Is Predator's move into every aspect of pro billiards really a good thing?
- Thread starter Garo 7
- Start date
Yes, it is a good thing. They will only develop a dominant market position if all of their products are exceptional, but if that happens, I do not see a problem.
In truth, the folks at Predator are not doing anything new. They are developing products and using sponsorship of both players and events to help market them. Although they are not a table manufacturer, Cuetec, which for many years was the title sponsor of the WPBA tour, has been doing something similar for over 30 years, also with great success.
Like any other products, it is the consumer's choice whether to buy, but Predator does a great job of making its products highly visible.
Predator's global strategy and continuing commitment to event production is doing wonderful things for pro pool but, speaking as a fan, until the most elite pros can play in both Matchroom and Predator events without unnecessary restrictions, things will not stand as they should.
Finally, Predator events showcase every kind of cue, not just Predator cues.
My opinion is the opposite. I haven’t played on their 9’. The 7’ I thought exuded cheap. They play meh. I about cut a finger on the corner of a cushion. I wondered how cloth and rubber can do that. I think Diamonds and Rassons are both better. I think I’d rather have a Valley. Valleys are certainly built more rugged, and the one I played on recently with good rubber played better than the predators. Only advantage of the predator is a better Aramith cue ball. , Diamond, and Rasson also are commercial sized 7’. Pretty sure the SAM/ Predator is home size.
Didn’t play much on the carom table. Can’t really judge it. Verhoeven isn’t exactly worried.
yeah, and they didn’t run the heater. Oh well. It was good to have an opportunity to hit a few around. And pool players who haven’t been exposed to it at all were exposed to it and could take the opportunity to try a few.
Cheer up, it’s not that bad.
You are right this is a ignorant time in general in pretty much everything, goes way beyond pool
He’s a brilliant guy. Absolutely brilliant
Good for Predator.! There are not many places putting money into pool, they make decent products and have lots of choices, I personnally think they are a bit over priced, but I am a well known cheap skate, so theres that. Thanks Predator for what you do , I wish you good luck
It's about time we got a shorter shot clock, too many take every second every shot.
George the Greek
Well-known member
Predator is sponsoring 10 events here in Nova Scotia and adding $1K to each event and $2K to the final.These are amateur events and drawing some nice fields and they are committed for the next 3-4 years. It's not so much about the money as the players here really support the events. Predator has supplied the ball sets,racks and there's a new cue, new shaft and break/jump cue up for grabs at each event.
I have played a few hours on a Predator carom table and it plays really well and true compared to other carom tables.
One thing: they need MUCH better tech support. Kim Newsome basically knows nothing about cues and will not admit it. Some of the stuff she's told me and others is completely wrong. I don't own any Pred stuff but do appreciate the time/$$$ they put into pool.
I just know he’s a brilliant marketer and promoter. I’m not aware of the day2day operations or customer support they provide. I’m not a customer for their products.
Best
Fatboy <——-biz man, not a customer
Its key to have knowledgeable people answering CS phones/messages. You know all about this in your line/lines of work over the yrs. She(Newsome) all but wanted to fight me over some aspects of shafts which she knows little about. The actual engineers need to sit down all their CS reps. and teach them about their own products.I just know he’s a brilliant marketer and promoter. I’m not aware of the day2day operations or customer support they provide. I’m not a customer for their products.
Best
Fatboy <——-biz man, not a customer
For decades there was a single company that controlled cue sports in the US. That company determined who could play in the world championships. Eventually they lost interest, and I think cue sports in the US suffered a lot for that.
I don't see Predator becoming the same kind of autocrat.
I don't see Predator becoming the same kind of autocrat.
me neither, but i see predator using the table manufacturing of that company and slapping a cat on it. maybe we've come full circle
What's an example of something she told you wrong?
I buy everything Predator except break tips and never had problems with the customer service albeit I never got into technical questions with them.
Once I bought two Victory tips from them and they sent me two of their premium Chalk ($27 each) instead, by error. When I pointed it out to them they sent me the tips and told me to keep the chalks ... maybe because I spent over $6K on their products. Not bad customer service though.
TeddyKGB
Active member
You know what I dont like?...the best player in the world running through a decent field over the course of 3 days and walking away with a measley $6k purse.
Anyone who is cool with progressing the game beyond that bullshit is ok with me, and making it free to watch to boot.
If you dont like their products, dont buy them, theres tons of options out there. But I can respect what theyre doing for the game itself.
Anyone who is cool with progressing the game beyond that bullshit is ok with me, and making it free to watch to boot.
If you dont like their products, dont buy them, theres tons of options out there. But I can respect what theyre doing for the game itself.
It is unquestionably a good thing Predator is stepping up. The benefits have been especially important for the women's game, but the latest Las Vegas event spotlighted one-pocket, bank pool and even more important, a championship of sorts for the best American juniors. An event like that was badly needed.
I never heard of Predator three years ago, so I don't think I am biased.
I think the Revo is as good as any of the many fiber shafts I have tried. My top three are the Revo, Longoni Luna Nera and Whyte Carbon. Nor are Predator sticks much more expensive than the rest.
The Predator balls are the best I have used, but of course Aramith makes them. For some reason chalk doesn't stick as much and I like the 4-ball's shade of color much better.
Diamond needs more table competition. The more the merrier. I hope the Arc is a better GC4.
I do wonder if Predator can sustain this sort of investment. The worst thing would be for the company to create a bunch of seemingly regular events, then drop them in the future.
I never heard of Predator three years ago, so I don't think I am biased.
I think the Revo is as good as any of the many fiber shafts I have tried. My top three are the Revo, Longoni Luna Nera and Whyte Carbon. Nor are Predator sticks much more expensive than the rest.
The Predator balls are the best I have used, but of course Aramith makes them. For some reason chalk doesn't stick as much and I like the 4-ball's shade of color much better.
Diamond needs more table competition. The more the merrier. I hope the Arc is a better GC4.
I do wonder if Predator can sustain this sort of investment. The worst thing would be for the company to create a bunch of seemingly regular events, then drop them in the future.
I would love to make 2k per day.. Just sayin'
