Predator cue is just about marketing???

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BABYfrHEAVEN

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I went to a local store few days ago looking to upgrade my cue stick. I'm looking for a cue around 600$ but still can afford up to $1000. After a bunch of research, I narrow my choice to Mezz or Predator. After a few shots with one of Mezz Axi 2015 series and ACE-K cue, I have very good feeling kind of like to buy one of them. I want to try to hit with Predator cue (8k-2 or P3 series- which I really like) as well but unfortunately, they don't have any. I decided to go to other store have those Predator cues to check then make a final decision later.

Well even when I said above I like predator cues (8k, P3 or even Sport 2) but, in fact, i've never tried them before. The reasons I like is the design and technology (which I read from Predator website). Then I talked about my situation with one of professional player (he's very famous, attend WPC last year and even own cue store but I don't want to mention his name here) and curious about the different about 8k, P3. Here is what he said to me:

"Not much different between those 2, predator cue is all about the same for so many years. The way they marketing make people think that Predator cue has breakthrough technology, even with the new 3rd gen sharp.".

He did not say Predator cue is bad but he doesn't like the way they marketing and told me Predator is overpriced. One other guy (also a pro) suggest to me that I don't need to spend 1000$ for a cue because 500$ cue is already high-end cue. When I asked him about a cue around 500$, which brand I should go for and he said go for Mezz.

Well, even this comes from pro player but I still wanna hear others people opinion about it. And I still haven't made a purchase decision yet.
 
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I'm a big fan of Predator cues. I'm comfortable with the one I'm using. And I have about 6 or 7.

Would it be fair to say....no one can say what is best for you or which cue is a better player.
 
I am sure if you keep looking, you will find 2 other pro guys who like predator.

And about the innovation, I imagine it is hard to make big improvements of the technology/ product predator has. You know they made it as good a shaft as they could, every time. Then they made it a little better, then did the same again. There's an English phrase, 'marginal gains'...as things get better and better, it gets increasingly harder to make additional improvements, so tiny improvement are all that is left, at some point.

Get what you like. Your money and your cue.

You never truly know why people tell you what they do. Maybe the guy makes more money from selling a mezz? Maybe his mezz representative has big boobies...who knows?
 
Imo, any cue butt over $250 new is fine. Predator and some other Ld shafts do offer a larger margin for error when cueball is not struck dead center. Preference among these is subjective. Price can be better in aftermarket or last "years" design.

You will pay a little extra for marketing and new technology as in any product. Ask to try others cues and ones at the store to see what you like.

Have fun trying new things and forming your own opinions in the process.
 
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Black-Balled said:
I am sure if you keep looking, you will find 2 other pro guys who like predator.

And about the innovation, I imagine it is hard to make big improvements of the technology/ product predator has. You know they made it as good a shaft as they could, every time. Then they made it a little better, then did the same again. There's an English phrase, 'marginal gains'...as things get better and better, it gets increasingly harder to make additional improvements, so tiny improvement are all that is left, at some point.

Get what you like. Your money and your cue.

You never truly know why people tell you what they do. Maybe the guy makes more money from selling a mezz? Maybe his mezz representative has big boobies...who knows?
Click to expand...

Just here for the boobies...
 
I read somewhere that Nike's marketing budget is higher than their total manufacturing costs of production. To me, Predator follows the same business model.
 
BABYfrHEAVEN said:
I went to a local store few days ago looking to upgrade my cue stick. I'm looking for a cue around 600$ but still can afford up to $1000. After bunch of research, i narrow my choice to Mezz or Predator. After a few shots with one of Mezz Axi 2015 series and ACE-K cue, i have very good feeling kind of like to buy one of them. I want to try to hit with Predator cue (8k-2 or P3 series- which i really like) as well but unfortunately they dont have any. So i decided to go to other store have those Predator cues to check then make final decision later.

Well even when i said above i like predator cues (8k, P3 or even Sport 2) but in fact i've never try them before. The reason i like are the design and technology (which i read from Predator website). Then i talked about my situation with one of professional player (he's very famous, attend WPC last year and even own cue store but i dont want to mention his name here) and curious about the different about 8k, P3. Here is what he said to me:

"Not much different between those 2, predator cue is all about the same for so many years. The way they marketing make people think that Predator cue have breakthrough technology, even with the new 3rd gen sharp.".

He was not say Predator cue is bad but he doesn't like the way they marketing and told me Predator is overprice. One other guys (also a pro) suggest to me that i dont need to spend 1000$ for a cue because 500$ cue is already high-end cue. When i asked him about a cue around 500$, which brand i should go for and he said go for Mezz.

Well even this is come from pro player but i still wanna here others people opinion about it. And i still haven't made a purchase decision yet.
Click to expand...

I'm afraid your friend let his business dealings with predator effect his opinion on the quality of the product. It's true that predator demands very large monetary orders from their dealers just to qualify to carry the product. Many dealers can't/don't and therefore automatically dislike the company. Even some who represent predator resent their requirements. Best opinions you can get is from players who have paid for the product themselves. I've been exclusively using predator shafts for 10 years. On a Ginacue, by the way.
 
I have a Predator for sale. Was originally selling for $900.00 Ryan from Muellars just did a refinish on it. No Pred shaft as that is the way I received it. Players 12 mm HXT shaft with it. Just test hit.

It does actually Shoot Lights out and Hits A Tonne. That is in Metric Measure BTW. I kid, I kid.

Looks brand new off the rack. No hall left in town so down sizing, as I don't really have a place to take my cues out and have fun like I used to.

If you might be interested, PM me for price. Just don't want to say here. Not much tho.
Just want to get what I paid for it plus a little added for the refinish cost.

I wish that I could remember the model number. It is something like a BK 709 500 or how ever they name them. Camel bone points and Camel diamond inlays.
 
cue

My vote is for Mezz. I have owned many of both brands. I have also repaired both. Mostly Predators though. The only thing Mezz cues usually need is a tip or a scratch fixed - Predators have massive problems with ferrules, and shafts. Playability, durability and holding value goes to Mezz.
 
I never gave a crap what someone's opinion of a cue was. It's to much a personal way ... If I like the way a cue feels and hits I couldn't give 2 shits what some else thinks. I never liked predators until I hit with a road line. I don't why but that line feels great to me. So good that my custom lambros never came out of the case after that and I eventually sold it.
 
Love predator. Have shot with almost every production cue and the vantage is the best for me in terms of hit/feedback and deflection can't go wrong with a 314 either. Owned 6 of them

Sent from my SM-G900W8 using Tapatalk
 
Depends on the pro you ask. If you ask one that is sponsored by a manufacturer what cue do you think they would recommend?

One of my team mates years ago went to a PH to buy a cue. He didn't want to spend a lot of money and needed a cue that was better than a house cue. The owner asked him what he was looking for and he thought to be funny that he would ask for a $10,000 cue. The owner said he had some and would get them. The buyer then told him that he didn't want to pay much over a hundred. He tried a few low price cues and had a hard time deciding. The owner said let me help you decide. He came back with a cue and said it was a $10000 cue and wanted the buyer to try it to feel what a good cue would feel like. The guy was hesitant but decided why not. The owner asked what did he think. The buyer said it was really nice amd was impressed but way out of his price range. The owner said if he made the price right would he buy it. The buyer said that he really liked it but wasn't planning on spending more that $125. The seller asked would you pay me $150? The buyer said sure I would but you won't sell it for that. The owner said no that he wouldn't because it was a $90 cue and didn't want to rip the guy off and get a get a bad rep. The guy bought that cue for $90.

Many times it is value perception. Does a $10000 bottle of wine taste better than a bottle of 3 buck Chuck?

Only you can decide if one cue is the right one for you.

��
 
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predator adjustability

The biggest improvement predator has made in my opinion is the weight bolt system, it allows me to quickly adjust my cue for feel and playing conditions, to me it is like having 3-4 different cues in my case, find a predator butt that uses the weight bolts, buy a weight bolt kit and start experimenting you can add weight for slow or big tables and lighten it up for fast bar boxes, very handy and fun to experiment with.
 
manners, please

anyone live near mikemosconi. I am wondering how his english would be after someone taught him some manners. Cut the OP some slack and help him out with honest answers to a legitimate question champ!!!
 
Nuts4Tascarellas said:
My vote is for Mezz. I have owned many of both brands. I have also repaired both. Mostly Predators though. The only thing Mezz cues usually need is a tip or a scratch fixed - Predators have massive problems with ferrules, and shafts. Playability, durability and holding value goes to Mezz.
Click to expand...

I second this. Predator products are not the same quality as Mezz.
Mezz is he best production cues out there.
 
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