The Uneducated Cue Buyer

nipponbilliards said:
I met this girl she told me she purchased a custom cue with diamond and ivory and what not, she spent about 10 minutes trying to describe the details of this cue. She looked so excited, and was really proud. The cue she had was a Miranda, which she purchased for $500. But for her, it is the pride of her life, and I am happy for her.
If one is happy with what he/she has, I say let him/her enjoy it. Life is short and it is not so often that we can be so proud of something we own.


Well put. Why do people have to put other down about a cue they bought? If you let them know it was a bad deal for them, they feel stupid and will no longer like the cue like they did before. It benefits nobody, except maybe, the person who feeds ther ego by putting someone else down. Tell them "nice cue" and leave it at that.
 
One thing for sure, the cue is worth $1600, because someone paid that amount. It is a one of a kind signed by Varner. If the buyer is happy then that is all that counts.

The only time advice should be given about a purchase if it is asked before the purchase.

The true value of the cue will be determined at the time he wants to sell it.

Unless of course there is a flaw in it or it is not as described by the seller.

Look at all the people who are paying $300 for cues that look pretty but are just decals.

I paid $2500 for a Southwest and I really don't care what someone thinks it is worth. This one is mine, that is all that matters.

Jake
 
Good way to think about it Chris ...

TATE said:
Jim,

Witness the celebrity power a star like Nick Varner has. Your friend got a chance to schmooze with Nick Varner, one of the all time greats in my book, and now Nick will remember him and say "Hi" to him forever. To him, the additional money may be worth the experience.

Sure, you and I wouldn't buy them, but...

Let him enjoy his experience.

Chris

as they say there is a sucker born every day but in all reality this is a grown man and if he thought it was worth $1,600 and decided to buy it without counsel ! Well hell who are we to question it ? :eek:
 
TATE said:
Jim,

Witness the celebrity power a star like Nick Varner has. Your friend got a chance to schmooze with Nick Varner, one of the all time greats in my book, and now Nick will remember him and say "Hi" to him forever. To him, the additional money may be worth the experience.

Sure, you and I wouldn't buy them, but...

Let him enjoy his experience.

Chris

Completely Agreed.
 
I'd sure like to have one of those Titleists that were made by the thousands right now.

In all my years I have seen nothing as subjective as the price of a pool cue.

I have seen people in tears because no one would give them $500 for their custom, and I mean truly custom, cue that they paid $2000 for. On the other hand I have seen folks offered $1500 for $500 cues and that same cue not sell for $300 in another town.

$1600 is a lot of money for a pool cue but in some ways it is a small price to pay for the beginning of a love affair.

Joe Gold charges $1200 for a plain black cue. Not because he has to, but because he can.

If Mr. Varner wants to put a $2000 sticker price on cues that he has made and are limited to 100 pieces then that is well within his rights to do. The cue should be fairly represented as to what it is made of. It does not need to be compared to any other cues of the same brand or maker to determine it's value. This is because it's value at the time of sale is entirely relative to what the buyer will pay and the seller will sell for.

Unless Mr. Varner has made some claim as to it's resale value to influence the purchase I don't see where the place or company of manufacture has any bearing.

I am guessing that the cue in question is the "White Lightning" one. Although the price asked for this cue may be high in some people's eyes I think it would be a fair comparison to say that if the design were to have been made by a cuemaker more well know for "custom" work then the price would probably be considerably more.

I personally feel that the customer received a fair value for his purchase, all things considered.

If I had a cue collection then I wouldn't mind having the aforementioned Rambow. I would be happy to have an original Palmer in decent condition. I sure like to have a McDermott D-19, I would be pleased to have bought a Szamboti or a Balabushka back when they were sold for the exorbiant amount for time of $100-$200.

I would even be happy if I had an original Meucci Road Agent model to compliment my lifestyle.
 
Jim: If your friend is happy with the cue and didn't mind spending the $1600 then let him be happy. Compared to Varner's web site your friend did get a good deal. You can also tell him that if he contacts the Varner website and asks for a retail price on the cue - he'll receive a reply stating the retail price is $1995 and includes a case, joint protectors, and 2 shafts. I know - I did. :>)
 
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