Billiard Supplies in Cyberspace

Buying a Billiards Cue and Other Pool Supplies Online

It's common knowledge that Internet based retailers sell for less than their brick and mortar competitors. Maybe I should say it's a common assumption. The truth is that what we see online is a facade, the way the business wants to be seen. Like the front of a building, sometimes what's inside matches the outside, sometimes not. I got thinking about this as I researched stuff for PoolBum. I have read a lot of BS both at company sites and in blogs: a product that claims you'll play like a pro or a comment that starts with "I play on the pro-pool circuit" and then goes on to give their opinion. Just yesterday I read that in a blog. I didn't recognize the name so I researched it and found no mention of him anywhere, not even in the online tournament brackets and player lists commonly published.

My point is that online sellers know what the common perception is and may take advantage of this. They know that a portion of the public won't make a trip to the local billiard supplier (or even check with other online billiard supply companies) to find out if the price of something is more, less or the same. Besides for that I think that an online business doesn't necessarily have less costs than a local one. It's true that an online company doesn't need a store front but has other expenses that a physical store may not. A warehouse, employee(s) to package and ship, someone to maintain their website, to name a few. However, you can be a smart shopper. Here's how:

• Research the price to be sure you're getting a good deal.
• Research the product (e.g., ask other pool players or google the name + reviews).
• Know the return policy before you buy from an online dealer.
• If there's a local billiards supply business, check it out and if the price is the same or even a little more, buy locally (if you don't ever do this, the local dealer may not be there when you really need something).
• Finally, after you've played with that new cue for a while, post a review of the cue and of where you got it (here would be nice, lol). Fellow players will appreciate it.

This is not to say that some great bargains can't be found online. Shop more than one site and don't forget to check your local billiard supply. When I lived in Albuquerque, New Mexico I was pleasantly surprised that the small, family run pool supply store would often match or beat the prices I found online. I was glad to be able to see, touch and try whatever I was considering. In case you are in New Mexico, (an unsolicited plug) check out Dr. Billiards on Menaul and tell Phil or Suzanne that the PoolBum sent you.