How much? if any? down???

97Buick22

97Buick22

Go Blackhawks!
Silver Member
Collecting $ sometimes can be the toughest part of being a cuemaker. I like to get at least 1/3 of the cost of the cue down before I start. In the past I have gotten burned trying to be a nice guy. People are not serious about ordering a custom cue unless some money is on the table. Everyone is not that way, but I have to use the same policy or it wouldn't be fair. I hate chasing around people for money they owe. I have had excellent success with the 33% down method. What are your guidelines ???
 
wood2wood said:
Collecting $ sometimes can be the toughest part of being a cuemaker. I like to get at least 1/3 of the cost of the cue down before I start. In the past I have gotten burned trying to be a nice guy. People are not serious about ordering a custom cue unless some money is on the table. Everyone is not that way, but I have to use the same policy or it wouldn't be fair. I hate chasing around people for money they owe. I have had excellent success with the 33% down method. What are your guidelines ???
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I only ask for a down payment, if the Q is something I would have a hard time selling, should the deal fall through. For example, I had an order for a green Q, with 4 BI Maple points. The Q sold for $600 & I wanted the whole thing, before I would stain the forearm. The guy couldn't come up with the money, so I stained the forearm gray & sold it to the 1st person that looked at it...JER
 
I dont charge anything until the cue is ready to be delievered.
Then the full amount is due BEFORE the cue leaves the shop.
I have not had any problems doing business this way but I have learned that people tend to forget the balance they owe if they have the cue.
 
wood2wood said:
Collecting $ sometimes can be the toughest part of being a cuemaker. I like to get at least 1/3 of the cost of the cue down before I start. In the past I have gotten burned trying to be a nice guy. People are not serious about ordering a custom cue unless some money is on the table. Everyone is not that way, but I have to use the same policy or it wouldn't be fair. I hate chasing around people for money they owe. I have had excellent success with the 33% down method. What are your guidelines ???
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I know where you are coming from, but I am in the middle of one deal in particular where a certain well-known cuemaker has my $750 deposit that was taken in 2000. At the time the order was quoted, there was a 2-3 year delivery time quoted. Over the years that got pushed and delayed (at times with good reason), but now it's the old disappearing act.....no cue and no refund. For that reason, I would be very skeptical of putting anything down again, especially with a cuemaker whom I have not done previously done any business with. Point is.....some times there are two ways of looking at things and I think down payments may be one of them. You need to try to know who your buyer is as best you can. Some are rock solid purchasers and some are funny about things (like 'pool players') and they too, often tend to disappear !!
 
wood2wood said:
Collecting $ sometimes can be the toughest part of being a cuemaker. I like to get at least 1/3 of the cost of the cue down before I start. In the past I have gotten burned trying to be a nice guy. People are not serious about ordering a custom cue unless some money is on the table. Everyone is not that way, but I have to use the same policy or it wouldn't be fair. I hate chasing around people for money they owe. I have had excellent success with the 33% down method. What are your guidelines ???
Click to expand...

Unless it is something weird, none. When the cue is done if they don't want it it goes into stock and will be sold to someone else. If you build good cues, you will sell every cue you build. One of the most common calls is, "Do you have anything around to sell, maybe used or something someone didn't pick up"? Cues don't stay around long.
 
macguy said:
Unless it is something weird, none. When the cue is done if they don't want it it goes into stock and will be sold to someone else. If you build good cues, you will sell every cue you build. One of the most common calls is, "Do you have anything around to sell, maybe used or something someone didn't pick up"? Cues don't stay around long.
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SouthWest has people standing in line to buy cues that were ordered years ago but for some reason are not wanted now that the cue is ready.
The buyers are also willing to pay Todays price.

You are right ... someone will come along and buy the cue.
There is no real risk not taking a down payment.
UNLESS the guy want his name engraved in the cue.
Then it is a different story.
 
WilleeCue said:
SouthWest has people standing in line to buy cues that were ordered years ago but for some reason are not wanted now that the cue is ready.
The buyers are also willing to pay Todays price.

You are right ... someone will come along and buy the cue.
There is no real risk not taking a down payment.
UNLESS the guy want his name engraved in the cue.
Then it is a different story.
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I've never taken a deposit on a cue unless it has oddball dimensions or inlays and then I got a deposit when the oddities were about to be incorporated into the cue such as a name or a odd size. I usually send pictures of the cue being built and that takes a little time. About a year ago I changed this policy as it takes awhile to build a cue and a person with nothing to lose may buy another cue. I now get 25.00 up front for my aggravation and time waisted on taking the pics.

Dick
 
I understand a lot of cuemakers don't require a deposit. IMHO If a customer is serious about a cue purchase it would only be fair that they would put up something (a percentage of the money owed) to show intent to purchase. Theres a lot of time spent on all phases of a cue. From wood seasoning to finished product. Most of us think nothing of these things when we price a cue. Most of us do this because we love what we do. It's definitely not because were making a kings ransom. It's true the cue could always be sold to someone else but why would anyone want to sell the same cue twice? Sometimes once is hard enough.......lol. I think it should be industry standard 50% down the balance on completion (Thats my standard) It's a crying shame to have to chase someone around to get the rest of the balance on a cue. But such is the business for some I guess....Just my 2 1/2 cents..........Dave
 
nbll01 said:
I understand a lot of cuemakers don't require a deposit. IMHO If a customer is serious about a cue purchase it would only be fair that they would put up something (a percentage of the money owed) to show intent to purchase. Theres a lot of time spent on all phases of a cue. From wood seasoning to finished product. Most of us think nothing of these things when we price a cue. Most of us do this because we love what we do. It's definitely not because were making a kings ransom. It's true the cue could always be sold to someone else but why would anyone want to sell the same cue twice? Sometimes once is hard enough.......lol. I think it should be industry standard 50% down the balance on completion (Thats my standard) It's a crying shame to have to chase someone around to get the rest of the balance on a cue. But such is the business for some I guess....Just my 2 1/2 cents..........Dave
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Miss read post
 
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for repeat customer orders i do not get a deposit unless it is going to be engraved or otherwise built to affect saleability (is this a word) to the general public. for first time orders i get a non refundable $50 deposit and this is simply to keep non sincere people from clogging up my waiting list which causes me to have to quote longer delivery times to other potential customers.
 
I've seen it done:
Free to be added to wait list...deposit to start work.
Repeat customers handled on a case by case basis.

Gene
 
I prefer enough down to keep their interest

I never take less than $100 down and prefer 50% before i will start on an order. It keeps them hungry for the cue they ordered, and when I send a couple pics of the work in progress they love it. If the cue is their own design and I feel it is not resaleable, I take 50% down, and the balance before I do any work that makes the cue into their "creation". No exceptions!
 
WilleeCue said:
I dont charge anything until the cue is ready to be delievered.
Then the full amount is due BEFORE the cue leaves the shop.
I have not had any problems doing business this way but I have learned that people tend to forget the balance they owe if they have the cue.
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An accurate and 'diplomatic' statement.

Most people are good as gold, but you do encounter
those who will always try to take advantage.

Down payments can also be a problem.
What do you do if the customer can't come up with the balance.
If you keep it, you run the risk of alienating him, and getting a bad
rap with everybody he sees for the next ten years.

Dale
 
Policies regarding deposits need to be clearly stated on your invoices, in your shop, if you allow customers in there, and on your web site if you have one. No one can dispute that easily. Disclosure is the key. Then you can, once again, make decisions on a case by case basis.

Gene
 
I usually charge 25% down to start a custom cue. I usually keep a few cues on hand that are ready for those who don't want to wait. On small dollars cues like masse cues and such I ask for 50% down.
I also have the guys who want to give me $100 or so every week or two to build them a cue and they usually have it paid for about the time it is ready.
I am flexible depending on the situation.
 
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