Like anything else, it only takes a few screw ups, then everyone is an expert on how bad it is. With social media, everyone knows someone or heard of someone, etc... In this case, there were a few hundred screw ups, so things get multiplied pretty quick; I reality there's over 330 million people in the U.S. (264 million adults) and we are talking about 200 to 300. Despite the tiny percentage of population, nearly everyone in the cue world knows the rumors on KCC. Obviously much of what is spread is without direct knowledge but that never stops social media. Based on his own admissions: * He started taking orders and accepting money up front for those orders, some were deposits, some were paid in full * Orders started booming, it is painfully easy to underestimate the timeframe to complete orders * At the same time turning down orders with people throwing money at you is also challenge too. *** He spent the advanced money prior to delivery and things started to spiral. * It got out of control, some self-imposed (blowing money) and some due to unsuspected issues (shop rebuild, medical issues, etc.) * THE DAMAGE IS DONE, now every dollar spent without making a delivery, has to be reconciled with a delivery without more money coming in... It's a vicious cycle but only one person to blame. I wish Chris luck; I have seen some of his work and I am rooting for him. Chris has the unenviable task of changing initial impressions and recovering from bad word of mouth. I suppose all he can do is keep putting out a quality product, but damn it's still a task! I "heard" the rumors long before I started building cues and used the information to ensure I didn't fall into the trap. As a (hobbyist) cue builder myself, I completely understand how things can get out of control. Even now, I can't really work/design things I personally want to do because I have orders to complete. Even though all my customers know I only have some nights and weekends for building, I still feel the pressure to get things off the list. Murphy's law is real when dealing with woods, we can never seem to get a true time allotment; the more perfect you want something, the longer it takes. * I have spent days on a finishing coats that should have taken hours. * I've miscut cues on the final few cuts and had to start over * I have been sent out of town on unscheduled work-related travel * I have had days I simply wasn't up to being in the shop * I get covered up with repair requests and some have a challenge understanding replacing a ferrule/joint/pin/etc. on a $300 cue is the same amount of work/cost as it is on a $3k cue. * I've taken PTO days from work to spend on cue builds at home, again, I do enjoy it. * I still have a BCA league but don't play in weeknight or weekend tournaments; this is the only time I have for building. This is all by choice BUT not all foreseen when I fell in love with building cues. As mentioned, for now this is a hobby and not considered a source of income at this time. * I have refused to take money (even deposits) up front, in return people have changed their minds after I am done with their cue. Fortunately, I do not depend on cue income and everything I have built has sold as soon as I let it be known it is available. That said, after I retire from the 8 to 5 job, (in a couple years) and start building fulltime, I will have small nonrefundable deposits for special orders; it's a business and has to be treated like one on both sides.
Don't wish the guy bad luck, but he hasn't been able to get it straight for over a decade. I ordered a cue from him 12 or 14 years ago. Did get a cue, but was far from what I ordered. I ended up sending back to him for a partial refund way back when. No way I'd give it another shot again ever. Ashamed too, he can build a good cue.
Thank you for your comment. A lot has changed in the past 12-14 years that you spoke of. I am glad that we could get it worked out and sorry that it did not work out as originally planned. I do however respect your stand.
