Jim Murnak Cue Cases get dramatic price hike on June 30th

jimM said:
Thank you very much. As far as imports, I have always kept to American workers and American supplies if I can. About 30 years ago the goverment decided that it would be better if other countries had more jobs than we did. Mostly because their friends wanted to use cheap labor and ship to the US without penalties. The govt even gave tax breaks for companies to relocate in other countries. What a great idea, huh. I think that we are now stuck into buying things from other countries because there are no manufacturers here anymore. Many small towns were gutted when the business owners realized that they could get labor for 10 cents an hour instead of $15 per hour. It disgusted me and I have never forgotten how the homeless situation started at that time. I have had opportunities to go abroad with my work, but I didn't. Probably not always the best for me as far as money, but I am very happy I didn't.

This isn't a slap at John. He seems to have personal reasons to be there and I don't feel that he is doing anything wrong. It is just my opinion that our country went astray for a few to make megamoney and it left a lot of Americans behind.
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You are smarter than I was. I went that route and it was the biggest mistake I ever made. Never again.
 
JB Cases said:
Jim,

My apologies. I was sincerely trying to help you with my first post letting people know that Indy Q Shop has Murnak cases for sale.

I was taken aback by your answer that seemed to attack Roy and myself where really no answer was even expected and reacted as I usually do.

I really do hope that you find the right balance that allows you continue making cases. And my offer still stands as always to help you out with very good parts should you still have trouble finding satisfactory ones. I can provide you with a couple solutions that will pretty much insure that those particular issues won't happen again.

Best of luck with your new staff and here is to hoping that you find some good and loyal folks to grow with your business.

Best,

John Barton
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This is what you should have posted in the beginning.....

day late and dollar short.

How come you can't see this???
 
Jack Justis said:
You are smarter than I was. I went that route and it was the biggest mistake I ever made. Never again.
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You did? You told me that they approached you to buy the right to use your name.

And you still purchase interiors and the cloth bags you deliver your cases in from the same company don't you? In fact you were purchasing those interiors and bags long before you agreed to take a fee for selling the rights to your name weren't you?

So you regret buying your interiors from China?

As for the "Justis West" debacle, you were warned by me that these people are not honorable.

Come clean with everyone Jack. You told me you held out for an amount you wanted and they acquiesced and paid you the initial payment as you requested. That they didn't honor the rest of the deal is another subject. You didn't try to outsource your cases to China. The Taiwanese company Long Quan came to you in the misguided belief that somehow your "name" would help them to sell cases in China. They agreed to pay you what you asked for. And IN China they use your name and images of cases you built to advertise their cases in an insinuation that those cases are made in the USA.

What unbelievable hypocrisy.

You stood under a banner that said "made in USA" for years when you were using Chinese interiors. You never told anyone that you used the same interiors that could be found on $20 cases.

Then when you did the "Justis West" deal you covered up the made in USA on your banner and became a booster for Chinese made cases. Do I need to quote your words from a few years ago where you touted what great craftspeople Irving Lin and his people are?

Now when the deal is no longer to your liking then "China" is bad again.

Wow, talk about changing with the wind.
 
Jack Justis said:
This is what you should have posted in the beginning.....

day late and dollar short.

How come you can't see this???
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In the beginning of what? I posted a SIMPLE link to Roy's site. Jim then attacked Roy and me for whatever his reasons are and THAT led to the rest of it.

I apologized for the rest of it. Should have left it alone but that's not how I operate.

Unlike you I really do care about this business and don't exist just to suck as much money out of the billiard world as possible like you do it.
 
Hi Jim,

People also don't realize that the US dollar is not what is used to be 2-3 years ago. $399.99 is now actually just over 500.00 in today dollar.

I just when to a restaurant that I have not been to in about 1 year and just realized that the menu prices are 20% higher on all items. The owner tell me the food costs have gone up.

So you price is well justified especially against the valuation of the US dollar at the moment.

Regards,
Duc.



jimM said:
Here's the deal. I don't make enough on the cases to hire a full time person to help me, so I have to do them myself. I can't make them fast enough by myself, to make them in a timely manner. So I'm stuck in the middle. I have a choice to either quit making cases because of the pressure factor or change the way I work. So, I am choosing to raise the prices to a level not to exceed the value, but enough for me to pay for help. This will go into effect on June 30th. For example, a case that is now $399 will cost
$559. The fact is that I would rather not make them, than be caught in this time and work issue. I like making cue cases and I like making people happy when they finally receive them, but usually until people get their cases they don't realize what they are getting. I will honor the current prices till June 30th, but expect a 3-5 month wait. The new prices will hopefully bring me back to 6 weeks. I'm prepared for any outcome.

Thanks,
Jim Murnak
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Rivets?

Quesports said:
I had a guy offer to buy my 3x5 just last week!! He must of known something or just had a hunch. Sadly for him I said no really quickly shutting that deal down. I have one of Jim's first cases and have put er thru hell! These were his proto type cases that he offered right here on AZ some time ago. Outside of the usual scuffs around the edges (from my tossin it into the truck) the only thing I seem to be breaking is the metal rivets!! I'm guessing they were made in China. All the fasteners coming from there suck, I turned the heads off lag bolts building my raised garden bed. The metal must be garbage and I know we are stuck with it because that's were its all coming from. Anyway Good Luck Jim, let me know if you take trade ins, you can get a look at what your case looks like after all my aging techniques!!! LOL......
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Not a pro but know a little leather work. The finest leather bags and such will never have rivets in them. Everything will be sewed. Rivets are fast and strong. Strong and wrong! Sew, lace, glue is all that's needed. I know these boys will chastise me and that's fine. It's my opinion and I am right a lot. Just ask my wife! LOL.
 
JimM- Your cases look like they'll last a lifetime !!!

Mr. Murnak You are making cases in the USA-- not China like others- Charge what you need to- You are 1 of a very few talented leather workers it is a (dying Art). Your labor is gold in my humble Opinion. If people would just let you make cases your own style instead of (personalty on everything) +-= a better smoother operation. You are honest when you post 6 months. I'd rather tell a customer a farther out date -than sooner. I'd bet JM is more hands on with each case than those made in china. please train someone else so the skill gets transferred. mark
 
HollyWood said:
Mr. Murnak You are making cases in the USA-- not China like others- Charge what you need to- You are 1 of a very few talented leather workers it is a (dying Art). Your labor is gold in my humble Opinion. If people would just let you make cases your own style instead of (personalty on everything) +-= a better smoother operation. You are honest when you post 6 months. I'd rather tell a customer a farther out date -than sooner. I'd bet JM is more hands on with each case than those made in china. please train someone else so the skill gets transferred. mark
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We have several building Pool Cue Case in the USA out of leather, let me list em, Our Own Rusty Melton, Dennis Swift, Dan & Joe Whitten aka Whitten Cue Case, OnQ Cases, Mark at Metcase, Ron Thomas, Pool Cue Case Makers, Nittney Leather aka Ranger Cap, Two Shades, and of course Jack Justis that are in the U.S.A. Sorry if I forgot anyone
 
Thanks to everyone.

I have to say that it is unusually touching to hear what many of you have said. I have enjoyed dealing with everyone that I had contact with and hope that all my cases are making someone happy out there. I will go on as long as possible. I assume this thread will die out now, so thanks to everyone again for the kind words.

Jim
 
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