The Dark Side (of cue making that is...)

hdgis1

hdgis1

New member
SO...I just received a cue from a certain well known cue maker (who at this time shall remain anonymous) that simply didn't meet my standards. The points, although aligned, have some deterioration at the tips. By that I mean, I can see the razor sharp cuts but the cocobolo that should be in their is fragmented and partially missing. This deterioration takes place over the span of 3/8" or so. Furthermore, the joint doesn't line up. I'm not sure how to explain why, but the best way to describe it is to say that I can feel the shaft collar on the left and the butt collar on the right. I would venture a guess that the shaft was just added on?

In an effort to rectify the situation, I called to express my concerns and was cut off and told that because it was a conversion he had no control over the condition of the points. I think he hung up on me then - though I would like to believe that Sprint just dropped the call. I called back and got a stooge who claimed D. was out of the office. ???????? He said if I wasn't happy to send the cue back for a refund. Okay. Problem solved.

Instead of going for the refund, I had made the initial call to simply ask if some ebony diamonds could be inlaid over the points. Sounds like a simple and cheap enough way to make a guy happy? Doesn't it....

Why, in today's economy, do people act like this? I told D. from the start I wasn't looking for a refund just a way to fix the situation. Instead I get hung up on and passed off to a stooge? Seriously...
 
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I think you have a legitimate concern and a good solution. BUT....

  1. It is going to take extra time and money to add the ebony spears.

    It sounds to me if the shaft or pin is off center you are not going to be a happy customer anyway and that might not be as easy to fix.
    just my .02 worth
 
hdgis1 said:
SO...I just received a cue from a certain well known cue maker (who at this time shall remain anonymous) that simply didn't meet my standards. The points, although aligned, have some deterioration at the tips. By that I mean, I can see the razor sharp cuts but the cocobolo that should be in their is fragmented and partially missing. This deterioration takes place over the span of 3/8" or so. Furthermore, the joint doesn't line up. I'm not sure how to explain why, but the best way to describe it is to say that I can feel the shaft collar on the left and the butt collar on the right. I would venture a guess that the shaft was just added on?

In an effort to rectify the situation, I called to express my concerns and was cut off and told that because it was a conversion he had no control over the condition of the points. I think he hung up on me then - though I would like to believe that Sprint just dropped the call. I called back and got a stooge who claimed D. was out of the office. ???????? He said if I wasn't happy to send the cue back for a refund. Okay. Problem solved.

Instead of going for the refund, I had made the initial call to simply ask if some ebony diamonds could be inlaid over the points. Sounds like a simple and cheap enough way to make a guy happy? Doesn't it....

Why, in today's economy, do people act like this? I told D. from the start I wasn't looking for a refund just a way to fix the situation. Instead I get hung up on and passed off to a stooge? Seriously...
Click to expand...

The cue maker is correct when he stated that he has no control over the points in a conversion cue. The sharper and cleaner the V groove is cut and the sharpness of the 90 deg corners of the inlay determine how sharp the points will end up. If the conversion started as a house cue this happens often. Adding inlays after the cue is finished is much harder than adding before the last turn. It, of coarse, can be done but takes more effort then the cue needs a new finish applied. The shaft not fitting perfectly is probably the builders fault.

Dick
 
Just an observation................

The first time I saw this post, hdgis1 had maximum red rep, now he has maximum green rep.

Hmmmmmm..............I wonder. ;)
 
Thats news to me. I honked someone off and the smeared me. Guess they fixed it. Trust me I havent been begging for rep!
 
I'd love to post pics, but I already sent the cue back. Guess I got over the desire to actually keep the damn thing!!!
 
It only takes one person with a really high rep count to turn you all green.

If I gave you a rep rep, that would turn you all RED!!!

Please post pics and let us know who the maker is.

Otherwise what is the point of this thread??

We also need to hear the cue makers side of the story.

Russ.....
 
Man, I'd love to post pics, but as I said - I sent the cue back already. I figured after being hung up on and shuffled around the office I was done dealing with them. As for their side of the story, you will have to wait till Dan at Joss Cues gets the cue back.
 
hdgis1 said:
Thats news to me. I honked someone off and the smeared me. Guess they fixed it. Trust me I havent been begging for rep!
Click to expand...

i didnt fix it. i wouldnt. also i almost hit you again for that comment you made about dennis searing getting 2600$ for a joint and a signiture on a cue...
it took everything in me not to. fair warning if you rip cuemakers for what they charge you will be red for a long time. i will make it my new hobby

people ask for what they think thier work is worth. if you dont like it buy elsewhere... its simple

when you threaten to red bomb and cue from a maker charging more then 400$ you will get the deserving rep
 
hdgis1 said:
SO...I just received a cue from a certain well known cue maker (who at this time shall remain anonymous) that simply didn't meet my standards. The points, although aligned, have some deterioration at the tips. By that I mean, I can see the razor sharp cuts but the cocobolo that should be in their is fragmented and partially missing. This deterioration takes place over the span of 3/8" or so. Furthermore, the joint doesn't line up. I'm not sure how to explain why, but the best way to describe it is to say that I can feel the shaft collar on the left and the butt collar on the right. I would venture a guess that the shaft was just added on?

In an effort to rectify the situation, I called to express my concerns and was cut off and told that because it was a conversion he had no control over the condition of the points. I think he hung up on me then - though I would like to believe that Sprint just dropped the call. I called back and got a stooge who claimed D. was out of the office. ???????? He said if I wasn't happy to send the cue back for a refund. Okay. Problem solved.

Instead of going for the refund, I had made the initial call to simply ask if some ebony diamonds could be inlaid over the points. Sounds like a simple and cheap enough way to make a guy happy? Doesn't it....

Why, in today's economy, do people act like this? I told D. from the start I wasn't looking for a refund just a way to fix the situation. Instead I get hung up on and passed off to a stooge? Seriously...
Click to expand...

by using the letter D you've perhaps made people paranoid about other cue makers that have first (or last) names starting with a D. maybe not a big deal, but a tad imprudent. if you want it to be anonymous, then be anonymous.

does the cue hit good? is my first question. dont get me started on this, but i think cue collectors have single handedly ruined the cue buying market for real, actual pool players. i swear a cuemaker who TRULY catered to every need of real players would make a million bucks, but the focus for them has gone to pleasing collectors, and thus aesthetics, instead.
 
Ravenzahn -Willie Hoppe's-the better side

I have seen first hand some of the cues -Troy- Koinnkid has sent out.(willie hoppes. Call and ask about the price of some-(It might surprise you. I am speaking of just the Willie hoppe conversions. He had many flavors. Scuggs, dpk, Ravenzahn, Rubino and Gina. Sorry to hear bad news with Danny Jane's. Just a few months ago there were 2 great looking conversions for sale by Danny. At least he took it back no hassle. Danny Janes is very capable of making cues as good as anyone. - Troy has about 20 of these bad boys for sale,and they are all unplayed . Ravenzahn goes to many extra lengths with his conversions-replacing bad veneers with the same colored pieces. mark
 
rhncue said:
The cue maker is correct when he stated that he has no control over the points in a conversion cue. The sharper and cleaner the V groove is cut and the sharpness of the 90 deg corners of the inlay determine how sharp the points will end up. If the conversion started as a house cue this happens often. Adding inlays after the cue is finished is much harder than adding before the last turn. It, of coarse, can be done but takes more effort then the cue needs a new finish applied. The shaft not fitting perfectly is probably the builders fault.

Dick
Click to expand...

hdgis try one of these cues rhncue you will like them.
price is fair i have used one for at least 10 years.
 
hdgis1 said:
SO...I just received a cue from a certain well known cue maker (who at this time shall remain anonymous) that simply didn't meet my standards. The points, although aligned, have some deterioration at the tips. By that I mean, I can see the razor sharp cuts but the cocobolo that should be in their is fragmented and partially missing. This deterioration takes place over the span of 3/8" or so. Furthermore, the joint doesn't line up. I'm not sure how to explain why, but the best way to describe it is to say that I can feel the shaft collar on the left and the butt collar on the right. I would venture a guess that the shaft was just added on?

In an effort to rectify the situation, I called to express my concerns and was cut off and told that because it was a conversion he had no control over the condition of the points. I think he hung up on me then - though I would like to believe that Sprint just dropped the call. I called back and got a stooge who claimed D. was out of the office. ???????? He said if I wasn't happy to send the cue back for a refund. Okay. Problem solved.

Instead of going for the refund, I had made the initial call to simply ask if some ebony diamonds could be inlaid over the points. Sounds like a simple and cheap enough way to make a guy happy? Doesn't it....

Why, in today's economy, do people act like this? I told D. from the start I wasn't looking for a refund just a way to fix the situation. Instead I get hung up on and passed off to a stooge? Seriously...
Click to expand...

it's strange isn't it. even though cash is so hard to come by these days people still seem reluctant to show any consumer loyalty. there aren't a whole lot of cues moving in the wanted/sale forum but still nobody seems to be willing to do any kind of negotiating. no trade+cash stuff deals or anything. it's crazy!

how about some pictures of the cue/points?
 
dave sutton said:
i didnt fix it. i wouldnt. also i almost hit you again for that comment you made about dennis searing getting 2600$ for a joint and a signiture on a cue...
it took everything in me not to. fair warning if you rip cuemakers for what they charge you will be red for a long time. i will make it my new hobby

people ask for what they think thier work is worth. if you dont like it buy elsewhere... its simple

when you threaten to red bomb and cue from a maker charging more then 400$ you will get the deserving rep
Click to expand...

Thanks for having mercy on a guy who who calls it like he sees it...
 
poolplayer2093 said:
it's strange isn't it. even though cash is so hard to come by these days people still seem reluctant to show any consumer loyalty. there aren't a whole lot of cues moving in the wanted/sale forum but still nobody seems to be willing to do any kind of negotiating. no trade+cash stuff deals or anything. it's crazy!

how about some pictures of the cue/points?
Click to expand...

I didn't keep the cue long enough to take pictures...
 
enzo said:
does the cue hit good? is my first question. dont get me started on this, but i think cue collectors have single handedly ruined the cue buying market for real, actual pool players. i swear a cuemaker who TRULY catered to every need of real players would make a million bucks, but the focus for them has gone to pleasing collectors, and thus aesthetics, instead.
Click to expand...

Couldn't tell you if the cue hit well or not. As far as being a cue collector, not me. I'm just trying to get a cue that plays well and is constructed properly. Personally I don't think a cue with an epoxy filled chunk in the ferrule, misaligned joints, and deteriorating points is even in the ball park of 'properly made'.
 
enzo said:
does the cue hit good? is my first question. dont get me started on this, but i think cue collectors have single handedly ruined the cue buying market for real, actual pool players. i swear a cuemaker who TRULY catered to every need of real players would make a million bucks, but the focus for them has gone to pleasing collectors, and thus aesthetics, instead.
Click to expand...

I'm with you on this point.

Too much focus on how 'big' and 'loaded' a cue is and not so much on how it plays...

Give me a dead plain PLAYER over any fancy anything any day.

That being said, there are makers with excellent playing cues that also look fantastic, so it is by far not impossible to do (but you of course pay for it too!)
 
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