What do YOU expect?

[grindz]

from a table mechanic?

-A guarantee? If so, how long? What remedies?
-A level table? If so, HOW level?
-Playability?
-NO seams visible or felt?
-"First..... do no harm" The table in the same or better shape after the job is done?
-Referrals?
-Should it all be in writing, and signed?

What do YOU expect? What should a "reasonable" person expect?
Why is it SO difficult to find those GREAT businesses to do this job?

I wrote a LONG rant about my recent experience with this subject, but for some reason it didn't post. I didn't name names or bash anyone, but it's probably for the best that it went unposted. Anyone have any feedback?

Happy Easter.

td

 

[muttley76]

Let me preface this by saying that this is just my opinion. No matter where you live, there is access to some REALLY good mechanics. Ernesto, RKC, Mark Gregory, and a few others whose name I can't presently recall. If you want really quality work, get one!!!!!!!!!! Although the number of good mechanics is on the rise, just pay a little extra, and get somebody you KNOW will do it right. Most businesses that have their own crews are simply more concerned with the quantity of tables done over quality. And, there are about 250,000 struggling players who do a passable job, provided you aren't that particular. The truth is, there are a bunch of guys (myself included) who are perfectly capable of doing 80% of the tables in the world, but truth be told, I would rather leave it to the true pros, especially when I know it just has to be perfect. These guys have better tools, more experience, and are just overall better. For your average person that uses a table for furniture as much as sport, anybody will do. For a true aficionado, you get what you pay for.

 

[TX Poolnut]

I have only had my table redone once. The things I would insist apon, would be level slate, wax the slate joints (not that gritty crap), and take your time.

 

[grindz]

Let me preface this by saying that this is just my opinion. No matter where you live, there is access to some REALLY good mechanics. Ernesto, RKC, Mark Gregory, and a few others whose name I can't presently recall. If you want really quality work, get one!!!!!!!!!! Although the number of good mechanics is on the rise, just pay a little extra, and get somebody you KNOW will do it right. Most businesses that have their own crews are simply more concerned with the quantity of tables done over quality. And, there are about 250,000 struggling players who do a passable job, provided you aren't that particular. The truth is, there are a bunch of guys (myself included) who are perfectly capable of doing 80% of the tables in the world, but truth be told, I would rather leave it to the true pros, especially when I know it just has to be perfect. These guys have better tools, more experience, and are just overall better. For your average person that uses a table for furniture as much as sport, anybody will do. For a true aficionado, you get what you pay for.

Well, waiting months was not an option as I had guests arriving for a weeks stay, and an unlimited budget to fly someone in was out of the picture. So I contacted the person with the best rep. in the area, and it was over a 3 week wait. I couldn't wait, so I went with a referral from 2 trusted sources. Anyway I don't want to rehash all that, my questions are more toward what others expect to get, and why is it so hard to find quality?

td

 

[muttley76]

Well, waiting months was not an option as I had guests arriving for a weeks stay, and an unlimited budget to fly someone in was out of the picture. So I contacted the person with the best rep. in the area, and it was over a 3 week wait. I couldn't wait, so I went with a referral from 2 trusted sources. Anyway I don't want to rehash all that, my questions are more toward what others expect to get, and why is it so hard to find quality?

td

Sorry that I didn't answer any of your original questions. I mighta missed, you know, the actual reason for your post. Most of the reasons that good mechanic work is hard to find are simple. Most guys, either

1. Don't have the proper tools, such as small levels(preferably at least 4-6, and machinist levels), beeswax instead of plaster of paris, and many others.
2. Usually have little or no real training, at least by someone who actually knows what they are doing(I had done probably 60 tables before someone truly knowledgeable showed me what's up).
3. They really are more interested in doing tables quickly, as most are now crews from billiard supply/service businesses, and only get a cut of the money, and usually can't get fired without just screwing up horribly, and only really make any cash by doing 7 or 8 tables a day. (This doesn't necessarily apply to ALL of these businesses, but it is the vast majority)
4. People are idiots, just in general

And to be honest, if I have a quality table, I expect near perfection. If I am going to shell out the dough, I expect for the table to be really, really close to perfect. I am cruel that way.