Too long and too much.
Southwest cues how much and how long through the years?
- Thread starter trob
- Start date
That's an understatement!
He did go over the top a couple times at The White Spot. One had him tearing up his small money winnings(maybe 10 bucks) after he didn't like the tournament directors (Lenny's) decision. He made the 8 ball and scratched. The tournament rules called for the 8 to come up on the spot. He just sat down and watched Ted take the cue ball from the return and place it and shoot the 9. He was spring propelled from his seat crying foul.(with a smirk). After considerable brew haw. The decision was Ted shot the smallest ball on the table. No foul. If he wanted the 8 on the table he should have put it there.
I don't have numbers to back this up, only observation made on this site and other sites where cues are sold. So take this opinion however you'd like.
I'd bet less than half the Southwests that are delivered to the person who ordered them are getting played by that person. They're getting flipped for instant profit. Now, it's my understanding that SW has adjusted their pricing so the flip margin isn't what it was, say, 10 years or so ago. But the profit is still there. So if you're the flipping type why wouldn't you get on their list every year to make a quick buck?
Another way to look at is this. Many custom makers have customers who are de facto distributors. They buy up batches of cues and resell them for profit without a formal agreement with the maker. Let's say you're a buyer of one of those cues from the "distributor." Does it matter whether that cue was ordered by the "distributor" 2 years ago or 18 years ago? My point is, SW basically has an entire network of de facto distributors rather than just a one or two. SW is happy. The flipper/distributor is happy. And, hopefully, the end user is happy. And if the end user isn't happy, they only have their self to blame for paying more than they wanted.
I'd bet less than half the Southwests that are delivered to the person who ordered them are getting played by that person. They're getting flipped for instant profit. Now, it's my understanding that SW has adjusted their pricing so the flip margin isn't what it was, say, 10 years or so ago. But the profit is still there. So if you're the flipping type why wouldn't you get on their list every year to make a quick buck?
Another way to look at is this. Many custom makers have customers who are de facto distributors. They buy up batches of cues and resell them for profit without a formal agreement with the maker. Let's say you're a buyer of one of those cues from the "distributor." Does it matter whether that cue was ordered by the "distributor" 2 years ago or 18 years ago? My point is, SW basically has an entire network of de facto distributors rather than just a one or two. SW is happy. The flipper/distributor is happy. And, hopefully, the end user is happy. And if the end user isn't happy, they only have their self to blame for paying more than they wanted.
Anyone is perfectly justified in paying whatever they want for a cue, and waiting however long they want. Personally, anything remotely approaching 18 years just seems absolutely crazy to me. I've played with a lot of cues; one I bought was from a very reputable custom cue maker. They were all good cues with slightly different specs, feels, joints, etc. and I liked them all, but if you put a gun to my head I'd have to say I'd probably play about the same with all of them.
The desire to own a Southwest isn't just about the mystique of the cue, it"s about their attention to detail, record keeping, consistency and provenance. Laurie does an incredible job at protecting the brand and YOUR ownership documentation as well. I wonder how long the KO brothers have to wait for their new shafts etc. to be delivered? They are the most famous owners of the Southwest Brand.
The Ko brothers play with Zen cues not SW to my knowledge.
Although I have never understood the willingness of people to wait 15 years or so for a Southwest cue. I see nothing wrong with that because they do eventually get a cue.
I waited for a cue from a cue maker in Florida for about ten years and got nothing.
During that time I had another cue maker produce the cue I wanted and enjoyed it immensely.
So waiting for a Southwest, if you’re willing too, makes more sense than what I went through with the person in Florida.
I waited for a cue from a cue maker in Florida for about ten years and got nothing.
During that time I had another cue maker produce the cue I wanted and enjoyed it immensely.
So waiting for a Southwest, if you’re willing too, makes more sense than what I went through with the person in Florida.