Registration or chip for cues

[hilla_hilla]

The cue that I had used the past 5 years was stolen last week which really sucked. Last night at the pool room some of us were discussing what if there was a registration number or some kind of chip that could be used to track every cue (like you could a lost dog). It would probably be somewhat expensive but thought it would be a cool idea.

 

[supergreenman]

I don't think that would add all that much cost to a cue, unless you're looking for some sort of lowjack system that you can track it with gps like a car or something.

Not a bad idea, sorta like a serial number.

 

[metal5d]

Well the microchips they put in dogs are about the size of a grain of rice and they cost less than $10. The problem with that is you probably will never get close enough to the cue (most likely will never see it again) to put a RF scanner over it. Some manufacturer's do put serial #'s on their cue. I would recommend photographing all of your cues, as well as, putting your initials under the bumber.

 

[iacas]

Well the microchips they put in dogs are about the size of a grain of rice and they cost less than $10. The problem with that is you probably will never get close enough to the cue (most likely will never see it again) to put a RF scanner over it. Some manufacturer's do put serial #'s on their cue. I would recommend photographing all of your cues, as well as, putting your initials under the bumber.

I thought of that problem too. But if you have a custom cue, what are the odds that the person who steals it will take it to a cue repair person (for a new tip, etc.) at some point? Because if most cue repair people had the little scanner, they could check it against the system and report thefts.

In other words, I still think the likelihood that such a system would work are slim, but if it was to work the cue repairmen/makers of the world would be the likely 'catchpoint.'

 

[gregoryg]

Same thing happened to me 17 years ago

I had a one of a kind, custom designed, Runde era Schon that some despicable cretin appopriated off of a UPS truck while it was being sent back to me. Last tid bit of info I heard about it when I described the cue was that some collector in Arizona got their hands on it. I still have the original shaft that I can prove it's mine. Bob never made another with the kind of rings he put on it for me. Maybe someday I will run across it again, yeah right!

 

[Cardinal2B]

Q-chip

Well the microchips they put in dogs are about the size of a grain of rice and they cost less than $10. The problem with that is you probably will never get close enough to the cue (most likely will never see it again) to put a RF scanner over it...

This concept comes up everytime lost/stolen cues occur, but this is the first I've heard of specific chip/reader existing already. If so, that could eliminate one big barrier....Do you know where you could find information on these chips, and readers (scanners), especially cost? I'd like to take a swing at a business plan doing just this - a la LoJack.

Some issues: cost of the readers, who has them, ability to retrofit the chip(s) into existing cues, ability to match chips (e.g. shaft & butt both need one, and so does the extra shaft, etc.), ease if discovery & removal / re-writing chip registration number.

Seems worthy of some investigation.

 

[Cornerman]

The cue that I had used the past 5 years was stolen last week which really sucked. Last night at the pool room some of us were discussing what if there was a registration number or some kind of chip that could be used to track every cue (like you could a lost dog). It would probably be somewhat expensive but thought it would be a cool idea.

The idea has been tossed around for about... 15 years or more. With transponder and RFID chip technology, installing them should be viable. It's the scanning that would be the issue. Who would do the scanning? Pawn shops? Dealers?

For high end cues, I think it's a good idea. I'm not so sure about its worth for the average cue.

Fred

 

[AuntyDan]

I liked the idea of the "SmartWater" system being marketed in the UK. If I am understanding it correctly it could actually be made part of the finish of the cue.

Of course getting people trading cues to get the necessary reading equipment, even if it is only a simple UV light, is only the first step .Just beacuse a cue has a unique ID is only the start. You need a central database of ownership quickly and easily accessable internationally for little or no cost. Additionally you need some mechanism to update and edit this database as cues are legitimiately bought and sold, and to account for conflicting claims of ownership.

A simple registry system could be done right now on the Internet. A cheap way to start would be a site where users can upload photos and identifying information about their cues and register them for a small fee, or potentially free with some site advertising. Then anyone interested in buying a similar cue could access the site to query it's status. The owners would have to be responsable for flagging stolen cues and there would need to be a process to allow for legitimate transfer of ownership.

A good model would be the "Carfax" service that gives useful information to both the potential buyer of vehicles and also allows the dealer to advertise their vehicles for sale as being thoroughly background checked and having a clear title.

 

[CrownCityCorey]

Tiger Cues

Hilary,

Sorry to hear about your cue. I hope it is recovered quickly.

This very issue was a topic that Tony and I at Tiger wanted to address with our cue line. With Tiger Cues, the original retail owner gets a "Certificate of Ownership" with their cues' model # and serial # pre-printed (from us or the dealer they purchase the cue from), the owner then should register their cue (http://www.tigerproducts.com/cueregistration.htm). We would then keep that registration as record and if ever an anonymous cue came up, we could identify the original registered owner. I think that would help someone track down the rightful owner.

If your cue is not recovered soon, send me an email and I will see what I can do to help you out.

Corey

 

[sdtonyc]

The cue that I had used the past 5 years was stolen last week which really sucked. Last night at the pool room some of us were discussing what if there was a registration number or some kind of chip that could be used to track every cue (like you could a lost dog). It would probably be somewhat expensive but thought it would be a cool idea.

Dang, Hilary!

Someone swiped your beat-up, old Terminator! What has the world come to?


Donald