Many of the pool table companies (especially the internet based ones) use this statement to make you think the entire table is made of real wood. While most of our SOLID WOOD pool tables are truly made from solid American hardwoods such as Oak, Maple, Cherry and Walnut, many companies often make their pool tables with MDF (medium density fiberboard which is saw dust glued together similar to particle board) with a very thin wood veneer glued to both sides to give it the appearance of solid wood. Many of the manufactures have perfected the art of routing the carved lines through the veneer and then simply painting the MDF to match the finish, it can be very hard for you the consumer to see the difference, but over time you will!
Although it can be argued that MDF can technically be called solid wood (since sawdust is technically wood), it generally does not support the weight of slate used on good pool tables. Another statement to bring up RED FLAGS is, “All Wood” (remember that particle board is still made of wood) and what kind of wood is used.
Although it can be argued that MDF can technically be called solid wood (since sawdust is technically wood), it generally does not support the weight of slate used on good pool tables. Another statement to bring up RED FLAGS is, “All Wood” (remember that particle board is still made of wood) and what kind of wood is used.
Colorado's Largest Selection Since 1975
#1 - 100% Solid Wood
#2 - Made in America
"Made in America" is a term thrown around the billiard industry with very little truth behind it. Other terms like “Made in the U.S.A.” or “Built in the U.S.A.” are also generally false statements because the company may only “box” or “assemble” parts imported from all over the world, at a warehouse in the U.S.A.
For example, a popular American-based pool table manufacturer claims their pool tables are made in America when 99% of the pool table’s parts are manufactured in Malaysia and China including rails and cushions, blinds, legs, cabinet sides, slate pads, hardware, and other internal components. These parts are tightly packed into containers and shipped from overseas to a distribution point in Cleveland, Ohio where they sit in a warehouse until they are ready to be assembled into a pool table. Nevertheless, this company maintains they have the legal right to claim that their tables are made in America because the imported parts are assembled in Ohio and there is very little “policing” of this to protect you the consumer. In fact, this brand is sold on the Internet, most swimming pool stores and at some major retail chains under the false claim that they are made in America.
There are less than a handful of pool table companies that actually manufacture their pool tables here in the U.S.A. and virtually none of them sell direct or allow internet based sales. One rule of thumb is that if the table is sold online, the chance is great that it is made overseas. So, when shopping online or in a store, ask to learn the country of origin of the parts used to make the pool table.
For example, a popular American-based pool table manufacturer claims their pool tables are made in America when 99% of the pool table’s parts are manufactured in Malaysia and China including rails and cushions, blinds, legs, cabinet sides, slate pads, hardware, and other internal components. These parts are tightly packed into containers and shipped from overseas to a distribution point in Cleveland, Ohio where they sit in a warehouse until they are ready to be assembled into a pool table. Nevertheless, this company maintains they have the legal right to claim that their tables are made in America because the imported parts are assembled in Ohio and there is very little “policing” of this to protect you the consumer. In fact, this brand is sold on the Internet, most swimming pool stores and at some major retail chains under the false claim that they are made in America.
There are less than a handful of pool table companies that actually manufacture their pool tables here in the U.S.A. and virtually none of them sell direct or allow internet based sales. One rule of thumb is that if the table is sold online, the chance is great that it is made overseas. So, when shopping online or in a store, ask to learn the country of origin of the parts used to make the pool table.
Top 8 Misleading Pool Table Claims:
While most of our pool tables are covered by a TRUE lifetime warranty, many companies make this statement to give you a false sense of confidence. A warranty is only valid if the manufacturer and/or Internet-based retailer remains in business! The sad fact is that many manufacturers, especially the import and Internet-based companies are out of business every 1 to 3 years. Many go out of business or change their name because they simply cannot support the growing number of warranty claims and bad press that is inevitable when selling inferior products.
Very few companies warrant the rubber cushions because they use inferior rubber which breaks down and they know how expensive it is to replace.
Most companies will not even warrant their pool table to play level because it is impossible to level a poorly designed pool table. Since we deliver and install all of our pool tables with our own professionally trained employees, we guarantee that the balls will roll straight!
The most expensive part of a warranty claim is the cost of labor to remove the defective part, repair/ replace it, and re-install it. Few companies will reimburse the cost of labor during a warranty claim. Under these bogus warranties, most customers opt to live with the defect because it is simply too expensive to have it repaired.
Very few companies warrant the rubber cushions because they use inferior rubber which breaks down and they know how expensive it is to replace.
Most companies will not even warrant their pool table to play level because it is impossible to level a poorly designed pool table. Since we deliver and install all of our pool tables with our own professionally trained employees, we guarantee that the balls will roll straight!
The most expensive part of a warranty claim is the cost of labor to remove the defective part, repair/ replace it, and re-install it. Few companies will reimburse the cost of labor during a warranty claim. Under these bogus warranties, most customers opt to live with the defect because it is simply too expensive to have it repaired.
#3 - Lifetime Warranty
#4 - Free Delivery
©2009 Fodor Billiards
Free Delivery is a claim that is always made by internet retailers to make you feel that you are getting a good deal. Free delivery works well for small packages but is a total disaster when delivering large heavy game tables. You may have had good experiences with getting small packages delivered via UPS or FED-EX. Unfortunately, UPS and FED-EX do not ship large items such as pool tables and game tables, these items must be shipped via conventional freight companies.
For example, many large game tables are delivered to your home with FREE curbside DELIVERY. The watchword here is: “curbside.” If it is used in connection with “delivery,” it means a large tractor trailer parks on the road in front of your house between the hours of 9:00a.m. and 5:00 p.m., moves the large game table to the back of the trailer and, from this point on, YOU are responsible for getting it off the truck and into your home!
Here is a short list of things you must do when you purchase an item that includes “FREE curbside DELIVERY”.
• Get onto the back of truck to inspect and sign that the game table is in good condition.
• Find someone to help you lift and carry the game table from the back of a truck to the ground (careful…if you break it you own it!) and carry it into your house. The truck driver is generally un-willing to help you with this task or cannot due to the company’s policies.
• You have 48 hours to take the table out of the box and inspect all components for any damage. You cannot file a freight claim after 48 hours of receiving goods.
• If you find damage, you must file a freight claim and wait up to two weeks for an inspector to come to your house to document the damage.
• You must negotiate with the freight insurance company to make good for the damage which can take up to 9 months. Unfortunately, you rarely receive the true value and you never get paid for all of your time waiting, calling and emailing.
• You must now wait for the replacement part to be shipped and hope that it arrives in good condition (perhaps another day off from work and hope it's not damaged this time).
In addition to FREE curbside DELIVERY, most online companies will offer different levels of “service.” For example, you can purchase lift-gate delivery for $150.00 extra, whereby the game table will be lowered to the ground but you are still responsible to carry it into your home. Be sure to check the cost of these service levels (up to $600) and learn whether they will be performed by a game table specialist or not.
Unfortunately, your issue may never get worked out to your satisfaction and you can be left with an inferior game table because it costs too much money to return it under the terms and conditions of the so-called “no hassle return policy.” In fact, depending upon the fine print of your delivery terms, it often costs more to return the defective merchandise than its original cost.
For example, many large game tables are delivered to your home with FREE curbside DELIVERY. The watchword here is: “curbside.” If it is used in connection with “delivery,” it means a large tractor trailer parks on the road in front of your house between the hours of 9:00a.m. and 5:00 p.m., moves the large game table to the back of the trailer and, from this point on, YOU are responsible for getting it off the truck and into your home!
Here is a short list of things you must do when you purchase an item that includes “FREE curbside DELIVERY”.
• Get onto the back of truck to inspect and sign that the game table is in good condition.
• Find someone to help you lift and carry the game table from the back of a truck to the ground (careful…if you break it you own it!) and carry it into your house. The truck driver is generally un-willing to help you with this task or cannot due to the company’s policies.
• You have 48 hours to take the table out of the box and inspect all components for any damage. You cannot file a freight claim after 48 hours of receiving goods.
• If you find damage, you must file a freight claim and wait up to two weeks for an inspector to come to your house to document the damage.
• You must negotiate with the freight insurance company to make good for the damage which can take up to 9 months. Unfortunately, you rarely receive the true value and you never get paid for all of your time waiting, calling and emailing.
• You must now wait for the replacement part to be shipped and hope that it arrives in good condition (perhaps another day off from work and hope it's not damaged this time).
In addition to FREE curbside DELIVERY, most online companies will offer different levels of “service.” For example, you can purchase lift-gate delivery for $150.00 extra, whereby the game table will be lowered to the ground but you are still responsible to carry it into your home. Be sure to check the cost of these service levels (up to $600) and learn whether they will be performed by a game table specialist or not.
Unfortunately, your issue may never get worked out to your satisfaction and you can be left with an inferior game table because it costs too much money to return it under the terms and conditions of the so-called “no hassle return policy.” In fact, depending upon the fine print of your delivery terms, it often costs more to return the defective merchandise than its original cost.
Colorado's Largest Selection since 1975
Park Meadows: 303-770-7771
Colorado Springs: 719-598-4611
Broomfield: 303-920-0800
Colorado Springs: 719-598-4611
Broomfield: 303-920-0800
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