Do's and Dont's Guide To Ordering Custom Cues

josey is a great guy
there are several that are worthy
i just put the ones that i know are very good
josey has a very good reputation i bought a cue from him once

this cue was so phenominal
you could draw a ball so good it wasn't believable

iwas playing with jerry franklin and drew a ball so much that it
looked like a masse

jerrry grabbed the cue ,gave me his and played the rest of the day with the josey

in dealing with josey i was greatly impressed with him as a person,manners etc

my list is not exhaustive of all the good ones

just a guide line skins has a point

but if the list is followed ,you will not be disappointed

i make no claim to infallibility,but i have bought a lot of cues
from all these guys and i have known them all to be worthy and talented

if someone else recommends someone else,i do not plan on responding again
 
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I ordered a basic sneaky pete from Keith Josey about five years ago. Communications was great, and the cue was ready in about half the time that was originally estimated.

It was a very nice experience, and I would recommend Keith Josey to anyone.
 
Here's a short guide I put together with some advice I'd like to share in hopes it helps you have an enjoyable cue ordering experience.
................................................

1. Have a good idea of what you want.
A makers time is not infinite. BUILDING your cue is their top priority. So be prepared BEFORE you contact makers. Understand they don't want their shop time wasted on constant phone calls, texts, emails etc..about design changes or "different ideas". Know what you want, order what you want, and "want" that build. Have your request rehearsed in your mind so once you do discuss the cue with a maker it will help you iron out any other details or ideas that may arrise in the intial discussion and there will be less chance of not being on the same page later on.

2. PICK AN EXTREMELY REPUTABLE CUE MAKER.
THIS IS THE MOST IMPORTANT ONE OF THEM ALL.... So many choose makers for so many reasons but I think what gets most into an issue is choosing ones because of price first. THATS a BIG mistake. Reputation should be first. For the most part a good reputation means a better chance for a quality product and overall better cue buying experience. Your $ will much better spent following this advice. To this brings the issue of deposits. Many cue makers require a deposit at the time of order. Be prepared to pay a little to start your order. A nominal amount is fair IMHO for reasons such as to cover materials that will need to be ordered and such. Be prepared to treat deposits as NON REFUNDABLE no matter the policies of whom you place your order with.

3. Have money set aside BEFORE you place your order.
You may not know exactly what a custom cue will cost and may run into an under estimated scenario, very common, but you can get a very good guestimate if you ask the right questions to the maker, others who have ordered, or even on forums such as AZB. If you're not sure whether you can keep money aside for a length of time, DON'T ORDER A CUE.

4. Once ordered, leave the maker alone!
Don't bother them wth progress reports or pic's or guesstimates for your cues completion even if these were discussed when ordering. Maybe a freindly note or reminder ONCE is ok but after that leave it alone. Leave the maker to do his job. If by chance your cue IS running over the date quoted, there will ALWAYS be a good reason with REPUTABLE makers and most will contact you about any delays or changes in delivery date. When your cue is ready YOU will know.

5. When your cue is ready SEND PAYMENT IMMEDIATELY.
No excuses for delays or why your $ is no longer available.

6. Choose a fast shipping method
DO NOT choose a method of shipping based on price. You do that and you open up the door for possible delivery issues. The cheaper the price usually means more shipping time. The more time a shipping company has your cue, the more time they have for a screw up. Next day air or AT MOST 2nd day if weather is good are good suggestions.

7. Make sure the cue is packed EXTREMELY well.
Discuss this in detail with the maker and pay extra if need be to lessen any chance of damage in transit.

8. Share your experience, pictures, etc..with others.
That alone will help others who are looking to have a custom cue made make a more educated decision.

.............................................

I hope this helps those of you wanting a good custom cue experience, make it more possible to experience one.

Good Luck!

I think this is a great post. Time frame expectation should also be added, I think the +50% rule is a good rule of thumb so you are not disappointed when late.

1. In terms of being specific on a cue design, I believe the more high level but specific you are the better your experience will be and the nicer the cue will be.

I talked to one famous cue maker, and he said that he had grown tired of making cues to extremely specific specs from customers, but still likes making custom cues, so he now makes the cues he wants and sells them as the custom options on his website. They are an incredible value.

I think that providing examples of what you like and what you don't are fine, and the more high level you are the more fun the cue maker will have in designing your cue. I am planning on ordering a cue from a cue maker mentioned previously, and the only advice I am planning on giving is "Titlist colors", and worried that might be too much detail.

I have been a victim of providing too much info a couple of times lately, and this thread reminds me of that fact. I have been looking for a cue maker to essentially remake a Judd I had stolen, but that is dumb. I need to focus on finding a really nice used Judd that was like the one I had. Deanoc was right on with that.

2. Communication I think that this depends on the cue maker. There is definitely a pay your deposit and leave it alone segment, and I am having a cue built by a very famous maker that definitely falls into that category. No pics, no progress updates, just a email at some point that my cue is ready.

But not 100% are like that. I think there is nothing wrong in asking what level of communication is OK with the cue maker and then respecting that.

I actually bought a cue from a cue maker largely in part because he is very communicative and is making a complete build journal for me which is very very fun.

But even with cue makers open to more updates, less is better and you should have them communicate first

3. Other good cue makers I would recommend are Bill Dominiak and Josh Treadway both are great to work with.
 
I beleive deposits are nessesary "evil" for those who's income is soley derived from custom cue building. The chance of selling a custom built cue specially made to the miriad of intricate specifications of one, for the price agreed upon, to another who did not order it is exceptionally difficult if not impossible. You ONLY see THAT when a makers cues are EXTREMELY difficult to aquire. IMHO any maker who's majority income is derived from building cues that does not take a deposit is asking for issues.

Good post. No problem with deposits. I have found, when dealing with cuemakers, once they got to know me after the second or third cue, they didn't ask for a deposit. They knew I was good for it. Your mileage may vary. Generally I do think a deposit is a good idea to keep the cuemaker able to buy supplies, pay for his electricity, etc.

I do have one caveat though. For those fans of the cuemakers with eleven plus year waiting lists, I think a deposit is absolutely silly. Chances are the cuemaker may die before he gets to your cue, or you will die or lose interest. And your deposit is gone. Just a little common sense. But of course, always up to you. Use some sense, and rely on reputation of the cuemaker.

All the best,
WW
 
Althgough I certainly don't have the cue experiences many here do, I was glad deanoc added his bit on Keith Josey.

Collecting isn't my bag, playing is.

I bought one of Keith's already made cues back in 2007. I am so pleased with it that I've quit looking. Great stiff hit with perfect feedback. I did change the tip to Kamui medium black on one of the shafts...otherwise play with it as delivered.

Great people to deal with...:)
 
Well Dean, with respect, you had me up until your last sentence...

"My guy" Keith Josey is FAR and above MOST makers when it comes to ALL the categories you mention and is respected by most all makers for that.. That is very well known.. As well as others stated here. So although those you mention are worthy as stated, NO don't follow Dean's advice and ONLY buy from "those" guy's. Though I am a huge fan of everybody on your list Dean, some are not accessible to most buyer's. If you can't get a cue from those on Dean's list that doesn't mean there aren't others that fit Dean's criteria , in general. Do the research and you will find them...

Yep yep yep Keith is top notch in my book even though I only dealt with him once but once is enough to tell
 
Good post. No problem with deposits.

I do have one caveat though. For those fans of the cuemakers with eleven plus year waiting lists, I think a deposit is absolutely silly. Chances are the cuemaker may die before he gets to your cue, or you will die or lose interest. And your deposit is gone. Just a little common sense. But of course, always up to you. Use some sense, and rely on reputation of the cuemaker.

All the best,
WW

Good point! At my age, 73, I consider buying green bananas risky...I sure as hell wouldn't wait a decade or more for a cue.
 
Unless you are making something so "unique to you" that nobody else would want it, I would suggest your deposit be no more than what the materials cost to make the cue and maybe a few dollars more. By the time your cue is made by a reputable maker, his prices probably would have gone up and he could sell the cue to someone else for more than you bargained for, should you back out for some reason.

Insist on a "realistic" delivery deadline.

Ensure the maker is willing to communicate with you during the build (but don't be a pest, calling him every day).

Don't pick a maker who has "known" issues. This includes medical problems. This sounds kind of harsh, but illnesses have caused tons of cues to be delayed for months, years, and forever.

Accept no "add ons" or "take aways" on your cue without your consent, once the design, price, and deadline has been agreed upon.

Do your deal in "writing" (e-mail is sufficient).
 
Don't pick a maker who has "known" issues. This includes medical problems. This sounds kind of harsh, but illnesses have caused tons of cues to be delayed for months, years, and forever.

Accept no "add ons" or "take aways" on your cue without your consent, once the design, price, and deadline has been agreed upon.

Totally agree, and you have eliminated some of the "vaunted" cuemakers. Be safe out there. Or be out thousands of bucks. Don't be stupid.

All the best,
WW
 
Good point! At my age, 73, I consider buying green bananas risky...I sure as hell wouldn't wait a decade or more for a cue.

Thank you, you are one of the smart ones, to not buy those green bananas.

There are many, who cling to a belief, so unlikely, that it possesses their soul. A cuemaker with a double digit year waiting list, and a promise, with your deposit.

Or, a group that promises free everything. Just as silly. Oops, NPR? No, just as silly as a double digit cue waiting list.

Be smart, be safe, and design your own cues. And pick a cuemaker that delivers.

All the best,
WW
 
as far as i know ,
the only people with a 10 year wait is South West
and they don't take deposits
 
Ok so what happens to those makers who split their time between build and design time? Many makers will work on a customers design well before their build starts. So you're saying it's ok to not have to pay for the makers design conceptual layout time?

Also many times materials for the cue have to be ordered close to the time of the order being placed to insure they will be availble at the build time. Should the maker take the chance of possibly eating these costs?

I understand some makers don't take deposits. But MOST that don't more than likey have a massive waiting list and just to get accepted on their list is a BONUS to the customer...

I'm all for paying for the costs. If I"m ordering a unique cue, then a deposit is just fine in my opinion. Problem is that there is a system in place where time lines are just suggestions, and most all of the issues are after a deposit has been paid. Most of the issues also seem to be where it takes a deposit to just hold your spot in line. If it is a year or 2 out, and I've paid 50% in any other market I'm going to get progress updates, and more than likely there is a penalty for going over the time line. With some cuemakers it just seems to be normal business.

There are plenty of well established cuemakers that take deposits, there are also plenty that don't. In the cue world, most of the issues is with the very fast growth that happens with a new maker who has shown he can make a great product.

The beauty of buying toys is that you can buy them from who you want. I'm just a customer, don't have ties to any cuemaker after all.

And the biggest thing is asking for reviews of the cuemaker you are dealing with before you pay a deposit. And even doing that, there is at least a couple of stories a year of someone having a problem.
 
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josey is a great guy
there are several that are worthy
i just put the ones that i know are very good
josey has a very good reputation i bought a cue from him once

this cue was so phenominal
you could draw a ball so good it wasn't believable

iwas playing with jerry franklin and drew a ball so much that it
looked like a masse

jerrry grabbed the cue ,gave me his and played the rest of the day with the josey

in dealing with josey i was greatly impressed with him as a person,manners etc

my list is not exhaustive of all the good ones

just a guide line skins has a point

but if the list is followed ,you will not be disappointed

i make no claim to infallibility,but i have bought a lot of cues
from all these guys and i have known them all to be worthy and talented

if someone else recommends someone else,i do not plan on responding again

The one thing I didnt want was for this to be an advertisement for certain cue makers.

I just wanted to put together some COMMON SENSE guidelines that will help those hoping to have a better chance at an enjoyable custom cue ordering experience.
 
as far as i know ,
the only people with a 10 year wait is South West
and they don't take deposits

As mentioned there are others but as far as SW not taking deposits, you cant really include them in what I would reluctantly say is the normal custom cue market. Why do I say that? Well because they "limit" their choices to only their "catolog" options such as, rings, wraps, joint style, point configuration, and limited wood choices. Forget about custom inlay for most on the list. Most, if any, will not have that as an option. I mean you cant even order a cue with what I believe to be the most popular wood and MY favorite, ebony, in it anymore.

That said, they pretty much do what they want, do it EXTREMELY well I might add, but don't need to take deposits because even with those "limitations", their work could sell for more than the delivery price all day. THAT speaks volumes to their work...No worries on their part.
 
A New Forum Section Is Badly Needed......What'Ya Think?

We need a Cue-Makers Review Section sans any cue photos.
Pictures of any cues can continue being posted in the Gallery.

Customers can post comments about their "buying" satisfaction
with cues they've ordered. Comments that go awry can be deleted
by the House Pro and if need be, the posting Az member warned.

If people have a great experience, tell everyone via this new section
but the reverse is true as well. Cue-makers that disappoint one of
their actual new customers will have negative comments posted.

Az members can read about the praise or criticism about specific
cue-makers and a cue-maker doesn't have to join in on any fracas.
All they have to do is make the problem go away by resolving it or
defend themselves why the allegations made are not true.

If a cue-maker has a lot of alleged problems that he always refutes,
isn't that worthwhile to consider before placing an order as opposed
to reading about a cue-maker that gets compliments from his clients?

A Cue-Maker Review section is worth the attempt in my opinion because
the status quo is just unacceptable. Cue-makers need to know that their
reputations are at risk when the Az Community has a Cue-Maker Review
Section. We just had another incident pop up with a cue-maker I happen
to like, Robert Harris. It's a current example of the status quo I referred to.

Mr. Harris has given away a free cue via a raffle on this Forum at Christmas
for the past 5 years. By all appearances and measures, he looked to be one
of the nice guys around these parts. I hadn't read anything negative about him
as a cue-maker except when he was trading barbs & insults with another Azer.

So now we have this current situation that will hopefully be rectified very soon.
Nonetheless, in the interim, for the sake of potential new customers of Mr. Harris,
I submit they might want to know about the situation at hand and obviously, if it
gets resolved, that's much to Mr. Harris's credit, depending upon how he handles
matters. If he doesn't, that would be his first black mark in this new Cue-maker
Review Section. It will not help his new business and if there are more complaints,
well, you get the picture.

Anyway, I think this would be a good thing to have, as well as a pool cue registry.
That's a horse of an entirely different color and a subject for another thread & time.



Matt B.


p.s. Terrific thread by skins.......well thought out......great advice..
 
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Do's for me... go to a cuemaker that is reputable for their quality and yet does not have an egregious waiting list which essentially allows them to treat customers however they'd like (which usually results in them making all decisions favoring cue collectors mind you).

Don'ts for me... don't go to a "cue collector maker" with an egregious backlog that won't listen to a thing you have to say or work with you one iota because there is a cue collector willing to pay ten times the amount you're paying for a cue he'll never hit a competitive ball with.
 
We need a Cue-Makers Review Section sans any cue photos.
Pictures of any cues can continue being posted in the Gallery.

Customers can post comments about their "buying" satisfaction
with cues they've ordered. Comments that go awry can be deleted
by the House Pro and if need be, the posting Az member warned.

If people have a great experience, tell everyone via this new section
but the reverse is true as well. Cue-makers that disappoint one of
their actual new customers will have negative comments posted.

Az members can read about the praise or criticism about specific
cue-makers and a cue-maker doesn't have to join in on any fracas.
All they have to do is make the problem go away by resolving it or
defend themselves why the allegations made are not true.

If a cue-maker has a lot of alleged problems that he always refutes,
isn't that worthwhile to consider before placing an order as opposed
to reading about a cue-maker that gets compliments from his clients?

A Cue-Maker Review section is worth the attempt in my opinion because
the status quo is just unacceptable. Cue-makers need to know that their
reputations are at risk when the Az Community has a Cue-Maker Review
Section. We just had another incident pop up with a cue-maker I happen
to like, Robert Harris. It's a current example of the status quo I referred to.

Mr. Harris has given away a free cue via a raffle on this Forum at Christmas
for the past 5 years. By all appearances and measures, he looked to be one
of the nice guys around these parts. I hadn't read anything negative about him
as a cue-maker except when he was trading barbs & insults with another Azer.

So now we have this current situation that will hopefully be rectified very soon.
Nonetheless, in the interim, for the sake of potential new customers of Mr. Harris,
I submit they might want to know about the situation at hand and obviously, if it
gets resolved, that's much to Mr. Harris's credit, depending upon how he handles
matters. If he doesn't, that would be his first black mark in this new Cue-maker
Review Section. It will not help his new business and if there are more complaints,
well, you get the picture.

Anyway, I think this would be a good thing to have, as well as a pool cue registry.
That's a horse of an entirely different color and a subject for another thread & time.



Matt B.


p.s. Terrific thread by skins.......well thought out......great advice..


Agree completely. It would be a great addition
 
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