What should i do?

obrien714

obrien714

Pool Video Addict
Silver Member
A highly respected cuemaker has had 4 of my Hoppe cues since 3/2003. I asked him to pick the best one and convert it for me. He was a friend of mine and we played on the same pool team. I have called him maybe 7 times since 2003. I moved from the area so I dont see him anymore. I would say back in 2005 he said he had my cue out and was starting plans for it. HE had moved his shop and was ready to get rolling on it. No problem. I was in no hurry and with the reputation he has understand the wait. I called maybe a time or 2 and got the usual kind chit chat from him and he asked me to email my ideas to him again. I also asked him if he picked the best out of the four cues and could send me the others so i could have them to give to other cue makers to begin converting. He still never sent them.

The other 2 times i called i asked him again to ship my other Hoppe cues back. I still havent received them. I email him my adress as he promises to send them and to no avail i still dont have them. I even offeref to pay shipping.

So my last call that i actually talk to hom was back in march. I asked him how my cue was coming and he said he hadnt even picked one out yet. I was a little upset. He tells me hes been doing alot of research and developement and runs all this stuff by me. I kinda interupted and spoke my mind. He appologized and said he was sorry. Itold him at this point i waited 5 years and i am upset. I almost want to ask for all of my cues back and forget it. I also know that the cue will be awsome because when i tell you he is in the top 5 cue makers, he is. I say look i understand research and developement, you arent even building me a full cue. You are just doing a conversion. The conversation ends with me again giving him my adress and asking for my other cues.

So that brings me to a call every 2 weeks for the last 6 weeks and he wont return my calls or answer my emails. Short of flying to his shop, i dont know what to do.

I respect the cuemaker and dont want to drag his name out in a flame thread, but i do not know what to do from here.

PAt
 
if he posts on AZ, just pm him a link to this thread.

That should get the ball rolling nicely.
 
obviously you've tried everything short of going to his shop...so....go to his shop and get'em back.

this is the worst place to post anything about anyone because it will be taken out of context and words you never mention will be shoved down your throat.
 
obrien714 said:
A highly respected cuemaker has had 4 of my Hoppe cues since 3/2003... I moved from the area ...i tell you he is in the top 5 cue makers...

PAt
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Put the crook's name out here so nobody else falls victim!:woot:

Seriously though, sounds like there is contact between you two, that is a good sign.

Also good, the guy probably doesn't need the work- not that he hass too much$ already- by your account he is in demand.

I say give him a dates by which you require either:
-significant progress, as well as completion date. Pics of progress would be nice to have.
-return of all items.

Best of luck, again: there is contact between you two, that is a good sign.
 
I hope it is just a case of the cuemaker being busy rather than something happening with the cues.
I would suggest visiting the cuemaker, get your cues back and, in case you agree with him on a certain date, leave a cue (only one) to be converted. You can always take your conversion to a different cuemaker if this one cannot deliver promptly enough. I would make getting my cues back a priority though.

Good luck.
 
That is unacceptable. The more and more I learn about cue builders, the more I realize they really are a different breed :) . I have never been underpromised like that, not even close. I am very impatient though.
 
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plshrk22 said:
That is unacceptable. The more and more I learn about cue builders, the more I realize they really are a different bread :) . I have never been underpromised like that, not even close. I am very impatient though.
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They are definitely different from bread.
 
As much as I generally despise lawyers... you might want to consult one. And even, just hire one to write/send a letter to this guy about the situation.

You'd be surprised how a letter from a lawyer will make uncooperative people pay attention and do things.
 
obrien714 said:
since 3/2003

i waited 5 years and i am upset
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Seriously. 5 years. You are much more patient than me. Did you ever say something like: "take your time" or "I'm in no hurry" or "don't make my project a priority" or something like that? It almost sounds like both sides were under the impression that it was ok for this project to take a while. Especially after, say 3 years, and nothing was happening ;) I mean, what's another 2 years between friends, lol.


So, you've waited this long. Wait a little longer to get what you want. And be a little more forceful when requesting your other cues back. Don't be a jerk, just set the right tone - as it appears you are too laid back and have set a precedence that it's ok to put your requests on the back burner, since you don't complain. The squeaky wheel gets oil...

-td
 
Another part of the story to Clarify

I was never in any way this guys best friend. We played pool league and i know him from there and never really hung out with him. I always expected to be treated like a regular customer and in no way expect a discount in his fees.

I know he has a longer than average wait time and i have had cues built before and know the cue makers take a little longer than average. I gave him the cues at the super billiards expo in MArch 3003 and the following is a letter of what he mailed me to the jist of when the cue would be ready. He sent me this PM on AZB November 2005.

Hi Pat,

This is your new contact info above.
I have the cue prepared, but have not done much more to it since. I'm hoping to be able to bring to expo if your going, and if not, send to you around same time. I'm still tying to get caught up, I'm booked thru the holidays. So I should be back on it after that. Pat I want to thank you for all the nice words on AZ. I hope when you get the cue that you'll be very happy with it.


This will be the last i post about this. I just left him a message asking him to return all my cues. I will update the thread on that when it happens. If i have no reply I will fly there to get the cues. Thanks for the help .

Depending on how things go I may or may not post his name. At this point i want to give him the benifit of the doubt.

Thanks for everyones advice.

PAt
 
http://forums.azbilliards.com/showthread.php?p=201679#post201679

It doesn't take Sherlock Holmes to figure it out with all of the cues, I mean clues you gave. Why don't you just plain out ask him to send your cues back. I've never heard one word about the cuemaker you're referencing being dishonest in any way, shape, or form. In fact, I've only heard good things. Just don't be scared to say, "Pick the cue you like and send me my other ones back. I'm tired of waiting." I don't see why he would have a problem complying with that request.

Good luck.
 
Does this sound familiar? It's from 2002.

The main reason for wanting to speak to you on the phone, was to say Thankyou, and apologize to you. I guess I should have said that first. I have always worked so hard on giving a 100% to the work I put into the cues, that I've not paid attention to what is equally as important, service and communication, as crazy as this sounds, but honest, I always think in my mind, that it was more important to just keep working and get the things done customers wanted. I'm sorry, I did this to you. It's made me learn a valuable lesson in my business.

I have been taking a good look at myself and what I do since, and my goal every day for now on will be service and customer satisfaction. I'm afraid I agree with you up until now, I don't deserve a good service rating, and will work hard to improve it.

I hope someday that we can speak again whether we do business again or
not, and I that someday I'll get the chance to make you feel just a little
better than I have.

Thank you again.

Take Care,
Sincerely, [Cuemaker name]
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Matt_24 said:
In fact, I've only heard good things.
Click to expand...

Just for the record, he did the same thing to me in 2002. His apology is above and came ONLY AFTER I was forced to send a friend to his shop to retrieve my cue.
 
Last update for now

The cuemaker contacted me via pm here at azb. I got his attention and he says he will ship my cues back. I am not sure where the hoppe conversion stands. I will post that update after i get my cues back.

Thanks to all that joined in on my thread.

Cheers

NOW GO WATCH THE TAR REPORT.

PAt
 
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