No problem getting me to agree that the difference between a Gus refinished by "someone" and a Gus refinished by Barry is huge and, in my opinion, a deal breaker. I assume it was an innocent mistake on Don's part, and one he should be responsible for.
May I suggest that you speak with Barry regarding this cue. I've always found him to be very approachable and way willing to listen and talk about either his father's or his own cues, very. I would of course be looking to eliminate the "Jimbo sex Barry sez" aspect of your claim, and get the final word from the only one who can truly say. That would just serve to strengthen your position. And while you have him on the phone you might want to inquire about the cost and (*cringe*) time-frame of a total proper refinish from the Szams. I do think the non-Szam refinish is a completely just cause to demand a unwind of the deal, but a completely brand new Szam supplied refinish at Don's expense might be an alternative solution that if I was the buyer (and I know I'm not) I would find to be attractive.
One last question. Wasn't Barry and Jimmy at that show? (Maybe this aspect is the "more to the story" part).
Thanks
Kevin
All good questions Kevin.
However, Don refused to pay for the refinish from Barry (which I will not quote price or time here). So the agreement was for me to send the Gus back to Don and I chose other cues from his inventory. This was a big mistake on my part but I will live and learn. I picked a Barry Szamboti 4 point 4 veneer cue ($6,000) and a Bill Schick Hustler ($1,500). The balance was to be paid by bank check or money order. I agreed to "pay" Don $500 for his troubles and he only had to send $500 to me. This would have completed the deal.
Upon receipt of the cues, I did not find the bank check or money order in the package. There was one other issue. One of the Barry shafts was warped. I immediately sent Don an email. He claimed he thought I was going to send him $500. Then he said he would send the money as soon as possible because he had a few other deals pending and he was waiting for cash. I trusted him and said no problem. He also remembered the shaft was warped and said he would pay for a new shaft direct from Barry. Once again, I said no problem.
Here is where it gets sticky. I was told Barry would refinish the Gus (and I figured this was my best bet) and I would pay the refinish cost. I sent Don an email saying I was displeased with the Barry and how it was represented after I spoke to a previous owner of the cue. Regret took over and I sent Don an apology a few hours later via email. I decided to call Don (which was his preferred method) and ask if he would ship the Gus back (at my cost) and I would have the cue refinished (at my cost). He agreed.
I was a pretty happy guy at this point. Even though it was going to cost me the refinish, I would have a Gus Szamboti window that I had desired for many years.
Don emailed me the next morning saying the deal was off and I was not getting any cash back. I immediately called him in a panic.
He said I called him a liar and a cheat (which I never did) and that the deal was complete as he saw it. I tried to stay calm but emotion took and I used bad language during our conversation. I never called him a name, but I dropped several f-bombs and other cursory words. At this point I was out $1,000 and the cost of a Barry shaft ($375 shipped). I know I overpaid for the Barry and Schick but I could not take get beat out of the other money.
His wife got on the phone and started to tell me the deal was done. She said they do not speak that way in their house and I should be ashamed of myself. I apologized several times and tried to explain the deal was not done. She said one last time that the deal was done and to never call back. Then she hung up on me.
I called and left a voicemail tonight but have not received a call back as of yet.
Any suggestions what I do now?
Thanks,
Chris
