Had it up to here with custom cue orders!

[PistolPat]

All you gotta do is pm me privately...

Are you angry? Would you like to have been warned about this cuemaker before you wasted your hard earned time and money? THEN POST THE NAME OF THE CUEMAKER.

You say that you've never heard of anyone having issues with this person but maybe the last 20 orders have been messed up yet nobody said anything so the vicious cycle continues. Cuemakers are notorious for missing deadlines, not following designs, copying designs that are supposed to be 1 of 1 and we keep letting them do it............why?

Why post this at all if not to warn people that this certain cuemaker might screw your cue up even if you hold their hand from day 1, did you post just to ***** and moan? Please make your thread meaningful by informing the general public of who it is so they can make their own decision on whether or not to order a cue from them, obviously their reputation was solid enough previously since you had faith in them previously and never heard any bad stories right?

First of all no matter what you tell people about whatever it is you are going to warn them about, people are still going to do what they want regardless. It's not going to do anyone any good because I'm sure there are many people out there that have had this cue maker make them a ton of cues without a hitch whatsoever. If people are going to get a custom cue made by whomever then the smartest thing would be to post the question of the said cue builder's reputation here and then see what people would have to say. My post wasnt to warn anyone about this cuemaker but to voice my obvious anger at the situation I was dealt. If you want to know who the cuemaker is you can pm me privately and I'd be happy to tell you, but again I'm not going to publicly bash someones reputation entirely on just my personal experience, as for being warned of this cuemaker, I had already had a cue built by him before but it was a catalog cue in which I just changed the types of wood and used in the cue and was very satisfied with the results, hence my decision on having a special custom order done to my liking..unfortunately you know the rest of the story.

 

[jdxprs]

sounds to me like the op is a "high maintanance" customer that the cuemaker was just happy to be done dealing with.

i also would like to know who the cuemaker is so I can avoid him though...

 

[RBC]

Pistolpat

If you don't mind my asking, what was the purchase price for the cue?

You mentioned that you got a refund. Did you pay a deposit, or in full at the time of the order?

A couple of things to remember. There are many up and coming cue makers who come on AZ and get popular very fast. This can lead to becoming overwhelmed and very inefficient before you know it. Just because a cue maker is popular here on AZ does not mean that they have been a successful custom cue builder for several years. Custom cue building is a difficult task, especially with the communication that many customers expect.

The bottom line is that if the price was not commensurate with the design and specific detail that you demanded in the cue, then you and the cue maker are both better off this way. Otherwise, you have a cue maker who lost money on a cue and a customer who did not get what he paid for.

Just some thoughts from a guy who has done both production and custom cue work. It's easy to think you can do something you've never done before for a certain price, and then realize you can't make money doing it.

 

[BHQ]

It's really a shame there isn't better communication between cuemakers and their customers.

it's a two-way street
i've got a situation where i cant get answers from the CUSTOMER(s)
that have vanished after the countless emails (as in 100's) back & forth getting the design down pat
all just part of the game:sorry:

 

[nksmfamjp]

I can agree that a cuemaker should make a cue the way he agrees to, but I'm wondering if things get confusing when customers get too involved in the construction techniques and fine details.

That said, you sent the guy full CAD drawings and/or complete 3D data?? I can tell you from experience that any machinist can weasle on CAD drawings and data unless their success is woven into the contract.

Frankly, why can't the rings be cutoff and redone? . . .or was the cue assembled when you saw it.

. . .and yes, there are always 2 sides to any story.

 

[doitforthegame]

sounds to me like the op is a "high maintanance" customer that the cuemaker was just happy to be done dealing with.

i also would like to know who the cuemaker is so I can avoid him though...

Totally agree with your first point. No question this guy was a PIA.

I would love to hear the cuemakers side of this. I am sure it is not the same as the OP

Bob

 

[Fuji-whopper]

First of all no matter what you tell people about whatever it is you are going to warn them about, people are still going to do what they want regardless. It's not going to do anyone any good because I'm sure there are many people out there that have had this cue maker make them a ton of cues without a hitch whatsoever. If people are going to get a custom cue made by whomever then the smartest thing would be to post the question of the said cue builder's reputation here and then see what people would have to say. My post wasnt to warn anyone about this cuemaker but to voice my obvious anger at the situation I was dealt. If you want to know who the cuemaker is you can pm me privately and I'd be happy to tell you, but again I'm not going to publicly bash someones reputation entirely on just my personal experience, as for being warned of this cuemaker, I had already had a cue built by him before but it was a catalog cue in which I just changed the types of wood and used in the cue and was very satisfied with the results, hence my decision on having a special custom order done to my liking..unfortunately you know the rest of the story.

First of all, please don't assume that if you make a statement that people won't listen. It sounds like you spent a great deal of time and a decent amount of money, people that have 1.5 year waiting lists usually don't make cheap cues.

Have you ever seen something come out about somebody then other people report their bad happenings with that person too? You might not be the only one and their might be an issue with that person or person's shop, this might be the chance to fix or change things for the better.

All I am saying is that you have a chance to do something for the community yet you sit on your hands and would rather complain than actually help anyone.

 

[macguy]

OK almost 2 1/2 years ago I placed an order with a well known curmaker...not the best but makes a very nice cue of which his cues are used by MANY top pros...anyways..I placed this order with cad drawings of exactly what I wanted INCLUDING script that detailed exactly what was to be done to certain areas of the cue such as inlays and ringwork etc etc...Along the way I also request ( which this person and his associate agreed to do ) them to contact me FIRST before proceeding to work on those said areas so that I can establish to them via phone or email EXACTLY what is to be done and so that we BOTH are on the same page. In addition speciafically towards the ringwork I requested pictures of the ringwork before ANY glue is to be apllied so that I can make sure it is exactly as I wanted. So here comes the kick in the nuts....The cue was supposed to be done in a period of 18 months..so I call check the status every month after the said completion date and he and his associate state they had problems with machinery..no problem....I call again months later to check the status again...they say we'll get styarted on it asap...I wait more months..long story short I get a call about 2 weeks ago ( 2 1/2 years later form start date ) stating that they are clsoe to being done and that they just have to do the ringwork and voila it's done. So I said great, but before you glue any ringwork onto my cue PLEASE contact me first and also take pics of the rings so that I can approve before you permanently place them on the cue..what do they do instead?? Oh they decided to just go on without my approval..Fist of all not only did they not do as I had requested, that which we BOTH agreed BUT they didnt even get it close to what I had drawn for them as well provided all the sample pics to show what I needed done. So I call the cuemaker and state the issue..and what do they suggest?? A F'n refund! Thats fine and dandy but WOW WTF! YOU f up my order I explain to you what you did wrong, you read and check my order and realize oh shit we did, well we'll just refund you and that'll be the end of it cuz the cue is basically done and you dont want it. DUH! If it aint what I ordered then it aint what I'm payin for is it! OMG! This is soooooo disappointing.

Always buy used cues that you can play with first. I have ordered cues from every cue maker including Balabushka and Szamboti. The cues just never live up to your sometimes exaggerated expectations you build up in your mind. It is almost a guarantee you will do some degree disappointed. The thing is, I always had a cue I really liked to play with so my hopes were not pinned to this imaginary magical cue that will be coming I will never miss a ball with. It is fun to order cues but you need a cue you can play with and like now. That can "ONLY" be achieved in a used cue or a cue from a cue maker that is ready to go you can try out. I have only had one cue I ordered blindly that was a magic cue. It was a Gina cue I got around the early 1970's. I never picked up that cue when it didn't feel great.

I build cues as a hobby and have a pretty complete shop and can build anything I want for myself. The best cue I have ever played with is one I built. The thing is, it took a year of tinkering after the cue was completed before it felt like a magic cue to me. Sadly, for the average cue buyer they don't have this luxury and just have to keep trying to get lucky. No matter how much they like their current cue they can't help but feel there is a cue out there there will change their game and they keep searching. The problem is, it takes so long to get a cue from most cue makers you will not live long enough to find it.

 

[rayjay]

It's really a shame there isn't better communication between cuemakers and their customers.

it's a two-way street
i've got a situation where i cant get answers from the CUSTOMER(s)
that have vanished after the countless emails (as in 100's) back & forth getting the design down pat
all just part of the game:sorry:

I'm sure you're right, it goes both ways. I have a situation where a known cuemaker estimated 5-6 months 18 months ago. I provided the wood with his approval, he examined it and accepted it, saying it was gorgeous. The last time I talked to him he said he could either answer emails or work on cues and offered a refund of my 50% deposit, which I refused because I respect his work and want his cue made with my wood (30 yr old BRW). This was 6 months ago. I sent an email last month asking about the cue which wasn't answered. Poor guy must be working himself to death.

 

[Celtic]

sounds to me like the op is a "high maintanance" customer that the cuemaker was just happy to be done dealing with.

When it comes to getting a custom made cue built how is it high maintenance when a customer wants the cue built a specific way? The whole point of getting a custom made cue is so that you get the exact balance point, exact weight, exact taper, exact type of joint, exact tip size, exact number of point, exact types of wood used, exact inlays, and exact type of ringwork that you want.

Otherwise you might as well go buy a Schon.

The whole point of a custom cue is to get a cue built like YOU want it.

 

[kvinbrwr]

When it comes to getting a custom made cue built how is it high maintenance when a customer wants the cue built a specific way? The whole point of getting a custom made cue is so that you get the exact balance point, exact weight, exact taper, exact type of joint, exact tip size, exact number of point, exact types of wood used, exact inlays, and exact type of ringwork that you want.

Otherwise you might as well go buy a Schon.

The whole point of a custom cue is to get a cue built like YOU want it.

That's true to an extent, but:

Depending on the cue builder, he is going to have standards. If what the buyer wants violates the maker's standards, many of them simply won't make the cue. That's their right (to turn down an order) to protect their image and copyright by only making products that fit their principles.

Granted, that's not what happened here, or if it did, the maker really should have turned down the order to begin with rather than string Pat along for 2 1/2 years.

However, at a certain point, as a buyer of a custom, you have to ask yourself if you don't trust the maker to the extent where you feel you have to completely micromanage the process, maybe you simply chose the wrong guy for the build to begin with.

Thanks

Kevin

 

[kvinbrwr]

OK almost 2 1/2 years ago I placed an order with a well known curmaker...not the best but makes a very nice cue of which his cues are used by MANY top pros...anyways..I placed this order with cad drawings of exactly what I wanted INCLUDING script that detailed exactly what was to be done to certain areas of the cue such as inlays and ringwork etc etc...Along the way I also request ( which this person and his associate agreed to do ) them to contact me FIRST before proceeding to work on those said areas so that I can establish to them via phone or email EXACTLY what is to be done and so that we BOTH are on the same page. In addition speciafically towards the ringwork I requested pictures of the ringwork before ANY glue is to be apllied so that I can make sure it is exactly as I wanted. So here comes the kick in the nuts....The cue was supposed to be done in a period of 18 months..so I call check the status every month after the said completion date and he and his associate state they had problems with machinery..no problem....I call again months later to check the status again...they say we'll get styarted on it asap...I wait more months..long story short I get a call about 2 weeks ago ( 2 1/2 years later form start date ) stating that they are clsoe to being done and that they just have to do the ringwork and voila it's done. So I said great, but before you glue any ringwork onto my cue PLEASE contact me first and also take pics of the rings so that I can approve before you permanently place them on the cue..what do they do instead?? Oh they decided to just go on without my approval..Fist of all not only did they not do as I had requested, that which we BOTH agreed BUT they didnt even get it close to what I had drawn for them as well provided all the sample pics to show what I needed done. So I call the cuemaker and state the issue..and what do they suggest?? A F'n refund! Thats fine and dandy but WOW WTF! YOU f up my order I explain to you what you did wrong, you read and check my order and realize oh shit we did, well we'll just refund you and that'll be the end of it cuz the cue is basically done and you dont want it. DUH! If it aint what I ordered then it aint what I'm payin for is it! OMG! This is soooooo disappointing.

Pat

I don't understand your thread's title. It seems to me you had a bad experience with ONE maker yet you are damning the whole field and process? Am I missing something?

Thanks

Kevin

 

[RBC]

When it comes to getting a custom made cue built how is it high maintenance when a customer wants the cue built a specific way? The whole point of getting a custom made cue is so that you get the exact balance point, exact weight, exact taper, exact type of joint, exact tip size, exact number of point, exact types of wood used, exact inlays, and exact type of ringwork that you want.

Otherwise you might as well go buy a Schon.

The whole point of a custom cue is to get a cue built like YOU want it.

Celtic

I understand your point and I do agree. But there are some limitations.

If you are dealing with a seasoned experienced cue maker, he will know ahead of time what it will take to build your cue the way you want, and he will price it accordingly. Too often, what I find in situations like this, is that the cue maker isn't as experienced as everyone thinks and manages to way under quote the price. Once he gets started it's too late. He realizes he can't give the customer what he wants without losing his shirt, but he tries to make it work. He either never finishes the cue, it's not built right, or he delivers it way late and loses his shirt in the process.

This is why I asked about the cue and the price quoted. It's a fine line when a hobby becomes a business and often everyone involved gets hurt.

 

[wambamcam]

This whole thread is pointless without the name of the builder. Seriously, what's the purpose of posting this rant in the first place?

Thanks for nothing.

 

[Blue Hog ridr]

Its not pointless Bud. Pat posted a thread to voice his displeasure over his order. Lots of folks post rants on here.

He stated that he wouldn't post the cue makers name but he would tell you who it is if you PMed him. Thats fair enuff if you're interested in finding out.

 

[kvinbrwr]

Its not pointless Bud. Pat posted a thread to voice his displeasure over his order. Lots of folks post rants on here.

He stated that he wouldn't post the cue makers name but he would tell you who it is if you PMed him. Thats fair enuff if you're interested in finding out.

Yeah its fair enough but its no fun. It can't turn into a AZ bash-fest. Who wants fair when you can have bash?

Thanks man

Kevin

 

[justadub]

We only have the OP's side of the story. There is another side, obviously.

That having been said, it doens't make sense to me that if the OP clearly laid out his expectations and the cuemaker agreed to them at the start of this, why this all had to happen.

Is communicating that difficult? I understand, to an extant, the cuemakers point of view that the less time they spend in conversation the more time they can spend on the work. I suppose I'm just confused how much time replying to customers has to take? Even if you only do so in the evening, after you're done in the shop. Email is relatively quick, and won't tie up anyones time for a very long.

It seems unfortunate that this had to happen, both for the OP, and for the cuemaker. I expect that had the cuemaker delivered what he had promised, the OP would have been praising him to any and all who would have listened.

Of course we only have one sire to the story, and that's to the OPs credit, as he is reluctant to throw the cuemaker under the bus.

Certainly would make me hesitant to get too involved having a custome made. At least wary, and quite insistant on terms and expected communication.

 

[Spimp13]

pm sent pat

 

[Celtic]

However, at a certain point, as a buyer of a custom, you have to ask yourself if you don't trust the maker to the extent where you feel you have to completely micromanage the process, maybe you simply chose the wrong guy for the build to begin with.

Thats true in areas of construction. Cue makers tend to have specific joints they use, they somtimes have custom tapers they use.

But the thread is about aesthetics and in the area of pure looks that are not construction based but simply alter the look of the cue the cue maker should be doing what the customer wants. I mean we are talking about ringwork here, if you want ringwork to look like this /\/\/\/\/\/\ and the cuemaker ignores it and makes it look like this |||||||||| then that is the cuemaker's fault for not making the cue look like the customer ordered. Cue makers all over the world are making some pretty elaborate and distinct cues with inlays that make elaborate pictures or patterns. This guy asked for a specific type of ringwork, not so far out there IMO for custom cue makers these days, and the cuemaker sounds like he pretty much ignored the request.

My ringwork on my cue is all hand carved solid rings of pure silver, every ring was a different size due to the taper of the cue and a goldsmith actually sat there with files and ground in the celtic knotwork pattern. It took days to carve all the rings. A cuemaker can get anything done if they have the patience and initiative to do it. In this situation it sounds like the cuemaker was simply lazy and could not be bothered to put the effort in.

 

[J$Cincy]

OK almost 2 1/2 years ago I placed an order with a well known curmaker...not the best but makes a very nice cue of which his cues are used by MANY top pros...anyways..I placed this order with cad drawings of exactly what I wanted INCLUDING script that detailed exactly what was to be done to certain areas of the cue such as inlays and ringwork etc etc...Along the way I also request ( which this person and his associate agreed to do ) them to contact me FIRST before proceeding to work on those said areas so that I can establish to them via phone or email EXACTLY what is to be done and so that we BOTH are on the same page. In addition speciafically towards the ringwork I requested pictures of the ringwork before ANY glue is to be apllied so that I can make sure it is exactly as I wanted. So here comes the kick in the nuts....The cue was supposed to be done in a period of 18 months..so I call check the status every month after the said completion date and he and his associate state they had problems with machinery..no problem....I call again months later to check the status again...they say we'll get styarted on it asap...I wait more months..long story short I get a call about 2 weeks ago ( 2 1/2 years later form start date ) stating that they are clsoe to being done and that they just have to do the ringwork and voila it's done. So I said great, but before you glue any ringwork onto my cue PLEASE contact me first and also take pics of the rings so that I can approve before you permanently place them on the cue..what do they do instead?? Oh they decided to just go on without my approval..Fist of all not only did they not do as I had requested, that which we BOTH agreed BUT they didnt even get it close to what I had drawn for them as well provided all the sample pics to show what I needed done. So I call the cuemaker and state the issue..and what do they suggest?? A F'n refund! Thats fine and dandy but WOW WTF! YOU f up my order I explain to you what you did wrong, you read and check my order and realize oh shit we did, well we'll just refund you and that'll be the end of it cuz the cue is basically done and you dont want it. DUH! If it aint what I ordered then it aint what I'm payin for is it! OMG! This is soooooo disappointing.

I have had this happen with a couple cue makers...... the only guys I have ever got exactly what I ordered are Ernie G. (Ginacue) and Pete Omen