trading over the internet

[justme]

I know this should go elsewhere, but this is the main forum that trading is done through, so I'm posting it here anyways. I did a trade on AZB recently, my DZ cue for this guys' Schon cue w/ 2 shafts. After having the cue for a day or so, the guy frantically calls me up and says my cue is WARPED!!! I said "what are you talking about, I checked it twice before sending it to you, no way!"...He swears up and down that my handle is warped, so we're trading back on Monday, so I should know by Wednesday what the deal is. There is NO way I sent him this cue like that, and he only had it for 1 day, so something's up. I'm thinking he found someone to buy the Schon cue he traded me, and can't sell the DZ cue, so he wants his cue back. Well, thats fine but DON'T tell me that I'm a dishonest seller, cause' it just ain't true! If I notice ANYTHING wrong with a cue, I make sure I disclose that info cause' I don't need that kind of reputation, I'm a nice HONEST guy! I'm checking it over with a FINE TOOTHED comb after getting it back, AND taking it to Bob himself to check it and tell me what he finds, if anything at all. If there is anything wrong with it, I'll get it fixed, but I doubt there honestly is. I guess this cue will be the one I use for league play this coming winter My dealings on AZbilliards have gotten me to the point that I NEVER want to buy/sell/trade ANYTHING over the internet EVER again. I have had 3 BAD deals now. 1 with BAMACUES, one of the biggest sellers there. I got a REALLY warped cue from him and got stuck with it, 2 with DANIEL (Tim Samala), I got a warped cue from him that HE GOT from Bamacues, but got my cues back from that deal, so that one worked out in my favor...And now this BAD deal where its supposedly MY cue thats warped. I HIGHLY doubt it is, but I'll gladly send him back the Schon cue he misrepresented to me anyways, I'm not exactly happy with it. Its made of BACOTE wood, NOT cocobolo like he said it was, and he said the inlays were GREEN...They're BLUE, VERY BLUE. I mean, how do you confuse blue for green? Colorblind maybe? I'm not sure, but I'm really gonna watch what it is I buy over the internet now. I mean, if its only a small amount more to buy it new, I'll buy it new, thanks! lol My trading days online are DONE, unless its with somewhere like Cueaddicts.com, or Proficientbilliards.com, or somewhere like that...NO MORE individuals for me! I'm just so damn irritated with the internet, its not funny anymore! Anyone else have any bad stories to tell?

[djkx1]

I've done very little buying on the internet, especially cues. The only cues I bought were from Brent (BHQ) and Chrisonline on AZB. Both were good experiences and I would never hesitate to do business with either.

Brent in particular has been so good to deal with that I consider him a friend and would recomend his work to anyone. I know you already have a cuebuilder that you work with, but I just figured I'd mention it anyway.

The internet, just like anywhere else is full of good people to deal with as well as the bad. It is tougher though because you can't actually see the product in person. It's always going to be a risk, I suppose thats why I tend to be a loyal customer once I find someone I know I can trust.

Good luck Jeff, and hopefully you resolve the current problem, and have better luck with your future dealings.

[justme]

Originally Posted by djkx1

I've done very little buying on the internet, especially cues. The only cues I bought were from Brent (BHQ) and Chrisonline on AZB. Both were good experiences and I would never hesitate to do business with either.
The internet, just like anywhere else is full of good people to deal with as well as the bad. It is tougher though because you can't actually see the product in person. It's always going to be a risk, I suppose thats why I tend to be a loyal customer once I find someone I know I can trust.
Good luck Jeff, and hopefully you resolve the current problem, and have better luck with your future dealings.

My problems have been with so-called good sellers...BAMACUES on AZB sent me a cue he had to have known was warped, cause' it was really bad...Yes, I've dealt with Chrisonline and he's a great seller, one of the few! Brent is a cue-builder and is EXPECTED to be a good seller, so he really don't count in this thread, though some day I'd like to have one of his cues! Nah, I think my online dealings days are definitely numbered, but it won't be for cues or anything that can warp, I'll tell you that! I just find or have found VERY FEW people that describe things correctly, like I do, just to get rid of their "crap".

[Bishop]

Originally Posted by justme

My problems have been with so-called good sellers...BAMACUES on AZB sent me a cue he had to have known was warped, cause' it was really bad...Yes, I've dealt with Chrisonline and he's a great seller, one of the few! Brent is a cue-builder and is EXPECTED to be a good seller, so he really don't count in this thread, though some day I'd like to have one of his cues! Nah, I think my online dealings days are definitely numbered, but it won't be for cues or anything that can warp, I'll tell you that! I just find or have found VERY FEW people that describe things correctly, like I do, just to get rid of their "crap".

I'm selling a BHQ if you're at all interested. PM if you'd like some info.

Its not just the cue trading industry I see this as a society problem. Seems like these days being honest and not flaking out just aren't common practices.

[justme]

Originally Posted by Bishop

I'm selling a BHQ if you're at all interested. PM if you'd like some info.

Its not just the cue trading industry I see this as a society problem. Seems like these days being honest and not flaking out just aren't common practices.

Thanks for the offer, but no more buying cues over the internet for me. I'm sure he builds a great cue, so I'll look HIM up next time I want a new cue

[A-Train]

Should have taken me up on my Schon afterall. LOL

[justme]

Originally Posted by A-Train

Should have taken me up on my Schon afterall. LOL

Nope, cause who's to say yours is any better than his was? (and YOU don't count)

[tpdtom]

I just want to make a comment. Yesterday I was talking to Paul Dayton about another makers cue that had warped. No fault of the cue builders in any event. The cue warped when the original wrap was changed from linen to leather. The handle had to be turned just a little so that the leather would lay flat to the forend and butt sleeve. Well, it quickly warped. One poster blamed my local cuemaker because he removed the sealer on the handle that was put on by the original cuemaker. Paul said, "Hell, I've had 150 year old wood move ! That cuemaker didn't do anything wrong when he changed that wrap. The wood decided to move, that's all ! Some wood moves, some doesn't, and it's impossible to predict. It is most likely to move when it goes to a new climate where the humidity is different than it came from. Nothing that you can do about it."

This is just food for thought. I've been the recipient of a warped cue, but I've never been accused of selling one without prior disclosure though. It could happen I guess. Bottom line is, as much as it hurts, the seller should take warped cues back within a few days. Not many will, but they should...Tom

[djkx1]

Good insight Tom. I know warping happens a lot when the climate change is dramatic, for instance from nearly tropical areas like the Phillipines to North America. I just wonder if it can happen from the less dramatic moves within North America.

Humidity levels where I live are up and down from 30% to 90% any given day and I've never had any warpage trouble, although I don't keep my cues outside either. LOL

[tpdtom]

Originally Posted by djkx1

Good insight Tom. I know warping happens a lot when the climate change is dramatic, for instance from nearly tropical areas like the Phillipines to North America. I just wonder if it can happen from the less dramatic moves within North America.

Humidity levels where I live are up and down from 30% to 90% any given day and I've never had any warpage trouble, although I don't keep my cues outside either. LOL

Yes, it's the same thing with the humidity here in Michigan. I don't have central AC, and I have a dehumidifier only in my basement. When it's really humid, like this morning, 72 F and 92% humidity, you can just feel the sticky dampness on everything. When I came home from work today, I ran around checking pool cues and guns.

It absolutely can happen being shipped around North America. Can and does all the time...Tom