Friends don't let friends give cues away.
Things to think about before giving a cue away for free.
- Thread starter Michael Webb
- Start date
, it will be in the hands of a fan or some lower level player that bought it from the Pro because they thought or were told that it was his playing cue!!!!!!!
JIMO
And chances are, he sold the cue at about a 50% discount knocking the value of your cues for everyone that owns one.
I've given away cues to friends but doubt that I'll ever "sponser" a player. I don't do many discounts on sales either. I might move a little on the price I'm asking, but not much.
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Observation
Just an observation, but between the 2 big magazines, and most all the espn coverage, it is very rare for coverage of the players equipment. Ask a casual observer what cues pros play with and they might be able to recognize a predator break cue. I know the magazine ads show a few players, but for the most part a custom cue maker is scarcely recognized in the so called main stream media. I have people all the time ask what so and so uses. I try and convey that Tiger woods could whoop tail with a set of garden tools and a round rock. I always tell them to pick whatever feel right to them, but they want to be like mike, thanks to all other sports marketing.
Again just an observation for the average joe........All of us on the forums are pool junkies.
Sorry OP for the off ramp, I guess what im saying is if you sell a player on your cue and work to make it perfect for him, the better players around will know where he got it.
Just an observation, but between the 2 big magazines, and most all the espn coverage, it is very rare for coverage of the players equipment. Ask a casual observer what cues pros play with and they might be able to recognize a predator break cue. I know the magazine ads show a few players, but for the most part a custom cue maker is scarcely recognized in the so called main stream media. I have people all the time ask what so and so uses. I try and convey that Tiger woods could whoop tail with a set of garden tools and a round rock. I always tell them to pick whatever feel right to them, but they want to be like mike, thanks to all other sports marketing.
Again just an observation for the average joe........All of us on the forums are pool junkies.
Sorry OP for the off ramp, I guess what im saying is if you sell a player on your cue and work to make it perfect for him, the better players around will know where he got it.
Either GIVE it to em, or just say no...Same as with relatives...either give it to em, or just say no cause they're both broke and ya aint gettin it back.
We should also mention that there are professionals out there who conduct themselves honorably when given a cue or case. I have had some great dealings with a lot of professionals over the years who represented my product faithfully and honorably.
And I don't mind naming names: Allen Hopkins, Tommy Kennedy, Shawn Putnam, Oliver Ortmann, Ralf Souquet, Sarah Ellerby, Francisco Bustamante, these are some of the players I gave cases to who carried them proudly for a long time and gave me no song and dance about it and as far as I know most of them still own the cases we gave them. Other players I won't name but one of them SOLD a case I gave him before the event was over where I I gave it to him at. Now normally I wouldn't mind that if it was a case that I hadn't made especially for that player and written a heartfelt note on the leather in the pocket thanking him for all the great pool over the years. - I'd have gladly made another one for his fan.
Anyway, this is certainly a touchy topic. But one that deserves to be talked about.
And I don't mind naming names: Allen Hopkins, Tommy Kennedy, Shawn Putnam, Oliver Ortmann, Ralf Souquet, Sarah Ellerby, Francisco Bustamante, these are some of the players I gave cases to who carried them proudly for a long time and gave me no song and dance about it and as far as I know most of them still own the cases we gave them. Other players I won't name but one of them SOLD a case I gave him before the event was over where I I gave it to him at. Now normally I wouldn't mind that if it was a case that I hadn't made especially for that player and written a heartfelt note on the leather in the pocket thanking him for all the great pool over the years. - I'd have gladly made another one for his fan.
Anyway, this is certainly a touchy topic. But one that deserves to be talked about.
In the final analysis when somebody gives a peice of equipment to a professional, a cue, a case, a $25 piece of chalk, etc., they have the ulterior motive of promoting their product using the "fame" of the recipient for their gain. In golf, basketball and other mainstteam professional sports with big money involved. contracts are entered into. In pool, unless you are production outfit, the lawyer who draws up the contract would cost more than the benefit derived would add up to so it becomes a crapshot dependent on the financial wherewithall and ethics of all involved parties. Given the continuing lack of money in pool, betting on the monetary success of the pro is kind of iffy. Just think of it as what it is, the price of advertising where you are taking a chance in what is a very long odds gamble.
I've given away quite a few cues over the last 20 years but I don't know to whom, nor do I particularly care. They all went to kids and junior tournament winners.
I've given away quite a few cues over the last 20 years but I don't know to whom, nor do I particularly care. They all went to kids and junior tournament winners.
Wow, that's says a ton right there Paul...giving to the future instead of reaping in the now...K+ to you sir...
Tommy Kennedy is a stand-up guy, for sure! I've dealt with him a little bit, and really liked him.
How about that Instroke case Efren was carrying around that read EfreM Reyes ?
Morro has been playing with McDaniel for a long time .
Dieck-a-man
Registered
JB Cases said it all: "do you know how many cues you could sell if I played with your cue?"
Despite all my bad exerpiences "with really great players who could easily sell 1000 cues for me and make me rich" :lol: I still on occaision give one away to these creatures, but with stipulations which I actually write up as a contract for the player to sign.
I might add I do not do this to strangers but to old friends I know and respect because of what they have given back to the game, not to promote my cues. Takers don't get any of my cues, only givers. I have never used a "famous" player's name for advertising purposes.
For example, a former US Champion in 3-Cushion Billiards has been playing with one of my cues for years but it is really not his cue and he understands that. The cue was made for his children, but they will not get it until we are both dead, and then perhaps it will help pay for his grand kids education.
A standard clause in the contract that I have the player sign is that they owe me $1000 if we ever cross paths and they can't produce the cue for my inspection. :sorry: I have around ten contracts of this nature on file and no one has disapointed me yet.
But yes, all in all, it is very bad policy for a cue builder to fall for this line.
Despite all my bad exerpiences "with really great players who could easily sell 1000 cues for me and make me rich" :lol: I still on occaision give one away to these creatures, but with stipulations which I actually write up as a contract for the player to sign.
I might add I do not do this to strangers but to old friends I know and respect because of what they have given back to the game, not to promote my cues. Takers don't get any of my cues, only givers. I have never used a "famous" player's name for advertising purposes.
For example, a former US Champion in 3-Cushion Billiards has been playing with one of my cues for years but it is really not his cue and he understands that. The cue was made for his children, but they will not get it until we are both dead, and then perhaps it will help pay for his grand kids education.
A standard clause in the contract that I have the player sign is that they owe me $1000 if we ever cross paths and they can't produce the cue for my inspection. :sorry: I have around ten contracts of this nature on file and no one has disapointed me yet.
But yes, all in all, it is very bad policy for a cue builder to fall for this line.
A problem I see is that cuemakers sponsor players, but then they end up getting a shaft made that looks like a Mezz but plays like a Predator or stuff like that. So it's decieving anyway.
You should never advertise a companies product if you do not believe in it 110%. It is unethical and is a 'get what you can however you can' attitude and I do honestly believe that is wrong, no matter what the state of play is in pool in financial terms.
I played on PDC darts circuit a few years ago and wasn't very good, but Unicorn gave me nearly £700 worth of free stuff. Not a single flight nor set of darts got given to anybody nor 'lost/stolen'.
Shame not everybody conducts business the same way...
You should never advertise a companies product if you do not believe in it 110%. It is unethical and is a 'get what you can however you can' attitude and I do honestly believe that is wrong, no matter what the state of play is in pool in financial terms.
I played on PDC darts circuit a few years ago and wasn't very good, but Unicorn gave me nearly £700 worth of free stuff. Not a single flight nor set of darts got given to anybody nor 'lost/stolen'.
Shame not everybody conducts business the same way...
I like helping out young and dedicated players which is on a low budget.
In my end I have had several rounds with different products and some of the best
players where really interested in some of the stuff - Royce products among others.
One came with a high nose comment "I don't pay for my gear " and the attitude
really pi$$ed me of. Just to find the same man hackling me on products and price
gambling in a match where he was $2000 down...
Those players is so far out of my view of things that I frankly don't care if they
play with a broom stick.
However, I have helped for instance one player which just has became 15 years old.
He was so proud of his cue - it was his most precious thing according to his mother.
This was not to promote or sell my products - it was because I wanted to help
a young kid which I knew had a limited budget. It was a thrill to give him the products and see it was highly appreciated
and I for sure enjoy seeing his progress in the game.
So I'm saying : Help the kids with a good start and let those so full of them self
sort out their own gear and potentially pay for it. If not you're getting used...
Just my view though.
Kent
In my end I have had several rounds with different products and some of the best
players where really interested in some of the stuff - Royce products among others.
One came with a high nose comment "I don't pay for my gear " and the attitude
really pi$$ed me of. Just to find the same man hackling me on products and price
gambling in a match where he was $2000 down...
Those players is so far out of my view of things that I frankly don't care if they
play with a broom stick.
However, I have helped for instance one player which just has became 15 years old.
He was so proud of his cue - it was his most precious thing according to his mother.
This was not to promote or sell my products - it was because I wanted to help
a young kid which I knew had a limited budget. It was a thrill to give him the products and see it was highly appreciated
and I for sure enjoy seeing his progress in the game.
So I'm saying : Help the kids with a good start and let those so full of them self
sort out their own gear and potentially pay for it. If not you're getting used...
Just my view though.
Kent
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I honestly do not see much benefit to a Cuemaker giving his Cues away to Pro Pool who mysteriously loose em, or get em stolen.
Wonder how many Pro are only play with "X" Brand Cue because it was the latest freebee. Might be interesting to see what cue a Pro play with by the choice of paying for it with their own money because of the merits of the Cue, and not because it is the latest FREEBEE!
Wonder how many Pro are only play with "X" Brand Cue because it was the latest freebee. Might be interesting to see what cue a Pro play with by the choice of paying for it with their own money because of the merits of the Cue, and not because it is the latest FREEBEE!
I'm just seeing this now Mike, I appreciate the offer, but you know I was just kidding.