Honesty Poll - What kind of person are you?

[Williebetmore]

On the allegedly stolen Ginacue thread, there is a very interesting discussion regarding the obligation (or lack thereof) of a cue buyer to know the history of a cue before buying. We all know that stolen cues seem to be easy to sell. Here's the question that tells me all I need to know about you.

A man walks into your poolroom, opens his case revealing a mint condition Balabushka (with the letters D,maker engraved on the butt), and offers to sell it to you for $400. He says he bought it from some down and out, sex-crazed, alcohol addled pool player down south. What do you do?

 

[jhendri2]

On the allegedly stolen Ginacue thread, there is a very interesting discussion regarding the obligation of a cue buyer to know the history of a cue before buying. We all know that stolen cues seem to be easy to sell. Here's the question that tells me all I need to know about you.

A man walks into your poolroom, opens his case revealing a mint condition Balabushka (with the letters D,maker engraved on the butt), and offers to sell it to you for $400. He says he bought it from some down and out, sex-crazed, alcohol addled pool player down south. What do you do?

I'm not real sure what I would do. If I knew D'maker, I would buy the cue and then call the police. At least I know DM would get his cue back. If I had know idea who DM was, why would I call the police. How do you prove the cue stolen? How does it help the original owner? There are too many "what if's". To simply call the police without knowing any of the information, no I proabably would not. DM could be a down and out sex crazed alcoholic down south. I would probably just pass on it.

Jim

 

[landshark77]

DM could be a down and out sex crazed alcoholic down south.

That would be my bet. However, if I knew that Drivermaker was in his drunken stupor one night and in a heated game of strip pool with this hot chick (yeah right, LOL) and the game was long winded (and he was drinking) so DM decided to use the restroom facilities, and knowing he was in a foreign town and his designated driver had passed out from boredom (guess that chick was only hot because of the alcohol?? ) and DM left his cue in the safest place at the bar...under the table... and when he came back it was gone and he posted pictures of it all over the net and this I saw some guy trying to sell it as Willie describes, then I would tell the guy I need to get the money and I would call DM. Why get the police involved when this can be settled mano y mano??

BUT if I had no idea that this took place and the guy came in and offered me this cue for $400 then HELL YEAH, I'll take it. I mean how do I know DM didn't stake this cue in a match and came out the big loser??? I am supposed to be paranoid and question fate EVERYTIME it knocks on my door?? If I later found out it was stolen then I would give it back after it was proven that DM was its rightful owner. I mean what is to stop DM form losing this cue in a match and then after he sobers up he realizes his stupidity and decides to report it stolen for the insurance and then sees another chance to cash in when he hears I have the cue???

 

[LWW]

If you know it's stolen and buy it to keep you are a criminal IMHO.

If you don't know it's stolen and don't buy it you are an idiot IMHO.

LWW

 

[chefjeff]

A man walks into your poolroom, opens his case revealing a mint condition Balabushka (with the letters D,maker engraved on the butt), and offers to sell it to you for $400. He says he bought it from some down and out, sex-crazed, alcohol addled pool player down south. What do you do?

I'd call DM and tell him to call Hal and find out for himself where his cue is. Then I'd post on here about how clueless DM is for having his cue stolen. And then I'd waste more time never answering any of DM's questions about his cue. Then I'd tell him stories about stolen cues, then I'd insult him some more on AZ with links to stupid crime victims.

Nah....I'd arrange to buy it, "go get the money" while someone stayed with the seller, contact DM somehow and ask him if he had it stolen. If he did, I'd get two of my tough buddies, a weapon of choice, and we'd go back and get the cue, one way or another. I don't like someone ripping off anybody, much less a friend (sic).

Jeff Livingston

 

[Ken_4fun]

Stolen cues.

If you know it's stolen and buy it to keep you are a criminal IMHO.

If you don't know it's stolen and don't buy it you are an idiot IMHO.

LWW

I am with you. I have bought and sold over 100 cues. I buy and sell guns and coins as well. Trust me, if you deal in these 3 items more than likely if they could talk they would tell some wicked stories. But, my guns, cues and coins are insured, and if it happened to me, I will collect on insurance.

Moreover, let me tell you how I come by most of the cues I buy and sell. The area people here know that I will pay cash for cues. The only other person in town with ready cash that will buy cues is a buddy of mine. We occassionally compete for a cue, sometimes go in together, or just let the other have it. We buy cues from people who need to get rid of it, need cash etc. If they are looking for top dollar we arent the ones to go to, obviously we are trying to make a buck or two. We didnt get them into the cash flow mess, and my opinion is if they want to sell great, if not thats great too. I have bought cues for 400 and then sold them for 1000 (I had cuemaker make a second shaft). That is a typical deal for me.

Stolen cues are not that uncommon. A friend here found cues at a pawn shop. The guy bought the cues because they were obviously worth the $35 at the pawn shop. He didnt know that they were stolen. When they were confirmed stolen Ohman cues, from the top player in town. My friend gave him the cues for the $35 he had paid. (Very fair on both partys)

But, then again another friend bought a Tim Scruggs, (while well know to players most places unknown to most bar players). It was no cherry but okay for I think $100 or so. Several weeks later, a guy said it was his. What do you do then? Obviously no proof. I would have a tough time giving the cue to him.

These are my thoughts.

Ken

 

[classiccues]

On the allegedly stolen Ginacue thread, there is a very interesting discussion regarding the obligation (or lack thereof) of a cue buyer to know the history of a cue before buying. We all know that stolen cues seem to be easy to sell. Here's the question that tells me all I need to know about you.

A man walks into your poolroom, opens his case revealing a mint condition Balabushka (with the letters D,maker engraved on the butt), and offers to sell it to you for $400. He says he bought it from some down and out, sex-crazed, alcohol addled pool player down south. What do you do?

You don't buy it because its a fake. Balabushka to my knowledge never engraved the butt of his cues.

One other issue, stolen cues are very uncommon at this point and time. Now with the internet, you can post immediately in any number of venues and get the word out very quickly. We have bought and sold over 2500 cues (second hand) and this was the only time one turned up stolen.

Joe

 

[macguy]

You don't buy it because its a fake. Balabushka to my knowledge never engraved the butt of his cues.

One other issue, stolen cues are very uncommon at this point and time. Now with the internet, you can post immediately in any number of venues and get the word out very quickly. We have bought and sold over 2500 cues (second hand) and this was the only time one turned up stolen.

Joe

I could have been done by the owner later. As far as would I buy it, yes I would. What I would do after that is the question. If I know who it belonged to I would make sure it got back to them. At least the cue would now be in my hands and the right thing could be done and not in the hands of a potential thief.

 

[landshark77]

You don't buy it because its a fake. Balabushka to my knowledge never engraved the butt of his cues.

Yeah, but Drivermaker is a drunk...he was high on the bottle when his friend told him about the wood lathe and Dremel tool he bought earlier that day at the Home Depot. Drivermaker was all impressed and they went out to the garage to play with these new toys. Drivermaker in a slur was like, "I's a knows....my cue is worths a bunches of dollars...whys a don'ts wes puts my names on mys cue withs yous new machines???" And it was done.

 

[Williebetmore]

Moreover, let me tell you how I come by most of the cues I buy and sell. The area people here know that I will pay cash for cues. Ken

Ken,
Thanks for your input - I think your experience is fairly typical of the "cue merchants" that I know. Their policy is "Don't ask, don't tell."

I never even thought about the gun dealing issue - very analagous and appropriate. Well, at least if my cue is stolen it probably won't be used in commission of a crime (unless beating Purdman senseless at 1-hole is a crime).

P.S. - I kid my friend about being the Sergeant Schultz of cue dealers - "I know noooottthhhhing."

 

[Rickw]

That's a great question. If there was no name inscribed on it other than the cuemaker, I probably would buy it if I really liked it. I would ask the sellor where he got it first though. If D'Maker was inscribed on it I probably wouldn't buy even if I did like it because it wouldn't seem like it's really mine. As far as calling the police is concerned, I wouldn't waste my time. You can't get them to come around when your car is stolen much less a cue stick!

 

[Williebetmore]

I would ask the sellor where he got it first though. !

RickW,
I've heard all of these rationalizations before (and I've come up with a few myself during my life). I doubt that asking the seller will assure you that its not stolen. I suspect this is the typical defense that lets people sleep well at night after buying stolen merchandise ("well officer, Mr. Dillinger here said he got this cue from his aunt, how was I to know it was stolen?"). I suspect few sellers will admit that they stole it from some guy's car.

P.S. - I admit I would have to think hard about whether to buy the 'bushka.

 

[Rickw]

RickW,
I've heard all of these rationalizations before (and I've come up with a few myself during my life). I doubt that asking the seller will assure you that its not stolen. I suspect this is the typical defense that lets people sleep well at night after buying stolen merchandise ("well officer, Mr. Dillinger here said he got this cue from his aunt, how was I to know it was stolen?"). I suspect few sellers will admit that they stole it from some guy's car.

P.S. - I admit I would have to think hard about whether to buy the 'bushka.

Well Willie, I can tell you from personal experience that my car was stolen 3 different times and I couldn't get the police to do anything more than take some of the info down over the phone. A cue stick to them would probably be a laughing matter. Most of them wouldn't have any idea of the value of a Balabushka.

 

[Williebetmore]

Well Willie, I can tell you from personal experience that my car was stolen 3 different times and I couldn't get the police to do anything more than take some of the info down over the phone. A cue stick to them would probably be a laughing matter. Most of them wouldn't have any idea of the value of a Balabushka.

RickW,
Ouch!! Where the f*&^k do you park your car (I'm definitely going to avoid the location). It does seem that the police sometimes are too busy with "victimless crimes" to have much time for real crime.

A friend of mine in college (long time ago), bought a used bicycle from a guy on campus - turned out the guy was an undercover cop, and arrested my friend for buying stolen merchandise (it didn't stick, they mistakenly thought he was the ringleader of some bicycle stealing ring - the reason for the sting operation).

 

[Rickw]

RickW,
Ouch!! Where the f*&^k do you park your car (I'm definitely going to avoid the location). It does seem that the police sometimes are too busy with "victimless crimes" to have much time for real crime.

In my driveway and I live in a nice area. I had a very cherry Toyota Celica. I also had a pool table in my garage and that was the reason I parked it out front. My solution was to get rid of the pool table so that I could park both my cars in the garage. I do all my pool playing at the ph now.

 

[Bruce S. de Lis]

On the allegedly stolen Ginacue thread, there is a very interesting discussion regarding the obligation (or lack thereof) of a cue buyer to know the history of a cue before buying. We all know that stolen cues seem to be easy to sell. Here's the question that tells me all I need to know about you.

A man walks into your poolroom, opens his case revealing a mint condition Balabushka (with the letters D,maker engraved on the butt), and offers to sell it to you for $400. He says he bought it from some down and out, sex-crazed, alcohol addled pool player down south. What do you do?

Your question is a Tough One, as the SELLERS story could be True, or False. You could make a Killing Reselling the Cue, or be up SH** CREEK if the real owner come after their Cue.

Think you a faced with a Tough Decision.

Guy I know is playing in a Local Community Room, in a Private Gated Type Community. A person who lives in the community, and is wanting to get into Pool comes in looking for advice. He has a Q that a Widow want to sell him for $65.00, and is looking for advice if Said Q is worth the Purchase Pricer.

Guy I know see a Valuable Collectable, and tells the Potential Buyer with the question of his suspicion. Potential Buyer returns to the Widow and tell her of her Q’s value. Is the potential Buyer an IDIOT?

 

[wayne]

On the allegedly stolen Ginacue thread, there is a very interesting discussion regarding the obligation (or lack thereof) of a cue buyer to know the history of a cue before buying. We all know that stolen cues seem to be easy to sell. Here's the question that tells me all I need to know about you.

A man walks into your poolroom, opens his case revealing a mint condition Balabushka (with the letters D,maker engraved on the butt), and offers to sell it to you for $400. He says he bought it from some down and out, sex-crazed, alcohol addled pool player down south. What do you do?

I think if you are making a comparison to the Ginacue thread a better example would be:

A guy comes up to you and offers to sell you a beat up "Jimmy Burba" cue for $100. You being a collector realize it is probably worth a couple of hundred and buy it and put it away for 20 years. The relatively unknown "Jimmy Burba" is now one of the most famous cuemakers in the world and the $100 cue refurbished by "Jimmy" is now worth $8,000. It had the initials MF on it and you thought it belonged to Minnesota Fats at some point but now a guy named Mike Future says it was stolen from him 20 years ago and he wants it back. What do you do?

Wayne

 

[zeeder]

On the allegedly stolen Ginacue thread, there is a very interesting discussion regarding the obligation (or lack thereof) of a cue buyer to know the history of a cue before buying. We all know that stolen cues seem to be easy to sell. Here's the question that tells me all I need to know about you.

A man walks into your poolroom, opens his case revealing a mint condition Balabushka (with the letters D,maker engraved on the butt), and offers to sell it to you for $400. He says he bought it from some down and out, sex-crazed, alcohol addled pool player down south. What do you do?

I would buy the cue on the spot, call the police and then try to track down the original owner locally and online. Chances are there would be a reward for more than the $400 and even if the owner was cheap and didn't even refund the money that I paid for it it would still be worth the price to help someone get their cue back. I certainly know how I would feel if one of my cues got stolen, and none of them are even close to being Bushka's or Gina's!

Then in the off chance that he was telling the truth, or in the event that neither I, nor the police, could find the owner I'd have a Bushka with a lot of equity...lol.

 

[Snapshot9]

I would ...

I would pass on it because I don't like the balance of
a Bushka, but I would invest a phone call to down south
if I knew where or if I knew the player or who he was
to find out if his cue had indeed been stolen, and where
it was.

And before you guys that would buy it, you had better
read up on your 'receipt of stolen goods' laws beforehand,
that's all I got to say ...

 

[Williebetmore]

I think if you are making a comparison to the Ginacue thread
Wayne

Wayne,
I WASN'T making a comparison (the current mess is too complicated - he said, she said), I just thought it was an interesting question.


P.S. - Guy asks a girl at the bar, "Will you sleep with me for 2 million dollars?" Girl says, "well, I guess I will." Guy responds, "Will you sleep with me for 5 dollars?" Girl says, "No, what do you think I am?" Guy says, "We've established what you are, now we're just haggling over the price."