Do you really support pool

chris_williams

chris_williams

AzB Silver Member
Silver Member
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
 
chris_williams said:
How much did you spend this weekend?
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About $30. But in all honesty Chris, I just feel its kind of irresponsible to ask people to spend more money at the pool hall of all places during this current economic time. Several older people have lost alot of their retirement funds, the cost of living is growing, inflation is growing, the value of the dollar is decreasing and our overall system is in turmoil, but you think people should be more worried about spending a few extra dollars at the pool hall. I know this is your business brother, and I hope you come through it and prosper, but I just dont think you should expect people to make supporting their local pool hall a major priority in their financial planning right now.
 
Nothing wrong in asking players to consider spending a little more at their local pool room of choice.

No income at the pool room means NO POOL ROOM.
 
Tom In Cincy said:
No income at the pool room means NO POOL ROOM.
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That is an excellent argument for finding room for a pool table in your home. I'm sure glad that I did. :wink:
 
I have 2 thoughts on this. First, if the only way someone can really afford in these times to go to the pool room is to have McDonalds on their way there then at least they are still going there right? Secondly though, I agree that it may be just $2 to $3 more to eat at the pool room, thats no big deal.
As far as cues and merchandise go, its a judgement call. For example I bought a $350.00 driver on EBAY for $100.00 still in the box and spanking new. Would I be wise to throw $250 away to say I was supporting my golf club?? Now if my golf club was selling the same driver for $120, I would buy it there. This goes also for cues etc, As long as the difference in price in minimal I say buy it from the local pool room or retail supply store.
I try to do alot to support pool in general as do most people I think on here.
Its just a matter of making the call yourself as to how much more you are willing to pay for the same product to support the pool room and or sport in general.
 
Steve, I dont own a pool room and I dont sell accessories or cues. I certainly dont see how it is irresponsible to ask people to support our sport. I was just kidding about your money this weekend. I understand people are on budgets but we still need to support our sport.
 
You have some good points here, but I don't think pool rooms could find ways to get us to your pool room and then in it, find ways for us to spend money.

I actually feel quite terrible about my situation - I play free on Mondays - chicks play free all day and night on Monday at the pool room I practice at. I only drink water (no caffeine or alcohol when I play) and so I was only spending money to tip - not paying for anything --> table time or drinks or food.

They started selling bottle water so I finally had something to pay for!! :)

But, I feel bad b/c I go b/c it's free so it helps me, but at the same time, the economy is bad and I know all pool rooms are hurting.

I realize just me paying table time or buying drinks wont keep the place open, but they did a lot of things to get players there and help themselves during this economic hardship:

Bottle water, started in house leagues on slow nights, having big break contests, opening two hours later, etc.
 
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I think we should support our local Businesses if their is some value. I agree with BFDLAD, I will spend a little more to keep it in the community, I will not pay a lot more though.

I have not been to a pool hall in years and a month ago I went to a local PH and it was 90% empty from 5:30pm- 8:00pm on a Wed night. It was pretty expensive to say the least. I was looking at the rates and it was about $9hr for 1 player, $10 something for 2 players and $12 something for 3 players. There were 3 of us and I was thinking to myself "How does this guy staf in business". Sholdn't he charge the same regardless of how many players are at a table. There were only two of us playing at a time and the third was paying more just to sit there.

I understand when it is busy to charge those rates, but when the PH is empty you need to be a bit more creative with pricing. It will be a while before I go back. I got bit by the "bug" shooting again that I just bought a used table. The good new is, now that I will play better (hopefully with practice), i might visit the PH to play with better players down the road.
 
Maybe my post was taken out of text. Its anyones right where or where not to spend their money. I was just trying to make people more concious of ways to help support the establishments that support us.
 
I always felt the same way at tournaments. Most people realize that it's borderline whether the room will benefit at all from hosting a women's tournament. It's important to keep yourself hydrated throughout what can be very long days (IE lots of water rather than alcohol or soda). I did my best and bought bottled water when it was available, and ate at the room whenever the food looked even remotely edible.

However, if I can save $50 or more by buying a cue, case or other paraphernalia somewhere else (I'm still supporting the sport, just not through the local pro shop) that's what I'm going to do. $50 is three or more days worth of food at my house.
 
I didn't change my mind on this topic.
Most of the time I play pool is at my club. We have our own room and pay 35€/50$ per month to play. The executive members and team captains have a key to the room, every other member can apply for one, so you're able to play 24/7 with no table fees. Prices for the drinks are very low as we as a club are not allowed to generate much profit by law. A beer is at 1,60? - you pay 2,50-2,80 in a poolroom
I always pay a full amount of money - 4,70 is 5?, 9,20 is 10 etc because I'm a member of the club, so I know where the money goes.
Of course we charge the same prices for the away teams visiting us, so they are happy about the low prices for the drinks and tip us generously.

Playing away in poolhalls I generally tip the waitress well. They are students most of the time, so I know how tight on money they are, but I drink less during a match. Mostly a coffee and a beer after the match, sometimes a Coke as well. At home I have multiple coffees, some candybars, etc.
Playing for fun with friends in a poolhall I always have 4-5 drinks, so i'm between 10-15 Euros plus partial table fee
But being a league player I have to practice with full consciousness and that's not possible shooting some pool with your friends who are freetime players, so you have to lose to stay longer than 30min etc. and also not possible on the weekend in a crowded poolhall with loud music and people having no idea what you do NOT pocketing the ball etc. pp

I buy my equipment online at German shops, but they have a showroom as well. It's just that none of them is near my hometown. Closest would be 100 miles per way.

But I did buy my playing cue online in the States because I didn't find it at any german shop that had it listed - Mezz Z606 from platinum.

And I will buy my custom cue some time from Bryan Mordt or Kenny Murrell, because they offer a very good value for money. I would love to own a Vollmer, but for the money I have to pay for a plain 4 pointer from Michael I get a fancy 8 pointer from Bryan or Kenneth - with ivory ferrule, joint and inlays, veneers and stuff
In clear speech: I can't afford the Vollmer I want - would be 3500+x opposite to the 1500 overseas
 
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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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people play pool at the poo hall you go to?there's nothing but rail birds where i go. a couple of them try to talke the employees into giving them free sodas instead of buying them too
 
No guilt needed.......

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
 
Tom In Cincy said:
Nothing wrong in asking players to consider spending a little more at their local pool room of choice.

No income at the pool room means NO POOL ROOM.
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Ditto...

It doesnt really bother me when I have customers come in less because of economic hardship. Kids I used to see 3 times a week come in one time a week now. It bothers me 10 times more to have people just loiter all day watching free tv and bringing in thier own big gulp from 7/11 and complaining that there is no one playing pool.

Now we turn off the lights to save energy. The new complaint is there isnt enough lights on to read the newspaper that is free.
 
Both sides of the argument have valid points! Is buying from a Company like Omega, Mueller's, or Pool Dawgs, etc. allowed? as if we buy from these guys, I am not supporting the Local RIP OFF GUY, like Conneley?s.

Last night I drove Round Trip 70 Miles to Play in a Tournament, it costs me $.55/Mile to operate my Car (that trip cost $38.50), plus I paid $5.00 Entry Fee, another $3.50 in quarters before I was (2) and out, and last a Ice Tea & Tip at the Venue was $3.00, and that is a total of $50.00 last night?s "support"!

I always eat at home before going out to play at night, reason is I can control what eat, and not eat a bunch of JUNK!
 
CocoboloCowboy said:
Both sides of the argument have valid points! Is buying from a Company like Omega, Mueller's, or Pool Dawgs, etc. allowed? as if we buy from these guys, I am not supporting the Local RIP OFF GUY, like Conneley?s.

Last night I drove Round Trip 70 Miles to Play in a Tournament, it costs me $.55/Mile to operate my Car (that trip cost $38.50), plus I paid $5.00 Entry Fee, another $3.50 in quarters before I was (2) and out, and last a Ice Tea & Tip at the Venue was $3.00, and that is a total of $50.00 last night?s "support"!

I always eat at home before going out to play at night, reason is I can control what eat, and not eat a bunch of JUNK!
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it sounds like you supported your local bar!
 
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