How much would expect to pay?
- Thread starter m79a
- Start date
This seems along the same range as Morri's, Kamui's, and other 'high end tips'. They cost around $10/piece if you were to buy them yourself, but places charge $30-$40 for them put on. What I don't get is the different prices in labor to put on different tips. A Triangle or Le Pro might cost $10-$12 to put on(tip included). The tips cost around $1/piece, so they are charging around $10 to put it on, give or take a dollar or two. Say a Morri costs $10/piece and they charge $40 for the tip and to put it on. That is $30 for labor. Is it really 3 times more work to install a higher end tip? I don't know, maybe it is, but I would doubt it.
I think I have had my tip replaced twice in the last 12 years
, so I may not be the one to ask.
I think I have had my tip replaced twice in the last 12 years
, so I may not be the one to ask.Yes
There are certain risks with high end tips (delaminating etc..). Also shaping them is a chore - so yes - there is more labor involved.
There are certain risks with high end tips (delaminating etc..). Also shaping them is a chore - so yes - there is more labor involved.
Thanks. I know there is more labor involved, but enough to charge 3 times the price? Maybe so, since a lot of people don't seem to mind paying $30-$40 for it.
the catches
Cuesmiths buy tips in volume. Some of those may not suit us to install. Loss percentage on some tips is huge but at thirty cents to a dollar each it is no big deal. Loss of a few eight to twelve dollar tips quickly runs up the real price per tip. Then some tips will delaminate or plain not feel right when they are cut to be shaped. Junk them too and the labor to put them on the first time. This is extremely rare to happen with a nonlayered tip after it has been sorted, much more common with layered tips.
For all of this aggravation the cuesmith does make a little more net profit on the layered tips. Of course if you have the work done through a pool hall or at a big tournament the venue is often getting a large cut of the profit from installing the tip too. If you can get a qualified cuesmith to put on a laminated tip for thirty or forty dollars and stand behind the tip and his work for a month or two be happy. At least that is my opinion. I had my fling with layered tips and am going back to milk duds for better consistency throughout the tip.
Hu
This seems along the same range as Morri's, Kamui's, and other 'high end tips'. They cost around $10/piece if you were to buy them yourself, but places charge $30-$40 for them put on. What I don't get is the different prices in labor to put on different tips. A Triangle or Le Pro might cost $10-$12 to put on(tip included). The tips cost around $1/piece, so they are charging around $10 to put it on, give or take a dollar or two. Say a Morri costs $10/piece and they charge $40 for the tip and to put it on. That is $30 for labor. Is it really 3 times more work to install a higher end tip? I don't know, maybe it is, but I would doubt it.
I think I have had my tip replaced twice in the last 12 years
Cuesmiths buy tips in volume. Some of those may not suit us to install. Loss percentage on some tips is huge but at thirty cents to a dollar each it is no big deal. Loss of a few eight to twelve dollar tips quickly runs up the real price per tip. Then some tips will delaminate or plain not feel right when they are cut to be shaped. Junk them too and the labor to put them on the first time. This is extremely rare to happen with a nonlayered tip after it has been sorted, much more common with layered tips.
For all of this aggravation the cuesmith does make a little more net profit on the layered tips. Of course if you have the work done through a pool hall or at a big tournament the venue is often getting a large cut of the profit from installing the tip too. If you can get a qualified cuesmith to put on a laminated tip for thirty or forty dollars and stand behind the tip and his work for a month or two be happy. At least that is my opinion. I had my fling with layered tips and am going back to milk duds for better consistency throughout the tip.
Hu
Thanks Hu! If I pay $10/tip, I expect them all to be perfect.:thumbup:
I put on a layered tip that someone gave me and I couldn't really tell the difference between that tip and any other tip I have ever had. That is just me though.
This seems along the same range as Morri's, Kamui's, and other 'high end tips'. They cost around $10/piece if you were to buy them yourself, but places charge $30-$40 for them put on. What I don't get is the different prices in labor to put on different tips. A Triangle or Le Pro might cost $10-$12 to put on(tip included). The tips cost around $1/piece, so they are charging around $10 to put it on, give or take a dollar or two. Say a Morri costs $10/piece and they charge $40 for the tip and to put it on. That is $30 for labor. Is it really 3 times more work to install a higher end tip? I don't know, maybe it is, but I would doubt it.
I think I have had my tip replaced twice in the last 12 years
Yes, I would say that layered tips take me about three times longer than 1-piece tips to turn down and shape properly, but $40 may still be a little exorbitant in some situations.
Roger
I expect them to be perfect too
I expect them to be perfect too. However leather is a natural material and it has been through a tanning process. I suspect the hides themselves travel different paths to get to the tannery. Sometimes I put on a laminated tip, everything seems great. Cut it down to match the ferule and start crowning the tip and that's when I discover one of the lower layers is super soft and comes apart in chunks! At this point I usually say some things that aren't taught in Sunday school and then I have to cut the tip off and start over.
I could try sending the tip back but at this point the seller is likely to claim I used a dull tool or did something else silly so the tip is just tossed. Likewise with tips that delaminate. Everybody can point the finger at the other party so I eat those tips too. Aside from anything else it may take me six months, a year, or longer to use up a batch of tips. I know they were kept in a climate controlled room all of that time but the seller doesn't. I'm not going to take time to ship back one tip at a time to get my few dollars back over and over either.
Dealing with natural materials we have to take bad tips, wood with hidden flaws, and ivory with hidden flaws in stride. The cull rate is part of our cost of doing business and part of the cost that the customer pays.
Hu
I expect them to be perfect too. However leather is a natural material and it has been through a tanning process. I suspect the hides themselves travel different paths to get to the tannery. Sometimes I put on a laminated tip, everything seems great. Cut it down to match the ferule and start crowning the tip and that's when I discover one of the lower layers is super soft and comes apart in chunks! At this point I usually say some things that aren't taught in Sunday school and then I have to cut the tip off and start over.
I could try sending the tip back but at this point the seller is likely to claim I used a dull tool or did something else silly so the tip is just tossed. Likewise with tips that delaminate. Everybody can point the finger at the other party so I eat those tips too. Aside from anything else it may take me six months, a year, or longer to use up a batch of tips. I know they were kept in a climate controlled room all of that time but the seller doesn't. I'm not going to take time to ship back one tip at a time to get my few dollars back over and over either.
Dealing with natural materials we have to take bad tips, wood with hidden flaws, and ivory with hidden flaws in stride. The cull rate is part of our cost of doing business and part of the cost that the customer pays.
Hu
High
I would agree that is way high. Maybe ten for installation and the price of the tip. $25-30).
Long ago, I got fed up with high installation cost and tried putting on my own. I destroyed a few ferruls and never got the perfect form tip for lack of proper equipment and experience. So now I am a little more cool with the price of a good tip install.
I would agree that is way high. Maybe ten for installation and the price of the tip. $25-30).
Long ago, I got fed up with high installation cost and tried putting on my own. I destroyed a few ferruls and never got the perfect form tip for lack of proper equipment and experience. So now I am a little more cool with the price of a good tip install.
Experience teaches us why some things are what they are. Perfect example. It takes some experience to do a touchy expensive tip correctly and experience ain't cheap :groucho:
I don't agree that it's 'way high'. I wouldn't bother with it for any less. And... it is a bother.
Hi m79a
I just happen to have a brand new White Diamond tip still in its original packaging from Joe Picone. I do not need it, if you want it, its yours. I see your from Kentucky.
Just PM me your mailing address & I `ll send it to ya by regular mail. I hope this helps you out. Other members here on AZB have helped me out from time to time with different things so its my turn to help out. Just let me know if you want it & have a nice day.
Jeff
IMO I think you should complain IMOif they charge $40 and don'tIMO kiss you firstIMO.
I havIMOe never seen a tip take an hour, even iIMOf it did, those labor/ hr #s are IMOstill pretty good.IMO
I havIMOe never seen a tip take an hour, even iIMOf it did, those labor/ hr #s are IMOstill pretty good.IMO
I usually charge $10 plus the price of the tip for an install. A tip takes me no longer than 5 minutes to install, trim and shape. Whoever said the laminated tips are harder to install than one piece tips has been sitting too close to the glue bottle for a little too long. Mooris are an absolute dream to install, trim and shape. Elk Masters, on the other hand, are a pain in the butt. I can trim a few Mooris or other good quality laminated tip with one razor blade - may get as many as 10 tips out of a fresh blade. However, Elks and Blue Diamonds, or any other softer tip requires careful inspection pre-install, need a fresh blade nearly EVERY install, and only after you start cutting it will you know if you got a good one. One piece tips are tougher to install correctly than Mooris. When's the last time you paid $25+ for a Triangle or Le Pro? Most cue guys in my area mark up on layered tips. To me, it's an unfair business practice. I have a flat install rate. AND, I also stand behind my work.
Don't think it's "way" too high either.
It takes time and expertise with a lathe to do any tip correctly.
When we used to do tips ('95 - '02) the charge was $20 plus the retail price of the tip.
We would also clean and slickup the rest of the shaft while we had it.
I'd guess prices went up somewhat over the past 7 years.
*edit - agree with Shawn that elkmasters were the worst because they are so soft
but I would question anyones retipping work if completely done in 5 minutes.
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Then you are the back-up for the current tip guy I have! See you at SBE
(No he di-int).So, assuming the avg tip guy takes 2x longer than Shawn, that is 6 per hr (@ $40 per, talking $240/ hr). The BMW dealership here is $87/hr and they have to carry insurance, send folks to train, provide space...etc.
(read: insane operating/ overhead costs.)
$40 for a tip is redickinus.
I used to to cue repair but quit because I didn't really have the time and now just do mine and a few friends. I was quite a bit less than $40 even for a moori or other premium tip. But I still had people try to talk me down on the price and my attitude was, it was my time and I set the price, if it's too much don't have me do it. When I go to a restaurant or clothing store or the grocery if I feel the price is too high I don't get it. I'll either find something more reasonable or do without. I started doing repair not for the money or because of the price but I wasn't satisfied with the work being done by those in my area at the time.
I often find
I often find that the people complaining about my rates are charging far more per hour or drawing a salary of far more per hour than my rates. I had an electrical contractor that wanted a computer network in his new building. This was about ten years ago. I told him my partner and I would come in for a free consultation and make recommendations. He said that he paid his nephew $15 an hour to work on his computers, telling me who would be putting in the network after we designed it, and that is what he would pay us. I corrected him. We would come in for free or we would come in for $95 a man hour, his choice. He would not set my rates any more than I could set his if I wanted electrical work done.
Hu
I often find that the people complaining about my rates are charging far more per hour or drawing a salary of far more per hour than my rates. I had an electrical contractor that wanted a computer network in his new building. This was about ten years ago. I told him my partner and I would come in for a free consultation and make recommendations. He said that he paid his nephew $15 an hour to work on his computers, telling me who would be putting in the network after we designed it, and that is what he would pay us. I corrected him. We would come in for free or we would come in for $95 a man hour, his choice. He would not set my rates any more than I could set his if I wanted electrical work done.
Hu