When will the Southwest cue market come crashing down?
- Thread starter lenoxmjs
- Start date
JC
Coos Cues
I would cut the 12 year wait down to 3-4 years. It might take me several years to accomplish this but that's what I would do.
It doesn't matter to me one way or the other what they do and I didn't bring up the subject. But since it was brought up, that's my opinion.
And yes, my brain is larger than average. Thank you for noticing.
JC
Perhaps their refusal to change their way of doing business is part of why they have stayed successful and maintained consistency?I would cut the 12 year wait down to 3-4 years. It might take me several years to accomplish this but that's what I would do.
It doesn't matter to me one way or the other what they do and I didn't bring up the subject. But since it was brought up, that's my opinion.
And yes, my brain is larger than average. Thank you for noticing.
JC
There are stories in every line of business of quality decreasing when small enterprises chase profits by increasing scale. In fact that's the rule, not the exception.
JC
Coos Cues
So let me pose this question. Why is the waiting period 12 years? Why not 10? Or 15?
In the answer to this question lies the simple answer to how to trim it to 3 or 4.
Answer my question and I will enlighten you if you don't figure it out yourself first.
JC
So how many cues a year are you basing this number on? If for argument sake we go with the average price of a cue being 3000$ that is 500 cues a year. Is this accurate?
I've had many an offer for my ebony nosed Franklin but just havent gotten to where you were enough to let it go. Maybe if I was offered a Gus or Bushka I might be able to get there.
I've played and owned many SWs and have never noticed the Franklin period cues play any better than the brand new stuff.
FOR ME, I've consistently thought that Richard Black cues play better than SW in general.
So let me pose this question. Why is the waiting period 12 years? Why not 10? Or 15?
In the answer to this question lies the simple answer to how to trim it to 3 or 4.
Answer my question and I will enlighten you if you don't figure it out yourself first.
JC
YOU'RE the one who said you knew how they would do it. I asked a very simple question, how... So you pose ANOTHER question to me. Too funny.
I'll tell ya what I wont play games with you. Their wait list is that long because it takes THAT long to make the cues! You think they're sitting on their asses "prolonging" the construction of their cues??? If you do, you know nothing about cue building, their methods, NOR their business model. They have limited workers AND more so equipment. They are a CUSTOM cue manufacture that actually cares about the construction of their cues. THAT'S why they're so sought after and why people are willing to wait 13 years for one. It was the people continually ordering cues that created this wait list. So NO they couldn't drop their wait list down to 3 or 4 years unless they took less orders and WHY would they do that?
FOR ME, not....
I ordered mine 2004-
wait then was quoted approx. 7-8 years...
I t was actually 13 years, shy of 2 months, to complete my cue.....
BUT
LAURIE FRANKLIN Kept me updated...
I didn't mind waiting either.
I got AN AMAZING QUALITY CUE,
SUPERBLY CRAFTED....
NOTHING BUT APPRECIATION FOR THE SOUTH WEST SHOP FROM ME
JC
Coos Cues
You could have thought about the question I asked instead of going off on a rant.
Is 12 years the magic number? Is that how far they are booked when the phone finally stops ringing? Or do they start saying no at that level to new orders for 13 years out? If so why? Is 13 years too long?
I'm not emotionally involved with their cues or their business as you seem to be. Just asked a simple question. Why is 12 years the number?
JC
Here is how you reduce the wait time on Southwest cues.
It is pretty simple actually. Make the buyers put a 50% deposit on the cue when they are put on the list.
I would bet it would reduce it in half.
JMO
It is human nature to desire those things they cannot have.....I have seen it numerous times in business. I call it the Studio 54 syndrome, instead of letting a ton into the nightclub, he only let a few in. The folks kept coming back night after night trying to get what they were denied in the past, frankly admission to the club. Those who actually got in the club (or got their Southwest cue) felt like they were special. Genius, and I would have never thought to do it.
Ken
It is pretty simple actually. Make the buyers put a 50% deposit on the cue when they are put on the list.
I would bet it would reduce it in half.
JMO
It is human nature to desire those things they cannot have.....I have seen it numerous times in business. I call it the Studio 54 syndrome, instead of letting a ton into the nightclub, he only let a few in. The folks kept coming back night after night trying to get what they were denied in the past, frankly admission to the club. Those who actually got in the club (or got their Southwest cue) felt like they were special. Genius, and I would have never thought to do it.
Ken
Last edited:
Honestly, I hope never!
My question is, when are they going to make a movie about the SW story? Woman loses her husband and has a whole group of people to support. Then succeeds in competing in a tough world market. Through a very tough time in the US economy.
She/they have my upmost respect!
Larry
My question is, when are they going to make a movie about the SW story? Woman loses her husband and has a whole group of people to support. Then succeeds in competing in a tough world market. Through a very tough time in the US economy.
She/they have my upmost respect!
Larry
I answered the numbers question in post #72 above, but then decided to edit out the numbers. But I can tell you that they have never made anywhere near 500 cues in a year. It's not a high-volume outfit.
SouthWest was pretty established when he died.
She did a lot of good work but mostly all she had to do was not to mess up. The business was there.
If you put it in Enron?
I agree with you deposits even for a 2 year wait would lower the number of people in line. BUT, from the standpoint of SW if something isn't broke, why fix it? Their business model has been working beautifully! As someone who has worked hands on in a cue shop over a period of time, I'm astounded that the SW crew is able to produce the number of quality made cues that they do. I have nothing but deep respect for everyone working there. They can easily sell every cue they can make. If they fold their tent down the road, nobody is out pocket with deposits. I can kick myself squarely in the arse for not ordering 2 cues every year!! I ordered in 2005 and have been patiently waiting. I'll probably come up later this year.:grin-square:
Just want to say to Dean that I don't think the OP was knocking the people or the cues at SW.
Just want to say to Dean that I don't think the OP was knocking the people or the cues at SW.
Here is how you reduce the wait time on Southwest cues.
It is pretty simple actually. Make the buyers put a 50% deposit on the cue when they are put on the list.
I would bet it would reduce it in half.
JMO
It is human nature to desire those things they cannot have.....I have seen it numerous times in business. I call it the Studio 54 syndrome, instead of letting a ton into the nightclub, he only let a few in. The folks kept coming back night after night trying to get what they were denied in the past, frankly admission to the club. Those who actually got in the club (or got their Southwest cue) felt like they were special. Genius, and I would have never thought to do it.
Ken