I've seen cue makers come and go because of pricing. Mainly because they start too high. I'd much rather start low and move up as demand dictates but it looks really bad if you have to come down.
What am I missing?
- Thread starter weegee3
- Start date
I've seen cue makers come and go because of pricing. Mainly because they start too high. I'd much rather start low and move up as demand dictates but it looks really bad if you have to come down.
Also, I don't think there is anyone that gets into building cues just because the love it. I believe everyone that spins a cue has a grand dream of making some money doing it. Loving it is a by-product.
Anyone that that buys all that equipment, just for love, has more money than brains.
Anyone that that buys all that equipment, just for love, has more money than brains.
Love what you do. Treat it as a craft/hobby and delivery quality. Quality comes back to you. But do it for money. Have a marketable price schedule and stick to it. Believe in yourself. The best thing a person can say to you is Thanks..nice job....and pay the bill.
If you discount to your friends & relatives you will go out of business real fast.
If you discount to your friends & relatives you will go out of business real fast.
Ryan,
Ouch, that really hurt!!!! Did you get up on the wrong side of the bed today or something, really!!
This is because you didn't think or have blinders on concerning other people's opinions or motivations you don't understand. In that light,"these statements are prejudicial, irrelevant, without substance and should be stricken from the record your honor".
Very truly yours,
Rick
Ouch, that really hurt!!!! Did you get up on the wrong side of the bed today or something, really!!
This is because you didn't think or have blinders on concerning other people's opinions or motivations you don't understand. In that light,"these statements are prejudicial, irrelevant, without substance and should be stricken from the record your honor".
Very truly yours,
Rick
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More drama .
Dear Lord.
I miss Eddie.
Dear Lord.
I miss Eddie.
Joey,
Fill me in. Who's Eddie.
Rick
Fill me in. Who's Eddie.
Rick
My own opinion (right or wrong) has been that most cue makers have gotten into the craft from their love of the game of pool. I believe this because many cue makers are either wood workers or machinists by trade, and a pool cue is one of the least profitable products that a person with those skills could make, other than maybe a bird house. A skilled wood worker or machinist would have to either be crazy or just really love pool spend so much time making a product with such a small profit potential. If money is the goal, wood workers should make guitars or cabinets, and machinists should make . . . well, anything other than pool cues.
The other category of people that get sucked into cue making are neither wood workers, nor machinists, but pool players who just love the game of pool, and want to take that passion to the next level. I, myself, am in that category. Working on cues has brought me far more enjoyment than money, so I guess I'm one of those who has more money than brains...
My post wasn't directed at you. If you took it that way, ok, let's dance.
As a businessman, would you invest in something that you will not get a return on your investment? How much have you spent on equipment? Time? Sure, there are risks in every business but have you studied the billiard industry?
If you love it as much as you say, why have a crew helping in your shop? That isn't because of love. That's business. If you loved it, as you say, you would do everything yourself. You may love pool. You may love cues. You do not know that you will love cue making until you do it. That's why I said "Loving it is a by-product."
Ryan,
Fair enough. If you claim your post was not directed at me, I will take you at your word. But when you quote someone here and then make statements that someone who does X has more money than they do brains, you must admit your motivation can be misunderstood as attacking.
As for a crew helping me build cues, for the record, I am the only person building cues in my shop.
I have a friend who is homeless and lost is job in this economy and I took in into my household. In return he maintains my shop and equipment, processes shaft wood and glues veneer stacks for 3 hours per day for room and board and some pocket money.
My inlay work is not done my me and I am very lucky to have a very talented computer professional who performs inlay designs and CNC operations and I do not or would not take an credit for something I did not perform.
I don't want to dance only protect my brand.
Rick
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Go back and read it. My post about more 'money than brains' had no quotes from anyone. I quoted you about pricing.
Ryan,
Ok, I get it. But when you post 4 minutes after a post and start out saying Also,.......... One would have to think it was an extension of the same point.
Lets stop splitting hairs and agree to disagree.
I believe you when you say it was not aimed at me and only an opinion.
Rick
Ok, I get it. But when you post 4 minutes after a post and start out saying Also,.......... One would have to think it was an extension of the same point.
Lets stop splitting hairs and agree to disagree.
I believe you when you say it was not aimed at me and only an opinion.
Rick
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Ryan
Your reply is interesting in that you say that one does not get into cuemaking for the fun of it, yet your legend on the botttom of your page says if you want to make a million start with two million and work your way down.
I have stolen that from you and used it often to describe my feelings about cuemaking.
You are correct is saying that it takes more money than brains to get into cuemaking as a business; ergo it has to be a love for creating something that brings a sense of pride to do it well.
With me it's a hobby that often brings a special satisfaction. The decision was, "Do I make pepper mills, pen blanks, bird houses or maybe pool cues?"
I chose pool cues because I play pool. I know more pool players than birds.
Build a bird a house and you'll get no feedback. Besides birds have no money. Build a real stroker a pool cue and have him say " Man, I really like that cue" is very satisfying. And he paid you for it!
Hmmmm..... let me see;, should I go out and buy that huge bandsaw I wuz looking at or wait 'till tomorrow.
Loved all the feedback on the issue and yeah, I really like pool players.
Weegee
Your reply is interesting in that you say that one does not get into cuemaking for the fun of it, yet your legend on the botttom of your page says if you want to make a million start with two million and work your way down.
I have stolen that from you and used it often to describe my feelings about cuemaking.
You are correct is saying that it takes more money than brains to get into cuemaking as a business; ergo it has to be a love for creating something that brings a sense of pride to do it well.
With me it's a hobby that often brings a special satisfaction. The decision was, "Do I make pepper mills, pen blanks, bird houses or maybe pool cues?"
I chose pool cues because I play pool. I know more pool players than birds.
Build a bird a house and you'll get no feedback. Besides birds have no money. Build a real stroker a pool cue and have him say " Man, I really like that cue" is very satisfying. And he paid you for it!
Hmmmm..... let me see;, should I go out and buy that huge bandsaw I wuz looking at or wait 'till tomorrow.
Loved all the feedback on the issue and yeah, I really like pool players.
Weegee
I don't want to be mistaken. Money can be made. Maybe I should have focused on expectations. If you get into cue making thinking its a cash grab, you've got another thing coming. I just think everything should be kept in perspective. No need to drop $20G on machinery unless you have it in your pocket. Stay within your means. Start small and reinvest your money back into your 'business.' Don't go into debt buying machines and wood, only to realize that money doesn't get returned in a timely fashion.