This is not unusual for ANY custom work. I have 2 Murnack cases (and counting) and each one took longer than Jim's estimate. (Sounds like darn near every hi-end cuemaker that I know of)
90%+ of Jim's work is custom. He doesn't use cheap Chinese labor, nor does he make a bunch of cases then add a name or change a pocket and call it custom.
After you pay, he begins work. His leather is not pre-cut or even pre-dyed. He'll start that - for each & every case - after you agree on the design specifics. Because of this, I have no issues with him demanding full pre-pay.
Not mentioning any names, but there's a guy currently making the same old "wrap a piece of leather around tubes with 2 rows of rivets down the back" kinda case - in China (average cost 8 cents/dollar) - then selling them here for $600-1200. Well, OK. More power to him.
Jim Murnack is a MASTER leather worker. He has blessed the pool community by making cases for us. Once you recieve your case, and you examine the construction, stitching, overall quality, you will be so pleased.
Murnacks are the Rolls Royce. Each hand-made by the finest craftsman.
It still amazes me that he doesn't charge double what the other guys do.
Congrats on choosing a Murnack. I know the wait is frustrating, but it really will be worth it!
<EDIT> (I do agree that he could make better delivery estimates, but again, it's not unusual for true custom work)
-von
, I sold my Talisman so I could order one from Jim