Problems with cuemaker?

Hi everybody! I'd like to get an idea on how to proceed with a cuemaker that I'm having problems with.

I ordered some things from a very well known, and highly regarded, cue maker about 8 months ago and have been getting the runaround ever since. After 4 moths of saying he was just about finished, I finally received my order. On top of changing the overall design we had agreed on (without asking) he also said that other things we agreed on (and was already paid for) he was no longer going to be able to do it.

If those things weren't bad enough, the workmanship that I was expecting from this person was the absolute worst I have ever seen, from anyone. It was so bad, in fact, that it felt like it was done on purpose.

His response to the whole thing? "send everything back and I'll refund your money" No explanation. Nothing.

Because I felt like I was lied to, repeatedly, I feel like this is a lie as well. I sent everything back, and as soon as he receives it, he's supposed to refund my money. We'll see. I don't have much faith...

Has anyone else dealt with something like this from a cuemaker? What did you do? how was it resolved? Any tips for the future?

I guess I’m lucky. I’ve been trying to get a full splice butterfly cue made and price is no object. I can’t get a response from the several cue makers I’ve contacted over the past year. Your experience makes me feel better. I have had a good experience getting a sneaky pete from a Houston cue maker.
 
This reminds me when I sent a case maker in fl. 600 dollars and ordered a case. I know the dad was a great guy but he retired. I was told it would take 4 or 5 months and I said ok. I called the maker past the due date and he didnt have time to talk to me because he was too busy with other things. I sent him a email and said we are done. My case wasnt finished either. It was a few years ago and this is my first time to whine.
 
I guess I'm old school. I always liked to see it, hold it and play with it before buying. Yes, I bought mostly used cues but they were all top quality playing cues and I don't regret purchasing any of them. 25 years ago I bought an unknown cue (to me) from a guy for $300 just because it felt good in my hands. I ended up playing with that Josey cue for the next 15 years!

I won a lot of money ($5,500 my biggest score) with that cue so thank you Keith!

P.S. If you go to any major tournament you will see excellent cue makers and resellers with lots of product for sale right now! No waiting!
 
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If you have serious doubts as to his honesty, why would you send the cue back before getting your money back? Sounds like you are expecting the worst. If he fails to refund your money in a timely fashion, what exactly are you planning to do next?

Obviously this a concern.
 
I fail to see how your post is of any value to anyone if you do not out the maker who
has mistreated you.

Did you miss the questions I asked?

"Has anyone else dealt with something like this from a cuemaker? What did you do? how was it resolved? Any tips for the future?"

Helping people by answering a few of those may be of value to some.
 
They all make mistakes, I could write a book.
That doesn't mean this cuemaker isn't good, in fact I think I know who it is and he is an excellent cuemaker.
In this case I'm willing to bet he gets a refund without any public pressure.

If I went public everytime a cuemaker screwed up I could write a book.
To me going public is a last resort.
Nobody wants to hear about all of my horror stories.

This.^^^^

I was just curious as to what other people have done in similar situations. That was the whole point of my post.
 
Did you miss the questions I asked?

"Has anyone else dealt with something like this from a cuemaker? What did you do? how was it resolved? Any tips for the future?"

Helping people by answering a few of those may be of value to some.


Nah I'm just going to go ahead and hoard the insightful information I have.
Say does anyone have any suggestions on how I might be able to
get along better with others ?
 
i had an issue with cohen cues. the guy was rude and short, maybe didn't like what i wanted done with the cue, maybe he doesn't like NYers but who knows, he finished it in good time but send it what looked like to be warped, but i thibk he messed up while turning down the cue and it wasn't even. I was pissed. $1700 and got send a effed up cue. that was what put the nail in the coffin with custom cuemakers for me. cue played good and he returned my money fast, but no apology or explanation. overall a bittersweet experience bc i loved the design I came up with and I liked the hit. unfortunately when dealing with an individual cuemaker, whos doing everything on his own, and he doesn't have organizational skills, bad shit happens.

as far as people telling you to name names, I agree. either say who it is or go cry to your mom not a pool forum from people who buy cues like its a bad drug habit.

theres cuemakers who wouldn't send out a product unless it was flawless, that's how they build their reputation in the first place. you think ginacue, tascarella, nitti, pfd studios, haley , and so on, those guys don't mess around, they send flawless work, and don't do run around as far as I know. In my experience, going local if you can is best.

unless your a collector, big name just means big money, so if you want a player, go for a smaller name, theyre usually glad for the work, they communicate well, and they put the effort in their work.
 
i had an issue with cohen cues. the guy was rude and short, maybe didn't like what i wanted done with the cue, maybe he doesn't like NYers but who knows, he finished it in good time but send it what looked like to be warped, but i thibk he messed up while turning down the cue and it wasn't even. I was pissed. $1700 and got send a effed up cue. that was what put the nail in the coffin with custom cuemakers for me. cue played good and he returned my money fast, but no apology or explanation. overall a bittersweet experience bc i loved the design I came up with and I liked the hit. unfortunately when dealing with an individual cuemaker, whos doing everything on his own, and he doesn't have organizational skills, bad shit happens.

as far as people telling you to name names, I agree. either say who it is or go cry to your mom not a pool forum from people who buy cues like its a bad drug habit.

theres cuemakers who wouldn't send out a product unless it was flawless, that's how they build their reputation in the first place. you think ginacue, tascarella, nitti, pfd studios, haley , and so on, those guys don't mess around, they send flawless work, and don't do run around as far as I know. In my experience, going local if you can is best.

unless your a collector, big name just means big money, so if you want a player, go for a smaller name, theyre usually glad for the work, they communicate well, and they put the effort in their work.

You named at least one that are absolutely garbage people who send garbage work
 
You named at least one that are absolutely garbage people who send garbage work

like I said as far as I know, you might know better than me. I named those people bc Ive held all their cues in my hands and they were all perfect cues and theyre usually well spoken of. you might have different experience and more knowledge.
 
i had an issue with cohen cues. the guy was rude and short, maybe didn't like what i wanted done with the cue, maybe he doesn't like NYers but who knows, he finished it in good time but send it what looked like to be warped, but i thibk he messed up while turning down the cue and it wasn't even. I was pissed. $1700 and got send a effed up cue. that was what put the nail in the coffin with custom cuemakers for me. cue played good and he returned my money fast, but no apology or explanation. overall a bittersweet experience bc i loved the design I came up with and I liked the hit. unfortunately when dealing with an individual cuemaker, whos doing everything on his own, and he doesn't have organizational skills, bad shit happens.

as far as people telling you to name names, I agree. either say who it is or go cry to your mom not a pool forum from people who buy cues like its a bad drug habit.

theres cuemakers who wouldn't send out a product unless it was flawless, that's how they build their reputation in the first place. you think ginacue, tascarella, nitti, pfd studios, haley , and so on, those guys don't mess around, they send flawless work, and don't do run around as far as I know. In my experience, going local if you can is best.

unless your a collector, big name just means big money, so if you want a player, go for a smaller name, theyre usually glad for the work, they communicate well, and they put the effort in their work.

Like I mentioned before, I posted this as a way to see what other people have done, and how it turned out for them when they were confronted with similar problems.

I really like Omen cues and even though Pete lives all the way on the other side of the country, I never have a problem with his cues. And even if I did, I know he would make it right. If there was someone near me with cues that I actually liked, I'd give them a try. Rich Chudy lives near me (he usually does my tips) and we play together every week, but I'm not a huge fan of his style (Sorry Rich!) even though he makes beautiful cues. Again just not my style.

Anyway, the point is I tend to lean towards cuemakers who make what I like first, and who have a good reputation second. If they have neither, I pass them up, obviously.

I went into Bill Teeter's place about 2 years ago and had him put a couple tips on some cues and I wasn't too impressed with his work. He had a couple cues he was selling pretty cheap, but even at those prices I didn't buy anything. He had what I liked (wrapless, sneakys, etc) I just didn't care for the quality.

The cuemaker I complained about in my OP was chosen because of his reputation first. I find that in this industry at least, that seems to be the thing that drives customers, which is why I've been reluctant to "name names"
 
This.^^^^

I was just curious as to what other people have done in similar situations. That was the whole point of my post.

I've let a lot of stuff go.
Years ago I was too busy to worry about it.
Sometimes these guys take so long to get the work completed I'm just happy to get it back.
In some instances because of other successful deals I've let things go.
Sometimes it's business and I'm willing to pay a little to keep those relationships intact.

In every case where I've basically been porked by cuemakers, the last thing I wanted to do was go public.
I'm talking about some pretty well known well respected cuemakers, so I prefer to deal with everything privately, then complain for months to all my friends.
 
Nah I'm just going to go ahead and hoard the insightful information I have.
Say does anyone have any suggestions on how I might be able to
get along better with others ?

How to get along better with others? I suggest, be nice, polite, smile when ever making eye contact with a person for the 1st time, and try your best to treat others the same way that you like to be treated. Oh, and never try to argue with a persons personal opinion about something. If you do not agree with their opinion, then just move along, in the most polite way possible.
 
Hi everybody! I'd like to get an idea on how to proceed with a cuemaker that I'm having problems with.

I ordered some things from a very well known, and highly regarded, cue maker about 8 months ago and have been getting the runaround ever since. After 4 moths of saying he was just about finished, I finally received my order. On top of changing the overall design we had agreed on (without asking) he also said that other things we agreed on (and was already paid for) he was no longer going to be able to do it.

If those things weren't bad enough, the workmanship that I was expecting from this person was the absolute worst I have ever seen, from anyone. It was so bad, in fact, that it felt like it was done on purpose.

His response to the whole thing? "send everything back and I'll refund your money" No explanation. Nothing.

Because I felt like I was lied to, repeatedly, I feel like this is a lie as well. I sent everything back, and as soon as he receives it, he's supposed to refund my money. We'll see. I don't have much faith...

Has anyone else dealt with something like this from a cuemaker? What did you do? how was it resolved? Any tips for the future?


Georgia, Indiana?

Keith
 
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