I wanted to know if anyone had experience with getting a LD shaft from a Seybert's or Ozone or any place like that, and in case they didn't like it, returning the shaft after a few weeks. I was thinking about buying one but I'm unsure if I want to invest that much money in something I might hate if I'm likely to have problems returning a slightly used shaft to them for a refund. I read about their "chalked cues" return policies, but it seemed a little ambiguous to me. I don't have any local dealers or friends that use them so I have no way to try them out otherwise.
trying out shafts
- Thread starter lms9t
- Start date
I would say that you are definitely going to have issues returning a chalked shaft from any online reatailer unless there is a defect. Wanting to "try it out" is not going to get them to give you your money back, I would assume. They could not sell it as new once you sent it back so I'd say you should look elsewhere.
To get the shaft and not chalk it would be useless as well, you can't tell much by a shafts performance unless you get your cue tip away from center.
To get the shaft and not chalk it would be useless as well, you can't tell much by a shafts performance unless you get your cue tip away from center.
I actually bought and returned 2 Predator shafts in the long process of converting over from standard shafts. When I first hit with a Predator shaft, I thought it felt dull and lifeless. I didn't like it at all. Well, as time went by, I tried one out. I bought it (can't remember from where). I tried it for a while and decided it wasn't for me. I returned it with no problems (I believe that I had to pay the return shipping, which seems totally reasonable.)
Next, I tried a 30" Predator shaft. I liked this even less. I purchased it from Billiard Warehouse. If I remember right, there is a guy named Greg there. He was very helpful and offered no resistance to me returning this one. Again I may have paid for return shipping, but otherwise got a full refund.
Later on at the Super Billiards Expo on year, I tried another Predator shaft at their booth, and for some reason it just clicked. I bought it and never went back. Since then I have purchased many Predator shafts. I used to deal directly with Predator. They had a guy there who was so awesome, helpful, and always knew exactly what I was talking about when asking him to pick me out a shaft (Neil Fujiwara-an awesome player for those that don't know). Somewhere along the lines Predator stopped selling directly, and now you must go through a distributor. I bought a 314-2 shaft from Franks Center at the SBE. I bought a Z2 shaft partial for my friend from Seyberts, and then bought a 314-2 partial from Seyberts to send to Andy Gilbert for my new cue. Also out in Vegas, I bought another Z2 for my friend from Omega Billiards.
As for service and returns, it hasn't really come up with any of these companies. My experiences were as follows:
Franks Center: Frank helped me out. He was very nice and pleasant to deal with. I got the impression that he would be happy to stand behind what he sells. The shaft I bought from him has been perfect, so I haven't put it to the test.
Omega Billiards: I forget the mans name who owns Omega. I dealt with him in Vegas, and he was also very friendly and accommodating. Both Omega and Franks allowed me to pull out several shafts and weigh them and pick out the one I liked best. My friend has had no issues with her new Z2 shaft, so we haven't needed any customer service. I will say that they were a little challenging to reach on the phone, but otherwise great.
Seyberts: My two occasions dealing with them were great. They were also very accommodating. They were willing to go through the shafts they had and pick one out that not only was the right weight, but also was consistent looking and even had a high pitch ping (meaning the tone of the sound the shaft makes when you hit with it is high pitch-some people like myself equate this with a dense solid feeling shaft). The Z2 partial was exactly as expected. The 314-2 that was sent to Any Gilbert was the exact weight, looked very nice, and did have a high pitch. The only issue is that is was bigger than 12.75 mm, which is what I wanted, and did not seem to be finished properly (you could feel the transition between the different pieces laminated together). I don't know if this shaft was just unfinished or defective. I haven't taken this up with them, so I don't know how they will handle it. However, I feel confident since they were so nice to deal with so far. If interested, PM me and I'll let you know how it turns out.
Hope this helps,
KMRUNOUT
Next, I tried a 30" Predator shaft. I liked this even less. I purchased it from Billiard Warehouse. If I remember right, there is a guy named Greg there. He was very helpful and offered no resistance to me returning this one. Again I may have paid for return shipping, but otherwise got a full refund.
Later on at the Super Billiards Expo on year, I tried another Predator shaft at their booth, and for some reason it just clicked. I bought it and never went back. Since then I have purchased many Predator shafts. I used to deal directly with Predator. They had a guy there who was so awesome, helpful, and always knew exactly what I was talking about when asking him to pick me out a shaft (Neil Fujiwara-an awesome player for those that don't know). Somewhere along the lines Predator stopped selling directly, and now you must go through a distributor. I bought a 314-2 shaft from Franks Center at the SBE. I bought a Z2 shaft partial for my friend from Seyberts, and then bought a 314-2 partial from Seyberts to send to Andy Gilbert for my new cue. Also out in Vegas, I bought another Z2 for my friend from Omega Billiards.
As for service and returns, it hasn't really come up with any of these companies. My experiences were as follows:
Franks Center: Frank helped me out. He was very nice and pleasant to deal with. I got the impression that he would be happy to stand behind what he sells. The shaft I bought from him has been perfect, so I haven't put it to the test.
Omega Billiards: I forget the mans name who owns Omega. I dealt with him in Vegas, and he was also very friendly and accommodating. Both Omega and Franks allowed me to pull out several shafts and weigh them and pick out the one I liked best. My friend has had no issues with her new Z2 shaft, so we haven't needed any customer service. I will say that they were a little challenging to reach on the phone, but otherwise great.
Seyberts: My two occasions dealing with them were great. They were also very accommodating. They were willing to go through the shafts they had and pick one out that not only was the right weight, but also was consistent looking and even had a high pitch ping (meaning the tone of the sound the shaft makes when you hit with it is high pitch-some people like myself equate this with a dense solid feeling shaft). The Z2 partial was exactly as expected. The 314-2 that was sent to Any Gilbert was the exact weight, looked very nice, and did have a high pitch. The only issue is that is was bigger than 12.75 mm, which is what I wanted, and did not seem to be finished properly (you could feel the transition between the different pieces laminated together). I don't know if this shaft was just unfinished or defective. I haven't taken this up with them, so I don't know how they will handle it. However, I feel confident since they were so nice to deal with so far. If interested, PM me and I'll let you know how it turns out.
Hope this helps,
KMRUNOUT
Think again lol:
60 Day 100% Money Back Guarantee on Cues & Shafts
Seybert's Billiard Supply offers you a 100% money-back guarantee for any cue or shaft purchased. If for any reason you are dissatisfied with your cue or shaft purchase, you may return your cue or shaft to us for a full refund for a full 60 days from the date of purchase.
This guarantee includes Chalked Cues & Shafts!
For your protection please be sure to send back the item in the original shipping container and insure the product for the full value in case of damage during the return process.
Original shipping charges (if applicable) are non-refundable. Shipping and insurance charges for the return of the item(s) is the responsibility of the customers.
KMRUNOUT
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I order through Seyberts and their service is excellent. My only question is wat happens to the items that are returned. If someone returns a shaft that they just dont like, do they clean it up and sell it to someone else? I wouldnt like the idea of paying for a new shaft and it not being new. I bought a new Z2 for my schon and realized that it was slightly warped. I sent it back and instead of getting a new one they fixed the warped one and sent it back to me.... which i later sold. Thought that was kind of nitty but they still took care of it quick.
Yeah I read a lot of those "chalked cue" return policies around various online retailers, I just wasn't sure how reliable they would be. For all I know I'd return a near perfect shaft and they'd call me out on a BS nick or something like that. Who knows. I definitely appreciate the help though. It's good to know that at least Seybert's lives up to their word and doesn't try to gyp their customers. I haven't had an experience with them yet, but I'm thinking of dumping a few places from my list after a couple negative incidents. I'll definitely be looking to them, especially after talking with some of the staff. They were very helpful. And yeah, I was wondering what happens with the slightly used shafts, because I'd contacted a few sites to see if they actually sell slightly used shafts or cues at reduced prices but so far they've all said no. Doesn't make sense to me. They have to do SOMETHING with them.