Problems with Predator Ferrals anyone?

Competitors hurt by Predator marketing ??

I think it's very rare that any company can be "hurt" over the long-term by another company's marketing. (Yes, competitors selling gasoline or other products below cost can put you out of business.)

It's the customer's resistance to your price or product that hurts you (or maybe the customer doesn't know you exist). Often it's an issue of too little marketing money or not enough expected return to spend $xx on marketing. You're not "hurt" but the competitor's marketing, you're failing (or unable) to compete.

Predator gives away product and the pros use it. I'm sure McDermott and Cuetec would give away product to all those on the Predator list posted above if the pros would use it.

If those pros didn't like the Predator product, they'd stop using it.
 
personal opinion and little test for some... be open minded please...

Sherm, I'm with you buddy!

for those with a predator shaft, how long have you had them? and try this for me and yourselves: run out with a house cue. Too many people now are using predator shafts because they're "easier". Granted...however, if you don't learn the basics, you'll never be able to adjust to anything. As for predator shafts being garbage, that's all just a matter of personal opinion. I can only tell you from watching my best friend switch to a predator last year. This was THE GUY to watch! He could break and run 3-5 racks easily. Played ANY game with ease. Spotted everyone outrageously. Moved to a predator. Game didn't go ANYWHERE. In fact, he didn't play for a month. Picked up the "Pred." and went back to crushing everyone. Sold the cue a few months ago. Played with a basic sneaky pete... not even a tenth of the player he was. So for me, NEVER A PREDATOR. It may make things easy, but I like the long road. I think we ALL need some REAL excersize. Beginners that get predators never fully understand HOW to control the rock correctly, unless they take the long road that all of the BIG names did. We can't just take short cuts. What ever happened to working hard? I hope it wasn't replaced with hardly working. I'm not upset, I'm just on a rant! Please try that little test. If you do, PM me and we'll get some results going...please be honest.
 
So.....

If the Meucci Red and Black Dot are no good.

Then comes the Preds, which is no good either.

How about those shafts from McDermott's Intimidator, Edwin Reyes ER240, Arnot's T3, Berringer's Devastator, Cuetec's Vortex, Dale Perry's DP-R, Mezz's HybridPro, that new electronic universal shaft(who's name escapes me), etc., etc., etc.?

Darn too many magic wands being sold that will make you string those multiple racks just like the pro's.

So, nothing beats a good grade denser pure wood maple shaft?

Just me ranting. :)
 
Here's a bold idea...

How about if everyone just shoots with whatever they prefer!

I know, I know....It's crazy...

~Chris

(only been a member for a couple months and has already lost count of all the I hate Predator and I love Predator threads)
 
cuesmith said:
...
Nothing personal. I know lots of people who have bought in to the hype! It's just that I've been working on cues, too long, to believe they are an improvement! I'm off my soap box!

Just more hot air!

Sherm
Click to expand...

I'm neither a cuemaker nor an expert on wood. When I bought my first custom cue, Mike Webb very graciously allowed me try it for an extended period with one of his own shafts and a Predator. I found that the Predator didn't seem to help my game at all (maybe because I avoid using english if I can) and I liked the "feel", "hit", whatever you want to call it, of Mike's shaft much better. Before buying that cue I used a Predator with a McDermott butt, I have since bought a fair number of cues (just because I like them) but have yet to even consider another Predator shaft.
Incidentally, a friend of mine who is a Predator aficionado says the particular Predator shaft I have with my McDermott has less deflection than any shaft he has ever hit with. I got it free in a drawing Predator had on their website many years ago, go figure.
 
I play with a Predator...and here is why...

I shoot one handed...as many of you may or may not know. I like a center balanced cue. I like a SS jointed cue as well. I prefer to have all my weight of my cue in the middle of the cue. If I can lighten the back end or the front end of my cue, I do it. Plain and simple, I have found that works best for me. I got spoiled almost two years ago by the Predator shaft, I bought one on a whim...and I don't regret it. They play fantastic. I agree that their wood is not very good quality, but guess what? I can go get another one off the shelf and it will dang near play identical to the one I have now. They are consistant. I have been through so many cues that are not consistant at all. Some are whippy, some are super stiff. I just found I prefer the Predator over the others.

And as far as the ferrule, not had one single problem with mine, but watch it fall off this weekend at my tournament HA HA.

That's my choice,
Shorty
 
All of you are absolutely correct in your post. In todays pool you just have to play with what works for you. I can't say that any of the different shafts are bad, just different. And seeing no two people shoot alike, that's a good option to have. I work on them all and try to understand each difference. I also have the luxury of having Predator ferrules, 314 and Z.
 
Cue of Fury said:
Yeah, Predators are junk. That is why all of these players use Predator without being paid:

Alex Pagulayan
Antonio Lining
Antonio Gabica
Anthony Crosby
Bob Chaperon
Charlie Williams
Claude Bernatchez
Cliff Thorburn
Christian Reimering
Danny Harriman
Dany Hewitt
Dennis Orcollo
Evan Broxmeyer
Evgeny Stalev
Frankie Hernandez
Gerda Hofstatter
George SanSouci
Grady Mathews
Jasmin Ouschan
Jennifer Barretta
J.R. Calvert
Jayme Goodwin
Jimmy Wetch
Jennifer Chen
Joe Tucker
Jose Garcia
John Horsfall
Liz Schwartzreich
Karen Corr
Keith McCready
Luc Salvas
Max Eberle
Melissa Herndon
Ming Ng
Rafael Martinez
Ramil Gallego
Robby Foldvari
Rodolfo Luat
Ronnie Wiseman
Tang Hoa
Tom Rossman
Troy Frank
Warren Kiamco
Santos Sambajon
Tony Robles
Click to expand...

This list is total BS put here just to satisfy your bias towards Predator. I could make a list 20 times as long of world champion pool players who never even heard the word Predator. COF, please don't spread false information.
TOTAL BS !!!!!!! I could say that all the above mentioned players played with a Dufferin! You know they have. Only differance is that most of the world champion players did too.
Purdman :cool:
 
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cuesmith said:
Yes,
Sherm Adamson.
Click to expand...
Do you remember a guy asking you about 2 cues that were on ebay a year or so ago called Chilihead 1 and Chilihead 2? I still need my butt kicked for letting those cues get away. They went for a very good price.
 
Purd, that list is from Preadtor's site so tell them that it is BS and not me. I am in no way spreading false information. Your comment of Predator are not real shafts is false information if you want to get technical.
 
Lot of predator bashing going on here. I'd like to point out that regardless of how low-quality the wood, glue, etc. is, the shafts still play fine.

I switched to a predator not too long ago. I didn't make the decision because of the low deflection (not directly anyways). To me, low deflection means different deflection - which means re-adjusting.

I got the predator mainly because it cuts through the cueball a LOT better than my old stick did - and it was relatively cheap to boot. On centerball hits, you can really feel it slicing through solid.

I know a lot of people (and I've done this as well) who've gone out and gotten a custom cue - found that the deflection isn't what they're used - gotten the shaft turned down - then found that the shaft bounces around all over the place.

Like Qnut said, shoot with whatever you want - I just wanted to point out that a predator isn't a dog, like it's being represented here.

peace
-egg


Qnut said:
Here's a bold idea...

How about if everyone just shoots with whatever they prefer!

I know, I know....It's crazy...

~Chris

(only been a member for a couple months and has already lost count of all the I hate Predator and I love Predator threads)
Click to expand...
 
Cue of Fury said:
Purd, that list is from Preadtor's site so tell them that it is BS and not me. I am in no way spreading false information. Your comment of Predator are not real shafts is false information if you want to get technical.
Click to expand...

COF, I can assure you that all the players mentioned do not play with a Predator shaft. That is the truth. For example, I see Keith on there. He doesn't play with a Predator shaft. He play with a Willie shaft. Just because Predator gave all the players a shaft does not necesarly mean they play with them. It is just gullible people who believe all the mis-information.
My only problem with them is that they are overpriced. Buddy, I get them for $140 and that is to much.JMO
Purd? rhymes with Turd?
 
Michael Webb said:
All of you are absolutely correct in your post. In todays pool you just have to play with what works for you. I can't say that any of the different shafts are bad, just different. And seeing no two people shoot alike, that's a good option to have. I work on them all and try to understand each difference. I also have the luxury of having Predator ferrules, 314 and Z.
Click to expand...

Mike, sometimes you're a pretty smart feller, or is that fart smeller. :D
 
I don't see how it matters, one way or the other, who plays or doesn't play with the shaft. If you're playing with a shaft for any other reason than personal preference, you're probably gullible :)

peace
-egg

Donald A. Purdy said:
COF, I can assure you that all the players mentioned do not play with a Predator shaft. That is the truth. For example, I see Keith on there. He doesn't play with a Predator shaft. He play with a Willie shaft. Just because Predator gave all the players a shaft does not necesarly mean they play with them. It is just gullible people who believe all the mis-information.
My only problem with them is that they are overpriced. Buddy, I get them for $140 and that is to much.JMO
Purd? rhymes with Turd?
Click to expand...
 
Donald, I guess you didn't catch that it was Predator Technology rather than Predator shaft. This could mean that they use the BK cue, or did at one time. Regardless, Predator is a real shaft that really has won a fair number of professional tournaments whether you choose to accept it or not. I choose to use a Predator shaft because it works for me and I like it. I did not buy into any hype or BS. I was skeptical when I first tried it out and I found that I liked it more than I thought that I would. None of that had to do with any marketing hype.
 
Cue of Fury said:
Yeah, Predators are junk. That is why all of these players use Predator without being paid:

Alex Pagulayan
Antonio Lining
Antonio Gabica
Anthony Crosby
Bob Chaperon
Charlie Williams
Claude Bernatchez
Cliff Thorburn
Christian Reimering
Danny Harriman
Dany Hewitt
Dennis Orcollo
Evan Broxmeyer
Evgeny Stalev
Frankie Hernandez
Gerda Hofstatter
George SanSouci
Grady Mathews
Jasmin Ouschan
Jennifer Barretta
J.R. Calvert
Jayme Goodwin
Jimmy Wetch
Jennifer Chen
Joe Tucker
Jose Garcia
John Horsfall
Liz Schwartzreich
Karen Corr
Keith McCready
Luc Salvas
Max Eberle
Melissa Herndon
Ming Ng
Rafael Martinez
Ramil Gallego
Robby Foldvari
Rodolfo Luat
Ronnie Wiseman
Tang Hoa
Tom Rossman
Troy Frank
Warren Kiamco
Santos Sambajon
Tony Robles
Click to expand...

I have a Predator BK that thousands of players have struck a few shots with. Predator gave the BreakRAK company a cue for use in demonstrating the BreakRAK at tournaments. It has been through two BCA events, the WPC JOB tournament & dozens of small tournaments. It has been used every day for 3 years. I have had two tips replaced.

The Predator BK is a great cue, in my book.
 
Vonn31 said:
Do you remember a guy asking you about 2 cues that were on ebay a year or so ago called Chilihead 1 and Chilihead 2? I still need my butt kicked for letting those cues get away. They went for a very good price.
Click to expand...

Ah, yes! I made those cues for the "Salsa man" ! Can't remember his name but he was really into hot stuff!

Sherm
 
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