ordering a tascarella

[whiteoak]

The opposite experience

I dont know Mr.Tascarella so cant comment there but i would like to toss in my 2 cents worth for a couple of truely class acts.Over the past few years i have been fortunate enough to purchase some cues from Tim Scruggs and Mike Cochran and you will never work with nicer,more professional folks in any field.Mike S.

 

[MikeH]

Most of the time I disagree with what skins posts, but I think he is right on here. Pete doesn't owe anyone anything, he isn't getting rich off of making cues, he doesn't have endorsment deals...and I am sure there is rarely a minute out of his day he doesn't receive a phone call/e-mail/someone dropping by looking to turn a profit on one of his cues.

He isn't a kid, he has put in the work...his product is tested and proven, it speaks for itself. He has earned the right to say no, so before you get your panties in a wad...walk a mile in his shoes.

-Mike

Fixed the midevening post to make sense...added material in red

 

[skins]

I did not say that cuemakers owe me anything. I said that they should act in a professional manner. Common courtesy IS an obligation for me. I treat people how I want to be treated. Pretty simple, but perhaps a little stretch for some.

I have had several cuemakers build cues for me. I always considered it a colaberation verses "having someone create for me".

Skins perhaps youre right, I DO have too much pride to kiss someones a$$ to get them to "create" a cue for me. Obviously from your post you do not. Pucker up and get your cue.

I on the otherhand will work with a class act, and there are lots and lots of them, cuemaker.

Grow up,

Ken

your right there is a difference between you and me. people reading both our posts can see who has the attitude and it's not me. you sound like you have a chip that's not quite ready to fall off your shoulder. i don't know you and you don't know me so don't get personal with me. i'm trying to help this guy out and your being less than cordial. any growing up needs to start with yourself i'd think.

 

[Ken_4fun]

Skins you're cracking me up........

My points that I guess you think Im way off.

1. Cuemakers are just like everyone else, they are in business.

2. Based on price and product they can set a price. They are not doing me a favor, I am paying them. Based on discussions, they can choose to do business with me or I can choose not to do business with them.

3. There are LOTS of talented cuemakers out there. (As there are lots of talented EVERYTHING out there.)

4. Must conduct themselves in a courteous and professional manner.

IN BUSINESS AND IN LIFE I DEAL WITH PEOPLE WHO ARE TALENTED (POINT #3), WHO HAVE A GOOD VALUED PRODUCT (POINT #2) AND DEMAND THAT THEY PERFORM IN A COURTEOUS AND PROFESSION MANNER (POINT #4).

If they cannot meet the above, I choose not to deal with them. As I said in a previous post, they act this way because we allow them to treat us this way.

As I said with my dealings with Arnot, he was professional, even though we could not get together on a cue.

As for getting personal, you started it (POINTING MY FINGER AND STICKING OUT MY TONGUE). I am not mad at anyone, I am just stating that for me and for anyone asking my opinion, as I was, I would not do business with someone that does not conduct themselves in a professional manner. So if someone has to kiss somebody's a$$, for the "privilege" of buying their cue, count me out.

Skins, I will you luck in all things.

Your friend in pool,

Ken

 

[vinniebabarooch]

He makes a nice cue. But if he treated me like that, he couldn't GIVE me one of his cues! If he was having a bad day, then he should apologize. He may have EARNED a good reputation, But he should LEARN to be a professional. Just my opinion.

 

[cueaddicts]

This whole debate has always been interesting to me......but I can see it from both sides.

 

[classiccues]

My points that I guess you think Im way off.

1. Cuemakers are just like everyone else, they are in business.

2. Based on price and product they can set a price. They are not doing me a favor, I am paying them. Based on discussions, they can choose to do business with me or I can choose not to do business with them.

3. There are LOTS of talented cuemakers out there. (As there are lots of talented EVERYTHING out there.)

4. Must conduct themselves in a courteous and professional manner.

IN BUSINESS AND IN LIFE I DEAL WITH PEOPLE WHO ARE TALENTED (POINT #3), WHO HAVE A GOOD VALUED PRODUCT (POINT #2) AND DEMAND THAT THEY PERFORM IN A COURTEOUS AND PROFESSION MANNER (POINT #4).

In a perfect world. this is a reasonable train of thought. What do you do however with some of the other guys that have been mentioned? Cuemakers with 7 year, 8, year or indefinite waiting lists that you want to get on, but are told, "no I cannot take the order now" BUT when a "rich fish" or a "wannabe dealer with a lot of money" comes along, they drop what they are doing and make him a cue? You can't get on the list but because a guy is well off, he gets top billing. This is how the cuemarket has changed. Right or wrong, I think that these cuemakers know that probably 70-80% of these orders will be flipped for whatever reason.

Now as far as Pete is concerned, he knows what he is doing. He is very aware of the secondary market value of his cues. He has a very large list of people. Personally I like Pete, I know Pete and saw him shoot down Mizerak asking for a cue at West End Biliiards in Elizabeth at their legendary Tuesday night tourney in 87. Back then, Pete might have made 5cues a year. But that was before the internet, and Marcus.

JV

 

[Hunter]

I have had quite a few dealings with cuemakers. Interesting breed! Some of the best folks and some of the worst folks I've ever met, which tells me they're probably a fairly normal cross section of the human race.

I have had my wait time dragged out to four and five times the wait I was promised. I have been promised cues that never materialized. I have had the wrong materials used (ferrules that were supposed to be ivory that ended up LBM). I have also had this same treatment from most other professions including plumbers, electricians, landscapers, etc., just to name a few.

I have had a legendary cuemaker hang up on me when I was trying to get him to make me a shaft for one of his early cues. I was being very respectful, and thought maybe we had just got disconnected. I called back and got hung up on again! Needless to say, we don't do business together...

I have also had some of the best experiences talking with cuemakers. I have talked to guys that were supposedly unapproachable and had great conversations. I have had conversations with cuemakers that have backlogs a mile long that returned my call and had very friendly conversations with me. Barry and I exchanged emails and pictures, Dennis and I talked about fishing and golf. Richard Black's wife gave me his cell number and told me to contact him on the golf course.

Long and short of it, is that cuemakers are human. I do expect the same treatment that Ken expects. I think the world in general has lost something with the faceless communication that goes on these days (i.e. the internet, fax, cell phones, etc.).

I think business is still a two way street, a meeting of the minds. If a cuemaker, or anyone else can't deal with you in a professional manner, or vice versa, one or both parties need to move on down the road. I don't do business with anyone I don't respect, or can't get along with, no matter what their status is on the cuemaker food chain. It's a thing of beauty when you can work well with a cuemaker, and that's what keeps me going back!

Steve

 

[skins]

Now as far as Pete is concerned, he knows what he is doing. He is very aware of the secondary market value of his cues. He has a very large list of people. Personally I like Pete, I know Pete and saw him shoot down Mizerak asking for a cue at West End Biliiards in Elizabeth at their legendary Tuesday night tourney in 87. Back then, Pete might have made 5cues a year. But that was before the internet, and Marcus.

JV

your right about pete he does know what he's doing and that was my point that some people can't grasp. some don't want to know anything but their "truth". once again he owes no one anything. like i said before i hope this poster calls him back and talks about his bad experience because chances are it could would be a different conversation this time. also ya know pete was very popular way before the internet and marcus. he was talked about in billiard digest or pool & billiard magazines, i can't remember which one, back in the mid eighties. the article said he was one of the most sought after makers in the new york area and this was the area's little secret. that was the first time i'd heard of him.

 

[classiccues]

your right about pete he does know what he's doing and that was my point that some people can't grasp. some don't want to know anything but their "truth". once again he owes no one anything. like i said before i hope this poster calls him back and talks about his bad experience because chances are it could would be a different conversation this time. also ya know pete was very popular way before the internet and marcus. he was talked about in billiard digest or pool & billiard magazines, i can't remember which one, back in the mid eighties. the article said he was one of the most sought after makers in the new york area and this was the area's little secret. that was the first time i'd heard of him.

Pete is like everybody else.. he is human. We all have bad days and good days. Hey I run a business, and yes, sometimes I can be perceived as curt, on the rag, or just insensitive. I try to limit those days but my mood can be dictated by other influences.

I won't say he was as popular. I know that probably for maybe a 50 mile radius from NYC people knew him. But I think back in that day "late 80's" or so, get out of the tri-state area and he would be just another name. I will say I was in Elizabeth and the owner had a Tasc for sale.. 4 point rosewood w/ veneers, nice cue, but light. 18.5oz or so. Very thin in the butt, at that time I could have bought that cue for 800.00.

JV

 

[FAST_N_LOOSE]

Back then, Pete might have made 5cues a year. But that was before the internet, and Marcus.

JV

I LOVE MY CUES.

PETE HAS ALWAYS BEEN NICE FOR ME TO DEAL WITH. BUT I KNOW THAT IF YOU CALL HIM, IT BETTER BE DURING BANKERS HOURS, AND YOU BETTER KNOW WHAT YOU WANT OR WHAT YOU WANT TO ASK. HE CERTAINLY DOESN'T LIKE TO WASTE TIME CHATTING ON THE PHONE.

P.S. IF ANYBODY HAS ANY CUES FROM PETE THAT THEY WANT TO SELL BECAUSE HE WAS A LITTLE SHORT WITH THEM ON THE PHONE, SEND ME A PM.

 

["Pete Da Cop"]

Re: "ordering a Tascarella"......10amx6pm Monday thru Saturdays, and never on Sundays. A reasonable amount of time for phone calls? "tell it like it is" was on the money, relaxing after dinner. Ian, if still interested, try again, during business hours, which for most of the free world is until 5 pm...and Ken, you must be related to the moron who called on Christmas day, imagine how that conversation went...Pool players, ya gotta luv em!

 

[1pRoscoe]

and Ken, you must be related to the moron who called on Christmas day

I actually felt pity and laughed out loud at the same time on this one, Pete....

 

[HighEndCues]

God bless her soul,

Ken

This forum shouldn't be used for this kind of statements... A person's family is one of the sacred topic's never to be abused...
Ken, You made your points and expressed your opinions about Pete..
It is your option never to do business with him...

Pete is a straight shooter so be ready for it.... Sometimes being brutally honest can offend some people.. Pete will tell you exactly what is on his mind.. Call on business hours, not on family time, and things will go fine..

That being said... I have done lots of business with Pete and spoke at lenght on the phone many times.. My experiences have been positive...
Pete has even traveled to my poolroom to deliver a cue in person...
Best,
Ken Kerner
www.highendcues.com

 

[skins]

I actually felt pity and laughed out loud at the same time on this one, Pete....

i felt no pitty. i just laughed. Pete, the "Squeaky Wheel" says hi.

 

[Ken_4fun]

I didnt throw the first punch...thank you

This forum shouldn't be used for this kind of statements... A person's family is one of the sacred topic's never to be abused...
Ken, You made your points and expressed your opinions about Pete..
It is your option never to do business with him...

Pete is a straight shooter so be ready for it.... Sometimes being brutally honest can offend some people.. Pete will tell you exactly what is on his mind.. Call on business hours, not on family time, and things will go fine..

That being said... I have done lots of business with Pete and spoke at lenght on the phone many times.. My experiences have been positive...
Pete has even traveled to my poolroom to deliver a cue in person...
Best,
Ken Kerner
www.highendcues.com

Hey, if you had read an earlier post were I was called a moron or related to a moron I didnt see you jump in there.

I stand by what I said. When I am insulted, I suppose you want me to crawl into a corner?

I am going to take higher ground with you, and just say.....good day my nitty little friend.

Ken

 

[MikeH]

I did not think you had previously sounded like a moron until I read this.

-Mike

 

[pharaoh68]

Ken_4Fun-
With all due respect, I have to agree with the Colonel (HighEndCue) on this one. Though I understand that you were insulted first, you have to options: 1) be the bigger man and let it roll off your back, or 2) maybe take a shot at the individual who insulted you.

However, to go after another person's mother is no only insulting and uncalled for, its really infantile.

As for the disposition of the cuemaker, I aggree with cueaddicts completely. I can see both sides of the coin. While I think a lot of these guys should handle the general public with a certain degree of respect, I also see the reason behind some of the 'attitude'. I mean, all day long they hear from people and read (on these sites) about how someone is thrilled with their cue - Best cue they've ever played with! And, many times, they'll see that cue for sale a few weeks later because the owner wants something else.

True story. I bumped into Pete in the lobby of the hotel above the Valley Forge Convention Center this year and had a brief talk with him. He had made a full-splice wrapless cue for a friend of mine that, to date, is still the most beautiful, classiest looking 4 pointer I have ever seen. I made reference to the cue and how much I loved it, and he looked at me with a truly sad and confused expression on his face. He said "Yeah. I know that cue. I can't figure out why he sold it." I didn't even know that Pete knew of the sale but, sure enough, he did. And

Does this explain his phone manner? Maybe not. But try to keep in mind that Pete (and a slew of other cuemakers) probably deal with a number of calls and inquiries every day from people who are just blowing steam at them and have no real intnetion of ordering and he has probably dealt with a great number of people that have given him a hard time. And from the onset of that phone call, it may be hard for him to decipher what kind of customer you are.

Remember, like skins said, these men make art. Functional art, but art nonetheless. To disturb an artist (or anyone for that matter) while they are working can be annoying. To dsturb a man eating dinner with his wife, his kids or both can also be a hassle. Try to understand, there can be a number of different reasons for how he may have acted. Cut him some slack. After all, you're calling him because you want something from him.

 

[Ken_4fun]

Pharaoh68

Ken_4Fun-

As for the disposition of the cuemaker, I aggree with cueaddicts completely. I can see both sides of the coin. While I think a lot of these guys should handle the general public with a certain degree of respect, I also see the reason behind some of the 'attitude'. I mean, all day long they hear from people and read (on these sites) about how someone is thrilled with their cue - Best cue they've ever played with! And, many times, they'll see that cue for sale a few weeks later because the owner wants something else.

Does this explain his phone manner? Maybe not. But try to keep in mind that Pete (and a slew of other cuemakers) probably deal with a number of calls and inquiries every day from people who are just blowing steam at them and have no real intnetion of ordering and he has probably dealt with a great number of people that have given him a hard time. And from the onset of that phone call, it may be hard for him to decipher what kind of customer you are.

Remember, like skins said, these men make art. Functional art, but art nonetheless. To disturb an artist (or anyone for that matter) while they are working can be annoying. To dsturb a man eating dinner with his wife, his kids or both can also be a hassle. Try to understand, there can be a number of different reasons for how he may have acted. Cut him some slack. After all, you're calling him because you want something from him.

First -

1. If he doesnt want to be interupted, turn off the phone or get a answering machine or whatever. Even politely say "This is a bad time for me can you call me at 2:00?"

2. FOR THE RECORD - I HAVE NEVER CALLED PETE. Reread my posts, I never said I did. I said I wouldnt do business with someone that I have to ki$$ their a$$.

3. Finally if you insult me, and I respond, then get upset in the manner I respond is laughable. Disagree with me, fine, insult me? I will not accept it.

4. For all of you, and there have been several that have pm me or told me that "this artist" is an ***, but will not or could not because of other reasons respond or post thats fine. I am not looking for votes or acceptance, my point is as it has been the entire thread, that I choose not to deal with "artists" that require coddling and wooing. I prefer to deal with cuemakers who are professional.

I am starting to sound like Jimbo, I feel like I have been very consistant and others have insulted me or said I have said things I have not said.

Regards
ken

 

[pharaoh68]

First -

1. If he doesnt want to be interupted, turn off the phone or get a answering machine or whatever. Even politely say "This is a bad time for me can you call me at 2:00?"

Not only would turning off the phone be bad for his business, but what if he were to have an emergency? What if someone neded to get in touch with him? If you want to pose an alternative, make it a viable and realistic one.

2. FOR THE RECORD - I HAVE NEVER CALLED PETE. Reread my posts, I never said I did. I said I wouldnt do business with someone that I have to ki$$ their a$$.

I'm not saying that you have to kiss his ass. I'm saying that if you show up on Pete's doorstep (figuratively speaking) and chose him above all other cuemakers, obviously he has done something to impress you or wow you. When you achieve the level of success or stature within an industry the way he has, he is a little desrving of a degree of a certain degree of respect. Now I'm not saying you should kiss his ass. But its his work that has dazzled you. Not the other way around.

3. Finally if you insult me, and I respond, then get upset in the manner I respond is laughable. Disagree with me, fine, insult me? I will not accept it.

But his mother did not insult you. Your retaliation was a shot at his mother. If someone insults you and you choose to respond, say something to him about him. Bringing his mother into it is infantile and, truthfully speaking, out-dated. The 'your mother' line died years ago.

4. For all of you, and there have been several that have pm me or told me that "this artist" is an ***, but will not or could not because of other reasons respond or post thats fine. I am not looking for votes or acceptance, my point is as it has been the entire thread, that I choose not to deal with "artists" that require coddling and wooing. I prefer to deal with cuemakers who are professional.

I can't respond to the first half of this paragraph as I have no idea what point you are trying to make. As for the second half, you should deal specifically with cuemaker's who put the cue as priority number one. Not business. Any cuemaker who is focusing on the money he makes and the orders he takes as opposed to making solid, beautiful cues is, in my opinion, a bad cuemaker.

I am starting to sound like Jimbo, I feel like I have been very consistant and others have insulted me or said I have said things I have not said.

Regards
ken

Again, i respectfully disagree. JimBo's arguments have a foundation. They are based in lucid, rational thought. And I've never seen him revert to 'I did your momma' or anything of that nature.