Poolhall does not replace chalk?

[cuetime]

No Chalk

From an owners perspective. This is a frustrating situation. The Pool business is down dramitacally everywhere. Most of us are struggling to keep our doors open. Customers simply don't understand. They think that, because you own a business, you must be making a fortune. It just isn't the case. As Owners, we're most concerned about keeping the lights on, as well as the heat and air-conditioning. We would love to recover each table every 6 months, have new house cues brought in every few months. It just isn't possible for most of us.
From a customer's perspective, you're getting ripped off. Your coming in and paying good money for entertainment, yet putting up with sub-standard conditions.
I'm not sure what the cure is. It really is a catch 22. Customers expect a certain level of service (and rightly so). Owners aren't able to provide all (or even most) of the customer's expectations.
All of us that love the sport need to find some way to make it work.
Pool Rooms are closing down in alarming numbers! It isn't because we don't want to do it anymore. It is because we can't make a living, plain and simple.
As owners, I believe most of us are doing everything we can to rebuild.
I would ask the customers to continue to support us as best they can and try to be understanding.
When we think of a single issue, like chalk, $20.00 seems insignificant. Try to keep in mind $1500.00 gas bills, $1000.00 electric bills, $7000.00 rent bills, $2000,00 food bills. It take an aweful lot of pool players to take care of that nut and we're only scratching the surface.
I'm not complaining!
When you go into business, you accept the risks and rewards.
A little empathy goes a long way. If a room goes out of business, we all lose.

 

[JimS]

What's ridiculous is using black chalk on someone else's table.

I'll take that remark another step... What's ridiculous is using black chalk... period! Not meaning to insult but talk about UGLY! I can't even imagine a scenario where I'd put black chalk on the tip of my favorite cue.

 

[stick8]

room owner

From an owners perspective. This is a frustrating situation. The Pool business is down dramitacally everywhere. Most of us are struggling to keep our doors open. Customers simply don't understand. They think that, because you own a business, you must be making a fortune. It just isn't the case. As Owners, we're most concerned about keeping the lights on, as well as the heat and air-conditioning. We would love to recover each table every 6 months, have new house cues brought in every few months. It just isn't possible for most of us.
From a customer's perspective, you're getting ripped off. Your coming in and paying good money for entertainment, yet putting up with sub-standard conditions.
I'm not sure what the cure is. It really is a catch 22. Customers expect a certain level of service (and rightly so). Owners aren't able to provide all (or even most) of the customer's expectations.
All of us that love the sport need to find some way to make it work.
Pool Rooms are closing down in alarming numbers! It isn't because we don't want to do it anymore. It is because we can't make a living, plain and simple.
As owners, I believe most of us are doing everything we can to rebuild.
I would ask the customers to continue to support us as best they can and try to be understanding.
When we think of a single issue, like chalk, $20.00 seems insignificant. Try to keep in mind $1500.00 gas bills, $1000.00 electric bills, $7000.00 rent bills, $2000,00 food bills. It take an aweful lot of pool players to take care of that nut and we're only scratching the surface.
I'm not complaining!
When you go into business, you accept the risks and rewards.
A little empathy goes a long way. If a room goes out of business, we all lose.

as a room owener, a big AMEN, some of you people buy you a room and try it!!!!!!!

 

[Dartman]

My wholesale cost is 12.95 per gross ( 144 pcs ) that is .09 cents for a piece of master chalk.

I'd still like to know who your supplier is for $12.95gr. A asked this on 4/15 and no reply yet.

A few thoughts -
Treat new chalk as an expendable supply item and tack on a quarter to your table rates.
When you give them the ball tray ask if they need chalk. If so sell them 2 pieces for a quarter and let them keep it.

Like most people I'm used to the room supplying the chalk but a quarter isn't asking much to always get 2 fresh pieces.

 

[Fatboy]

From an owners perspective. This is a frustrating situation. The Pool business is down dramitacally everywhere. Most of us are struggling to keep our doors open. Customers simply don't understand. They think that, because you own a business, you must be making a fortune. It just isn't the case. As Owners, we're most concerned about keeping the lights on, as well as the heat and air-conditioning. We would love to recover each table every 6 months, have new house cues brought in every few months. It just isn't possible for most of us.
From a customer's perspective, you're getting ripped off. Your coming in and paying good money for entertainment, yet putting up with sub-standard conditions.
I'm not sure what the cure is. It really is a catch 22. Customers expect a certain level of service (and rightly so). Owners aren't able to provide all (or even most) of the customer's expectations.
All of us that love the sport need to find some way to make it work.
Pool Rooms are closing down in alarming numbers! It isn't because we don't want to do it anymore. It is because we can't make a living, plain and simple.
As owners, I believe most of us are doing everything we can to rebuild.
I would ask the customers to continue to support us as best they can and try to be understanding.
When we think of a single issue, like chalk, $20.00 seems insignificant. Try to keep in mind $1500.00 gas bills, $1000.00 electric bills, $7000.00 rent bills, $2000,00 food bills. It take an aweful lot of pool players to take care of that nut and we're only scratching the surface.
I'm not complaining!
When you go into business, you accept the risks and rewards.
A little empathy goes a long way. If a room goes out of business, we all lose.

i own lots of businesses, i have also had bussiness fail getting trapped in NNN leases, payroll, things that pop-up you wouldnt ever think of and yes i'm the last guy to get paid-thats just business. and yes i have filed persomal bankruptcy as a result i've been down that road. but I can promis ALL ROOM OWNERS one thing if your business is going to fail its going to fail because of your overhead structure relitative to your income structure and a box of chalk aint gonna prolong the inevitavtable forever. you take your licks and move on. its a tough gig I could open a 50 table room in Vegas and buy the building tomarrow if I wanted too but I'd rather buy the building and collect the rent. I wouldnt get in that gig right now no matter what. Pool is toast and its sad but when some doors close others open...and i wish nothing but the best for all self employeed people its tough-i was born into a poor family and hated it and its been a long grind but I never had a job.

 

[lifebyfire21]

I'll take that remark another step... What's ridiculous is using black chalk... period! Not meaning to insult but talk about UGLY! I can't even imagine a scenario where I'd put black chalk on the tip of my favorite cue.

All I can really say to this is to each their own, I just don't like the blue chalk myself so it really comes down to personal taste, so no I don't take insult to that comment, not playing with black chalk is your call, playing with black chalk is mine *shrugs* it happens.

 

[jjn7612]

In DEFENSE

As one of the people that work for and help at the pool room this thread was started about I AM GOIN TO DEFEND THEM!!!! They can be blasted about being bar and catering to the partiers, but these gentleman have stepped up more for the game of pool in the last year than any other room owners on the Missouri Side of the Kansas City Metro!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

As far as the chalk........there is a case of it in the liquor room. Ask and they will get some out. Ask me and I will be more than happy to go get some. As far as the tournaments I run I try to make sure every table has at least one good piece on it. THE PART THAT MAKES ME SICK ARE THE NUMBER OF REGULAR CUSTOMERS THAT STEAL THE GOOD PIECES OF CHALK ON A DAILY BASIS AND TAKE THEM WITH THEM. IF THEY WANT A GOOD POOL ROOM THEN STEP UP AND MAKE IT ONE.

As far as Scottsters attacks on the room........I ask you WHAT OTHER ROOM HAS DONE ANYTHING FOR POOL IN THIS AREA IN THE LAST YEAR??? INCLUDING HELPIN YOUR ROOMMATE OUT AND GIVING HIM A PLACE TO FEEL WELCOME!!!!!!!! Now if you want to see another room that makes this one look quiet after 8pm when the party crowd shows up then I will give you a great example........and it is considered by many as one of the MOST upscale pool rooms in the midwest.

Before we jump on our high horse about why can't a room do this or that let us ask ourselves what has the room done for us and is anyone else doin more?!?!?!?!?!?!?!

Justin

 

[Scottster]

I didn't jump on a high horse, I just stated that they cared more about the bar side of the business then they do about the pool side, which they should because that is where they are gonna make their money.

I would say 90% of the regulars their are extremely satisfied with the way things are and that leads to a good profit margin. That doesn't mean that there arent areas that need improvement like the light ballast on table 8.

Then on a certain league night when most of the customers are the league players, that dont want the music so loud they cant think, and when asking a certain bar tender to turn it down he says no because the group of girls want it super loud that are in the back of the room makes it frustrating to fade. This issue has been addressed btw and has been promised to be taken care of on this certain night of league.

I will admit that when I first made my initial post I was pretty ticked off about a couple of other issues that have been resolved. For the most part I still enjoy playing there, there are plenty of other places I could go but still go there. But I really dont think I said anything too out of line. Like I said in my first response.

They are running their establishment the way they want to and are having great success and I am happy for them about that. Surely you can agree with me though if this place was to ever cater to the "Action" players that the atmosphere would have to be different than it is now.

After re-reading my initial post I was too harsh. The owners and the management do care about pool. I still believe that their main focus is the bar and restaurant aspect of the business, and rightfully so, because that is without a doubt how they will make their major profit.

My Statement on how I said they felt about pool was out of line, I wholeheartedly apologize, and removed the statement. They have put forth the effort to make the room a great place for all of their patrons.

On a different note, I was coming home from Forrest's house tonight and at 3:30 got rear ended by a drunk driver going close to 100 MPH on 50 Highway he flat plowed me. Pretty sure he totaled the Taurus and my neck, back and shoulder are pretty damn sore. No broken bones, just muscle and soft tissue strain.

 

[Pushout]

Scottster, be careful. My wife was stopped at a red light in 1990 and had the same thing happen. He wasn't going 100 mph, but my wife is permenently disabled, all from soft tissue damage.
When we went to court several years later, the judge would not allow the jury to be told the guy was drunk. Long, story, my wife was awarded next to nothing. Get a GOOD lawyer.

 

[jjn7612]

Surely you can agree with me though if this place was to ever cater to the "Action" players that the atmosphere would have to be different than it is now.

Unfortunately what the "ACTION" players conditions are becoming this pool room is right on target. I played at a room where action and tournaments abound last weekend with a live band playin 100 feet away at a top decibel level. The only thing that needs changed is the balls and the table conditions.....which again comes down to regulars and employees all helping. I am in the situation here because I stepped up and said I want a nice pool room and will work to attain it. I don't expect it to just be given to me.

 

[feldz23]

Hey Justin Does this mean you guys will be putting out some new chalk ? It's funny that I hear alot of the players complaining about the old chalk but no one has said anything to Bill about it. I guess we just do not like to ***** about it, and bring our own new chalk to play with every week. I just hate worn down chalk it gets on the ferrule, which is my pet peeve.

Hey Scott hope all is well, sorry to hear about the accident ! Did Danny win today against Corey. Waiting on the results...