To Become Known And Trusted?

BHQ said:
i was at jim's shop last week
when i happened to be working in indiana close to batesville
we had along talk about this and how frustrating it is to break into the realm of cuemaking
i know from personal experience

i was about to hang it up a year ago myself , call it a huge loss and move on
when dennis dieckman called me out of the blue and talked to me for two hours it gave me a big much needed boost
then, when i went to spend a week with him, i really got pumped up
dennis encouraged me by showing me the little things & complimenting me on the things i was doing correctly & didn't hesitate to jump my ass about something i did wrong!!! :eek:
jesus, i even almost burnt his damn house to the ground
i figured i should just pack & leave

sherm adamson also sent me some encouraging words too
those guys went thru this stuff at some point & time too, i'm sure
i consider myself extremly fortunate to have the luck & what little success i have had
i'm still way in the hole!!!!!!!!!!!


jimmy lee is building some very nice cues at an affordable price
sure he would love to advertise a cue for $1000, hell, so would i, but he is smart enough to know that would be futile
to say his cues, my cues, anybodies cues for that matter, must not be a quality product because they aren't $1000 is silly
i have only been around pool for about 7 years now
maybe i'm wrong, but did scruggs, pdk, mottey, etc. sell thier cues for $1000 when they first started?? i'm guessing NO

i still believe that the waning interest in pool in general and our crappy economy are to blame for "the starving cuemaker syndrome"
jim, don't take it personal & don't give up!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
you love what you do, just as i do, so keep it up
what's the worst that can happen???
they bury us with all of our unsold cues!!!!!!!!!!! :eek:
be talkin to ya soon about........ something,....... forgot what the hell it was now :rolleyes:










​
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Really good post my brother tell it like it is!!!!

Manwon
 
I recieved a PM and replied to it. The thing I need to do now is get an address for somebody to send this cue to. If Jay or Linda who I mentioned earlier aren't interested in my offer for any reason, then who do you guys think would be the right person to give it to? Bare in mind I am not doing this just to waste money or give some random individual a cue. I want somebody that will enjoy the cue if it is good and give a detailed review or opinion on it either way. I will wait a little while to see if either of those people express interest and if not I will ask for some opinions on who would make a good alternate for it.



Ryan
 
I have also offered to test run and buy a cue. I'm curious as to the playability of the cue first and style later but I do agree some dressed up cues would help to promote the product better.
 
Remember just do it your way. You decide art or playability. Build it they will come - doesn't happen overnight. Do you want to be a McDermott! Scrugg! Al Romero! You must decide the type of cuemaker.
 
I'll throw my $.015 in the ring too.

Honestly, IMO, you need a solid local base to get going. It ain't gonna happen here on AZ. You may get some sales here and there but getting the locals to love and play with your cues should be priority. Word spreads very quickly through tournaments and leagues. Try setting up at small local events doing repairs and bring some cues along for people to test drive.

My intentions are not to be mean so please take this as constructive criticism. I just do not like the look of your cues. The wood combos just seem off and there is nothing fancier than a plain jane. Don't get me wrong, plain janes can be real nice but you need the right wood combinations. If you can't do points then try doing some fancy ring work. Hell, look at Ed Prewitt. His are all plain but his ring work is out of this world.
Find your niche but by all means, get your product out there to the locals and if you are good, word will travel.
As for sending free cues for "unbiased reviews", I am not a fan of the idea. My reasoning is this. While I'm sure whomever you sent the cue to would do their best to be objective, there is a tendency to not want to hurt the persons feelings, especially when their livelihood hangs in the balance. I'm not saying anyone would intentionally lie or decieve but it would only be human to go easy on a review like this.

Anyway, I wish you well and if any of what I have written was helpful that's all I can ask.

Regards and a happy holiday,
Koop
 
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BHQ said:

i still believe that the waning interest in pool in general and our crappy economy are to blame for "the starving cuemaker syndrome"
jim, don't take it personal & don't give up!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
you love what you do, just as i do, so keep it up
what's the worst that can happen???
they bury us with all of our unsold cues!!!!!!!!!!! :eek:
be talkin to ya soon about........ something,....... forgot what the hell it was now :rolleyes:


believe that the game of pool is alive and well. I think the "Staving Cuemaker Syndrome" is due to the massive influx of imported cues to the market. Disposible cues are flooding everywhere, in all price ranges. The "inlays" or transfers make the cue look nice on the outside but the cue is still crap.

"Put a dress on a pig and it is still a pig," I always say.​
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Know this has been mentioned...but a good camera, good pictures will help sell cue's online.

Look at the people who do the best selling cue's on here and ebay...they all take good quality pictures.

The quality of your cue's matter when someone gets to hold it, but presentation when selling them online is the only way they are going to get into peoples hands who can then talk about how much they like it.
 
cubswin said:
Know this has been mentioned...but a good camera, good pictures will help sell cue's online.
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What cubswin says is true. You may also consider NOT putting up pics of "cues in works" or "unfinished" cues. Tends to make the cues look bad to those unfamiliar with the steps of cuemaking. People like to see high quality and perfection...as in a flawless finished cue. Also if you can get some pros on your bandwagon. Having a group of pros who will use your services with loyalty...will show that you know what you are doing.
Hope this helps. :)
 
Koop said:
I'll throw my $.015 in the ring too.

Honestly, IMO, you need a solid local base to get going. It ain't gonna happen here on AZ. You may get some sales here and there but getting the locals to love and play with your cues should be priority. Word spreads very quickly through tournaments and leagues. Try setting up at small local events doing repairs and bring some cues along for people to test drive.

My intentions are to be mean so please take this as constructive criticism. I just do not like the look of your cues. The wood combos just seem off and there is nothing fancier than a plain jane. Don't get me wrong, plain janes can be real nice but you need the right wood combinations. If you can't do points then try doing some fancy ring work. Hell, look at Ed Prewitt. His are all plain but his ring work is out of this world.
Find your niche but by all means, get your product out there to the locals and if you are good, word will travel.
As for sending free cues for "unbiased reviews", I am not a fan of the idea. My reasoning is this. While I'm sure whomever you sent the cue to would do their best to be objective, there is a tendency to not want to hurt the persons feelings, especially when their livelihood hangs in the balance. I'm not saying anyone would intentionally lie or decieve but it would only be human to go easy on a review like this.

Anyway, I wish you well and if any of what I have written was helpful that's all I can ask.

Regards and a happy holiday,
Koop
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I'll second Koop's whole post, couldn't agree more.

Rod
 
J&D CUSTOMS said:
To all AZ members,

This is Jim of J&D CUSTOMS and I have a question.
I have been on the forum for quite sometime , even before J&D came up , I was JL CUES until I partnered up.
I have tried to sell many of our cues in the for sale area but to no avail.
We run a tight ship here at our shop and try to produce only the best for our customers. We stand behind any defects in playability and our cues hit very well. I think.
If you all could help me to know why even at a quarter of the price of other cues here , we seem to not be able to get our cues sold out to you in the AZ land we have here.
Can you all help me out and with the diversity we have on this forum , try to help us understand how to get them out to all of you at reasonable prices.
I have played pool for 26 years and I feel that helps me in the making of our cues. I have owned and shot with thousands of different cues from the same amount of makers and feel I know what players need to shoot at the top of their game from that knowledge.
We will have our cues in the Derby City Classic in the hands of a great player we are sponcering and feel he will do very well at the nine ball event. We will be their through the event to show off what we have but will not have a booth this year set up.
So if any one can help me out and come see us at the Derby would be great , Just look for our shirts , and our player who will also be in our Logo shirt as well.
Thanx to all for your time,
Happy Holidays from us,
Jim
J&D CUSTOMS
Batesville , Indiana
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Jim,
What is your last name? What is your partners name? How long have you been making cues? How long has your partner been making cues? Who is your player? You say you want to be known and trusted, the best way to do that, is to be more open with information. Put your mailing address and an email address in your signature. Basically, people are skiddish about dealing with annonymous people. If you want to do well with the public, you need to be, a little less private. Post a pic of your logo shirt, don't be shy, promote yourself.

Tracy
 
Koop said:
I'll throw my $.015 in the ring too.


Find your niche but by all means, get your product out there to the locals and if you are good, word will travel.
As for sending free cues for "unbiased reviews", I am not a fan of the idea. My reasoning is this. While I'm sure whomever you sent the cue to would do their best to be objective, there is a tendency to not want to hurt the persons feelings, especially when their livelihood hangs in the balance. I'm not saying anyone would intentionally lie or decieve but it would only be human to go easy on a review like this.

Anyway, I wish you well and if any of what I have written was helpful that's all I can ask.

Regards and a happy holiday,
Koop
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Koop, I agree with your above quote totally.

Jim, please do not take offense to what I am about to say, I am only saying it with the best intention.

I am sure you have confidence that your customers will buy your cues once they are given the opportunity to try them.

I know getting a booth is a bit expensive and seems risky, but you need to have confidence in your product, and show your confidence in front of your customers.

I am still fairly new, so I am not really in a position to tell you anything. If you dont mind me going a bit long, I would like to share a bit of my own experience.

I remember the first time I showcased my cues in the US was in the 2005 US Open. I went from Vancouver, Canada to VA, USA. I was probably the only vendor who had travelled that far.

I did not have much experience with setting up a booth, English is not my first language and I was having problem understanding some people especially those coming from the South. I did not know anyone there. I had a banner but it was too small, the airline lost my cue display rack...etc. Frankly, I was kind of scared.

But I had a lot of passion and confidence ... and well...a lot of cues.

Make a long story short, I did not take any cue back home at the end of the show.

I am not trying to brag or promote myself, everyone can sell out their cues. All I did was I believed that the players would love the X breaker once they were given the opportunity to try it, so I simply went to give them such opportunity.

Some members back then had asked me to send them cues in exchange for review, but I did not want any such review.

I still remember I got into a little flame with Shorty because of that.:)

My belief was that if someone really likes my product, he/she will pay to own it; if he/she really likes my product, he/she will say something nice without any solicitation on my part.

My opinion is that I should not have to hand it to them for free in order to receive a review.

I can tell you believe your cues are good playing cues. Therefore, I would strongly suggest that you try to showcase your cues to the public. If they are as good as you say they are, people will buy them.

My 0.01 cent is: Believe in your product, believe in your ability...be confident my friend:) Hope to see you around. Good luck to your sales.:)

Happy cue building.

Richard





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J&D,

You have action, Jay beat Linda to claim the cue I offered with a PM 3 minutes before Linda's PM came.(Jay 9:32 AM Linda 9:35 AM) So if anybody wondered Santa is coming to Mr. Helfert's house this year. I would have been honored for either to have it but somebody had to be first. In an ideal world I would let them play a set winner takes it and get a review from both. It is hard enough arranging payment from across the pond let alone arrange a match. If either Jay or J&D haven't read there PM please do so and I hope that you have a good experience on both buyer and seller end of things.


Ryan
 
I agree with whomever else suggested it. Raise your prices 200%. Sales will go up and so will profit margin. People like to buy cues they think are the bomb. If the high prices seem to make them hesitate, give it to them for 1/2 off and you'll still make out with a 50% price increase.

It worked for Grey Goose vodka.
 
The other thing I've noticed among cuemakers that sell here, and it may just be my perception, is the ones that participate in the whole forum as a whole do better than people just selling cue's. I imagine that is because people feel a connection to that cuemaker, even a friendship without ever meeting them face to face.

Couple examples would be Mike Webb and Bryan Mordt. Bryan doesn't post here much anymore, but he used to. Built up what looks like a good base of customers. It may just be perception, as I don't know either of their sales numbers. (note..there are many examples on here I just picked two)
 
cubswin has a point there. Yes a human connection is important. In addition to doubling your prices delay delivery times by about 10 years and then a cue from your shop will be worth $2,000 if you can wait the first 10 years out.



Ryan
 
ryanwarsaw said:
J&D,

You have action, Jay beat Linda to claim the cue I offered with a PM 3 minutes before Linda's PM came.(Jay 9:32 AM Linda 9:35 AM) So if anybody wondered Santa is coming to Mr. Helfert's house this year. I would have been honored for either to have it but somebody had to be first. In an ideal world I would let them play a set winner takes it and get a review from both. It is hard enough arranging payment from across the pond let alone arrange a match. If either Jay or J&D haven't read there PM please do so and I hope that you have a good experience on both buyer and seller end of things.


Ryan
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Ryan,

I'll be glad to play with the cue and give an honest evaluation of it for AZers. Then I can ship it up to Linda and she can do the same. After that's over, I guess we'll have to play for it. LOL. Linda no fair letting Mike shoot for you.

Two opinions might be better than one. And Linda can give a woman's perspective on things. I have one last thing to say,

"Rackemsucka"
 
jay helfert said:
Ryan,

I'll be glad to play with the cue and give an honest evaluation of it for AZers. Then I can ship it up to Linda and she can do the same. After that's over, I guess we'll have to play for it. LOL. Linda no fair letting Mike shoot for you.

Two opinions might be better than one. And Linda can give a woman's perspective on things. I have one last thing to say,

"Rackemsucka"
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OK, Jay, you're on, ASSume the position! :D :eek:
 
cubswin said:
The other thing I've noticed among cuemakers that sell here, and it may just be my perception, is the ones that participate in the whole forum as a whole do better than people just selling cue's. I imagine that is because people feel a connection to that cuemaker, even a friendship without ever meeting them face to face.
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Exactly. Guys like Sheldon Lebow, Murray Tucker, Thierry Layani, Bryan Mordt (and others), a bunch of cuemakers relatively unknown to the rest of the country that were/are forum posters first in our (longtime posters) minds. And these guys have gotten a pretty good amount of good internet press because of it. And they deserve it.

Fred
 
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