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.
