Price Haggling on Custom Orders?

JoshStodola

JoshStodola

My stroke is garbage
Silver Member
I would like to get the opinion of some cuemakers on here.
When you quote a price for a custom project, do you expect
the customer to haggle with you (and inflate the price
accordingly)? Personally, I trust that the cuemaker quotes me
an honest rate and I never attempt to haggle, as I feel it is
somewhat insulting to do so. I would love to get some feedback
on this. Perhaps I am spending too much? :eek:
 
JoshStodola said:
I would like to get the opinion of some cuemakers on here.
When you quote a price for a custom project, do you expect
the customer to haggle with you (and inflate the price
accordingly)? Personally, I trust that the cuemaker quotes me
an honest rate and I never attempt to haggle, as I feel it is
somewhat insulting to do so. I would love to get some feedback
on this. Perhaps I am spending too much? :eek:
Click to expand...

People negotiate prices all with tradesmen. cue makers are no different. some will find an agreement that works for everyone and some will not. I have never understood why some people see a cue-maker any different than any other highly skilled tradesman? Frankly the higher the skill level, the less I'd be inclined to negotiate.

My dear friend Burt kellerman would commonly present a cue design to three or four of his favorite cue-makers for bids, then since they were all more than capable of doing the work, he'd go with the lowest bid.

The bids were were often miles apart for the same specs. But he would get a great cue at a good price either way.

I get asked for bids all the time. That gives me the opportunity to sell my self and my ability's to a perspective client. After wich, most really don't ask for bids again, but just ask for an estimated cost for the next project.
 
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jayman said:
People negotiate prices all with tradesmen. cue makers are no different. some will find an agreement that works for everyone and some will not. I have never understood why some people see a cue-maker any different than any other highly skilled tradesman? Frankly the higher the skill level, the less I'd be inclined to negotiate.

My dear friend Burt kellerman would commonly present a cue design to three or four of his favorite cue-makers for bids, then since they were all more than capable of doing the work, he'd go with the lowest bid.

The bids were were often miles apart for the same specs. But he would get a great cue at a good price either way.

I get asked for bids all the time. That gives me the opportunity to sell my self and my ability's to a perspective client. After wich, most really don't ask for bids again, but just ask for an estimated cost for the next project.
Click to expand...


My whole life I've looked for bargains. I don't like the idea of anyone getting over on me. I might drive across town to save .50 cents which makes no sense whats-so-ever. In my mind, everyone thinks likewise so i feel they are also looking for a bargain. With this in mind, when giving an estimate I cut it as close as possible as far as making a profit. As such I get insulted if and when someone tries to get me to build at an even lower price and I will not do the build. I've turned down building many, many cues over this. You would think after all of these years I would get smart and incorporate a discount into my original quote but I guess I'm slow.

The same with pre-built cues. People always try to talk you down on the price. Thank god I seldom have one for sale as I normally build nothing but a complete custom cue for the last 12 years or so.

On repairs for other than standard issues (tips, ferrules, shafts and such) I always give a high bid as I'm not sure what troubles I may run into. If things run smoothly I don't charge the estimated price which is always a pleasant surprise and makes the customer happy.

Dick
 
I'm with you Dick. My prices have always been fair and I get insulted when someone tries to chop my price. Neither you or I charge as much as a number of newbies and our work is head and shoulders above others.
 
With the number of Cuemakers today I think the market is competitive enough that people generally give you their best, safe price to begin with. I wouldn't feel confortable trying to get someone to work cheaper than they normally would. I wouldn't want to go to my day job and have my employer trying to haggle me down on my hourly wage for the next few days,,,,,,,,it's the same thing. Cuemakers that can charge, and get, higher prices have earned the right to them imo,,,,,,so if the price is too high, go to a cuemaker who will do it cheaper. Who knows, the product may end up just as good, as there are certainly lessor known cuemakers who can build very good cues.
 
I give a price, which is really low, I am finding out, but stick to it, even if It had to be built 2-3 times before I hand it to the customer. At my day job, we get certain customers that keep asking for a reduced price, and our sales guys give it...we end up losing on it and then a few months later, the next job comes up and the client expect even lower than the last.....it sets a precident the moment you lower your price. No one wants to pay more when the job goes longer, more materials, etc,...but a lot seem to expect a refund when it goes according to plan. Why should the cuemaker go lower and screw himself from the profit he intended when he meets the obligation? The best question to ask one's self,.....would you work your day job for less just because you were asked to, but have to deliver the same quality NO MATTER WHAT???
I know that no one here on this board would, so why ask your cuemaker to do something you yourself won't do? just the way I look at things...
Just food for thought,
DAve
 
JoshStodola said:
I would like to get the opinion of some cuemakers on here.
When you quote a price for a custom project, do you expect
the customer to haggle with you (and inflate the price
accordingly)? Personally, I trust that the cuemaker quotes me
an honest rate and I never attempt to haggle, as I feel it is
somewhat insulting to do so. I would love to get some feedback
on this. Perhaps I am spending too much? :eek:
Click to expand...

No cuemaker here, just a cuenerd:wink:.

I´m with you on the trust thing. However I have usually done my homework and I´m quite confident that I will get what I pay for.
I think it´s very rewarding to work with a good cuemaker and I do respect them. If you give them the trust they will honor it, the ones I work with the most have always done more than quoted - they think it´s fun and rewarding also - I guess:rolleyes:.

I will not do a book about "my" cuemakers but, Paul Dayton, Mike Lambros, Bob Dzuricky, R Powell (Queperfect) have always treated me good and have produced some very fine cues - well worth the money.

Working now with Rick at Esoteric cues, Kenny Murrell, Jim Pierce, Jeff Olney and I´m pretty certain that they will also come through as great as the above. I have probably missed someone here - sorry for that in advance:o.

Some more, Brent at BHQ - haven´t made any cues from beginning with him but I will get there:-), Right Brent.... Have been fun and rewarding dealing with him though and he makes a very nice cue!
And of course Mike Webb, a fantastic guy, have cues in work with him and a refinish job. The cues will take some time and I´m not rushing him since he was upfront with it at the beginning. Learnt a lot from him and he is very straight talking.
Tony Zinzola, a very competent new maker, fantastic inlay work.


regards

Chrippa
 
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I don't get insulted. I normally just say this is the best I can do. They usually respond with something like, "It never hurts to ask" and we move on with the deal or don't.
 
I'm of the thinking that if you want a custom cue from a particular cuemaker you probably have some idea of his pricing, you can take a shot and ask for a discount if you are a repeat customer otherwise is like asking for a discount on a custom parachute, the quality of materials might be sliding as you talking. :)

Mario
 
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