Predator Customer service comes through again.

[PROG8R]

I just can't say enough about the service that I have received from this company over the years. I recently sent them an original shaft (one of the first they made) that had a small crack in the lamenation near the joint, without batting an eye, they just sent me a brand new one, for the $12 to ship it to them I have a new shaft. I am absolutley sold on every company that takes care of its buyers like that.

 

[mosconiac]

They treated me very well when I had a warranty claim long ago. They remedied the situation and explained how they were changing their production processes to ensure the problem would not occur again.

 

[manwon]

I just can't say enough about the service that I have received from this company over the years. I recently sent them an original shaft (one of the first they made) that had a small crack in the lamenation near the joint, without batting an eye, they just sent me a brand new one, for the $12 to ship it to them I have a new shaft. I am absolutley sold on every company that takes care of its buyers like that.

Well, I am very happy for you, but the service that I received as a retailer was very poor.

Check out these photo's!!!







I sold the above cue to a customer in early 2004, the cue was new when sold.

Around three weeks later, the customer brought the cue back to me with the pictured problems. Upon closer inspection it was found that the shaft was hollow below the ferrules tenon which caused the tenon to collapse and the ferrule to implode.

I sent these photo's and contacted predator by phone they claimed the item was tampered with and would not replace the shaft, long story short I had to eat the cost of a new shaft, to take care of my customer. To date I will only purchase and sell Predator products if asked to order them.

I also show any customers interested in Predator Products these photo's and tell them about my experience with this company.

Manwon

 

[GTeye]

I've dealt with them and have had nothing but positive experiences with them.

My friend just bought a cue off ebay and it arrived damaged due to the method it was shipped and the ebay seller wouldn't help him and he called Predator, was honest with them about what happened and they replaced his shaft, they offered this, he didn't even ask.

Perhaps their customer service has improved since you dealt with them, companies can change and things can get better. I have only dealt with them in the last year but it's all been very pleasant.

 

[Quesports]

I also had less than woderful service from Predator. I have a 314 shaft which has a slight warp in it. I shipped it to them because they said they could straighten it, when it came back it was still warped. They told me it was acceptably warped within their guidlines. Acceptably Warped, Got to love that line!!
No more predator products for me.
Dan

 

[manwon]

I've dealt with them and have had nothing but positive experiences with them.

My friend just bought a cue off ebay and it arrived damaged due to the method it was shipped and the ebay seller wouldn't help him and he called Predator, was honest with them about what happened and they replaced his shaft, they offered this, he didn't even ask.

Perhaps their customer service has improved since you dealt with them, companies can change and things can get better. I have only dealt with them in the last year but it's all been very pleasant.

I still have never been paid in anyway for the this problem. So as I said above, I am very glad things worked out you guys, but next time keep some Preparation H handy because it may become a painful experience , and dealing with Predator has been painful for me and many others .

Have a nice Night Guy's!!!!!

manwon

 

[Fuji-whopper]

Yeah, screw them and I hope they die!!

 

[Pugh]

I also had less than woderful service from Predator. I have a 314 shaft which has a slight warp in it. I shipped it to them because they said they could straighten it, when it came back it was still warped. They told me it was acceptably warped within their guidlines. Acceptably Warped, Got to love that line!!
No more predator products for me.
Dan

Predator is not reliable for warped shafts. It says that right in their warranty info. I think they went out of their way just to try and handle this problem for you, that is if the shaft was used. If it was new they should of just replaced it.

Personally I have had nothing but great expeirance with them. I had a ferrule that cracked and they sent me a new shaft. I had a special edition butt that the clearcoat had shrunk on and you could feel the points, and they sent me a brand new butt for no charge.

Over the last 5-6 years I have purchased 7 or 8 predators.

 

[manwon]

Predator is not reliable for warped shafts. It says that right in their warranty info. I think they went out of their way just to try and handle this problem for you, that is if the shaft was used. If it was new they should of just replaced it.

Personally I have had nothing but great expeirance with them. I had a ferrule that cracked and they sent me a new shaft. I had a special edition butt that the clearcoat had shrunk on and you could feel the points, and they sent me a brand new butt for no charge.

Over the last 5-6 years I have purchased 7 or 8 predators.

It appears that you are very familiar with Predators policies concerning warranties.

What do you think of the shaft above, and how is it different from the cracked ferrule you had?

I am a billiard equipment retailer, I own a pool hall, I do cue repairs and I build a limited number of custom cues.

I deal with billiards manufacturers, and wholesalers daily, and while I am glad that many in this post have received fair treatment, I will never understand though why these people pick and choose when it comes to service, over the last five years they are the only manufacturer I have had a problem with.

manwon

 

[rackem]

It appears that you are very familiar with Predators policies concerning warranties.

What do you think of the shaft above, and how is it different from the cracked ferrule you had?

I am a billiard equipment retailer, I own a pool hall, I do cue repairs and I build a limited number of custom cues.

I deal with billiards manufacturers, and wholesalers daily, and while I am glad that many in this post have received fair treatment, I will never understand though why these people pick and choose when it comes to service, over the last five years they are the only manufacturer I have had a problem with.

manwon

How did they claim the shaft was altered or tampered with just from the picture? Do you still have the shaft in that condition? Or have you doweled and repaired it already?

 

[ribdoner]

It appears that you are very familiar with Predators policies concerning warranties.

What do you think of the shaft above, and how is it different from the cracked ferrule you had?

I am a billiard equipment retailer, I own a pool hall, I do cue repairs and I build a limited number of custom cues.

I deal with billiards manufacturers, and wholesalers daily, and while I am glad that many in this post have received fair treatment, I will never understand though why these people pick and choose when it comes to service, over the last five years they are the only manufacturer I have had a problem with.

manwon

Based on the pics, event timelines, etc. it isn't logical that PREDATOR wouldn't replace under warranty. I think RACKEM asked the 69$ question....did PREDATOR say WHY they weren't making it good?

At the end of the day it's not the amt of $ but I wouldn't have let it go until they explained why they were blowing me off.

You probably repaired the shaft, didn't you?

 

[manwon]

Based on the pics, event timelines, etc. it isn't logical that PREDATOR wouldn't replace under warranty. I think RACKEM asked the 69$ question....did PREDATOR say WHY they weren't making it good?

At the end of the day it's not the amt of $ but I wouldn't have let it go until they explained why they were blowing me off.

You probably repaired the shaft, didn't you?

After, I sent the photo's and they told me that the problem had to have been abuse / mishandling based on the photo's which are clear and show the nature of the problem they stated that they would not replace the shaft.

So, I ordered a replacement shaft and I repaired the broken shaft by the standard method that I would normally use to fit a broken tenon. Which normally would be to drill out the center of the shaft using a 5/16 bit and then epoxying a new tenon in place.

However, when I went to replace the tenon, I found out that the tenon was pushed down into the shaft and the shaft was almost completely hollow an inch down, at this point I made sure that the old tenon was completely removed and I cleaned up the hole with a drill bit, and did a standard repair.


To make a long story short, the customer got a new shaft and I let him keep the repaired shaft for his trouble, I have made up for the cost of the shaft due to that service, but I do not stock any Predator products because of the way I was treated, and I make certain that any customer that wants me to order any Predator Products understands what has happened to me in the past and that I will no longer offer my standard warranty ( To replace of fix any item I sell if it is a manufactures defect) on Predator Products.

Manwon

 

[rackem]

Looks like there might have been a little bit of RICE packed underneath that ferrule. Have a good Holiday and stay warm.

 

[Varney Cues]

Looks like there might have been a little bit of RICE packed underneath that ferrule. Have a good Holiday and stay warm.

LOL!!!
I just upgraded a 314-2 for forum member JMW. The phenolic insert was nice and the shaft seemed well made. Looking at the new ferrule I thought maybe it was linen base. Nope!!! Plastic very similar to the old ferrule...just white colored instead of ivory colored. I thought they had upgraded the ferrule...I was wrong. They did have much more foam than the old ones though...I guess rice doesn't work for sound dampening.

 

[PROG8R]

Well, I am very happy for you, but the service that I received as a retailer was very poor.

Check out these photo's!!!

View attachment 30669

View attachment 30670

View attachment 30671

I sold the above cue to a customer in early 2004, the cue was new when sold.

Around three weeks later, the customer brought the cue back to me with the pictured problems. Upon closer inspection it was found that the shaft was hollow below the ferrules tenon which caused the tenon to collapse and the ferrule to implode.

I sent these photo's and contacted predator by phone they claimed the item was tampered with and would not replace the shaft, long story short I had to eat the cost of a new shaft, to take care of my customer. To date I will only purchase and sell Predator products if asked to order them.

I also show any customers interested in Predator Products these photo's and tell them about my experience with this company.

Manwon

That sounds like you guys had some sort of mishap with each other, I would have sent the shaft back to them untouched and let them decide. As soon as you make any MODS to the equipment they will not warranty it. I am sure you probably fixed it as good as new.
I had a BK and the clear coat was faulty, they sent me a brand new BKII and the old shaft because I modified the ferrule and they would not cover it. It was in great shape, but I had an elkhorn replace the stack ferrule and they denied me, oh well, still got a brand new butt. Sorry you had such a rough time.
I will have to continue to sing their praises until I end up on the short end of it. But so far so good.

 

[manwon]

Looks like there might have been a little bit of RICE packed underneath that ferrule. Have a good Holiday and stay warm.

Yes, I did not think of it at the time, but maybe the white powder that was in that ferrule was rice, Well, I suppose that they must eat lunch on the Assembly line in China, we do it here.

Thanks, and please have great Holiday yourself.

Manwon