thinking. I want to rest assure you that the cuemakers that I speak of that are in the ACA and the bluebook have every reason to be. They are not in there because they have filled out the right paperwork. They are very well respected by are fellow members on AZbilliards. That is one thing that you must understand. The cuemakers that I have spoken to have be recommended highly by people who are not only players but are also collectors. I have noticed that you may know something about collector cues and to help you understand my thinking a little bit more, some of the cuemakers that I have spoken to are listed on your site!