drivermaker said:
That was also said by Teacherman and it didn't work. So, in other words, you are admitting to the fact that you could be hurting their opportunity to make a living in the pool world though, correct? If Sardo sales suddenly start dropping, it can be directly attributed to your post.
Whenever someone puts a product out there, they are subject to review. There's nothing wrong with that. If I get banned from this site because I expressed my opinion about a product, so be it but I will not shape my opinions in fear of such a threat.
The fact is, there are thousands of products for sale in the billiard industry and I have been happy to award my praise when due. With that said, I feel it is also my right to give criticism of a product when it does not perform as advertised. As for the words "libel" and "slander", it would be impossible to suggest simply because it would have to be false. Review of a product simply doesn't fall under such catagories. If that were the case, The Better Business Bureau and Consumer Reports wouldn't exist.
I feel the purpose of this forum is to offer advice regarding the game of billiards from all aspects, including products. As a result, this will inevitably lead to negative reviews. Can this thread lead to the demise of Sardo? As big as my ego may be at times, I'm sorry sir. I'm not about to believe that this thread could cause such damage, especially when you consider that criticism of Sardo has already been given by those with bigger voices and in larger forums.
Regarding Sardo's "opportunity to make a living", he has every right to so long as this right doesn't infringe on the right of others to not waste their money. This is a capitalist society we live in and nobody has a right to sell products that are beyond review or criticism. In fact, the very basis of capitalism is founded on the better mouse trap. Make a better product and it will do well. Make a poor product and it will get canned.
Well, I feel Sardo's product is a waste of money. Currently, the Sardo rack retails at $170. This makes it about 20 times more than the standard triangle. Witnessing the necessary "training" of tables in order to get the Sardo rack to work, I was appalled by the damage done to the cloth and slate. "Training" consists of creating indentations in the rack area that are so deep, I was able to rack the balls with my hands. In fact, you'll even see some professional players racking with their hands in tournaments that have "trained" tables.
Once this damage is done, the rack area is a pitted field that will be the source of strange rolls for the life of the cloth and possibly, the life of the table. I don't offer this criticism because I'm "shooting from the hip". I know what this product is about. I've seen it. I've used it.
Now, there are reasons behind the popularity of Sardo and unfortunately, it's become a big back-scratching sessions and nothing more. The professional tour is always desperate for sponsors and Sardo's product simply wouldn't sell without proper exposure. It is politics and money that have put televised pool and Sardo in bed together and just because they're fine with the arrangement, doesn't mean it needs my approval.
I believe that so long as I have a legitimate argument and I approach it respectfully and politely, I should be allowed to say as I choose. The only thing in this thread that could be labeled as libel or slander is your suggestion that I might get banned (unless, of course, Mike makes it so).
