Value of chalked vs. unchalked?
- Thread starter Poolfiend
- Start date
depends on the cue
New custom cue that has been played with? If I ordered a custom cue, no one but the cue maker better be using it. I wouldn't pay more, but I'd pay the negotiated price.Poolfiend said:
If it's just a new cue, i.e., one at a trade show (which I wouldn't consider a custom cue) 95% of the time I'll pass it by if it doesn't have at least 1 unplayed and unchalked shaft. The other 5% of the time, I'll look at it if I really like the cue. With a used shaft, the price is up for negotiation. I may even ask to buy the cue with the 1 unplayed shaft for $100-200 less (depending on the maker). With an hour of play, the shaft is used and should not be sold as new. I'm always wary of statements like "only a few test hits" or "shaft is like new."
Besides, "like new" is a saying you get at a car lot where they are trying to sell you a "new" car that has 2500 miles on it. It's just selling hype to get you to buy it. As for a cue, a shaft used for an hour means that the butt has been used for an hour, making it a used cue. Er, like new cue
-td
td873 said:New custom cue that has been played with? If I ordered a custom cue, no one but the cue maker better be using it. I wouldn't pay more, but I'd pay the negotiated price.
If it's just a new cue, i.e., one at a trade show (which I wouldn't consider a custom cue) 95% of the time I'll pass it by if it doesn't have at least 1 unplayed and unchalked shaft. The other 5% of the time, I'll look at it if I really like the cue. With a used shaft, the price is up for negotiation. I may even ask to buy the cue with the 1 unplayed shaft for $100-200 less (depending on the maker). With an hour of play, the shaft is used and should not be sold as new. I'm always wary of statements like "only a few test hits" or "shaft is like new."
Besides, "like new" is a saying you get at a car lot where they are trying to sell you a "new" car that has 2500 miles on it. It's just selling hype to get you to buy it. As for a cue, a shaft used for an hour means that the butt has been used for an hour, making it a used cue. Er, like new cue
-td
Agreed. It's a binary calculation - a cue is either new (i.e. unchalked, unplayed), or not. Once it's used, the price has to reflect that IMO.
Poolfiend said:
While many will disagree it is impossible to know for sure. Tips can be replaced and with that said how will a person ever know for sure. In many cases depending upon the color of chalk used all it takes is a reshaping.
I own a retail store with a around 150 to 200 cues, everything from Custom to production cues. I let all my customers chalk and test hit cues in their price range. I do not think their is any other way to find a cue that is right for you. I use brown chalk for customers who are testing cues, it blends in with the tip and really doesn't make a mess.
Now, I think if a cue has been test hit that it is still new. Unless, the shaft has visible signs of use, or the finish is scuffed or damaged anywhere on the butt or shaft. However, for non-direct sales (Internet Sales) I think the fact should be disclosed to keep thing honest.
For A Collection Style Cue, It Absolutely Makes A Difference. New Unchalked Brings A Premium.
It's Similar To Collector Cars Or Anything Else Collectible. The More "new" It Is, The More It's Worth
It's Similar To Collector Cars Or Anything Else Collectible. The More "new" It Is, The More It's Worth
if I order a new custom cue I plan to play with... I expect the cue maker to hit balls with it. if it's 'pingy' wouldn't u want the cue maker to know before he ships it??
if the cue is a REAL collectors item, I wouldn't want a mark on it.
if the cue is a REAL collectors item, I wouldn't want a mark on it.
Thank you all for your responses. They have been very informative. You might have guessed that I will be receiving a custom cue in the next couple of weeks and in between the time that I ordered the cue and now (three years, five months) my tastes have changes and I plan on selling it.
I was considering playing with one of the shafts for a while before selling, but based on the responses and the fact that I am confident that I would still sell it, I think I will not hit any balls with it.
It will tough not to take it out for a test drive, but you are right, as soon as you drive it off the lot the value drops considerably.
Thanks
I was considering playing with one of the shafts for a while before selling, but based on the responses and the fact that I am confident that I would still sell it, I think I will not hit any balls with it.
It will tough not to take it out for a test drive, but you are right, as soon as you drive it off the lot the value drops considerably.
Thanks