I just want to share with the AZ community the gratitude and appreciation I have for Wayne Holmes of Wayne Custom Cues.
A few weeks ago, per my brother's referral, I contacted Mr. Holmes to ask him if he might be interested in taking a look at some designs I had in mind for a custom cue. Seven years ago he brought my brother's ideas to fruition and the results were nothing short of amazing. Since then, I've dreamed of having my own cue built, but only until recently am I in a position financially to see this dream materialize.
Years ago, I hired the services of a cue maker, well-known to AZbilliards and the billiard community, to build my first custom cue. Unfortunately, after fronting several hundred dollars (I was good friends with the person at the time), this person disappeared and left the state with mine and several other people's money. I was left heart-broken and decided to walk away from pool and all that the sport had given me since picking up the game my freshman year in college.
I ended up taking a four-year hiatus before starting to dabble once again a little bit here and there. This pattern continued for about eight years. Well, I am excited to say that a year-and-half ago I finally went through a life-changing event that brought me back in touch with a game I used to love and adore; I enrolled back into school to finish my BS in Business Administration. Pool is now something I look forward to on days I don't have to study. I've been able to rekindle some old friendships and in the process create new ones. I am once again playing in a BCA league and entering local tournaments as time allows. It's like I am starting the game all over, feeling the same feelings of joy I had in my youth but with the added benefit of possessing some skill and knowledge I acquired prior to leaving the sport.
So now that you know a little bit of my story, I have to share with you how much Wayne has helped repair my faith in an industry I for so long shunned because of my bad experience some twelve years ago.
Contacting and talking to Wayne felt like reconnecting with an old friend. He not only welcomes my input but has encouraged me to be an active participant in the design process. He truly cares about making this an experience I'll never forget. Unlike some cue makers I've heard stories about over the years, Wayne is very humble and modest with his expertise and reputation. He cares about my interests and needs, which become his primary focus.
He is not about up-selling features and materials you can't afford. For example, early into our correspondence and conversations he recommended I go with an Ivory substitute to help keep reduce costs. Thanks to my very supportive family, I am now able to fund the cost of using real Ivory, but my hat goes off to Wayne once again for putting my best interests forward.
There is so much more I want to say, and probably will in the future, about my experience with Wayne Holmes. Of course, my cue isn't finished yet, but I know that Wayne will put the same care and consideration into building my cue that he has thus far into the planning stages.
Wayne, thank you so much! I want everyone to know how much of an asset and ambassador you are to the cue-making profession. You have made another customer for life! I can't wait to experience the hit that so many others have raved about in other forums and testimonials. Thanks for renewing my faith in all that remains good in today's troubled world.
Chris :O)
P.S. Please do not ask me to disclose the name of the cue maker aformentioned at the beginning of my story. Over the years I have learned the power of forgiveness and the lesson learned in being careful who to trust. I also believe what goes around comes around. We will all be judged sooner or later by our actions...
A few weeks ago, per my brother's referral, I contacted Mr. Holmes to ask him if he might be interested in taking a look at some designs I had in mind for a custom cue. Seven years ago he brought my brother's ideas to fruition and the results were nothing short of amazing. Since then, I've dreamed of having my own cue built, but only until recently am I in a position financially to see this dream materialize.
Years ago, I hired the services of a cue maker, well-known to AZbilliards and the billiard community, to build my first custom cue. Unfortunately, after fronting several hundred dollars (I was good friends with the person at the time), this person disappeared and left the state with mine and several other people's money. I was left heart-broken and decided to walk away from pool and all that the sport had given me since picking up the game my freshman year in college.
I ended up taking a four-year hiatus before starting to dabble once again a little bit here and there. This pattern continued for about eight years. Well, I am excited to say that a year-and-half ago I finally went through a life-changing event that brought me back in touch with a game I used to love and adore; I enrolled back into school to finish my BS in Business Administration. Pool is now something I look forward to on days I don't have to study. I've been able to rekindle some old friendships and in the process create new ones. I am once again playing in a BCA league and entering local tournaments as time allows. It's like I am starting the game all over, feeling the same feelings of joy I had in my youth but with the added benefit of possessing some skill and knowledge I acquired prior to leaving the sport.
So now that you know a little bit of my story, I have to share with you how much Wayne has helped repair my faith in an industry I for so long shunned because of my bad experience some twelve years ago.
Contacting and talking to Wayne felt like reconnecting with an old friend. He not only welcomes my input but has encouraged me to be an active participant in the design process. He truly cares about making this an experience I'll never forget. Unlike some cue makers I've heard stories about over the years, Wayne is very humble and modest with his expertise and reputation. He cares about my interests and needs, which become his primary focus.
He is not about up-selling features and materials you can't afford. For example, early into our correspondence and conversations he recommended I go with an Ivory substitute to help keep reduce costs. Thanks to my very supportive family, I am now able to fund the cost of using real Ivory, but my hat goes off to Wayne once again for putting my best interests forward.
There is so much more I want to say, and probably will in the future, about my experience with Wayne Holmes. Of course, my cue isn't finished yet, but I know that Wayne will put the same care and consideration into building my cue that he has thus far into the planning stages.
Wayne, thank you so much! I want everyone to know how much of an asset and ambassador you are to the cue-making profession. You have made another customer for life! I can't wait to experience the hit that so many others have raved about in other forums and testimonials. Thanks for renewing my faith in all that remains good in today's troubled world.
Chris :O)
P.S. Please do not ask me to disclose the name of the cue maker aformentioned at the beginning of my story. Over the years I have learned the power of forgiveness and the lesson learned in being careful who to trust. I also believe what goes around comes around. We will all be judged sooner or later by our actions...
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