Pop quiz.. hotshot.. selling scenario

classiccues

Morgan set complete...
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Lets say you have a brand new cue, you describe it PERFECTLY, show multiple pictures, you're not off on weight, ferrule size, nothing. You send it out to a customer and he HITS with the cue, for 1-3 days. Then says he don't like it, its too "stiff" or whatever... what is the sellers obligation, as a buyer, would you ask for a refund, knowing the cue was as listed?? IYHO???? What would you be willing to refund now that the cue is USED???

Same scenario.. cue is used...????

JV (---just a question
 
That is a very good question. Although you would want to make sure the buyer is happy, there are some out there who want to "try out" a cue and would use this technique to get the cue in their hands (luckily I have not had this experience). If the seller is a dealer, it would probably be a good idea to have a policy covering this type of "subjective" return reason which could be clearly stated on the site. It would be more difficult in a transaction between two private parties, and would have to be worked out on a case by case basis.

I think it is incumbent upon any seller to talk on the phone to the buyer and describe in as much detail as possible the "hit" of the cue in order to make sure that this type of "hit" is very close to the type of cue for which the buyer is looking. I would also ask the buyer to describe the different cues they have had and used in order to gain some idea of their credibility and knowledge of custom cues, as there are certain generalizations that can be made. Depending on the responses to these inquiries, the seller may decide not to sell the cue to a particular buyer.

Tough call for sure.
 
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i don't think it's a tough call at all. if the cue is as described and the only objection is the "hit" which is subjective that is not an excuse to return the cue. if you want to try a cue before you buy it and arrangements can be made to do this that would be acceptable. but to me if a cue is "unhit" i think not many sellers would agree to this. just my opinion.

guy
 
Well Taken-

guycrunch said:
i don't think it's a tough call at all. if the cue is as described and the only objection is the "hit" which is subjective that is not an excuse to return the cue. if you want to try a cue before you buy it and arrangements can be made to do this that would be acceptable. but to me if a cue is "unhit" i think not many sellers would agree to this. just my opinion.

guy

Refusing to take the cue back could be an easy decision, but dealing with the ramifications of that decision with a buyer who would consider pursuing this course of action in my opinion would not be easy.
 
DJKeys said:
Refusing to take the cue back could be an easy decision, but dealing with the ramifications of that decision with a buyer who would consider pursuing this course of action in my opinion would not be easy.

It's not just the easy decision, its the only proper one. What sort of ramifications are you thinking of? Do you mean the vindictive, personal type, or just slander on the forum? I think the latter would be none too effective, save its negative effects on the reputation of the buyer, while the first would probably end up as a law enforcement matter.

The cue was exactly as described, there's no way of quantifying this thing we call "hit", and in this scenario, no claims with regard to "hit" were even made.

Ken
 
Ken-

That is indeed what I meant. I just would not want to be in the position of receiving that type of retaliation, regardless if it was unfounded or ineffective.
 
if any sellers on this forum have to be worried about being bullied about in a situation like this by a buyer who might be a popular poster then this is not the correct forum to be selling cues.

guy
 
Being the cue is new, If you buy it, its yours. The used car dealership with a 30 day money back guarantee policy is down the street. Do your homework like any other purchase you make (not talking about $1.00 pack of gum). As a buyer I would understand it would be my obligation, if I didnt like the hit, to put the cue for sale on AZ at a slightly lower price or ebay for a slightly higher price, lol. IMHO Good luck.
 
In my humble opinion.

If it is a new unhit cue and you chalk it you own it. The only exception would be if other arangments had been made beforehand with the selling party. No money should be refunded.

If the cue were used it should be returned in the exact same condition as it was recieved within 3 bussiness days. All money less shipping should be returned.

My college roommate worked at Ferrarri Of New England. There were no test drives allowed until the car was paid for in full and no refunds after a test drive because then it was technically used. Kinda the same thing with these high end cues.
 
thats easy

classiccues said:
Lets say you have a brand new cue, you describe it PERFECTLY, show multiple pictures, you're not off on weight, ferrule size, nothing. You send it out to a customer and he HITS with the cue, for 1-3 days. Then says he don't like it, its too "stiff" or whatever... what is the sellers obligation, as a buyer, would you ask for a refund, knowing the cue was as listed?? IYHO???? What would you be willing to refund now that the cue is USED???

Same scenario.. cue is used...????

JV (---just a question

If You did not misrepresent it, (that is key with pool cues) then they own it. they bought it, they own it..... Boo hoo its too stiff, boo hoo its too soft. Boo hoo I couldnt realy afford it..... (as the new owner) They can now sell it.
-jay-
 
I guess it would matter what sort of relationship you had with the customer up to this point as well. But in most cases if you buy a new cue and play with it three days and decide you don't like it you need to find someone to sell it to, because at that point "It's YOUR Baby....YOU Rock It!!"

I would say on used cues it's no harm-no foul as long as a stupid amount of money isn't involved.

Just my opinion. Luckily my experience here is limited.

DRawls
 
I recently made a cue for a local guy that was a custom built including a super skinny 11.5 mm shaft with ivory ferrule. He asked to play with it and I said he could at BCA league. Well, after 3 days of hitting balls and playing with it he decided he didn't want it now because it hit differently than his old cue. I was a nice guy and did not take his money up front. So guess what, I have a well chalked custom cue with a smaller than normal shaft and ivory ferrule back in my shop that is no longer unchalked. He was trying to compare it to a cue he has played with for 25++ years. I really wanted to let him know my feelings, but instead I walked away shaking my head thinking I had screwed up when I didn't get half of his money up front. That will never happen again. If it's a new cue custom like this one, half the money up front, the rest on delivery. To be honest, I'm not sure I could ever please this guy. I'd rather have my cue in hand than have him bad mouth me because I had "screwed" him out of his money.
Learn as you go.
John

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Rackforcash said:
What a dumb question,how would anybody know how a cue would play with out playing with it first,so when u buy a custom cue ,make sure you want the cue, and expect that it might not play just like you would want. What is this Wal Mart .....I can tell you don't build cues.Would any of the Production Cue Company's give you your money back, because you didn't like the hit,hell no,so why should a Custom Cue Builder.........what do you think that because they make cues he's got money to give back,because some hacker didn't like the cues hit,get real.......... this site is one big joke,I even see guys talking up Chinese cues on this site,with all the great cue maker in American why would anybody want a Chinese cue,i don't care who's name is on it.This site is full of Broke Pool Players wanting to buy Chinese cues,Forget About Chinese Cues By American Cues,I see why Pool is the worst paying sport in the world,because players think like this.and sponsor's know that, so why give money to pool...........maybe the Chinese will


Since the sight is such a joke I'm sure you wouldn't mind if the moderators removed you. I have actually found this to be the best billiard forum on the net. You couldn't be more wrong about the depth of knowledge of the users on this forum and their willingness to share it. I also belive that there is no other place where the Elite of American cuemakers as well as those who are just starting out are more supported. Most of us are also very far from broke but like to hunt for good deals so that we can try different cue makers and then flip the cue withh little or no loss. If that's a crime than I'm guilty.
 
Nice cue...

jkmarshall_cues said:
I recently made a cue for a local guy that was a custom built including a super skinny 11.5 mm shaft with ivory ferrule. He asked to play with it and I said he could at BCA league. Well, after 3 days of hitting balls and playing with it he decided he didn't want it now because it hit differently than his old cue. I was a nice guy and did not take his money up front. So guess what, I have a well chalked custom cue with a smaller than normal shaft and ivory ferrule back in my shop that is no longer unchalked. He was trying to compare it to a cue he has played with for 25++ years. I really wanted to let him know my feelings, but instead I walked away shaking my head thinking I had screwed up when I didn't get half of his money up front. That will never happen again. If it's a new cue custom like this one, half the money up front, the rest on delivery. To be honest, I'm not sure I could ever please this guy. I'd rather have my cue in hand than have him bad mouth me because I had "screwed" him out of his money.
Learn as you go.
John
jkmarshall_cues said:
John,
I love the wood you used in that cue. Nice work on the butt sleeve, also. It is a shame that you made something like that to the specs of one of your customers, then got screwed on it. I do fully understand what you mean when you say you would rather eat the cue than be bad-mouthed by the guy who "wanted" it.
Joe
 
jkmarshall_cues said:
So guess what, I have a well chalked custom cue with a smaller than normal shaft and ivory ferrule back in my shop that is no longer unchalked.

Damn....

You are a nice guy.
 
classiccues said:
Lets say you have a brand new cue, you describe it PERFECTLY, show multiple pictures, you're not off on weight, ferrule size, nothing. You send it out to a customer and he HITS with the cue, for 1-3 days. Then says he don't like it, its too "stiff" or whatever... what is the sellers obligation, as a buyer, would you ask for a refund, knowing the cue was as listed?? IYHO???? What would you be willing to refund now that the cue is USED???

Same scenario.. cue is used...????

JV (---just a question
I think I agree that if buyer's experience with different cues is established, and the right qualifying information is gathered, all sales are final when the agreed upon cue, in the agreed upon condition, for the agreed upon price, is put into play.
 
lenoxmjs said:
Since the sight is such a joke I'm sure you wouldn't mind if the moderators removed you. I have actually found this to be the best billiard forum on the net. You couldn't be more wrong about the depth of knowledge of the users on this forum and their willingness to share it. I also belive that there is no other place where the Elite of American cuemakers as well as those who are just starting out are more supported. Most of us are also very far from broke but like to hunt for good deals so that we can try different cue makers and then flip the cue withh little or no loss. If that's a crime than I'm guilty.

Is that all you go out that............What a suck -ss
 
I have to say that any buyer should know if they chalk it, they own it. As a dealer, you should not give the refund if he has used it......especially that he shot with the cue for a couple of days. You can definitely take the cue back at a discount if you can move the cue again. But I don't see a full refund to this guy.

Is he pushing for a full refund???
 
Joe,

Interesting topic...and you and I both know it can be a touchy one.

You know, to try to avoid this situation, it's best if you just have a blanket policy on returns and stick to it. Ours is 48hrs.

We feel like that it's fair and somebody should reasonably be able to inspect a cue, roll it, dry hit it a handful of shots, and tell.......1. whether they like it or 2. it does not meet their expectation as to hit or description and then get back with us in 48 hours. On a unchalked cue, if you chalk it and play with it, it's yours or a restock fee (a used cue simply isn't a new one).

It goes without saying that it must arrive back in same shape as it was sent (new or used).

Sean
 
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