New Predator Table

"I understand all that but professional players should play on more challenging equipment than your average league banger."

As I said in my first sentence above, I am in total agreement. The point that I would like to make is that vendors don't care what the critics have to say because their market research shows them that negative critics don't buy their stuff. They care about hardworking, middle class Americans with money and a home with a room big enough to put a pool table in. If they think that a non paying critic's ego has been bruised, they just laugh...and go to lunch.
 
Boxcar said:
"I understand all that but professional players should play on more challenging equipment than your average league banger."

As I said in my first sentence above, I am in total agreement. The point that I would like to make is that vendors don't care what the critics have to say because their market research shows them that negative critics don't buy their stuff. They care about hardworking, middle class Americans with money and a home with a room big enough to put a pool table in. If they think that a non paying critic's ego has been bruised, they just laugh...and go to lunch.
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I agree but will add those that have the means and actually watch pro pool to see the product are the target audience and are more than likely the critics. I don't see Predator marketing their table to the casual player that will most likely put a furniture style table in their home. If someone is dropping $10K plus on a table, they are most likely at the very least, a semi-serious player.
 
rexus31 said:
I agree but will add those that have the means and actually watch pro pool to see the product are the target audience and are more than likely the critics. I don't see Predator marketing their table to the casual player that will most likely put a furniture style table in their home. If someone is dropping $10K plus on a table, they are most likely at the very least, a semi-serious player.
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You could easily be right, but let me remind you about the importance and the impact of high sales volume on the success of a vendor. Most companies market to the masses, because that's where the money is. Rooms buy tables and rooms know that a pleasurable customer experience is a key factor in their success.
 
Boxcar said:
You could easily be right, but let me remind you about the importance and the impact of high sales volume on the success of a vendor. Most companies market to the masses, because that's where the money is. Rooms buy tables and rooms know that a pleasurable customer experience is a key factor in their success.
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Very true.
 
rexus31 said:
If someone is dropping $10K plus on a table, they are most likely at the very least, a semi-serious player.
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My experience around here is that’s not the case. Most people with a nice house that want a pool table, are doing it for recreational purposes as well as aesthetic purposes.

They are as likely to let their interior decorator make the choice on their pool table, as they don’t really care what it plays like as much as what it looks like, and they don’t blink at paying $10K or more for it.
 
Boxcar said:
I am in total agreement. The only defense golf courses have is length, width of fairways, strategic placement of hazards and topography, both on the green and through the green. The defense pool tables have is the size of the pockets. Toughness of conditions always makes the cream rise to the top.
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I think you've hit on what might just be an idea. Sand traps and water hazards on a pool table! Now that be extra tough!
 
rexus31 said:
I agree but will add those that have the means and actually watch pro pool to see the product are the target audience and are more than likely the critics. I don't see Predator marketing their table to the casual player that will most likely put a furniture style table in their home. If someone is dropping $10K plus on a table, they are most likely at the very least, a semi-serious player.
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I think anyone that's not already married to the idea of Diamond is a potential puchaser of the Predator table. That said, I'm working under the impression that the $10k price point is still guesswork. $10k is a lot for a table. I also think ~$500 for a CF shaft that doesn't make you a lick better is also crazy. Couldn't count how many ~500 players are touting various CF shafts these days.
 
ChrisinNC said:
My experience around here is that’s not the case. Most people with a nice house that want a pool table, are doing it for recreational purposes as well as aesthetic purposes.

They are as likely to let their interior decorator make the choice on their pool table, as they don’t really care what it plays like as much as what it looks like, and they don’t blink at paying $10K or more for it.
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Understood, but do you think they are Predator customers? An interior decorator is going to select something with better aesthetics.
 
rexus31 said:
Understood, but do you think they are Predator customers? An interior decorator is going to select something with better aesthetics.
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Yes, that we agree on. Anyone in the market for a home pool table that is considering choosing a Predator table is very likely a more discriminating pool playing consumer who has done their homework, and wants a very high-quality playing table as the number one consideration over the looks of the table. Their decision is likely going to be between the Predator table, a Diamond, a Brunswick Gold Crown or a Rasson.
 
Aren't Diamond 9 footers closer to $6000? I mean just the table. Not a complete package. And, is $10000 for a Predator table alone? Or will it be a package similar to Diamond's? So many unanswered questions.
 
buckshotshoey said:
Aren't Diamond 9 footers closer to $6000? I mean just the table. Not a complete package. And, is $10000 for a Predator table alone? Or will it be a package similar to Diamond's? So many unanswered questions.
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I would say a new 9-foot drop pocket Diamond table with Simonis cloth but no light or accessories is now at least $8K, maybe more including delivery and installation. The $6K would have been a more accurate estimate like 10+ years ago.
 
Commercial looking tables are marketed to players .
The average Joe is not gonna want those tables . Specially for the price .
The average Joe is gonna look at those Dolphin-legged tables and find them attractive .
Or those marble topped tables .

Since Predator has a huge fan base, I expect some of them to buy the new table too .
 
10K for a quality pool table that lasts for years is nothing. When I was into competitive target archery, probably averaged 2500 or more a year on replacing equipment for my wife and I, and so did most everyone else that I knew. Old cars, there is a money pit, yet more than worth it to those that enjoy them.. Fishing, I usally get a new boat every three years, last one was just about 90K. Price quote on a new one the other day, similar to what I have only 3 years newer, 115K. Decided to keep what I had as I really like it. Can I justify it with the fish I bring home to eat, heck no, but the 12 to 20 days a year that my son gets to join me out fishing is priceless. Was just out today with the wife and caught one salmon,, and two steelhead.. A good pool table is incredably cheap long term entertainment. Look at the cues that many on this forum own, or have owned, if it were just about getting better at pool, a better investment would be a quality table, but honestly I would love to have a nice custom cue, just to have it. 10K for a quality table that could conceivably last you a lifetime is a fantastic investment.
 
muskyed said:
10K for a quality pool table that lasts for years is nothing. When I was into competitive target archery, probably averaged 2500 or more a year on replacing equipment for my wife and I, and so did most everyone else that I knew. Old cars, there is a money pit, yet more than worth it to those that enjoy them.. Fishing, I usally get a new boat every three years, last one was just about 90K. Price quote on a new one the other day, similar to what I have only 3 years newer, 115K. Decided to keep what I had as I really like it. Can I justify it with the fish I bring home to eat, heck no, but the 12 to 20 days a year that my son gets to join me out fishing is priceless. Was just out today with the wife and caught one salmon,, and two steelhead.. A good pool table is incredably cheap long term entertainment. Look at the cues that many on this forum own, or have owned, if it were just about getting better at pool, a better investment would be a quality table, but honestly I would love to have a nice custom cue, just to have it. 10K for a quality table that could conceivably last you a lifetime is a fantastic investment.
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Very true but there are less expensive ways to achieve the same end. One could buy an old Gold Crown, restore it and have a better looking table and possibly a better playing table. I bought my GCI for $400 and put another $3,000 into cosmetic restoration, subrails extended with new rubber, ball return added, table setup and building a custom matching "Gold Crown I" light. The table plays lights out, looks better than any Diamond, Rasson or Predator table, will last me the rest of my life and I've got the satisfaction of having done a majority of the work myself. Plus, I saved at least $7K in the process.
 
muskyed said:
10K for a quality pool table that lasts for years is nothing. When I was into competitive target archery, probably averaged 2500 or more a year on replacing equipment for my wife and I, and so did most everyone else that I knew. Old cars, there is a money pit, yet more than worth it to those that enjoy them.. Fishing, I usally get a new boat every three years, last one was just about 90K. Price quote on a new one the other day, similar to what I have only 3 years newer, 115K. Decided to keep what I had as I really like it. Can I justify it with the fish I bring home to eat, heck no, but the 12 to 20 days a year that my son gets to join me out fishing is priceless. Was just out today with the wife and caught one salmon,, and two steelhead.. A good pool table is incredably cheap long term entertainment. Look at the cues that many on this forum own, or have owned, if it were just about getting better at pool, a better investment would be a quality table, but honestly I would love to have a nice custom cue, just to have it. 10K for a quality table that could conceivably last you a lifetime is a fantastic investment.
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10000 for a pool table? Not going to happen at my house. I guess we're not in the same "boat"!🤑
 
muskyed said:
10K for a quality pool table that lasts for years is nothing. When I was into competitive target archery, probably averaged 2500 or more a year on replacing equipment for my wife and I, and so did most everyone else that I knew. Old cars, there is a money pit, yet more than worth it to those that enjoy them.. Fishing, I usally get a new boat every three years, last one was just about 90K. Price quote on a new one the other day, similar to what I have only 3 years newer, 115K. Decided to keep what I had as I really like it. Can I justify it with the fish I bring home to eat, heck no, but the 12 to 20 days a year that my son gets to join me out fishing is priceless. Was just out today with the wife and caught one salmon,, and two steelhead.. A good pool table is incredably cheap long term entertainment. Look at the cues that many on this forum own, or have owned, if it were just about getting better at pool, a better investment would be a quality table, but honestly I would love to have a nice custom cue, just to have it. 10K for a quality table that could conceivably last you a lifetime is a fantastic investment.
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Can I hold a hundred? :):):)
 
Rexus, you are totally right on that one. Dollar wise, you could have a fantastic table, for a lot less money by refurbishing a older Gold Crown, but the average consumer that these table manufactures are marketing to, just want a good table that when it shows up they can play on it at the end of the day. I have a very large woodworking shop, 26x40, with all the goodies, and even though I had a real craving for an older Gloss black Gold Crown, I did not want to invest the time in not only finding one, but also refinishing one to my level of satisfaction, so when I wanted a new table I just ordered a Diamond Professional. Beautiful table, built like a tank, but terrible install by the dealer that I went through. Had a Brunswick before this, gorgeous table, but over time had the typical sag in the middle that you see. About a year before I ordered The diamond it needed a recover, and I decided to beef up the frame some, wasn't hard, and ended up with double the thickness. really strengthened it. Could have stayed with that as it played really nice, but decided to try a more professional table. Does it play that much more better to justify the cost difference, no, but I was able to order it and not have to go through the time and trouble of finding and rebuilding the Black Gold Crown I always wanted.
 
muskyed said:
Rexus, you are totally right on that one. Dollar wise, you could have a fantastic table, for a lot less money by refurbishing a older Gold Crown, but the average consumer that these table manufactures are marketing to, just want a good table that when it shows up they can play on it at the end of the day. I have a very large woodworking shop, 26x40, with all the goodies, and even though I had a real craving for an older Gloss black Gold Crown, I did not want to invest the time in not only finding one, but also refinishing one to my level of satisfaction, so when I wanted a new table I just ordered a Diamond Professional. Beautiful table, built like a tank, but terrible install by the dealer that I went through. Had a Brunswick before this, gorgeous table, but over time had the typical sag in the middle that you see. About a year before I ordered The diamond it needed a recover, and I decided to beef up the frame some, wasn't hard, and ended up with double the thickness. really strengthened it. Could have stayed with that as it played really nice, but decided to try a more professional table. Does it play that much more better to justify the cost difference, no, but I was able to order it and not have to go through the time and trouble of finding and rebuilding the Black Gold Crown I always wanted.
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In what way did you feel the Pro was 'under-strength'? I've seen them taken apart and that frame is stout as hell. Don't see any need to beef it up myself.
 
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