"Free Cues?"

[Larry Sivik]

How often does it occur where cue makers are approached to "loan" a cue to prospective players (or player(s) inquire about using/endorsing the product) that will use the cue?

If and when this happens how many of those players who have been given the cue on a conditional "use basis" return same if no longer being used or worse yet sell the cue that was given on a loan use basis? I have heard that this occurs more often than not.

Larry

 

[Chris Byrne]

Get a written contract if you dont trust or know the person. Or you can watch how high the bids go on ebay, it's fun. Unfortunatly I know from expirence.

 

[linds]

How often does it occur where cue makers are approached to "loan" a cue to prospective players (or player(s) inquire about using/endorsing the product) that will use the cue?

If and when this happens how many of those players who have been given the cue on a conditional "use basis" return same if no longer being used or worse yet sell the cue that was given on a loan use basis? I have heard that this occurs more often than not.

Larry

quite often! the thing is... you should be able to prepare yourself for eventual nightmares most often they will sell if in need? good thing about it is your helping them out in "kind" lol. (also learned from expirience) dont be so generous... just give them discounts... and enjoy your pool/craft "its part of it!" maybe someday 1,2,3,4,5,etc of them might be champions...

 

[macguy]

Get a written contract if you dont trust or know the person. Or you can watch how high the bids go on ebay, it's fun. Unfortunatly I know from expirence.

I know one cue maker who not only gave the player, (A world champion by the way), A cue to play with, but 10 more cues up front to sell and he gets 50%. He never saw any of the cues again or any of the money. What are you to do, put a contract on the guy? Some of these guys are just scum-bags, even some of the champions.

 

[SalientBeing]

I know one cue maker who not only gave the player, (A world champion by the way), A cue to play with, but 10 more cues up front to sell and he gets 50%. He never saw any of the cues again or any of the money. What are you to do, put a contract on the guy? Some of these guys are just scum-bags, even some of the champions.

Thats the arangement that I most often hear of.

 

[JimBo]

I know one cue maker who not only gave the player, (A world champion by the way), A cue to play with, but 10 more cues up front to sell and he gets 50%. He never saw any of the cues again or any of the money. What are you to do, put a contract on the guy? Some of these guys are just scum-bags, even some of the champions.

Sounds like something Parica might do.

Jim <---Wonders why we try to hide the names of the not so innocent?

 

[JoeyInCali]

Sounds like something Parica might do.

Jim <---Wonders why we try to hide the names of the not so innocent?

Don't be holding back Jim.
The victim qmaker is from Texas, I believe.

 

[JimBo]

Don't be holding back Jim.
The victim qmaker is from Texas, I believe.

There is someone in Texas who he scammed but there is also another top cuemaker who he pulled the same scam on for even more $$$. The thing I can't stand about these news groups / Forums is that people want to hint and beat around a bush and not mention names. Why the hell do we need to protect scumbags? If Jose Parica is a complete scumbag and he wants to go around ripping off people it should be mentioned and people need to know about it so he can't do it again. This is not to take away from his skill on the pool table, but as a man he falls very short and I would never want anything to do with him.

Jim

 

[JoeyInCali]

There is someone in Texas who he scammed but there is also another top cuemaker who he pulled the same scam on for even more $$$. The thing I can't stand about these news groups / Forums is that people want to hint and beat around a bush and not mention names. Why the hell do we need to protect scumbags? If Jose Parica is a complete scumbag and he wants to go around ripping off people it should be mentioned and people need to know about it so he can't do it again. This is not to take away from his skill on the pool table, but as a man he falls very short and I would never want anything to do with him.

Jim

I think it's because most info out there a second/third hand info.
So, mentioning names might not be a great idea.

 

[Purdman]

9/11 US Open

There was a top player who raffled off a $3,000 cue for the 9/11 victims. The cue was on loan. He has never spoken to the cuemaker again.
Purdman

 

[Secaucus Fats]

There is someone in Texas who he scammed but there is also another top cuemaker who he pulled the same scam on for even more $$$. The thing I can't stand about these news groups / Forums is that people want to hint and beat around a bush and not mention names. Why the hell do we need to protect scumbags? If Jose Parica is a complete scumbag and he wants to go around ripping off people it should be mentioned and people need to know about it so he can't do it again. This is not to take away from his skill on the pool table, but as a man he falls very short and I would never want anything to do with him.

Jim

I couldn't agree with you more!

SF

 

[Arnot Wadsworth]

Advice to Cuemakers

How often does it occur where cue makers are approached to "loan" a cue to prospective players (or player(s) inquire about using/endorsing the product) that will use the cue?

If and when this happens how many of those players who have been given the cue on a conditional "use basis" return same if no longer being used or worse yet sell the cue that was given on a loan use basis? I have heard that this occurs more often than not.

Larry

Advice to Cuemakers:

I have learned that most if not all professional players make it a common practice to go from cuemaker to cuemaker with a story similar to this one: "Lots of people ask me about your cues and I cannot answer them because I don't have the opportunity to play with one of your cues. If I had one of your cues I would be able to give them my honest opinion as to how your cues play and even give them an opportunity to hit with one of your cues."

As soon as you give them the cue it is immediately sold. Even if you do the contract thing it does not matter because professional players don't have two dimes to rub together. To sue them you are out legal fees on top of losing the cue. When you win the suit you cannot take a judgment to the bank when it is against someone who lives out of his or her carpet bag.

I have even had thieves identify themselves as a well-known player only to find that I sent a free cue to an imposter.

And people wonder why cuemakers are the way they are - we have all been burned more times than we can count.

Even if they become a world champion they will dump you and sell out to one of the big companies. Be smart. Keep your cue until it is sold and give a discount to your regular customers. They are the only ones that count.

 

[JimBo]

I think it's because most info out there a second/third hand info.
So, mentioning names might not be a great idea.

Hey Joey if what you say is true then they shouldn't start rumors or beat around the bush. I share many opinions here that people don't agree with, but when I post something as fact it's because I know it's true and it's not just an unsubstantiated rumor.


Jim

 

[matthew staton]

How often does it occur where cue makers are approached to "loan" a cue to prospective players (or player(s) inquire about using/endorsing the product) that will use the cue?

If and when this happens how many of those players who have been given the cue on a conditional "use basis" return same if no longer being used or worse yet sell the cue that was given on a loan use basis? I have heard that this occurs more often than not.

Larry

viking does this all the time they call it there ambasoder program half of the good players in Wi have a viking because this reason more than likely they would not choose viking but they custom make them for the player and they give them to them free. so why not play with them ...

 

[cuesmith]

I've been burned a few times this way and have had very good relations with several pro players as well. Cliff Jointer got me (along with probably 200 other people). I had one instance where I was contacted by someone who claimed to be Lee Van Corteza, from the Philippines. I had a lot of respect for his game and wanted a Filipino Pro in my camp. This person turned out to be a scammer and got me for close to $4000 worth of cues and cases! About a year later I made a trip to the Philippines. Turned out, I had a friend who had gone to school with Lee Van in Davao. She arranged a meeting with him for me. We got together and I gave him a $1500 cue to use in my behalf. A few months later I got word from one of my Filipino friends in Manila, that my cue was for sale in a poolroom in Manila!

On the other hand, I've had great relations with Gary Spaeth, John Brumback, Chris MacDonald, Bucky Bell, Cornbread Red, Rick Garrison, Steve Cook, Barbox Charlie Hans (wheelchair champ), and Dawn Fox (an up & coming lady player who's name is fitting!) I'm probably forgetting a few more~ !

Yes there are some treacherous pool players out there. Just as there are untrustworthy cuemakers, politicians, and policeman. As in every business you have to learn to be a pretty good judge of character and set down some ground rules that are well understood by both parties. You also have to be in contact with the people regularly. It's a lot harder for them to screw you, if they have to look you in the face, at tournaments on a regular basis. It also helps if you can put something in their hands that they do not want to part with! With that in mind, I have to mention that maybe the real Lee Van Corteza wasn't all to blame in our relationship. When I'd met him, in person, it happened kinda by surprise. I was in the Philippines to visit my fiance. My prior experience with the fake Lee Van came up in a conversation with some Filipina friends who as luck would have it were from Lee Van's hometown and neighborhood. They made a few phone calls and before long Lee Van called one of them on the phone. We set up a meeting, but I only had a couple of cues with me, ones that I didn't bring to sell, just to show to my fiance and her family. They were nice looking, but I hadn't "fine tuned" the shafts. On cues I build that are not made to someones order, I usually leave the shafts at about 13.5mm so that I can fit them to the end user's preferences. Lee Van was playing with a Predator and these shafts were huge to him. I hadn't yet hooked up with Edwin Reyes and Linds. I wish I'd arranged for one of them to retaper the shafts for Lee Van so that he could have gotten used to it. I don't think he'd have let it go if I had.

Just more hot air! (A LOT THIS TIME~ LOL)

Sherm

 

[merylane]

I've been burned a few times this way and have had very good relations with several pro players as well. Cliff Jointer got me (along with probably 200 other people). I had one instance where I was contacted by someone who claimed to be Lee Van Corteza, from the Philippines. I had a lot of respect for his game and wanted a Filipino Pro in my camp. This person turned out to be a scammer and got me for close to $4000 worth of cues and cases! About a year later I made a trip to the Philippines. Turned out, I had a friend who had gone to school with Lee Van in Davao. She arranged a meeting with him for me. We got together and I gave him a $1500 cue to use in my behalf. A few months later I got word from one of my Filipino friends in Manila, that my cue was for sale in a poolroom in Manila!

On the other hand, I've had great relations with Gary Spaeth, John Brumback, Chris MacDonald, Bucky Bell, Cornbread Red, Rick Garrison, Steve Cook, Barbox Charlie Hans (wheelchair champ), and Dawn Fox (an up & coming lady player who's name is fitting!) I'm probably forgetting a few more~ !

Yes there are some treacherous pool players out there. Just as there are untrustworthy cuemakers, politicians, and policeman. As in every business you have to learn to be a pretty good judge of character and set down some ground rules that are well understood by both parties. You also have to be in contact with the people regularly. It's a lot harder for them to screw you, if they have to look you in the face, at tournaments on a regular basis. It also helps if you can put something in their hands that they do not want to part with! With that in mind, I have to mention that maybe the real Lee Van Corteza wasn't all to blame in our relationship. When I'd met him, in person, it happened kinda by surprise. I was in the Philippines to visit my fiance. My prior experience with the fake Lee Van came up in a conversation with some Filipina friends who as luck would have it were from Lee Van's hometown and neighborhood. They made a few phone calls and before long Lee Van called one of them on the phone. We set up a meeting, but I only had a couple of cues with me, ones that I didn't bring to sell, just to show to my fiance and her family. They were nice looking, but I hadn't "fine tuned" the shafts. On cues I build that are not made to someones order, I usually leave the shafts at about 13.5mm so that I can fit them to the end user's preferences. Lee Van was playing with a Predator and these shafts were huge to him. I hadn't yet hooked up with Edwin Reyes and Linds. I wish I'd arranged for one of them to retaper the shafts for Lee Van so that he could have gotten used to it. I don't think he'd have let it go if I had.

Just more hot air! (A LOT THIS TIME~ LOL)

Sherm

didnt know you made acue for cook? do you know what happened to it?

boy i sure miss the cookiemonster, what a guy, it was a pleasure to watch him in action.

 

[Shorty]

On the other hand, I've had great relations with Gary Spaeth, John Brumback, Chris MacDonald, Bucky Bell, Cornbread Red, Rick Garrison, Steve Cook, Barbox Charlie Hans (wheelchair champ), and Dawn Fox (an up & coming lady player who's name is fitting!) I'm probably forgetting a few more~ !

Just more hot air! (A LOT THIS TIME~ LOL)

Sherm

I am curious about one name on that list...Charlie Hans. What was his cue like? What balance did he want? What weight did he want? Did you do anything special to his cue such as extensions or taper?

I am also a wheelchair player, and I have wrote to a few cuemakers wanting to nail down one to build me a specific cue the way I want...I also wanted the cue out of sponsorship as well. Most brush me off, thinking "Yeah right, this guy can't play" I suppose...but most who have seen me play can atest to the fact that yes I can play pretty darn sporty for a guy in a chair, and not to mention a guy shooting one handed in a chair.

I will say this though...once you do meet me in person, very few people forget me. I don't know if that is meant to be a good thing or a bad thing, but if I can say I support cuemaker "X" then it does go a long way I believe.

Shorty, best player under three feet tall...Guaranteed!

 

[cubswin]

I've been burned a few times this way and have had very good relations with several pro players as well. Cliff Jointer got me (along with probably 200 other people). I had one instance where I was contacted by someone who claimed to be Lee Van Corteza, from the Philippines. I had a lot of respect for his game and wanted a Filipino Pro in my camp. This person turned out to be a scammer and got me for close to $4000 worth of cues and cases! About a year later I made a trip to the Philippines. Turned out, I had a friend who had gone to school with Lee Van in Davao. She arranged a meeting with him for me. We got together and I gave him a $1500 cue to use in my behalf. A few months later I got word from one of my Filipino friends in Manila, that my cue was for sale in a poolroom in Manila!

On the other hand, I've had great relations with Gary Spaeth, John Brumback, Chris MacDonald, Bucky Bell, Cornbread Red, Rick Garrison, Steve Cook, Barbox Charlie Hans (wheelchair champ), and Dawn Fox (an up & coming lady player who's name is fitting!) I'm probably forgetting a few more~ !

Yes there are some treacherous pool players out there. Just as there are untrustworthy cuemakers, politicians, and policeman. As in every business you have to learn to be a pretty good judge of character and set down some ground rules that are well understood by both parties. You also have to be in contact with the people regularly. It's a lot harder for them to screw you, if they have to look you in the face, at tournaments on a regular basis. It also helps if you can put something in their hands that they do not want to part with! With that in mind, I have to mention that maybe the real Lee Van Corteza wasn't all to blame in our relationship. When I'd met him, in person, it happened kinda by surprise. I was in the Philippines to visit my fiance. My prior experience with the fake Lee Van came up in a conversation with some Filipina friends who as luck would have it were from Lee Van's hometown and neighborhood. They made a few phone calls and before long Lee Van called one of them on the phone. We set up a meeting, but I only had a couple of cues with me, ones that I didn't bring to sell, just to show to my fiance and her family. They were nice looking, but I hadn't "fine tuned" the shafts. On cues I build that are not made to someones order, I usually leave the shafts at about 13.5mm so that I can fit them to the end user's preferences. Lee Van was playing with a Predator and these shafts were huge to him. I hadn't yet hooked up with Edwin Reyes and Linds. I wish I'd arranged for one of them to retaper the shafts for Lee Van so that he could have gotten used to it. I don't think he'd have let it go if I had.

Just more hot air! (A LOT THIS TIME~ LOL)

Sherm

Is Bucky Bell still alive?

~know tons of Bucky stories, but wouldn't tell them here~

 

[cuesmith]

didnt know you made acue for cook? do you know what happened to it?

boy i sure miss the cookiemonster, what a guy, it was a pleasure to watch him in action.

Last I heard, Steve's father was looking to sell it!

Sherm

 

[cuesmith]

Is Bucky Bell still alive?

~know tons of Bucky stories, but wouldn't tell them here~

Yes, Bucky is still around and playing pool. He lives in the Cincinnati area and has been playing with one of my cues for several years.

Sherm