Letter of Understanding

Ken_4fun

Ken_4fun

AzB Silver Member
Silver Member
Guys -

I try to order a couple cues a year from various cuemakers. I buy and sell a few cues but like to commission a couple a year too.

From some of the postings here at AZ, there occassionally is a misunderstanding between the buyer and the cuemaker. Luckily, I have never had an issue.

I think one of the reasons is after talking with cuemaker and we agree on price, design, delivery, I send a letter of understanding.

I cut an pasted the last one I did. If the cuemakers think it is a good idea, I suggest buyers and sellers do the same.

Nobody wants issues, and I am just trying to help. ANY THOUGHTS?

Mr. Kikel,

As we discussed, I would like to commission you to build me a cue for delivery no later than my birthday December 6, 2010.

The cue is to have the following,

(2) Shafts with ivory ferrules and Moori – soft tips.
Shafts to be 13mm and weigh no less than 4.0 oz each
Shafts are to be best wood available from Mr. Kikel in his opinion.
Ring work to be stitch type to best suit the veneers.
Shaft to be piloted type.

Joint to be ivory and set up to be accommodate the piloted shaft.
Ring work below the joint shall match the shaft ring work and be stitch type.

Cue shall be African Blackwood on African Blackwood, would like to have some visible “grain” or streaks in wood, if possible.

The weight of cue in total shall be between 19.0 – 19.5 with a target of 19.25 oz.

There shall be (4) points and each point shall have (4) veneers. Veneer colors discussed at time of order were natural, blue, gold, natural. While both agree that colors are tentative, this is the intent at this time. If changes are required or desired discussion would be necessary.

Wrap will be black linen, tightly pressed.

The bottom of cue to include a “Hoppe” style ivory ring. Immediately above this ring shall be a very small black ring followed by the (4) veneer colors as rings.

Price quoted was $, plus shipping at the time of delivery.

25% Deposit required ($), and included.

Balance paid in lump sum just prior to delivery.


Thanks,

Ken Strain
 
Sounds like a damn good idea to me. Write one of those letters to me and include a blank check. I'll fill in the blanks at a later date.;)
 
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letter of understanding

If you really want it rock solid add a one month test drive period and complete satisfaction guarantee, for any reason, refund. That way no matter what you think, you can return it if your wife's hair color that month doesn't complement it.

It doesn't hurt either party to list the details of the cue purchase, but the lead up emails, photos, phone calls and descriptions should convince the buyer of the builder's sincerity. I usually offer a short test drive period or high quality photo set before final payment(last half). This allows for minor tweaking if the customer has an issue.

The idea is to be civilized in our builder--customer relationship. What ever happened to the good ole' handshake agreement? I'll try to listen well and you try to communicate clearly. Maybe we should each try to bend and meet in the middle. If you want perfection and the smallest flaw will distract you from your skill level, then whose product will be good enough for you? Anyone can find what "we think" is a flaw in the final product and obsess over it. The real question (imo) is does it really matter that much and does it affect the playability.

Sorry for rambling so much. The better builders want their products to be respected but they also have a point of no return where they have to let go and send the cue out. I will bet that each builder out there knows of more "flaw details" in their cues than average Joe public does. They have been intimately involved with each stage of construction. The best craftsmen know how to hide the flaws the best.
Just my $0.02. This has not been meant to offend anyone.
Tom Gedris, Triple Cross Cues
 
The cue on your letter of understanding was great,
Sound pretty good idea..it ensures the harmony of the Cuemaker to the Buyers...
 
I think to have some sort of invoice or written agreement between buyer and seller is a must when doing business. I sell contracts everyday and in business, you must specify terms, and method of payment in order to have a successful practice. You cannot leave room for assumptions. This is the gray area where people later fight over.
 
if that works for you

ken, do you deal direct or have your lawyer contact his lawyer? and what if someone cannot make it to court that day, then do you ask for a continuance?
just joking, if that works for you then i think its a great thing to do. and on high end cues it might be a great way to protect both buyer and seller.
chuck starkey
 
TripXQ said:
What ever happened to the good ole' handshake agreement? I'll try to listen well and you try to communicate clearly. Maybe we should each try to bend and meet in the middle.
Click to expand...

I guess you missed my point.

I met Mr. Kikel at the Midwest Cue Show, Jamie recommended his work, I saw some of his work. After talking with him, I discovered he and I had similar views and I asked if he would build me a cue.

My cues I have built usually start by me talking to the cuemaker discussing my ideas and the cuemaker making suggestions. So there isnt a misunderstanding ON MY PART or the CUEMAKERS part (both are likely to happen IMO) after we agree on what the cuemaker is going to build I send this out for review.

Before I started doing this, I would get phone calls occassionally from a maker on an issue or question.

Dickie Neighbors has a sheet you fill out with a drawing of a cue. I thought that was a good idea too.

While I met, Mr. Kikel, and I have set down with some makers to go over the proposed cue, amazing enough I have ordered most of my cues to be built over the phone.

Sometimes a new rope still isnt good enough.

Ken
 
Ken, what you have included above is standard procedure when I order a cue. I have commissioned a few cues by a few makers. One in particular is very business minded and makes sure ALL the specs are expressed and implied up front. I have no problem with this as it makes things easier on us and especially the cuebuilder. I draw up the specs from tip to rubber bumper and everything in between with everything accounted for. I have ordered enough (5-6) cues from a particular builder that all I have to do is tell him what woods and veneers and he knows the rest right down to the shaft taper, diameter and butt diameter. What you do is on par with what I consider to be the best way to go about ordering a cue. If one has the time, a drawing done in simple Microsoft paint works also. :)
 
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