Value for money price point?

[skm.sa100]

For most products, be it cars, or TVs, or speaker systems or what have you, there are two interesting price points.

1. Value for money. This is subjective, of course, but a car it's probably a Toyota Corolla in the US. Costs a decent amount of money but will last 20 yrs with decent maintenance and perform quite satisfactorily. Below this price point, you're compromising on the materials, build, workmanship, and consistent performance over time.
2. Luxury. Maybe something twice that expensive for cars? Something like a mid range Mercedes or BWM. Excellent performers with some bells and whistles but not too much beyond reach. Above this point, you're paying for more stature, prestige, looks, glamor etc. without actually adding performance value to the product.

While we can argue about the above two points, let's just take them as the base for this discussion.

What, in your considered opinion, is the price point for a good cue and a great cue?
A $50 cue isn't made with good material and workmanship and a $2000 cue will not do much to improve your playing ability all that much more than a $1000 cue will.

Your thoughts? Talking about US dollars for cues sold in the US, since I'm an American. No offense to my international brethren and comrades-in-cues but my knowledge is rather limited.

Regards
Sashi

 

[measureman]

Any cue over $500 and you are just paying for extra bells and whistles.
$500 or so will get you a perfectly good playing cue.

 

[ddg45]

For most products, be it cars, or TVs, or speaker systems or what have you, there are two interesting price points.

1. Value for money. This is subjective, of course, but a car it's probably a Toyota Corolla in the US. Costs a decent amount of money but will last 20 yrs with decent maintenance and perform quite satisfactorily. Below this price point, you're compromising on the materials, build, workmanship, and consistent performance over time.
2. Luxury. Maybe something twice that expensive for cars? Something like a mid range Mercedes or BWM. Excellent performers with some bells and whistles but not too much beyond reach. Above this point, you're paying for more stature, prestige, looks, glamor etc. without actually adding performance value to the product.

While we can argue about the above two points, let's just take them as the base for this discussion.

What, in your considered opinion, is the price point for a good cue and a great cue?
A $50 cue isn't made with good material and workmanship and a $2000 cue will not do much to improve your playing ability all that much more than a $1000 cue will.

Your thoughts? Talking about US dollars for cues sold in the US, since I'm an American. No offense to my international brethren and comrades-in-cues but my knowledge is rather limited.

Regards
Sashi

What makes a "great" cue? Whatever you play well with. There are those who would say anything straight with a good tip is all you need. I know several high-skill players that have played the same Players cues for years and still use them and will take your money all day long. That said, for a well made American cue with real points and inlays, $500 will still get you what you need, $750 tops. I bought a plain jane from a reputable custom cue maker for about $650. Any more than that and you're paying for more decoration. I'm lucky and can afford anything I want, but I still believe in the law of diminishing returns and have a hard time justifying much more than that. Value counts. Anyone who wants to pay more for what they consider beautiful, that's fine with me but it doesn't buy better, just prettier.