I've always found that the issue with cheap cues isn't limited to who makes it, they're a bit more inconsistent than that. I've owned a players which I then upgraded with a 314 shaft a year or two later because it was pretty snotty (it just didn't have a good feel to it). That being said, that stick would now be 14 years old. I've played with players cues that felt great, the Mcdermott lucky series always feels quite nice, the vipers always felt like budweiser cues, loose and ugly. I'd suggest taking them down to the local billiards hall (if there's one nearby) and letting them hit a few of the cheap players/lucky cues and see which ones they like. If they get to pick their 'favorite' there's more chance they'll respect the cue and it'll last a LOT longer!
