Pool Cue Repair issues...I need to vent, need comments / advice

[MFB]

At the end of April, I played in a small regional tournament (lasts several days) that our league vendor puts on every year. I have a custom cue. I needed a tip put on, the first day I am there, I take it to one of the vendors that was there doing repairs. I provide him with the tip I wanted put on.....

After I have the shaft back, I notice dents near the joint on the shaft from the collet on his lathe. I take the shaft back to him. He apologizes, and says he can steam it out. A few hours turns into a few days. Then he wants to take the shaft with him (after the tournament), and I can get it back after he fixes it (for free of course). I say 'OK'. A few days turns into several weeks. I am not pressing him on the shaft, because I want it fixed right, and I have an extra shaft.

I call him after a few weeks, he says he gave the shaft to another guy that can fix the problem, he has the facilities to put a finish back on after the repair.

A few weeks pass. We exchange phone calls, and things are just taking a little while.

I get a voicemail from him on Monday. He says the shaft would have required too many coats of varnish, so the guy he gave the shaft to, made a new shaft instead, and took off the shaft rings from the old shaft and replaced on the new shaft.

Needless to say, I was a bit disappointed and upset. I called him back, and told him I wasn't too happy with his message. I informed him that the shaft had a custom joint (slight compression fitting), and couldn't possibly be replaced or replicated properly without having the butt. I also told him the shaft was made out of ash, not maple. He had no idea and plans to get the 'new shaft' to me soon, so I can look at it.

I guess I can say that he won't be putting on anymore tips for me.

 

[shamadam]

My Lord, what wouldve happened if you wanted a new ferrule. LOL.
Sorry about your situation. I would be livid.

 

[CamposCues]

Yikes

I guess I'm lucky I noticed the dents the collets can leave while working on my own stuff. I now put some tape in that area as well as a piece of felt in the collet. I still can't imagine why they couldn't have just done some light sanding and then resprayed the shaft.

 

[dabarbr]

Man I feel for you. This is a tragedy, but there is nothing you or him can do now. Get a hold of a good cue maker and see if you can replicate what you lost. But you know how we are. We will spend the money for the things we like. Good luck

 

[Methodman201]

I'm sorry to hear. I Believe That The Other Parties Should Be Paying For A New Shaft If The Orignal Maker Is Alive/Able To Do So.
I Do Hope Everything Pans Out For You. PM Me If There Is Anything I Can Do
To Help.
-Vincent

 

[Rip]

I'd almost be willing to buy you a new shaft in exchange for an 8x10 of your avatar! I love it!!
Rip~comfortably numb...

 

[Michael Webb]

At the end of April, I played in a small regional tournament (lasts several days) that our league vendor puts on every year. I have a custom cue. I needed a tip put on, the first day I am there, I take it to one of the vendors that was there doing repairs. I provide him with the tip I wanted put on.....

After I have the shaft back, I notice dents near the joint on the shaft from the collet on his lathe. I take the shaft back to him. He apologizes, and says he can steam it out. A few hours turns into a few days. Then he wants to take the shaft with him (after the tournament), and I can get it back after he fixes it (for free of course). I say 'OK'. A few days turns into several weeks. I am not pressing him on the shaft, because I want it fixed right, and I have an extra shaft.

I call him after a few weeks, he says he gave the shaft to another guy that can fix the problem, he has the facilities to put a finish back on after the repair.

A few weeks pass. We exchange phone calls, and things are just taking a little while.

I get a voicemail from him on Monday. He says the shaft would have required too many coats of varnish, so the guy he gave the shaft to, made a new shaft instead, and took off the shaft rings from the old shaft and replaced on the new shaft.

Needless to say, I was a bit disappointed and upset. I called him back, and told him I wasn't too happy with his message. I informed him that the shaft had a custom joint (slight compression fitting), and couldn't possibly be replaced or replicated properly without having the butt. I also told him the shaft was made out of ash, not maple. He had no idea and plans to get the 'new shaft' to me soon, so I can look at it.

I guess I can say that he won't be putting on anymore tips for me.

Sorry for your loss. Years ago I put a tail stock on my spindle side, just to prevent something like this from happening. Live center for most shafts, I made a cup center for uni locs, seeing they are still not made with a center. If it couldn't be repaired, that would be a good time to have the original maker get involved.

 

[manwon]

At the end of April, I played in a small regional tournament (lasts several days) that our league vendor puts on every year. I have a custom cue. I needed a tip put on, the first day I am there, I take it to one of the vendors that was there doing repairs. I provide him with the tip I wanted put on.....

After I have the shaft back, I notice dents near the joint on the shaft from the collet on his lathe. I take the shaft back to him. He apologizes, and says he can steam it out. A few hours turns into a few days. Then he wants to take the shaft with him (after the tournament), and I can get it back after he fixes it (for free of course). I say 'OK'. A few days turns into several weeks. I am not pressing him on the shaft, because I want it fixed right, and I have an extra shaft.

I call him after a few weeks, he says he gave the shaft to another guy that can fix the problem, he has the facilities to put a finish back on after the repair.

A few weeks pass. We exchange phone calls, and things are just taking a little while.

I get a voicemail from him on Monday. He says the shaft would have required too many coats of varnish, so the guy he gave the shaft to, made a new shaft instead, and took off the shaft rings from the old shaft and replaced on the new shaft.

Needless to say, I was a bit disappointed and upset. I called him back, and told him I wasn't too happy with his message. I informed him that the shaft had a custom joint (slight compression fitting), and couldn't possibly be replaced or replicated properly without having the butt. I also told him the shaft was made out of ash, not maple. He had no idea and plans to get the 'new shaft' to me soon, so I can look at it.

I guess I can say that he won't be putting on anymore tips for me.

I am very sorry to here about your problem. There are a few things I would do, first I would contact your League operator. He is responsible in my opinion for any vendors that are working at his events. He should not allow in experienced cue repairman to operate at his events, however, at League events this is a common issue. At a minimum he should offer to insure that this situation is corrected in a professional manner, and that the individual who did the inadequate repairs be barred from future events.

Next, I would contact the cue repairman and tell him that his fix will not solve the issue, and that the only resolution would be to have the original cue maker make a replacement shaft for your cue, at the cue repairman's expense.

This problem could have been corrected on the spot by a skilled cue repairman. The finish could have been removed, the dents could then have been steamed out, and the shaft could have been refinished, all in about 2 hour's. This is not rocket science, and again I am very sorry that this happened to you. I see these problems all the time, especially when people return from Pool League events.

Just my thoughts on this problem!!!

Have a good night!!!!!

 

[MFB]

I'd almost be willing to buy you a new shaft in exchange for an 8x10 of your avatar! I love it!!
Rip~comfortably numb...

Hmmmm, that could be arranged.