Do you really support pool

poolplayer2093 said:
it sounds like you supported your local bar!
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I think some time people forget the actual cost of operating a vehicle, being self employed for many years, driving 60-70K miles/year for the business, I have a real good idea what and how to figure out actual cost of running a vehicle, be it leased, or purchased.

This cost of a Gallon of go go juice is just the beginning.:o
 
CocoboloCowboy said:
I think some time people forget the actual cost of operating a vehicle, being self employed for many years, driving 60-70K miles/year for the business, I have a real good idea what and how to figure out actual cost of running a vehicle, be it leased, or purchased.

This cost of a Gallon of go go juice is just the beginning.:o
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i didn't mean that it didn't cost you anything. but it sounds like you went to a bar to play. bar pool isn't really in any danger of dying out. as long as people drinkthere're going to be people that play bar pool. that's what i meant
 
I spend $60 to $100 per week at the local pool hall. How about you?
This is not tournament entry money.
 
poolplayer2093 said:
i didn't mean that it didn't cost you anything. but it sounds like you went to a bar to play. bar pool isn't really in any danger of dying out. as long as people drinkthere're going to be people that play bar pool. that's what i meant
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Well if my memory serves me correct in the Phoenix Metro Area there are 6, or 7 places that are open to the public that have Big Tables, and BARS are struggling in this ecomoney. Yes I was at a Bar yesterday.:wink:
 
abbassi said:
I spend $60 to $100 per week at the local pool hall. How about you?
This is not tournament entry money.
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Thank you for being part of the solution to a better pool economy and not being part of the problem. This room owner thanks you....just in case your local owner does not.
 
If a room don't make it on the tables it ain't gonna make it. I don't like to eat and play pool or drink and play either and I think that goes for some others too.

If I'm playin with someone for like 3 hours or more, 4 times a week they are getting my money. They are supplying me with a service and I'm paying for it and many upscale rooms are expensive and playing loud music and it is not like eating in a quiet place.

In one rm where I really played a lot and got free coffee perhaps at least once or twice a month I would bring a box of a dozen Dunkin Donuts for the crew working there and they thanked me a lot.
 
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Cha Ching!

grindz said:
Capitalism will prevail........
good business plans will succeed, and poor will fail. Everyone is under some pressure these days, and going down to the nearest room and paying time, playing in a tourney, buying a beer or some merchandise, it all helps. Vote with your dollars and help the ones that serve you best to stay afloat.

td
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If I'm headed to Cornfed Red's here in town, I'm definitely skipping McDonalds. Cornfed's Bacon mozarella mushroom burger may be the best in it's class & for the money! Their cajun chicken sandwich is a tasty alternative too. Both come with tons of fries (thin mcd's like) and no more than $7 the last time I checked. I agree...serve a good product and I'll buy.
 
As far as buying cues locally goes I have said MANY TIMES that every room owner in the country can offer the same price and selection as any online retailer.

HOW? Simply put up a computer with links to EVERY online dealer. Tell the customer to find the cue that they want and figure up the total price including shipping then offer it AT THAT SAME price to the customer WITH A GUARANTEE and a LOCAL PLACE to go back to if there is ANY PROBLEM at all with the mechandise.

Every poolroom can purchase cues at wholesale. I'd say that excluding very special custom cues just about 99.99% of production items are available for room owners to purchase at wholesale prices. So if a customer has to have the Purple Blaze cue then the room owner can let them shop for it at the room's computer, advise them on the purchase, collect payment and then the ROOM OWNER can order it in two minutes and present it to the customer in a few days. The room owner makes a little less than retail but he gains a GUARANTEED sale and also retains a customer.

(not to mention that very often room owners can even get products at a larger discount if the purchase some quantity or buy the specials. So they can still have decent profits on sales.)

As for whether I eat at the room or not depends on the food offered at the room, what I am hungry for, and the situation. I don't DONATE money to the room for extra stuff just because the room is there. I expect to go and play pool and pay for the table time and I will order as much food and drink as I want to depending on my needs. If the prices at the pool room are inordinately high compared to what they serve then they probably will see a lot of folks skipping the menu offerings there.

I tend to think that most people opt for convenience and aren't overly worried about pinching pennies. I mean I don't pay much attention to everyone's spending habits but from what I can see the tournament players and league players generally run a little tab for drinks and food.

It's not fair to lay a guilt trip on the consumers, they are doing what comsumers are supposed to do, maximizing their experience at the lowest cost. The service provider needs to find ways to give them the maximum value at the lowest cost. I didn't say cheap. For example dressing up a hamburger with A1 steak sauce marianade might be enough to make someone forget about a $2 big mac and opt for the pool room's $4 hamburger.

I know that in some poolrooms I have been in I couldn't wait to order their special sandwich, quesadilla, nachos or whatever. In others I wouldn't eat the food if they were giving it away.
 
maldito said:
If a room don't make it on the tables it ain't gonna make it. .
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Very few rooms make it on table time. Do the math. 10 tables, $5 per hour, 10 hours a day would bring in a whopping $500 per day! That is assuming that EVERY table is rented out EVERY hour of EVERY day!
Now take out building rent which around here would run about $6000 per month for a 5000 square foot space. Utility bills, Insurance, Business licenses, taxes, table upkeep, payroll...the list goes on. If all a room owner had to live on was profits from table time after expenses, he would be better off on welfare!

Steve
 
Here's how I support it:

-- I provide a free video viewing / upload site for non-copyrighted pool material. The business model is ad revenue and the income is anemic.
-- I advertise on AZB via Google Adwords -- now totalling in the hundreds of dollars and still running monthly
-- I am a supporting Member of AZB
-- I enrolled in AdChalk for one month to get my site promoted on the chalk they freely give to pool rooms

As far as home-made ball polishers, I think it's great. That is a big help for people who are looking to save money and invest it in pool in other ways. It gives a ball-cleaning tool to someone who might not otherwise have been in the market for one, and as a result will improve their own quality of experience with the game. If manufacturers can't make useful, unique products that generate high demand (with or without competing DIY instructions), then maybe that business should look for other business models or products to sell.
 
I only make it out to the actual pool hall on the weekends. But when I am there i usually am there all day and spend roughly 30 doolars on table time alone. The place I go divides the day up in 3 chuncks and its 10 bucks per player flat rate. This is very popular for people like me who are there for the long haul. I also have most of my repair work done there and almost always end up spending another 50-100 on whatever I think I have to have that day lol. I have bought several cues and cases from them but I am to the point now where Ive seen enough shoan's in that case lol, some of wich have been there for atleast a couple years.

I guess what I am trying to say is Yes, I do support my pool hall. :)
 
pooltchr said:
Very few rooms make it on table time. Do the math. 10 tables, $5 per hour, 10 hours a day would bring in a whopping $500 per day! That is assuming that EVERY table is rented out EVERY hour of EVERY day!
Now take out building rent which around here would run about $6000 per month for a 5000 square foot space. Utility bills, Insurance, Business licenses, taxes, table upkeep, payroll...the list goes on. If all a room owner had to live on was profits from table time after expenses, he would be better off on welfare!

Steve
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Perhaps the new upscale rms (large bar and eating area but they also charge more than $5.00 / hr ) and have a large volume on weekends.
 
JB Cases said:
As far as buying cues locally goes I have said MANY TIMES that every room owner in the country can offer the same price and selection as any online retailer.

HOW? Simply put up a computer with links to EVERY online dealer. Tell the customer to find the cue that they want and figure up the total price including shipping then offer it AT THAT SAME price to the customer WITH A GUARANTEE and a LOCAL PLACE to go back to if there is ANY PROBLEM at all with the mechandise.
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TRUE.

Every poolroom can purchase cues at wholesale. I'd say that excluding very special custom cues just about 99.99% of production items are available for room owners to purchase at wholesale prices. So if a customer has to have the Purple Blaze cue then the room owner can let them shop for it at the room's computer, advise them on the purchase, collect payment and then the ROOM OWNER can order it in two minutes and present it to the customer in a few days. The room owner makes a little less than retail but he gains a GUARANTEED sale and also retains a customer.

(not to mention that very often room owners can even get products at a larger discount if the purchase some quantity or buy the specials. So they can still have decent profits on sales.)
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TRUE

As for whether I eat at the room or not depends on the food offered at the room, what I am hungry for, and the situation. I don't DONATE money to the room for extra stuff just because the room is there. I expect to go and play pool and pay for the table time and I will order as much food and drink as I want to depending on my needs. If the prices at the pool room are inordinately high compared to what they serve then they probably will see a lot of folks skipping the menu offerings there.

I tend to think that most people opt for convenience and aren't overly worried about pinching pennies. I mean I don't pay much attention to everyone's spending habits but from what I can see the tournament players and league players generally run a little tab for drinks and food.

It's not fair to lay a guilt trip on the consumers, they are doing what comsumers are supposed to do, maximizing their experience at the lowest cost. The service provider needs to find ways to give them the maximum value at the lowest cost. I didn't say cheap. For example dressing up a hamburger with A1 steak sauce marianade might be enough to make someone forget about a $2 big mac and opt for the pool room's $4 hamburger.
Click to expand...

TRUE

I know that in some poolrooms I have been in I couldn't wait to order their special sandwich, quesadilla, nachos or whatever. In others I wouldn't eat the food if they were giving it away.
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Metro Sports Bar & Billiards, and Kolby's are the only rooms in the Valley of the Sun, who food is of good quality IMHO. not just some Costco stuff that is Deep Friend, or Nuked!
 
I do support pool...

I agree with you for some of the reasons pool rooms have problems now days.

When we go to a pool room to play, we eat there as well. We even try and look in their pro-shop for anything we need.

...............................But, I also believe with the economy in the slumps the pool rooms can do some other things to boost their sales. Instead of giving ladies free pool etc., drop the hourly rate for all. Pool rooms could offer VIP cards for their most valued players - $ ??? per month, all you can play! Punch cards for retail sales in their pro-shop or when food is purchased.

Players want to play but money is an issue everywhere. I believe a suggestion box is the most valuable tool a business can have. Real suggestions or comments can give the business owner a since of what he/she is doing right or suggestions for change.



.....................Just my opinion.... I do support my sport:wink:





chris_williams said:
I dont mean to seem argumentative or act like I am holier than though. But a big problem with pool is lack of support. I understand that the economy is in the tank right now and money is tight. I think now more than ever we need to support our vendors and sponsors. I see people all of the time that come to pool halls and pay table time but on the way to the pool room they will stop at Mcdonalds because the food at the room is too high. They will buy the cues on E-bay because they dont want the room owner to mark up the price. Now, when there are no places to play people want to blame smoking bans and economy. One problem with pool is lack of support from the players. I see threads on here all of the time about homemade ball polishers. What about the companies making ball polishers. Arent they part of the billiard community too. There is more to supporting pool than showing up and paying table time. Eat , drink, and buy products from pool people.
I am really not looking for an argument and didnt mean to get on my soap box, I just wanted to give people something to think about. Thank you for reading
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chris_williams said:
I dont mean to seem argumentative or act like I am holier than though. But a big problem with pool is lack of support. I understand that the economy is in the tank right now and money is tight. I think now more than ever we need to support our vendors and sponsors. I see people all of the time that come to pool halls and pay table time but on the way to the pool room they will stop at Mcdonalds because the food at the room is too high. They will buy the cues on E-bay because they dont want the room owner to mark up the price. Now, when there are no places to play people want to blame smoking bans and economy. One problem with pool is lack of support from the players. I see threads on here all of the time about homemade ball polishers. What about the companies making ball polishers. Arent they part of the billiard community too. There is more to supporting pool than showing up and paying table time. Eat , drink, and buy products from pool people.
I am really not looking for an argument and didnt mean to get on my soap box, I just wanted to give people something to think about. Thank you for reading
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Sorry, I haven't read all the responses to your post. I thought I'd respond directly with out reading them so you'd know you got my unbiased opinion.

Who the hell are you to get up on your soap box and tell me I should be buying a $50 Cuetech for $200 from a pool hall pro shop to support pool.

For your information there are many ways to support pool and few of them have to do with spending money. Do you help run a league? Do you encourage new players and spend time teaching them the fundamentals? Have you organized or ran any tournaments?

What exactly is it you do to support pool?

:sorry: <------- this is me setting fire to your soapbox. Get off your high horse!!!!

Just my less than humble opinion
 
People do what they can...who are we to judge?

Hmmm. thinking about this thread. Instead of asking what do others do for pool, or expecting others to hold to a pre conceived notion of what I think they should be doing...I honestly asked myself what have I done in the past 15 years and why. The why is easy - because it is my life, one which I love. Initially years ago I aspired to be a lawyer then I decided there were enough lawyers in the country and we did not need me to be another one.

I have worked in consulting and real estate have lived frugally and not so frugally. Have traveled extensively and came to one conclusion that anything done without conviction and passion lacks the ability to be at it's best. The economy is tough...this is not the first time and will not be the last time. Economics is cyclical and always has been, history shows that. To expect anything otherwise is non realistic.

People do what they can at the level they feel comfortable with. I cannot throw and will not ever throw a stone at a person for not doing or reacting to something in the manner in which I THINK THEY SHOULD. I do not walk in someone else's shoes, just my own.

Now with that being said. Pool room owners around the country are working hard to meet their monthly overhead and still provide places for folks to play. They are aware that their clientelle are also dealing with rising cost of living and that typically when costs rise yet income does not at the same pace, the first area of expendetures that get cut in life is in recreation. This is a time to work together as much as possible not just in pool but also in life.

I want to say thank you to all of those, the room owners and organizers, tournament directors and players as well as friends around the country who have supported the launch of the NCS. I am aware and will always be aware of your vital role in it's success and appreciate it.

Now a shameless plug of the NCS 8-Ball National Championship calendar of qualifiers around the country:

http://forums.azbilliards.com/showthread.php?t=114718

or visit: www.playcsipool.com
go to events / NCS / NCS Calendar

Be Blessed!
 
supergreenman said:
Sorry, I haven't read all the responses to your post. I thought I'd respond directly with out reading them so you'd know you got my unbiased opinion.

Who the hell are you to get up on your soap box and tell me I should be buying a $50 Cuetech for $200 from a pool hall pro shop to support pool.

For your information there are many ways to support pool and few of them have to do with spending money. Do you help run a league? Do you encourage new players and spend time teaching them the fundamentals? Have you organized or ran any tournaments?

What exactly is it you do to support pool?

:sorry: <------- this is me setting fire to your soapbox. Get off your high horse!!!!

Just my less than humble opinion
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Well, this tone was somewhat unnecessary and actually does not help support your case. Chris and I dont necessarily agree 100% on this, but you've taken the wrong direction with him. Chris Williams actually runs one of the largest BCA leagues in the country, he helps run the biggest Friday night tournament here in central Ohio and he's put on state and regional tournaments both here in Ohio and at the DCC. So questioning Chris on how he has supported and helped pool is not the best position to take in this discussion.
 
I guess this was taken out of text by some people. I never meant to question anyones loyalties to pool or tell them they had to spend there money anywhere. Its your money and a free country. This thread was only meant to be a reminder of other ways we could help our local pool rooms succeed in a bad time for the economy and for pool. Just for the record I dont own a pool room or sell cues and accessories. I apologize to anyone who tooks this personal
 
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beav99_4life said:
Well, this tone was somewhat unnecessary and actually does not help support your case. Chris and I dont necessarily agree 100% on this, but you've taken the wrong direction with him. Chris Williams actually runs one of the largest BCA leagues in the country, he helps run the biggest Friday night tournament here in central Ohio and he's put on state and regional tournaments both here in Ohio and at the DCC. So questioning Chris on how he has supported and helped pool is not the best position to take in this discussion.
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Without the proper context one would never know the right position to take. I don't know Chris or what he's involved in, I certainly didn't mean to say he wasn't doing enough, I only wanted to point out there were other ways to support the sport than buying equipment from room owners at inflated prices.
 
I recently supported the industry to the tune of $5.2k for my Diamond Pro Am and its set-up... and another $424 for 860HR replacement cloth that I'll use down the road. And add on top of that another $75 in pool-related birthday gifts that I purchased for my g/f's brother, who also owns his own table. And then there's the OB-1 and the Z2 shafts that I recently purchased as well... plus some DVDs from TAR and Little Joe. I could go on.

Although I rarely frequent a pool room any more, I still support the industry with my pocketbook. :thumbup2:
 
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