Opinions sought: What's a fair discount to ask for?

[PaulAlex7000]

Hi folks:

What's a fair discount to ask a seller for a blemished cue?

Here's the deal: I bought a McDermott M7QR-3 off of Ebay. It retails for $589, and I got it for $275. It plays great, it performs great, I am completely satisfied with it.

There's a flaw, however. At the shaft joint, there's this white stuff on the phenolic black. The appearance resembles dried Elmer's glue, but when you run your fingers across the joint, you don't feel anything out of the ordinary.

The blemish in question wraps around a good 75% of the joint.

I am ambivalent about this: Half of me says that I got a good deal on this stick. But the other half says that since the cue stick was advertised as new, it shouldn't have this blemish.

I should state that the Seller has been very professional and courteous about this, exhibiting good customer-service skills.

Although I told him this was not a deal breaker and I was very satisfied with the cue stick in all other issues, I asked him if he would consider a discount for the blemish in question, and he replied back with Sure, whatever you feel is fair. [Based on the handling of this issue, I would buy from him again in the future.]

So here I am: I'm asking you folks what you think would be a fair discount, if any.

Thanks in advance,
Paul

 

[landshark77]

I am sorry to hear about this PaulAlex. I guess the first thing I would do is take it to your cue builder/repairman to see if this substance can be buffed out. If it can be then I would say your discount should be the cost of the buffing plus the cost to re-spray. If it can not be buffed out then I guess you have to determine how much having an unperfect looking cue means to. Only you can determine that, IMO. OR you can ask the discount be what the cost of replacing the joint would be.

Also, IMHO, the retail price of the cue does not matter. What does matter is the price you paid. If you were told that the cue was new, then what you paid for it IS the price the cue is worth, regardless of retail. You should NOT feel bad asking for a discount because you got a good deal to begin with. However, if the cue was advertised as having a visual defect then that is a diffrent story.

 

[Bob Jewett]

What's a fair discount to ask a seller for a blemished cue?

Usually stuff on Ebay is sold as used. If this was sold as new and first quality, then it's a different matter. The price you paid is probably close to wholesale.

At $275, if the cue played well for me, I'd get out a black Sharpie and do a little touch up and forget about it.

 

[jjinfla]

I'm with Bob - you already got the discount when you purchased it for $275.

And besides, when you decide to sell it you are going to ask $375, as is. LOL.

Jake

 

[RunArak]

I'm with Bob and Jake. You already got your discount at the price that you paid. That sounds pretty minor and as long as the cue plays well. Don't worry, Be Happy.

My 2 cents..

Joe

 

[TATE]

Hi folks:

What's a fair discount to ask a seller for a blemished cue?

Here's the deal: I bought a McDermott M7QR-3 off of Ebay. It retails for $589, and I got it for $275. It plays great, it performs great, I am completely satisfied with it.

There's a flaw, however. At the shaft joint, there's this white stuff on the phenolic black. The appearance resembles dried Elmer's glue, but when you run your fingers across the joint, you don't feel anything out of the ordinary.

The blemish in question wraps around a good 75% of the joint.

I am ambivalent about this: Half of me says that I got a good deal on this stick. But the other half says that since the cue stick was advertised as new, it shouldn't have this blemish.

I should state that the Seller has been very professional and courteous about this, exhibiting good customer-service skills.

Although I told him this was not a deal breaker and I was very satisfied with the cue stick in all other issues, I asked him if he would consider a discount for the blemish in question, and he replied back with Sure, whatever you feel is fair. [Based on the handling of this issue, I would buy from him again in the future.]

So here I am: I'm asking you folks what you think would be a fair discount, if any.

Thanks in advance,
Paul

Paul,

What you are probably looking at is very common. More than likely, it is the clear coat separating from the phenolic. What happens is, cues have movement - parts expand and contract, shrink and generally float around. Usually the clear coat expands and contracts right along with it, but sometimes the clear loses it's bond from the underlying material, and it causes a cloudy line to appear. It especially show up against a dark background, and is very common where there are joints, rings, and inlays.

This is not a flaw in the cue, just a flaw in the finish. You can catch it on your next refinish ($75 at Proficient - no flaws I guarantee you).

I would forget it - but a $25 policy refund from the seller is probably fine too.

Chris