I'd like to jump in to the fray, just once here, to give an opinion.
I am a cue collector, my lowest priced cue is in excess of 4k, going up to balabushkas personal playing cue bought directly from his son.
The reason i mention this is some of the pieces i own don't have a real price, only what the market will bear. I have an ivory handled hercek, with perhaps twenty figures inlayed into the cue, with his orignal hand drawn art work on tracing paper. Now what is that worth, and who determines it?
My point is that Mr varney produced a fine looking cue. He came to the az community to sell it. He put a price on it and gave his professional and expert opinion on it's playability and value. Not only is that his perogative, but it is his professional responsibility to do so. Stop and think for a minute, this is the mans livelihood.
Whether the cue will sell or not at that price isn't relevant. In fact, there is no other way to determine "market value". His merchandise is offered for sale at a price. If it is purchased, played with and reviewed well, than the buyer got what he paid for. If the cue doesn't sell, varney has 2 options. He can hold out longer, or reduce the price. Again, that is up to him, not us. But that is how fair pricing occurs.
All that aside, what really concerns me is the mean spiritedness in which criticisms were offered. In fact, many of these comments were obfuscated under the guise of questions, when in reality was nothing more than an opportunity at degrading this man. I find it offensive.
Think about how some of you people would feel if garbage like that was brought into your workplace.
Have some common courtesy. Obviously some of you have "other personal" problems with mr varney, and i would suggest extending him the same courtesy he does to you, steer clear of eachother.
Happy holdiays to all.
rg