Predator shaft quality problems?

[desert1pocket]

I've had many predator shafts in the last few years, both 1st and 2nd generation. I have had a few issues, like the bad batch of ferrules they had to recall last year, but they have always treated me very well.

Last year I screwed up a ferrule (completely my fault), and sent the shaft to them to have it fixed. I called first to explain that it was my fault, and to find out what the cost would be. I then sent it offf with a check to cover the ferrule replacement, a new sniper tip, and return shipping.

I got a call when they recieved the shaft, and they said that they decided not to charge me. I got the shaft back a week later with a new ferrule, new sniper tip, and my check. All it cost me was the shipping to get it to them.

With other shafts I have sent back due to defects, they never made an issue about original receipts (some of them I bought used), and always repaired or replaced the shafts at no charge with no questions asked.

I would follow the advice of previous posters about calling and asking for Shane. He's very fair and a great guy to deal with, I hope he's still there.

 

[Fuji-whopper]

Oh, and Shane still works for Predator, at least he did about a month ago when I called there. He's a good guy, you should call and ask him what can be done.

Shane Sinnott? I didn't know he went back to work for them, last I remember he hasn't worked there since 10/2003.

 

[BPG24]

Between 314's and Z shafts, I am sure I have had at least 10 probably more...
Never had a problem... Doesn't mean that I won't one day

 

[av84fun]

Jim,

Thanks for your inquiry. As a matter of fact, I purchased the shaft in Vegas at one of the BCA events. To answer your question about the original sales receipt, NO, I lost it. Guess coming back from the event, I mis-placed it.

To me though, they should be able to evaluate the shaft and determine if it is a manufacturing problem, or, a customer abuse problem. Seems like just an "out" to say original receipt is required. Sure they can tell who made the shaft.

That is why I mentioned Tim Scruggs. It seems like reputable manufacturers stand behind their products.

I feel your pain klocdoc. Unfortunately, a ton of consumer product companies only warrant to the original owner so Predator can't really be singled out.

HOWEVER, rules are made to be broken. If it was me, I would e-mail your comments and some similar ones the Predator customer service and inform them that you plan to take your shattered cue to every major tournament you can get to...and sort of hang around the Pred dealer booths to give live demonstrations of their cue's quality and that of their customer support.

Honestly, that's exactly what I'd do!!! With the size of the membership here and other forums I'm sure you do or could post to, they will probably sell AT LEAST 20 fewer cues in the next few months so they could have given you 10 new ones and have been WAY ahead of the game!!!

(-:

Regards,
Jim

 

[leehayes]

Shane Sinnott? I didn't know he went back to work for them, last I remember he hasn't worked there since 10/2003.

yes, the same shane then. spoke to him a few times this fall.

 

[spoonie]

Had a BK-I break cue,the finish peeled off the butt.Send it back to predator,they send me a new BK-2 IT MADE ME HAPPY.....

 

[klockdoc]

I feel your pain klocdoc. Unfortunately, a ton of consumer product companies only warrant to the original owner so Predator can't really be singled out.

Regards,
Jim

Klockdoc with a K...

Jim, I sort of understand what you are saying. However, car manufacturers have made the switch where the extend the warranty of the car to the new owners.

What difference would it have made if I had the original receipt? They fix it. Would that have made them any more of a "stand up" company? The original receipt only means that they are obligated to repair the shaft, nnt that they stand behind their product..

Sorry if I kind of got off track there, but, I just do not understand the logic behind this. It would seem that the reputation that they receive by their insistence on specific documentation in order to repair an item is beyond me.

 

[ioCross]

I've owned about 6 pred shafts in my pool career, one for a players sneaky, a jerry oliver, an action sneaky, a p2, a pred sneaky pete and a players that was a z shaft. the p2 and the pred sneaky was a 3142 and a z2 respectively.

the only problem i ever had was with a regular z shaft on a players butt. the problem i had was i couldn't make a ball with that shaft. i played better with a house cue then with that one.

i'm waiting on a smart shaft now but i'd still reccomend the pred shafts to anyone

 

[LILJOHN30]

I had the same problem also

I own 3, and have noticed that they have a tendency to hang balls in pockets, get me out of shape, and they also choke on the 9-ball. I have contacted the company, but they do not return my calls. I am thinking of driving to Jacksonville and showing them in person.

I had this problem also and I finally found the solution...AIMING..Learn how to aim and it makes a big difference.

 

[kgeorgia]

hello everyone...interesting thread...i will post now what i learned about predators through a friend who recently contacted with Mr Drexler aka PFD Studios. Predator, due to the high demand, couldnt afford in its own facilities to satisfy this demand and gave Falcon(!!!!!) the authority to make a big amount of 314 and z shafts.......the conclusions is yours

 

[manwon]

Personnally I would never purchase another or recommend to anyone to purchase a Predator shaft. I still own three of them. One of them is split up the side of the shaft. I contacted Predator about the defect and they told me that they would not repair it..

Just seems incorrect when a manufacturer does not stand behind their product. I could see if it was mis-handled or my fault, but, Predator would not even take a look at it to determine the condition or the cause of it.

I remember a friend of mine purchased a Tim Scruggs cue from someone else. He wasn't the original owner. He sent it back to Tim for a new wrap. Tim looked over the cue and repaired several items that he said were manufacturers defects. He could have chosen not to, but, he wanted to make good a situation that shouldn't have been missed originally.

Now that is a class act.

Anyone else have any problems with their Predator?

Here is my experience as a retailer for Predator products!!!

The photo's below are from a BK Break shaft that was two days old, and Predator would not correct the problem.

 

[leehayes]

hello everyone...interesting thread...i will post now what i learned about predators through a friend who recently contacted with Mr Drexler aka PFD Studios. Predator, due to the high demand, couldnt afford in its own facilities to satisfy this demand and gave Falcon(!!!!!) the authority to make a big amount of 314 and z shafts.......the conclusions is yours

Even though I've never had an issue with any Predator product I must say that this post speaks volumes. Mine was already up for sale because I like my other playing cues better but it will make me think twice about purchasing another.

 

[SCCues]

Predator shafts

I currently own 8 predator shafts, 6 first generation and 2 new second generation 314 2's and i've never had a problem with any of them. My game has definately improved since I started playing with them and i'd buy another one today if I needed one. I heard that some of the early 2nd generation shafts had a ferrule/glue problem which predator fixed and the two 2nd generation 314's I have are my favorites.

James

 

[rocky]

Klockdoc, please give more information about what happen? It is very and let me repeat very rarely that we do not cover something under warranty. Would you mind posting the picture of the shaft on here so that we can discuss it? It is not our company policy to say we won't cover something under warranty with out having it in our hands. I would be very curious as to who you talked to as well. Please post them soon so that we can get this worked out. you are more than welcome to call me here at the factory also. My name is Darrin Brown, 888-314-4111 ext 16

As for the other post; Shane has not worked here in years, if you called and talked to Shane then you were talking to Platinum Billiards. Shane left here to start his own business (Platinum Billiards) and has an out standing company that distributes and does independent testing on products, and as to my knowledge the only distributor to do so. I think that service is a real asset to the industry.

Anyone who has an issue with one of our products can call me here at the factory at anytime and I would be more than happy to talk to them about any issues that they may be having. The gentlemen that posted the picture of the split ferrule on the BK shaft (sorry but I didn't look up your name before I posted this). What reason did we give you for not being able to cover it under warranty? From the picture it looks like something that we would have most definitely covered under warranty. There had to have been some other issue. Thanks and I look forward to hearing from you.

 

[av84fun]

Klockdoc with a K...

Jim, I sort of understand what you are saying. However, car manufacturers have made the switch where the extend the warranty of the car to the new owners.

What difference would it have made if I had the original receipt? They fix it. Would that have made them any more of a "stand up" company? The original receipt only means that they are obligated to repair the shaft, nnt that they stand behind their product..

Sorry if I kind of got off track there, but, I just do not understand the logic behind this. It would seem that the reputation that they receive by their insistence on specific documentation in order to repair an item is beyond me.

Sorry kloc K doc (-:

Please know that I agree with your position. The "original receipt" thing is there merely for warranty avoidance purposes and most retailers no longer require one or routinely elect to disregard that policy.

What confuses me is that I assume we can't buy cues direct from Pred but rather have to go through a dealer. I can't imagine why the dealer wouldn't DEMAND that Pred honor its warranty or threaten to drop the line.

Regards,
Jim

 

[9 on the snap]

I had this problem also and I finally found the solution...AIMING..Learn how to aim and it makes a big difference.

Wow, now that makes sense. I will try that tonight.

 

[manwon]

Klockdoc, please give more information about what happen? It is very and let me repeat very rarely that we do not cover something under warranty. Would you mind posting the picture of the shaft on here so that we can discuss it? It is not our company policy to say we won't cover something under warranty with out having it in our hands. I would be very curious as to who you talked to as well. Please post them soon so that we can get this worked out. you are more than welcome to call me here at the factory also. My name is Darrin Brown, 888-314-4111 ext 16

As for the other post; Shane has not worked here in years, if you called and talked to Shane then you were talking to Platinum Billiards. Shane left here to start his own business (Platinum Billiards) and has an out standing company that distributes and does independent testing on products, and as to my knowledge the only distributor to do so. I think that service is a real asset to the industry.

Anyone who has an issue with one of our products can call me here at the factory at anytime and I would be more than happy to talk to them about any issues that they may be having. The gentlemen that posted the picture of the split ferrule on the BK shaft (sorry but I didn't look up your name before I posted this). What reason did we give you for not being able to cover it under warranty? From the picture it looks like something that we would have most definitely covered under warranty. There had to have been some other issue. Thanks and I look forward to hearing from you.

Rocky, the photo's above that I posted were also sent to Predator, now this was in about October 2003. After, I sent the photo's I called and talked to someone, at this time I do not remember who about this issue. I was flat out told that the damage was from abuse and not covered under the Warranty.

I had just sold the cue to a customer a two days before, and I was a little surprised when the cue was brought back to me. The customer was very good player, and a friend, yes the guy has sledgehammer break, but this was a break cue. After, getting my response from Predator, I stopped dealing in Predator products!! I have also have not been a advocate of the products either.

There were no other issues with the product other than what was pictured.

Rocky, no disrespect intended, however unless things changed at Predator with their Warranty and the people who make the decisions, I do not buy it.

Have a great day Rocky!!!!

 

[klockdoc]

Klockdoc, please give more information about what happen? It is very and let me repeat very rarely that we do not cover something under warranty. Would you mind posting the picture of the shaft on here so that we can discuss it? It is not our company policy to say we won't cover something under warranty with out having it in our hands. I would be very curious as to who you talked to as well. Please post them soon so that we can get this worked out. you are more than welcome to call me here at the factory also. My name is Darrin Brown, 888-314-4111 ext 16

As for the other post; Shane has not worked here in years, if you called and talked to Shane then you were talking to Platinum Billiards. Shane left here to start his own business (Platinum Billiards) and has an out standing company that distributes and does independent testing on products, and as to my knowledge the only distributor to do so. I think that service is a real asset to the industry.

Anyone who has an issue with one of our products can call me here at the factory at anytime and I would be more than happy to talk to them about any issues that they may be having. The gentlemen that posted the picture of the split ferrule on the BK shaft (sorry but I didn't look up your name before I posted this). What reason did we give you for not being able to cover it under warranty? From the picture it looks like something that we would have most definitely covered under warranty. There had to have been some other issue. Thanks and I look forward to hearing from you.

Darrin,
Thanks for the response. Will call after the holidays to discuss.

Merry Christmas

 

[rocky]

Rocky, the photo's above that I posted were also sent to Predator, now this was in about October 2003. After, I sent the photo's I called and talked to someone, at this time I do not remember who about this issue. I was flat out told that the damage was from abuse and not covered under the Warranty.

I had just sold the cue to a customer a two days before, and I was a little surprised when the cue was brought back to me. The customer was very good player, and a friend, yes the guy has sledgehammer break, but this was a break cue. After, getting my response from Predator, I stopped dealing in Predator products!! I have also have not been a advocate of the products either.

There were no other issues with the product other than what was pictured.

Rocky, no disrespect intended, however unless things changed at Predator with their Warranty and the people who make the decisions, I do not buy it.

Have a great day Rocky!!!!

Thanks for getting back to me guys. I am very sorry to here that you had service problems and if the issue was that long ago it is possible. We have worked very hard to improve that facet of our business and improve the experience overall. The average lead time for getting something repaired right now is around 6-7 days, much better than it was back in those days. If I can of any assistance in the future please don't hesitate to contact me or Mark our customer service rep.

I look forward to hearing from you after the holidays.

Have a great holiday guys!

Darrin

 

[manwon]

Thanks for getting back to me guys. I am very sorry to here that you had service problems and if the issue was that long ago it is possible. We have worked very hard to improve that facet of our business and improve the experience overall. The average lead time for getting something repaired right now is around 6-7 days, much better than it was back in those days. If I can of any assistance in the future please don't hesitate to contact me or Mark our customer service rep.

I look forward to hearing from you after the holidays.

Have a great holiday guys!

Darrin

Thanks for the reply Darrin, and I will contact you!!!!!