Prulhiere cue pics - the truth is out!
- Thread starter Hired Guns
- Start date
I just bought an exotic hardwood custom cue from Scott Gracio for $200...that's a real exception in the custom cue market, but it can be done if you're lucky. Scott has built cues that sold for multithousands, but this is one he said usually would sell for around $500. I haven't received it yet, but I bet it's well built and I'm looking forward to it. See it here: http://forums.azbilliards.com/showthread.php?p=4305012#post4305012
On topic, I bought one of Brian's cues when he first started selling them here for $170. It had issues, including "seams" in the wood grain and gaps in fit/finish. Brian blamed his wood supplier and graciously took it back, and he sent me another cue very quickly, which also had "issues", but I played it for a couple days and then sold it to someone who was happy with it rather than trying to resolve with Brian again. Less hassle was the only reason.
On topic, I bought one of Brian's cues when he first started selling them here for $170. It had issues, including "seams" in the wood grain and gaps in fit/finish. Brian blamed his wood supplier and graciously took it back, and he sent me another cue very quickly, which also had "issues", but I played it for a couple days and then sold it to someone who was happy with it rather than trying to resolve with Brian again. Less hassle was the only reason.
Well, I am going to try to respond to some of these posts. It is obvious that people are not reading the thread, and just the recent postings as several things have been covered and brought back up. I had one member giving me advice on what I should do when in fact I did all of it already.
I DO NOT have any Chinese connection. Enough said about that. Tony says the only way to know the truth is to inspect my shop. Really? I don't care if someone wants to come see me because the are interested in me or my cues. If you think that I am going to have AZ members come to my shop and give me a good ole inspection then you are crazy. Visiting me is one thing, but a visit just to make sure I am on the up and up? that is insulting. You act as if you are the billiards commission and I need to have my yearly inspection. Texasguy, as I have said before, has a fairly legit complaint as the time was ridiculous on it. I feel bad, but I was actually trying to fix the issue. Hired guns has acted like a jerk, told half truths, and is using this forum to cause exactly what he wanted. His quote to me in an email was all he cared about was ruining my business. He got what he wanted. I have lost several orders over this. Now it seems, because of one person starting this and a ton of AZ guys who always jump on board, it looks like you have won. I am not sure what you were trying to win, but if it was to hurt someone that you don't know, or form an opinion based on another guy you don't know, then congrats. There was info I never posted in my defense. If I was to post it, it would cause me more problems. I would be called a liar several more times by "Guns" and be run down further by the pack as they have decided I am a thief and liar already. I was told by someone to put this info out there. I am not stupid. It contradicts a lot of what he has said but will look like nothing more than me trying to worm my way out of this situation. The facts are; I make good cues for the price. I make them. I had tons of positive feedback before this. NOT everyone who complains is telling the truth. I am not a bad guy. AZ still has, and may always have, the gang mentality. I was the evil party because I sell my cues for a low price and that means I am automatically a cheat! I had no chance in this and most of you know that. I set out to create cues that the lower income players who could not afford a Samsura could get. That also comes to an end as any cue I sell from here on out will be priced with the rest of the pack. The only thing I could ask any of you to do is come into the next thread that goes after someone with an open mind. Either party could be lying or telling the truth. Don't make assumptions. The next guy doesn't deserve this.
I DO NOT have any Chinese connection. Enough said about that. Tony says the only way to know the truth is to inspect my shop. Really? I don't care if someone wants to come see me because the are interested in me or my cues. If you think that I am going to have AZ members come to my shop and give me a good ole inspection then you are crazy. Visiting me is one thing, but a visit just to make sure I am on the up and up? that is insulting. You act as if you are the billiards commission and I need to have my yearly inspection. Texasguy, as I have said before, has a fairly legit complaint as the time was ridiculous on it. I feel bad, but I was actually trying to fix the issue. Hired guns has acted like a jerk, told half truths, and is using this forum to cause exactly what he wanted. His quote to me in an email was all he cared about was ruining my business. He got what he wanted. I have lost several orders over this. Now it seems, because of one person starting this and a ton of AZ guys who always jump on board, it looks like you have won. I am not sure what you were trying to win, but if it was to hurt someone that you don't know, or form an opinion based on another guy you don't know, then congrats. There was info I never posted in my defense. If I was to post it, it would cause me more problems. I would be called a liar several more times by "Guns" and be run down further by the pack as they have decided I am a thief and liar already. I was told by someone to put this info out there. I am not stupid. It contradicts a lot of what he has said but will look like nothing more than me trying to worm my way out of this situation. The facts are; I make good cues for the price. I make them. I had tons of positive feedback before this. NOT everyone who complains is telling the truth. I am not a bad guy. AZ still has, and may always have, the gang mentality. I was the evil party because I sell my cues for a low price and that means I am automatically a cheat! I had no chance in this and most of you know that. I set out to create cues that the lower income players who could not afford a Samsura could get. That also comes to an end as any cue I sell from here on out will be priced with the rest of the pack. The only thing I could ask any of you to do is come into the next thread that goes after someone with an open mind. Either party could be lying or telling the truth. Don't make assumptions. The next guy doesn't deserve this.
I really hope you get this resolved as you seem to care a great deal about building cues. I have no idea what really happened here but obviously some folks were not happy with the cues they received ( or in some cases didn't receive) I also hope you can get a fair price for the cues you sell. I would however suggest getting some of these "issues" resolved before you try selling your cues at prices in line with the "rest of the pack". If people are unhappy at you current price point, I can only imagine their displeasure if the cue was 5 or 600 dollars.
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My point was not that you can't buy a decent cue for $200. My point was that you can't buy a decent custom cue, built from the ground up in 3 weeks, with 4 points, etc. here in the US for $200.
Sure you can buy a factory made production cue. And sure they'll play well. But you'd be hard pressed to find a custom cuemaker here in the states that will take on an order like that for $200.
I wasn't jumping on any band wagon to bash you Brian. I have read every post that has been made on here in reference to complaints about your cues. You are going to get some complaints sooner or later when you are in the business you are in. I happen to think that you got caught in a tough situation.
I could really care less what other people thought about your cues. I don't have an opinion on them because I have never shot with one or seen one in person. Im sure there are lots of your cues out there that people love and will keep for a very long time. I would like to see how you make them and look at your shop because I respect the process of building cues. I don't want to come visit you so I can come back here and make a thread bashing you in any form or fashion.
My brother and I both have been wondering for quite some time about your cues. Both of us have wanted to make a trip to your shop and see some of your work in progress and possibly choose a cue or cues. I know Corinth fairly well and ALL of the surrounding areas.
There is also a table in your town that I'm very interested in purchasing.
Hired Guns
Registered
I asked for a refund and he told me NO.
http://forums.azbilliards.com/showthread.php?t=330198&page=5
http://forums.azbilliards.com/showthread.php?t=330198&page=5
That is probably because you don't deserve a refund.
Hired Guns
Registered
I received the wrong cue I ordered TWICE, it was made using sheet VENEERS, the quality is shit and I am an unhappy customer.
That sounds like I don't deserve a refund. The only reason he won't give me my money back is because I told the truth about his pos cues. If you read his posts he states he would have given me a refund IF i did this, IF didn't do that.
In my mind he's a crook for false advertisement and a thief for keeping my money and this will come back on him ten fold.
That sounds like I don't deserve a refund. The only reason he won't give me my money back is because I told the truth about his pos cues. If you read his posts he states he would have given me a refund IF i did this, IF didn't do that.
In my mind he's a crook for false advertisement and a thief for keeping my money and this will come back on him ten fold.
Check your rep.
I don't see the false advertisement, maybe some unintentional secrecy. The thing is, you have him the same ultimatum first... If you do this after I asked for that I won't do something else... Blah blah. You're a hypocrite.
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using Tapatalk 2
not unusual... i am disappointed again with folks here...
tony: thru the years i have always found you balanced and well spoken. if i recall correctly we have exchanged a greenie or two amongst ourselves. so please take this from a friend a person who respects you a lot; i am sri to say, i think you went too far; however, i am sure from you it was with the best intention. please give me a chance to tell you why.
i have two [2] of brians cues. at one time he was running specials on AZ for iirc @ $175 or so for a merry widow. he was offering all kinds of wrap, tips ferule lengths, etc. i always wanted to try a 'cork' wrap so at his prices i ordered the two [2].
we contacted each other by pm. he always keep me advise of delivery, he was somewhat late and advised me accordingly and i told him - whenever. i was in no rush just send when you have them completed. later he advised me they were shipped and i don't think it was more that 3 or 4 weeks late. i could understand as he was selling so many.
i get the cues and i find them a Great Value for the price he charged. Were they perfect - in a word no. But, they were beautiful and made as i had requested.
unlike Mickey Q's experience on JA, i thought they [one] hit really good [i only tried one tho]. they were Perfectly straight both together and apart and felt like quality cues. for sure - i got my moneys worth and more.
this was more than a year ago so i went to my game room and tried one [chalked already] and it still felt really fine. i rolled both of them together and apart and they all rolled Perfectly Straight.
but as importantly i want to express this: i like how brian handled himself. maybe at this you disagree but i think if i was accused as he was, i would have handled myself as he did. to me, that was the reason i went to test and examine the cues.
further: he may be an expert at "match marking" veneers but i can not find that the cues i have received are veneered. compared to the $175 Sneakiest Peats i have, brians cues are as good if not better and certainly look much, much better looking. plus, i got the tips i wanted, the cork wrap and the 1/2 ferules.
imo Thomas Wayne is rare amongst men - i believe him to be a genius. so i can only say i respectfully disagree with his assessment on this topic on JA. [besides i assume i have more experience in China than anyone on this forum, except the Mainland Chinese of course] not withstanding, i think he makes the most intricate and beautiful cues i have ever seen. i would love to possess one. i wish he didn't get out of hand here with his - whose d*** are you s... you get the gist.
Travis in another of my - one day i would love to own one of his cues.
charley i think of as a friend, in this case i do not agree with him.
so all in all, i do not agree with the support you have at JA. and of course i do not agree with the support you have garnered here.
on the other side of the moon i must say; brian, how could you make a cue with full veneers? i don't mean 'xtra' point veneers, but basically a veneered cue? that is really difficult for me to computate - was mickey wrong?
to close, brian i think you have made so many pool players happy with your cues. i hope you continue to progress and grow.
as for the OP, send brian your cue and i will pay you for it. it is chump change to me.
and then go away quietly.
all the best,
smokey
tony: thru the years i have always found you balanced and well spoken. if i recall correctly we have exchanged a greenie or two amongst ourselves. so please take this from a friend a person who respects you a lot; i am sri to say, i think you went too far; however, i am sure from you it was with the best intention. please give me a chance to tell you why.
i have two [2] of brians cues. at one time he was running specials on AZ for iirc @ $175 or so for a merry widow. he was offering all kinds of wrap, tips ferule lengths, etc. i always wanted to try a 'cork' wrap so at his prices i ordered the two [2].
we contacted each other by pm. he always keep me advise of delivery, he was somewhat late and advised me accordingly and i told him - whenever. i was in no rush just send when you have them completed. later he advised me they were shipped and i don't think it was more that 3 or 4 weeks late. i could understand as he was selling so many.
i get the cues and i find them a Great Value for the price he charged. Were they perfect - in a word no. But, they were beautiful and made as i had requested.
unlike Mickey Q's experience on JA, i thought they [one] hit really good [i only tried one tho]. they were Perfectly straight both together and apart and felt like quality cues. for sure - i got my moneys worth and more.
this was more than a year ago so i went to my game room and tried one [chalked already] and it still felt really fine. i rolled both of them together and apart and they all rolled Perfectly Straight.
but as importantly i want to express this: i like how brian handled himself. maybe at this you disagree but i think if i was accused as he was, i would have handled myself as he did. to me, that was the reason i went to test and examine the cues.
further: he may be an expert at "match marking" veneers but i can not find that the cues i have received are veneered. compared to the $175 Sneakiest Peats i have, brians cues are as good if not better and certainly look much, much better looking. plus, i got the tips i wanted, the cork wrap and the 1/2 ferules.
imo Thomas Wayne is rare amongst men - i believe him to be a genius. so i can only say i respectfully disagree with his assessment on this topic on JA. [besides i assume i have more experience in China than anyone on this forum, except the Mainland Chinese of course] not withstanding, i think he makes the most intricate and beautiful cues i have ever seen. i would love to possess one. i wish he didn't get out of hand here with his - whose d*** are you s... you get the gist.
Travis in another of my - one day i would love to own one of his cues.
charley i think of as a friend, in this case i do not agree with him.
so all in all, i do not agree with the support you have at JA. and of course i do not agree with the support you have garnered here.
on the other side of the moon i must say; brian, how could you make a cue with full veneers? i don't mean 'xtra' point veneers, but basically a veneered cue? that is really difficult for me to computate - was mickey wrong?
to close, brian i think you have made so many pool players happy with your cues. i hope you continue to progress and grow.
as for the OP, send brian your cue and i will pay you for it. it is chump change to me.
and then go away quietly.
all the best,
smokey
in your defense he could have had something half built or in the works