What are the responsibilities for a person providing escrow services for cues

[ScottW]

I think both the cash and the cue have to go through escrow. The bum check scenario doesn't bother me because the escrow company shouldn't clear the cue for shipment to the buyer until the the check clears or otherwise good funds are in the hands of the escrow administrator. What bothers me about direct shipment of the cue to the buyer is what if the buyer says he never received the cue? Or he rejects it and sends it back but the seller never receives it or says that he didn't? Yes, I know there is tracking and the delivery can ultimately be documented but what a nightmare that can be avoided if everything physically goes through escrow.

The big problem here is shipping things to other parties, as opposed to just handing it to them. Anyone can say "I didn't get it" no matter what it is, and be lying. And there's not much one can do to call them on it or do anything about it.

Shipping confirmation? "Oh I never got that, I didn't sign for it - it must have been misdelivered" or "No, you got my address wrong, someone else got it" when they arranged for that to happen... any number of ways to game the deal.

Add to that the whole condition check/authentication end and the headaches exponentially multiply. What if the guy checking the condition has one opinion, a differing opinion than the guy who ultimately receives the cue? What if the guy who receives the cue is unhappy for other reasons and decides to try and make the cue's condition (and the report thereof) the reason he's unhappy?

Basically the guy offering that service is opening himself up for hassles - and they'll come one day, believe you me. Someone will be upset and will make a stink. And when it comes down to having two people to blame - a scumbag and a stand-up guy who was trying to do right - they'll go after the stand-up guy more often than not, because they figure they'll get what they want from him sooner than they will from the scumbag.

 

[manwon]

The big problem here is shipping things to other parties, as opposed to just handing it to them. Anyone can say "I didn't get it" no matter what it is, and be lying. And there's not much one can do to call them on it or do anything about it.

Shipping confirmation? "Oh I never got that, I didn't sign for it - it must have been misdelivered" or "No, you got my address wrong, someone else got it" when they arranged for that to happen... any number of ways to game the deal.

Add to that the whole condition check/authentication end and the headaches exponentially multiply. What if the guy checking the condition has one opinion, a differing opinion than the guy who ultimately receives the cue? What if the guy who receives the cue is unhappy for other reasons and decides to try and make the cue's condition (and the report thereof) the reason he's unhappy?

Basically the guy offering that service is opening himself up for hassles - and they'll come one day, believe you me. Someone will be upset and will make a stink. And when it comes down to having two people to blame - a scumbag and a stand-up guy who was trying to do right - they'll go after the stand-up guy more often than not, because they figure they'll get what they want from him sooner than they will from the scumbag.

Scott, I totally agree with you on this subject. I also understand the reason people choose escrow for high end cues though. I also agree that no matter how good of a job the escrow service does sooner or later a can of worms will be opened up. I also think that for the fee's being charged including the shipping charges it is just not worth the trouble. But, I also would can not criticize those who choose to do, because they are trying to do something to help the forum membership which is commendable and should be respected for what it is.

Take care Scott.

 

[JB Cases]

He was a little upset because the cue has some problems, now this was not a production cue. The cue came with two shafts, one shaft is about one inch shorter than the other. The shafts also do not fit well at the cues joint, and it appears that the cue may have been refinished or that the shafts are not original to the cue in question.

Sorry man he should have read AZB before buying a Wheat cue.

Cheap Shot I know, but who could resist this hanger?

 

[JB Cases]

You all do know that a cleared check can be reversed up to one year from the time it was deposited don't you? Ask your bank.

I think that there should be a law against charging the person who deposits a check that is not good a fee for the fact that the check didn't clear. How is it possible or practical for a person to check everyone's bank account before they deposit a check? And even if you do call the bank and ask if there are sufficient funds - which they should not tell you anyway - that doesn't guarantee that those funds will be there when you deposit the check and it is presented for payment to the issuing bank.

I wouldn't do escrow. It's a headache and put you squarely in the middle. If I did then I would make it a minimum amount or a precentage of the transaction whichever is greater.

There is always the possibility that something happens to the cue on the way to the escrow service, or worse the seller claims that the cue was damaged by the escrow service.

Still though, if I were buying anything expensive on AZ I might consider it if the seller isn't just really known and trustworthy.

 

[manwon]

Sorry man he should have read AZB before buying a Wheat cue.

Cheap Shot I know, but who could resist this hanger?

I suspect I opened myself up for that one!!

 

[classiccues]

Crack kills...

WOW you guys expect a lot for 20 bucks...

Escrow, get cue, get money, look cue over for visual defects, compare to description, if all good, send out.

You want more than this? Pay more. Really.. think about it.

Maybe the escrow table rolls the cue for straightness, if he has a table readily availabe to him/her. If you are expecting your escrowler to lathe mount the cue and run a TIR indicator you are on crack. If you think he is there to check the root diameter of the threads and insert, you are on crack. If you think that this person is there to judge the tips on the cue, you are on crack. Should the guy hit with the cue? No.. Should he make sure every strand on the linen wrap is perfectly pressed within .000005" NO.. Should he be able to tell an original linen wrap, or an original finish? Good luck..and NO.

JV

 

[ShootingArts]

as I said . . .

The escrow service should do everything the buyer would do if he was looking at the cue at a pool hall. Obvious flaws should be noted and reported. If the cue isn't as advertised then yes they have taken on the responsibility to let the buyer know this. On the other hand I don't expect the escrow service to detect anything a careful examination with the naked eye won't find.

Is this a lot of sugar for a dime when the escrow service is only charging $20? Absolutely!! I wouldn't consider doing the same.

Hu

WOW you guys expect a lot for 20 bucks...

Escrow, get cue, get money, look cue over for visual defects, compare to description, if all good, send out.

You want more than this? Pay more. Really.. think about it.

Maybe the escrow table rolls the cue for straightness, if he has a table readily availabe to him/her. If you are expecting your escrowler to lathe mount the cue and run a TIR indicator you are on crack. If you think he is there to check the root diameter of the threads and insert, you are on crack. If you think that this person is there to judge the tips on the cue, you are on crack. Should the guy hit with the cue? No.. Should he make sure every strand on the linen wrap is perfectly pressed within .000005" NO.. Should he be able to tell an original linen wrap, or an original finish? Good luck..and NO.

JV

 

[Big Perm]

What are the responsibilities of anyone providing escrow services for cues. I am uncertain that I fully understand what someone doing escrow services is suppose to do, however, below is what I would expect.

1) Inspect the cue to insure authenticity.

2) Inspect the cue to determine if the cue is as described by the seller.

3) Handle the transfer of funds from the buyer to seller.

4) Handle the transfer of the cue from the seller to the buyer.

In my opinion the person providing escrow services is taking upon themselves the responsibility of all the above. If a cue comes through their hands that doesn't meet 1 and 2 above the buyer should be contacted immediately by escrow identifying all problems found. Funds should not be transfered until the buyer and seller either make a new agreement or the buyer excepts things as they are.

Please participate in the above Poll, and please post your opinions.

Thanks Very in advance,

YES, exactly what you said....voted.....that is my expectation...