McDermott Cue prices

[Cdryden]

A co-worker asked me to find a cue for her boyfriend, she said she was willing to pay around $80.00. So I started looking at different internet sites. I had McDermott in mind because I new they had a wide range of cues and a good name.

I was amazed to see how they are competing with the lower end import cues. Viking's lowest price cue was $139.99, McDermott's lowest was $39.00.
I have seen discount store (K-mart cues) cues sell for more than that!

Are they pricing themselves out of a good name? Or just trying to offer a decent cue at every price range? I guess is doesn't really matter to me, I am not a big McDermott fan. I think they are or at least were a good quality stick (it's been a few years since I owned one). But I prefer my custom cue over anything else I have ever played with.

Has their quality changed or is it the same as it used to be?

 

[sfleinen]

A co-worker asked me to find a cue for her boyfriend, she said she was willing to pay around $80.00. So I started looking at different internet sites. I had McDermott in mind because I new they had a wide range of cues and a good name.

I was amazed to see how they are competing with the lower end import cues. Viking's lowest price cue was $139.99, McDermott's lowest was $39.00.
I have seen discount store (K-mart cues) cues sell for more than that!

Are they pricing themselves out of a good name? Or just trying to offer a decent cue at every price range? I guess is doesn't really matter to me, I am not a big McDermott fan. I think they are or at least were a good quality stick (it's been a few years since I owned one). But I prefer my custom cue over anything else I have ever played with.

Has their quality changed or is it the same as it used to be?

Chris:

Are you talking about McDermott's "Lucky" and "Star" brands/models of cues? If so, those are offshore-made cues (we know what "offshore" means ). McDermott's U.S.-made cues start at the $199 price range.

All of Viking's cues are still made in the U.S. Recently, because my main player was in the shop for a wrap replacement, I purchased a Viking G-01 (plain orange-stained maple forearm, wrapless [which I was looking for]) as sort of a cheap, temporary "beater" replacement. The cost was $139. I gotta say, the quality of the cue surprised the heck out of me. I've since got my main player back, but the Viking G-01 is still in my case, and I use it often.

-Sean

 

[Cdryden]

Chris:

Are you talking about McDermott's "Lucky" and "Star" brands/models of cues? If so, those are offshore-made cues (we know what "offshore" means ). McDermott's U.S.-made cues start at the $199 price range.

All of Viking's cues are still made in the U.S. Recently, because my main player was in the shop for a wrap replacement, I purchased a Viking G-01 (plain orange-stained maple forearm, wrapless [which I was looking for]) as sort of a cheap, temporary "beater" replacement. The cost was $139. I gotta say, the quality of the cue surprised the heck out of me. I've since got my main player back, but the Viking G-01 is still in my case, and I use it often.

-Sean

That explains ALLOT!!! I didn't know they had some overseas made models. Thanks for setting me straight on that one!!!:thumbup: I knew something was off there. Why didn't they do that under a different name?

As far as the Viking goes I used them as a example of another quality made US product that hasn't lowered their prices to the extent that McDermott did. I think Viking is a excellent product.

Just so everyone knows I'm not knocking all overseas cues either, there are some quality made cues to be found all over the world. I am talking about the cheap quality mass produced firewood that has no resale value whatsoever.

 

[TheThaiger]

I have a McD Genuine, which is chinese made, and I love it. Hits a ton and is great fun to play with. In fact, it's the only cue I'll never sell - although that is mainly because it's pretty worthless. McD made two Genuine lines - one was US made and good quality, the other Chinese made and less so. The current Star series is the same as my Genuine, just a different name. I would go for that rather than the Lucky (although I've never hit with a Lucky, anything THAT cheap can't be up to much).

Me - loves big pin joints.

 

[Johnnyt]

I have a McD Genuine, which is chinese made, and I love it. Hits a ton and is great fun to play with. In fact, it's the only cue I'll never sell - although that is mainly because it's pretty worthless. McD made two Genuine lines - one was US made and good quality, the other Chinese made and less so. The current Star series is the same as my Genuine, just a different name. I would go for that rather than the Lucky (although I've never hit with a Lucky, anything THAT cheap can't be up to much).

Me - loves big pin joints.

I have a McD Genuine too. I believe I paid about $130 for it shipped from Walmart. (Fatboy had put a thread on here about Walmart selling cues) The cue is made ok but the shaft is a little too stiff for my liking. I played with Viking's most of my life and they have a bit of a whip in their shafts. Johnnyt

 

[LucasBilliards]

I play with a "Lucky" cue it is an import cue made by McDermott, and I honestly really like it. I payed $50 shipped for the model I got and I have no complaints. The fit and finish is actually pretty nice. It has a 3/8x10 pin and the wood to wood joint feels solid. I had a Viking when I was younger and from how I remember the Viking playing and how this plays I prefer the feel of this cue. Overall I think for an inexpensive cue it is made pretty well and it plays solid.

 

[Mitchxout]

I play with a "Lucky" cue it is an import cue made by McDermott, and I honestly really like it. I payed $50 shipped for the model I got and I have no complaints. The fit and finish is actually pretty nice. It has a 3/8x10 pin and the wood to wood joint feels solid. I had a Viking when I was younger and from how I remember the Viking playing and how this plays I prefer the feel of this cue. Overall I think for an inexpensive cue it is made pretty well and it plays solid.

I tried a couple of different Luckys and a Star as well, and they all played and felt great. You won't get any street cred with a $39 cue but they play every bit as good as the more expensive McDermotts.

The clothing industry has been doing this for decades. Name brands sold at discount stores that don't come from the USA.

 

[TheThaiger]

I have a McD Genuine too. I believe I paid about $130 for it shipped from Walmart. (Fatboy had put a thread on here about Walmart selling cues) The cue is made ok but the shaft is a little too stiff for my liking. I played with Viking's most of my life and they have a bit of a whip in their shafts. Johnnyt

It's the stiffness I like, I think. When you tell the CB where to go, it stays telled.

 

[hang-the-9]

Nice to hear some feedback about the cheaper McD cues. My son wanted to play non-metal joint, it looks like I'll be ordering one of the star models for him to play with.

 

[supergreenman]

I have a plain no wrap regular McDermott with an i2 Shaft and I wouldn't mind getting something with a little more bling to go with the I2 shaft. those Lucky butts are looking like a good deal at this point.

 

[Scott Lee]

Chris...Another quality US made cue is Schmelke, out of Rice Lake WI. www.schmelkecue.com They have a lot of cue models for around $100 or less.

Scott Lee
www.poolknowledge.com

That explains ALLOT!!! I didn't know they had some overseas made models. Thanks for setting me straight on that one!!!:thumbup: I knew something was off there. Why didn't they do that under a different name?

As far as the Viking goes I used them as a example of another quality made US product that hasn't lowered their prices to the extent that McDermott did. I think Viking is a excellent product.

Just so everyone knows I'm not knocking all overseas cues either, there are some quality made cues to be found all over the world. I am talking about the cheap quality mass produced firewood that has no resale value whatsoever.