Ordering a custom cue terms

GoldCrown

GoldCrown

Pool players have more balls
Gold Member
Silver Member
You're buying a fairly expensive cue...or sending your high end for repair. What is a fair contract/agreement for both parties. No agreements are a loose end and problematic. Regardless research who you deal with. A one person shop is risky. (That goes for any trade). Some/most cue makers are first class..They have a reputation and pride.

I'll start.... buyers or cue-makers please chime in. The goal is a satisfied transition. If any cuemaker would like to post how they operate please do so.



X mount deposit. Balanced in full before shipping.
Cue to be finished approximately in x amount of weeks/months
If buyer defaults deposit is forfeited. Deposit possibly be returned if cue is sold to another party after default..(makers choice)
If cue cannot be finished for WHATEVER reason deposit gets returned. (The deposit should be put aside by the maker. They cannot say they do not have it.)
If nothing is reasonably wrong with the cue the owner OWNS it. Corrections have to made good in a reasonable amount of defined time. Reasonably wrong meaning some instructions were missed... one area is obviously not 100%.
Buyer must inspect and confirm condition/satisfaction immediately.
Warranty is up to the maker to decide if the cue was abused or neglected.
 
Last edited:
Questions to ask cue builder?

1. Contractor License #

2. Their terms and time obligation Timeline or deposit refunded.

3. No ivory

A lot of these guys operate out of their garage and most likely don’t pay taxes. Therefore, it’s not ran like a legit business.

In California it’s basically illegal with this practice of ordering a custom cue. There are laws in place to protect the consumer. Pay a guy 2k deposit for a kitchen remodel? Half way done he’s never to be heard of. Sound familiar?

Any serious cue builder should have more respect for his craft and treat it like a well ran business.

These are the very basic to ask before even wasting time with design and materials.

We go out of our way to find someone to remodel our homes and research but for a cue we will gladly give them thousands. A luxury item at that. LOL
 
Cue makers often have varying degrees of “Artist” in their personality, which can bring in negative traits like conceit, mood swings, procrastination, substance abuse, etc etc. Add in a little fame with uber-popular builders, and it can lead to conflict.

Not sure a contract is going to change much, unless you have the time/money/proximity to enforce it.
 
DeadStick said:
Cue makers often have varying degrees of “Artist” in their personality, which can bring in negative traits like conceit, mood swings, procrastination, substance abuse, etc etc. Add in a little fame with uber-popular builders, and it can lead to conflict.

Not sure a contract is going to change much, unless you have the time/money/proximity to enforce it.
Click to expand...
A contract/agreement/terms does not have to be complicated. What if they have a few thousand deposit. The shop gets damaged. The maker gets sick. Can’t get materials… and they say sorry. I’d like to know I dealt with a reputable/responsible person. Reputable vendors do not need enforcement. They have terms that usually clarify the process. They don’t want headaches.
Also a buyer or maker cannot go to court if necessary without an agreement. If nothing is in writing there nothing to claim.
A few years ago I was inquiring about “something” that was pretty expensive. Took 6-12 months to complete with no firm commitment. I understand that part. The terms were 3 split payments. Send a check I’ll get a receipt. It was a one person operation … I was uncomfortable I passed. Was not worried about being shorted/screwed. Was concerned about the variables of what can go wrong and a lot to lose without written recourse
 
Last edited:
DeadStick said:
Cue makers often have varying degrees of “Artist” in their personality, which can bring in negative traits like conceit, mood swings, procrastination, substance abuse, etc etc. Add in a little fame with uber-popular builders, and it can lead to conflict.

Not sure a contract is going to change much, unless you have the time/money/proximity to enforce it.
Click to expand...
Very easy. Report them to IRS. Contractor license board? They have a brand identity so I hope they paying their taxes. Otherwise there is nothing to worry on their part or yours.

It’s called legitimacy. Is SEARING PRECISON CUE really a legit business?

They will be knee deep in tax problems.

Contracts are worthless.
 
shooter_Hans said:
Very easy. Report them to IRS. Contractor license board? They have a brand identity so I hope they paying their taxes. Otherwise there is nothing to worry on their part or yours.

It’s called legitimacy. Is SEARING PRECISON CUE really a legit business?

They will be knee deep in tax problems.

Contracts are worthless.
Click to expand...

This is pretty silly stuff.

You're not going to gain any satisfaction reporting anyone to the IRS, the BBB, or suing them. Dealing with a custom cue maker is not much different than engaging any other kind of contractor. You talk to folks that have used them and search the forums; you talk to them personally and see if you get a good feeling; and then you take your chances. Some guys will exceed your expectations, some will meet them, others will disappoint. All you can do is do is your due diligence and see what happens. Most of these guys are artisans/craftsmen and schedules are not their forte. But if you're willing to fade some occasional BS many of them do create magnificent cues.

Lou Figueroa
 
Last edited:
shooter_Hans said:
Very easy. Report them to IRS. Contractor license board? They have a brand identity so I hope they paying their taxes. Otherwise there is nothing to worry on their part or yours.

It’s called legitimacy. Is SEARING PRECISON CUE really a legit business?

They will be knee deep in tax problems.

Contracts are worthless.
Click to expand...

Assuming you're serious, why in the world would you think that any artisan like a cue maker would need a contracting license?
 
lfigueroa said:
This is pretty silly stuff.
Click to expand...
Nothing is silly when money is involved. Never take money for granted.

lfigueroa said:
You're not going to gain any satisfaction reporting anyone to the IRS, the BBB, or suing them. Dealing with a custom cue maker is not much different than engaging any other kind of contractor. You talk to folks that have used them and search the forums, you talk to them personally and see if you get a good feeling, and then you take your chances. Some guys will exceed your expectations, some will meet them, others will disappoint. All you can do is do is your due diligence and see what happens. Most of these guys are artisans/craftsmen, and schedules are not their forte. But if you're willing to fade some occasional BS many of them do create magnificent cues.

Lou Figueroa
Click to expand...
Agreed about do your homework …
I worked with recommended vendors and they went sour after we got started … could not foresee.
If someone has thousands (evens hundreds) and they go on pause I’m going after them. Whatever it takes legally. And will gladly report them to concerned agencies. Lou.. you would do what you had to legally…
To get back on track a handshake is a contract … along with an understanding in writing. Anyone can be sued when money is owned. Shame on them for how they conduct business and no shame on the buyer for trusting them unless they were warned
 
Last edited:
David in FL said:
Assuming you're serious, why in the world would you think that any artisan like a cue maker would need a contracting license?
Click to expand...
Maybe referring to a tax ID, business licence,etc.
if you bought an XYZ cue for $5000 or better or $1000 … what would your expectations be? Or any thing done in Florida? Things go sour daily. Hey remember Wadsworth ? I was at his shop. He got a call from vendor for a $15.00 outstanding invoice. I got cold real fast.
I’d buy a high end Joss or Prather without hesitating. They are reputable. 100%
 
Last edited:
The way I did it. I asked around then contacted cue maker. Got on the list. Once he was ready to get started I gave him a deposit. Then sent a couple payments as the work was being done. Full payment when complete.
For a new shaft, tip, or something like that. Why would I put down a deposit when they have my cue? I’ll pay when the work is complete. My cue is the deposit.

On the first if something happened- guess I’m out a g. Second one I would be at his shop if he didn’t send it back.
 
Last edited:
Willowbrook Wolfy said:
The way I did it. I asked around then contacted cue maker. Got on the list. Once he was ready to get started I gave him a deposit. Then sent a couple payments as the work was being done. Full payment when complete.
For a new shaft, tip, or something like that. Why would I put down a deposit when they have my cue? I’ll pay when the work is complete. My cue is the deposit.

On the first if something happened- guess I’m out a g. Second one I would be at his shop if he didn’t send it back.
Click to expand...

I bought 3 customs. First 2 worked out with a deposit and verbal commitment. Third was a Sly. He says 5 weeks as it’s a basic plane Jane. A $550 sneaky. $100 down balance before he ships it. I get an email it’s being shipped in a few days and needs the balance paid. I take care of it immediately. 5 weeks became 5 months after I paid for it. And it has sanding marks near the wrap and he finished over them. Aside from I’m done buying cues if I did it would be a Joss, Prather or Pechauer. I never bought anything as an investment… but sometimes they become collectibles.
 
Last edited:
It can also depend on how well you know the builder, or whether you’re a first time customer or someone who has standing orders now and then. I had Keith Josey build a cue probably 17-18 years ago and I remember what a pleasant experience it was, same with Bob Owen and Joey Gold. I think I recall sending Keith a deposit but it was minimal if so. Cue was completed ahead of schedule and for about the next 5 years I got a Christmas card from the Joseys.

Nowadays I just send a text…
Me - Hey man this is what I want
Cuemaker - Ok cool
Me - Hmu when it’s done
Cuemaker - 👍🏼

😂😂
 
$TAKE HOR$E said:
It can also depend on how well you know the builder,
Click to expand...
The only thing I’d wait “years”’for would be a heart, lungs, new rear end, etc
$TAKE HOR$E said:
or whether you’re a first time customer or someone who has standing orders now and then. I had Keith Josey build a cue probably 17-18 years ago and I remember what a pleasant experience it was, same with Bob Owen and Joey Gold. I think I recall sending Keith a deposit but it was minimal if so. Cue was completed ahead of schedule and for about the next 5 years I got a Christmas card from the Joseys.

Nowadays I just send a text…
Me - Hey man this is what I want
Cuemaker - Ok cool
Me - Hmu when it’s done
Cuemaker - 👍🏼

😂😂
Click to expand...
He’s another whose word is his bond. He delivers. People like him are good people off and on the court. I contacted him once. Straightforward and thanked me for contacting him. I did not go with him… decided not to buy a cue but liked the communication and his style/reputation. Would not hesitate to deal with him
 
Last edited:
Perhaps I am fortunate but I have made some high dollar deals with builders in the past and would not hesitate to
make more "handshake" deals again. Included, but not limited to are, in no particular order, Bob Runde, Larry Vigus,
John Nemec, Shelby Williams, Jerry Raunzaun, Ernie Gutierrez, Brent Summers, Paul Drexler, Brian Kohara
Bob Simoneau (RIP).
If I felt that I needed a contract to protect my investment, I would be dealing with someone else.
 
Deal with Cody Cash(PK Cues) in Wichita. Does great work and also does what he tells you. Solid cat in my book.
 
Why custom? What's wrong with buying "off the shelf" from a cue maker whose work is a known quantity? You see what someone has on the rack, and if you like the way it looks, you buy it. As far as the minutiae of specifications, shafts are easily spun, weights adjusted, etc., and if you can't live with what can be provided, don't buy one. Just ask when the builder will have some more and wait, or move on to someone else. We may have certain preferences, but in the final analysis, any pool player worth his salt can adjust to so many variables. Simply having the same cue available day after day is 99% of the battle -- just compare playing off the wall. A lot of what we listen to about custom cues is simply a bunch of ego stroking, prima donna posturing.
 
I have comissioned two cues from very well known known cuemakers. You really need to do research on the cuemakers is my opinion. One of the makers has been great and will help me get anything I needed on my cue. The other had no desire to do that. I'm not sure if I'll do another from scratch after my next one is done.
 
I have spent a small fortune buying, trading, selling and ordering custom cues. I have never been
screwed or disappointed with any of the sellers and cue makers I’ve done business with. In fact,
my experience was so good with two of the cue makers that I ordered two new customs right
after receiving the first two and all the cues are still with me. I’ve read stories about some awful
cue makers that at one time or another had a following but these cue makers stole money from
their customers by failing to finish the cues ordered or sent in for repair. It is important to verify
a cue maker’s reputation by doing as much research as you can before ever ordering a cue. I did
and haven’t had any problems. I’ve been ordering custom design pool cues dating back to 1984.
 
Last edited:
$TAKE HOR$E said:
It can also depend on how well you know the builder, or whether you’re a first time customer or someone who has standing orders now and then. I had Keith Josey build a cue probably 17-18 years ago and I remember what a pleasant experience it was, same with Bob Owen and Joey Gold. I think I recall sending Keith a deposit but it was minimal if so. Cue was completed ahead of schedule and for about the next 5 years I got a Christmas card from the Joseys.

Nowadays I just send a text…
Me - Hey man this is what I want
Cuemaker - Ok cool
Me - Hmu when it’s done
Cuemaker - 👍🏼

😂😂
Click to expand...
exactly my experience as well. The Joseys are great people to deal with for sure.

I got a custom Omen done years back and though it took a long time due to some unforeseen things on his end, I was so blown away by the finished product I didn't care. Oh and he communicated with me the whole time, makes a big difference.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top