Update on SW wait time

[JAM]

Hello, In my experience in dealing with South West I have always been informed of the long wait to receive a cue, about 8 + years. There are no surprises when dealing with Laurie and South West. As we all know South West is world famous for it's quality and consistancy of play and I will wait for as long as it takes to get another one.

I find the quality of the cues has not diminished since Jerry's passing. Laurie , Michael and Al have carried on the tradition of building one of the world's finest cues.

As far as wait time on a cue if you want the best as do many others you will need to be patient and wait. I mean look at Barry Szamobti, Joel Hercek,Pete Tascarella,Dennis Searing,Bob Manzino,John Showman, they all have many years as a wait time on a cue and they are worth the wait.

So wait time doesn't bother me, it even makes me appreciate the cue more because I know it is something special.

Scott

I do understand what it means to a player to have the best possible cue available, but waiting 8 years to get a South West seems very long to me.

If I needed a good-hitting cue, I would find me a cuemaker who could create a cue with the exact dimensions I was looking for. Sometimes a player may go through several cues before they find the magic "hit" they all seek.

If I was collecting cues as a hobby, though, I guess waiting 8 years wouldn't be so bad, but, man, 8 years is a very long time in one's life, about a little over a tenth of one's life span.

This thread reminds me of my girlfriend who is paranoid about aging. She is always looking for the magic cream for her face. One day, she called me up, full of excitement, to inform me that there was this special pearl cream that would erase wrinkles off your face. She said that it was the absolute best, and the only place you could get it was in New York City. The special pearl cream cost 300 bucks. She refused to wait the 6 weks for them to mail it to her. She wanted to drive right up to the Big Apple. Talk about immediate gratification.

So she talked me into going with her for the drive. Now, there happened to be a gas shortage in our area at the time. Depending on the tag number of your car, you could only purchase gasoline every other day. If you had an even number ending on your tag, then you could purchase gas if it was an even-number day of the month.

So off we went to New York City to purchase this special pearl cream. We came, we bought it, and we got stuck. We had to stay overnight because we couldn't purchase gas to come back home until the next day.

Back home with the special pearl cream, after several months of using it, my girlfriend became disappointed, stating she noticed no difference in her wrinkles.

Soon thereafter, we were both invited to an Avon party. As you might guess, she bought the anti-aging product by Avon which cost about 15 bucks. Several weeks later, she called me full of glee, stating that the Avon cream is the best product she had ever used on her wrinkles.

JAM

 

[poolplayer2093]

you might have better luck buying a used southwest. unless you're talking about death 8 years is too long to wait for anything.

 

[JimS]

. I've always heard they will indeed speed your order along for double what the cue was quoted as,but it only cut the wait in HALF. Tommy D.

South West Cues and Laurie Franklin have a spotless reputation for integrity and would NEVER do something like that. Do you really think that she would ruin her reputation for a measley couple thousand bucks?

Any reader of your post that has even the slightest knowledge of South West Cues or Laurie Franklin would have to wonder why would you want to make a statement attempting to damage the reputation of a first class person and business when you don't know have any first hand knowledge or proof that this has ever happened?

You've picked the wrong person to try to hurt. South West Cues and Laurie Frankliin are spotless and will remain that way because of a long reputation of completely honest business practices. There is no question about her integrity. What is in question here is why would you suggest something as rotten as that and the answer is because that is the nature of your character. That's who you are. You have just decribed for us the exact level of honesty and integrity you possess.

 

[TheBook]

SW cues are not more expensive than other brands. It is a artificial market created by people not wanting to wait 7 years. I put my name on the list about 4 years ago. At that time a cue with all the rings, points and veneers was about $1400 or $1500. I was told that that price is guaranteed to me. It will not go up. I have nothing in writing, no paper or receipt that I am on the list. Just SW integrity. I know many people have their name on a rolling list for as many cue orders that they are allowed to place per year. As soon as they get the cue they flip it for 50% profit. Those are the ones that make the SW prices ridiculous.

In the mean time I paid a premium for a SW that I feel I am renting until my order gets filled. At that time I will sell one and recoup my rental money and probably make a profit off of it. If my name gets lost or something happens in between at least I had the pleasure of playing with the SW for those years and the resale will still be there.

 

[HIRUN526]

South West Cues and Laurie Franklin have a spotless reputation for integrity and would NEVER do something like that. Do you really think that she would ruin her reputation for a measley couple thousand bucks?

Any reader of your post that has even the slightest knowledge of South West Cues or Laurie Franklin would have to wonder why would you want to make a statement attempting to damage the reputation of a first class person and business when you don't know have any first hand knowledge or proof that this has ever happened?

You've picked the wrong person to try to hurt. South West Cues and Laurie Frankliin are spotless and will remain that way because of a long reputation of completely honest business practices. There is no question about her integrity. What is in question here is why would you suggest something as rotten as that and the answer is because that is the nature of your character. That's who you are. You have just decribed for us the exact level of honesty and integrity you possess.

What I can't understand is why there are these attacks on South West. As you mentioned South West has a flawless reputation.

If someone feels the waiting time for a cue is unacceptable than by all means buy from another cuemaker.

I'm not quite sure about the pearl cream and the wait and the product was not any good, is that to mean that a South West will be a disappointment? I am a pretty reasonable person but I believe that it is some what unfair to South West or any cuemaker to make such a comment or comparison as stated. When you receive a cue from a cuemaker and if for some reason the hit or feel is not to your liking, that does not mean the cue is not any good or does not work, as we all know feel(hit) of a cue is personal. So you keep it or sell it.

Another comment about buying another cuemakers cue and comparing it to South West at 1/3 to 1/2 the price, so what if you like the other cuemakers cue better buy it, it is not necesary to knock South West or any cuemaker for that matter to justify the price of a cue or waiting time. Your value of a cue may be different than someone else's and that's fine.

If you don't want to wait don't, if you don't like the price don't buy it. If you don't like the hit find the cue you do like. It's all pretty simple.

 

[TommyT]

Why does SW continue to allow people to order 2 cues at a time. You would think with them overwhelmed with orders they could cut the wait time in half if they only allowed one cue per person. What other cuemaker with a many yeat wait would allow everyone to order multiple cues?. It sounds like a business strategy to guarantee a shortage to make there product more desireable.

TommyT

 

[PROG8R]

Why does SW continue to allow people to order 2 cues at a time. You would think with them overwhelmed with orders they could cut the wait time in half if they only allowed one cue per person. What other cuemaker with a many yeat wait would allow everyone to order multiple cues?. It sounds like a business strategy to guarantee a shortage to make there product more desireable.

TommyT

Every cue maker I spoke with would allow me to order matched cues.

 

[HIRUN526]

Why does SW continue to allow people to order 2 cues at a time. You would think with them overwhelmed with orders they could cut the wait time in half if they only allowed one cue per person. What other cuemaker with a many yeat wait would allow everyone to order multiple cues?. It sounds like a business strategy to guarantee a shortage to make there product more desireable.

TommyT

Hello TommyT,

You have asked a couple of good questions.

Actually it's kind of reverse, there were so many orders and from so many buyers world wide that South West had to limit it to 2 cues per year that could be ordered.

As far as multiple cues most cuemakers I know and deal with do allow more than one.

As far as strategy South West has been famous for years because players and collectors love the quality and the way the cues play. If you knew the people at South West you would knew they are honest and haven't created any plan to guarantee any shortage.

The love of South West cues has created demand and the long wait.

Hope this helps, this is from my experience dealing with South West.

Scott

 

[JAM]

What I can't understand is why there are these attacks on South West. As you mentioned South West has a flawless reputation.

If someone feels the waiting time for a cue is unacceptable than by all means buy from another cuemaker.

I'm not quite sure about the pearl cream and the wait and the product was not any good, is that to mean that a South West will be a disappointment? I am a pretty reasonable person but I believe that it is some what unfair to South West or any cuemaker to make such a comment or comparison as stated....

Well, first and foremost, I never once had any intention of being unfair to South West or any cuemaker.

I did make a comparison of pearl cream as it pertains to a person not wanting to wait for a product.

Please do not take my words out of context.

I am the last person on this forum who would ever intentionally, with malice aforethought, be unfair to anyone.

I will state this, though, since everybody is presenting their blessed opinions. Why not take these cue threads over to the Cue Forum instead of this Main Forum?

I had never even heard of Varney Cues until that thread was initiated, which was eventually deleted after it became ugly.

Now there is a back-and-forth colloquy about South West cues which is beginning to take off in a sour direction.

The Cue Forum is the place to be for these discussions about cue vendors.

JMHO, FWIW!

JAM

 

[HIRUN526]

Well, first and foremost, I never once had any intention of being unfair to South West or any cuemaker.

I did make a comparison of pearl cream as it pertains to a person not wanting to wait for a product.

Please do not take my words out of context.

I am the last person on this forum who would ever intentionally, with malice aforethought, be unfair to anyone.

I will state this, though, since everybody is presenting their blessed opinions. Why not take these cue threads over to the Cue Forum instead of this Main Forum?

I had never even heard of Varney Cues until that thread was initiated, which was eventually deleted after it became ugly.

Now there is a back-and-forth colloquy about South West cues which is beginning to take off in a sour direction.

The Cue Forum is the place to be for these discussions about cue vendors.

JMHO, FWIW!

JAM

Hello Jam,

Thanks for you thoughts and opinions and I believe what you say, so on that note let's put this to rest, have a good day.

Scott

 

[ribdoner]

. I've always heard they will indeed speed your order along for double what the cue was quoted as,but it only cut the wait in HALF. Tommy D.

Nope--promised Laurie diamonds, dinner, drink, PARIS in the spring, etc.

HELL, see post #13

 

[jcrack_corn]

take some midol man.

South West Cues and Laurie Franklin have a spotless reputation for integrity and would NEVER do something like that. Do you really think that she would ruin her reputation for a measley couple thousand bucks?

Any reader of your post that has even the slightest knowledge of South West Cues or Laurie Franklin would have to wonder why would you want to make a statement attempting to damage the reputation of a first class person and business when you don't know have any first hand knowledge or proof that this has ever happened?

You've picked the wrong person to try to hurt. South West Cues and Laurie Frankliin are spotless and will remain that way because of a long reputation of completely honest business practices. There is no question about her integrity. What is in question here is why would you suggest something as rotten as that and the answer is because that is the nature of your character. That's who you are. You have just decribed for us the exact level of honesty and integrity you possess.

 

[teambizy]

If they have not actually started the cue i would recommend you get your deposit back and look at some of the other custom cue makers. You could also attend some of the big tournaments if you can and get a good look at some custom cues up close. I think its fairly important to not settle for a cue and really get the one you want but that wait is really long. I ended up buying a Judd at Derby city this year and it was in awesome condition. Its been my best cue investment yet. Good Luck!

 

[Tommy-D]

> I remember seeing plain as day in a magazine article about the SW shop,that this was the case. To tell you how long it's been,the magazine I read this in also had coverage of Boy George winning the Sands Pro-Am,so this was before Jerry's death. The article noted that David Kersenbrock was instrumental in the formation of the company,and that his cues had been popularized by the likes of Allen Hopkins and Takeshi Okamura,and once the B players found out about them,the orders rolled in. The wait time was 4 years,and maybe the statement was taken out of context,but it was said in the article you could have your cue in half the time for double the cost,and several had taken that option. One guy was quoted as saying that it was fine with him because "they're too cheap anyway". The magazine was a West Coast Pool News or something like that,only b/w photos and maybe 25 pages,more like a tournament program. Jay Helfert had several articles in it.

I'm not fortunate enough to have met Laurie,but was friendly with Al for a couple years when he lived around Paducah,Ky,before he moved back to Vegas to go back to work at the shop. He mentioned it in passing,but never elaborated. Maybe,it's just an inside joke. I have or had no intention of attacking her ethics,period. If that isn't the case,I stand corrected,and apologize. I'm sticking to my story though. Tommy D.


> JimS,you can think what you want about my character,or what kind of person I am,and piss off while you're doing it. Ask Ribdoner if he's ever known me to be unethical or to possess poor character,he's known me longer than anyone on this board,probably as long as I've been playing and going to tournaments.

 

[SirBanksALot]

I Don't Think So !!!

If you throw some extra money their way will they build you one immediately?
I'm not talking about a couple of hundred, I mean an extra thousand or so.

I visit Las Vegas on a regular basis. Being an entepeneurial type of guy, I stopped in trip before last to pick up a cue that was ready just so I could visit with Laurie. I casually mentioned that I would be willing to throw some "premium delivery" dollars at her to get two more cues I have on order in April rather than the October 2007 that they are scheduled for. She stated that under no circumstances would she do it for any price and that I was not the first person to ask her that question....

**** Somewhere else in this thread - someone had mentioned something about suggestions for spending a little less money, getting a SW type hit and getting a cue much sooner than waiting for Laurie. Although SW do seem to have a bit of unique feel to them, IMO the cuemakers I noted below put out a product that hits and plays very similar to a SW.

Rick Howard
Jack Madden
Bryan Mordt


Hit Em Straight!!

 

[ribdoner]

>


> Ask Ribdoner if he's ever known me to be unethical or to possess poor character,he's known me longer than anyone on this board,probably as long as I've been playing and going to tournaments.

FWIW----I've known the writer for MANY years. His ethics and character are beyond reproach.

Thanks, Adam

 

[sixpack]

Unfortunately, no. Damn that Laurie and her ethics!! lol

Why would it be unethical? Businesses charge extra for express orders all the time. I can't see why cuemakers should be any different.

Cheers,
RC

 

[magnetardo]

Why would it be unethical? Businesses charge extra for express orders all the time. I can't see why cuemakers should be any different.

Cheers,
RC

I said "her eithics" as in HER moral principles. Just because you think something is ethical doesn't mean that she does.

 

[magnetardo]

SW cues are not more expensive than other brands. It is a artificial market created by people not wanting to wait 7 years. I put my name on the list about 4 years ago. At that time a cue with all the rings, points and veneers was about $1400 or $1500. I was told that that price is guaranteed to me. It will not go up. I have nothing in writing, no paper or receipt that I am on the list. Just SW integrity. I know many people have their name on a rolling list for as many cue orders that they are allowed to place per year. As soon as they get the cue they flip it for 50% profit. Those are the ones that make the SW prices ridiculous.

In the mean time I paid a premium for a SW that I feel I am renting until my order gets filled. At that time I will sell one and recoup my rental money and probably make a profit off of it. If my name gets lost or something happens in between at least I had the pleasure of playing with the SW for those years and the resale will still be there.

That used to be the case, Laurie has raised the prices and will not guarantee them any longer. The last time I talked to her she said she raised the prices a couple hundred dollars across the board. If you think about it, people getting cues now are paying 1998 prices while she is paying 2007 material, labor and overhead prices. It is competely understandable and I won't complain

 

[01rkclassic]

nope

If you throw some extra money their way will they build you one immediately?
I'm not talking about a couple of hundred, I mean an extra thousand or so.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

good storie about SW.

at jacks rec room in franklin OH,one of the guys went to vegas and told jack that while he was there he would get a few SW's from lori.he went there and told lori that he wanted to buy a few cues and that he had cash,she said good i'll put you on the list,he proceeded to pull out $10,000 and said now what will that get me to which she replied your name on the list!how strong is that?