Why are people willing to wait???

[JBCustomCues]

I think you should concentrate on building a great cue and stop worrying about what other cuemakers do and what they charge.

If you build a great cue the orders will come in and you will never be without work.

Good Cuemaking,

Once again I am not trying to step on anyones toes. I was just wondering why people think that these cues are worth so much. Is it because of the hit, the way they are built, or just as a lot of people have stated "the name". Its not about worrying about what other cue makers are doing or charging. This is about the people who buy these cue. Why do people think these cues are worth so much money? The cue builder charges so much because he/she can. Someone else said its about supply and demand. Well thats true. But what happenes when said cue maker's cues are not so hot any more. I bet you dollars to donuts that there price will go down and the resale price will decrease as well. And speaking of other cue makers I know cue makers that have been building cues for will over 20 years now. And they make a heck of a stick. Why are'nt there cues worth these high prices?

 

[Jeff]

Here's how to tell if you're a "Master" cuemaker.

Fake your death and see if the prices of your cues go through the roof.

If the prices fall, then you know you are just a guy who knows how to work a lathe.

 

[MrGreenChalk]

There is nothing morally wrong in doing that but I despise such practice.

I think SW should stop taking orders now .
Just make cues and sell them after all orders have been delivered.

Don’t “Dispise” if any of you lust for a Southwest, order one as I understand the wait list is getting longer.

I am on the list for just one, and may see it in just about 5 years. Expecting a call in 4.5 years to finalize the detail of my order.

 

[JoeyInCali]

I know cue makers that have been building cues for will over 20 years now. And they make a heck of a stick. Why are'nt their cues worth these high prices?


Because there is nothing special about their cues?

 

[TellsItLikeItIs]

Because there is nothing special about their cues?

Or just maybe, they're motivated by something other than money!

 

[Mcues]

Blackheart cues

I am a Qmaker & if I wern't 65 yeras old, I would put in an order for a Hercek Q tomorrow. BECAUSE his QS are special & mine are just good. THAT REQUIRES A BIGGER PRICE TAG...JER
__________________
BLACKHEARTCUES.COM

Jer,

I find your statement refreshing and a true sign of your appreciation of the art. No matter how well known a cuemaker is if he cannot appreciate somebody else's work, whether publicly or silently, then truly he's not much of an artist and will fade with time.
Nobody wants to sell a four pointer with veneers and inlays for $500 but guess what? We all have done it and will do it while waiting for the ten to 30 years to go by and recognition to take place. Of course, some are better at marketing, and self promotion than others.

Needless to say, you have to love what you're doing and accept as full payment that feeling you get when the lathe makes that papering sound like a gentle buzz caressing your hearing.
Most pricing and waiting list statements made by one cuemaker in reference to another are nothing else but "Why not me" and how can I get there. The work itself speaks the loudest.
I think at some point you have to ask yourself " why am I doing this, and whom do I wish to be respected by". You can get away with lots of shortcuts and still be somewhat popular in the eyes of the general public(average pool player which btw doesn't know a heck of lot) but you peers that's another story they know it all.
The balance between all of the above and paying the rent is a delicate one. Nobody is getting rich while making cues or doing repairs. Maybe I'm wrong, let me know who's making a couple million a year, I'm not proud, I'll eat my words.

Mario (unrewarded lifetime poet )

 

[Brandon79ta]

Or just maybe, they're motivated by something other than money!

That's more like it. This crap of having a year or more waiting list is just BS to get more money. Oh look at me my cues must be good cause I have a waiting list. All these cuemakers that have waiting lists seem to have no problem doing repair work or making people shafts. Now if they are so busy they needed a waiting list they wouldn't have time to be doing side work now would they?

 

[BLACKHEARTCUES]

That's more like it. This crap of having a year or more waiting list is just BS to get more money. Oh look at me my cues must be good cause I have a waiting list. All these cuemakers that have waiting lists seem to have no problem doing repair work or making people shafts. Now if they are so busy they needed a waiting list they wouldn't have time to be doing side work now would they?

blackheartcues.com This is MY WEB SITE. You will find that my prices are anything , BUT high priced. I continueally have a 8-12 month wait list. The wait is just that. You have to wait,till your name comes up. I have had an 8 month wait list for 10 years. As far as price goes, I'm sure that every pay day you want every penny that is coming to you. We are no different. Some DESERVE more,for their work than others. GINA, HERCEK, TAD, these people ARE special & their work deserves premium price to buy true playing art...JER

 

[rsmith_1972]

Just my humble opinion

I would have to agree with many of you on all points... There are cuemakers/ builders that are such perfectionist that there are large led times for getting there work out. Then there are guys who try to be but let the customer, in this i need it now society that allow there work to be less that what they want to met the customers needs. And then there are guys who just put work out. I know a few cue makers/builders that raise there prices to get rid of impatient customers... And I know a few that just put that much time into a cue... In my personal experience I have owned cues by most of the top cue makers in the business today and for some reason sold them or still have them. But many came with flaws that I think for a cue cost 3 grand should not have...But I do not let that skew my perception because I watch these guys and see I got just isolated problems (my Irish luck coming into play)LOL... As far as the waiting list... I have a really good friend that builds cues and I have watched his list grow from 6mos to 1yr to 2yrs and so on... Sometimes I think he does this so he is not rushed and other times I realize he is giving an honest accessment of his given work load and up coming loads to maintain a quality product, that as consumers we all want... So in reality I think there is no rhyme or reason to it, it just is... And I am willing to look at all cue makers products because if you like it you like it. If you don't you sell it..(this probably makes no sense what so ever...)LOL.
Forums are great...

 

[DawgAndy]

That's more like it. This crap of having a year or more waiting list is just BS to get more money. Oh look at me my cues must be good cause I have a waiting list. All these cuemakers that have waiting lists seem to have no problem doing repair work or making people shafts. Now if they are so busy they needed a waiting list they wouldn't have time to be doing side work now would they?

What cuemaker with a 3 year waiting list is doing repairs and making shafts? Hell i'm waiting 6-8 months on a sneaky from a guy who doesn't do repairs on any cues but his own, black boar won't do repairs either. Try sending Laurie Franklin your McDermott for a refinish. I don't see any merit to your statement at all. wood moves and i'll wait as long as the cuemaker says until my wood is ready

Andy
A happy,patient waiter

 

[dr.skat]

Wow…supply and demand says it all- especially now, in a global market place. I loved the late 80’s- early 90’s when the “high-end” cue market was limited to Americans (I just wish I bought more South West, Ginas, Tads, etc.). Now that the best cue makers in the world have international exposure, I have to wait years to get my cue and pay the real market clearing price. We need a billiard cue protection policy implemented in this country!

But, what really drives me crazy, I pay in advance. Taking into account the time value of money, paying the deposit up front is like paying double for the cue if it is completed in 7 years (that’s right, I earn interest on my dough and I am cheap). So, for the people who think they are making a buck by selling a cue for $300-500 dollars more than what they paid 5 years ago, take a finance class.

However, like the old DOT-COM proverb goes: “One person’s margin is another person’s opportunity!” For example, who was Mr. Showman 15years ago? Could he demand what he currently demands for his cues? I just wish I found his cues when he first started making them, whenever that was. I just know, when he was first making them, I was probably on a short list- 1-3years- waiting for a cue from some of the big names of that time. Oh well…I never factored in the opportunity cost.