Colorado's Largest Selection Since 1975
Top 8 Misleading Pool Table Claims:
#5 - 100% Gum Rubber Cushions
#6 - It's on SALE!
#7 - Professionally Installed
#8 - It's All In The "NAME"
All billiard companies claim to use 100% pure gum rubber cushions. These companies neglect to tell you that their 100% gum rubber cushions are made in China and can also contain up to 25% fillers made from clay and silica. Unfortunately, the extra fillers cause the gum rubber to break down in as little as two years. These rubber cushions are susceptible to heat, cold, UV light and humidity. They have a life expectancy of as little as 3 to 5 years. Most companies have come up with new terms to make their cushions seem superior such as “CONTROL FABRIC” and “RELIEF CUT or SPEED POCKET” even though pool table cushions have been made this way for a hundred plus years, they are simply trying to mask the fact that their cushions are inferior to the top of the line cushions.
Most companies exclude their rubber cushions from their warranty because they know from experience that their cushions do not last all that long and the labor cost to replace them is one of the most expensive services on a pool table (often $300 to replace the cushions and you cannot re-use the billiard felt). Even if the company does warrant the rubber, it generally only covers the rubber itself and not the labor to replace it.
Most companies exclude their rubber cushions from their warranty because they know from experience that their cushions do not last all that long and the labor cost to replace them is one of the most expensive services on a pool table (often $300 to replace the cushions and you cannot re-use the billiard felt). Even if the company does warrant the rubber, it generally only covers the rubber itself and not the labor to replace it.
Many online and local companies show you a fancy looking pool table with a MSRP (manufactures suggested retail price) of $4,895.00 and a special Internet price of only $1,895.00. Wow! What a deal! It sounds too good to be true…and it usually is. A pool table that usually sells for $4,895.00 will never be “on sale” for less than $4000.00 because the company would be losing money, (unless the company is going out of business) and then you don’t really have a warranty.
Unfortunately, unless you can find the identical pool table elsewhere at the MSRP price, you will never know if it’s truly “ON SALE”. We see this all the time, companies using online sites, such as Craigslist, making these claims or that they must sacrifice the pricing to move the product. Remember that there is no “POLICING” of what can be written on these sites.
Before you buy a pool table, take into consideration some of the qualities mentioned above, such as solid wood vs. MDF particleboard, warranty, delivery details and origin of parts. Don’t end up feeling cheated by a company that falsely marked-up its pricing.
Unfortunately, unless you can find the identical pool table elsewhere at the MSRP price, you will never know if it’s truly “ON SALE”. We see this all the time, companies using online sites, such as Craigslist, making these claims or that they must sacrifice the pricing to move the product. Remember that there is no “POLICING” of what can be written on these sites.
Before you buy a pool table, take into consideration some of the qualities mentioned above, such as solid wood vs. MDF particleboard, warranty, delivery details and origin of parts. Don’t end up feeling cheated by a company that falsely marked-up its pricing.
A pool table is not only a beautiful piece of furniture, but a precision piece of equipment. A pool table plays well only when properly installed by professionally trained delivery staff that are employees of the company that you buy from.
If you think a subcontractor or delivery staff from a company that sells everything from mattresses to home appliances, will take the time to properly install a pool table… think again! Most of the time, you will be sadly mistaken. Most pool table warranties are only valid when installed by a certified dealer who can visit your home to inspect and fix the problem. A subcontractor cannot generally give you the same level of support as a certified dealer who has their own in-house factory trained installation technicians. Do you really think the subcontractor will return to your home to fix an un-level table, billiard fabric that is not properly stretched or bad craftsmanship?
All of our pool tables are professionally installed by billiard technicians that are actual employees of Fodor Billiards and are trained by one of our family members who have been working on pool tables for at least 15+ years. We guarantee the levelness of all our pool tables, as long as we are the only ones working on them.
If you think a subcontractor or delivery staff from a company that sells everything from mattresses to home appliances, will take the time to properly install a pool table… think again! Most of the time, you will be sadly mistaken. Most pool table warranties are only valid when installed by a certified dealer who can visit your home to inspect and fix the problem. A subcontractor cannot generally give you the same level of support as a certified dealer who has their own in-house factory trained installation technicians. Do you really think the subcontractor will return to your home to fix an un-level table, billiard fabric that is not properly stretched or bad craftsmanship?
All of our pool tables are professionally installed by billiard technicians that are actual employees of Fodor Billiards and are trained by one of our family members who have been working on pool tables for at least 15+ years. We guarantee the levelness of all our pool tables, as long as we are the only ones working on them.
A company’s name can be misleading whether you have seen the brand name before or not!
If you never have heard of the brand name, it is because it may have recently been created to give you a false sense of security. After all, if you haven’t shopped for a pool table before, you probably can’t name the top three billiard manufacturers and so a “made up” brand name with a nice story or catchy slogan can easily give us a false sense of quality. Even if you have heard the name before, they may not be honest about their current manufacturing practices and are hoping you don’t do your research.
A name can become a brand because of advertising or because the name has been around for a long time. For example, there are recognizable billiard table brands whose logos may say, “Authentic American…” This leads one to believe that their pool tables are made in America, when in fact it manufactures over 90% of its pool tables overseas in China, Malalasia, Vietnam and other factories from around the world but distributes them under a well-known American brand name. If you ask them where their tables are made...you may hear something along the lines of "it's an international collaboration"...in other worlds, this mean that the individual parts are made in different factories from all over the world! How can a leg that is made and finished in Malayasia match the rails that are made and finished in China.
Others may be branded as American_________ (fill in the blank) or ________U.S.A. even though the only thing “American” about them is their corporate headquarters.
Would you trust a company that is not honest when it comes to something as simple as its name?...We wouldn’t!
If you never have heard of the brand name, it is because it may have recently been created to give you a false sense of security. After all, if you haven’t shopped for a pool table before, you probably can’t name the top three billiard manufacturers and so a “made up” brand name with a nice story or catchy slogan can easily give us a false sense of quality. Even if you have heard the name before, they may not be honest about their current manufacturing practices and are hoping you don’t do your research.
A name can become a brand because of advertising or because the name has been around for a long time. For example, there are recognizable billiard table brands whose logos may say, “Authentic American…” This leads one to believe that their pool tables are made in America, when in fact it manufactures over 90% of its pool tables overseas in China, Malalasia, Vietnam and other factories from around the world but distributes them under a well-known American brand name. If you ask them where their tables are made...you may hear something along the lines of "it's an international collaboration"...in other worlds, this mean that the individual parts are made in different factories from all over the world! How can a leg that is made and finished in Malayasia match the rails that are made and finished in China.
Others may be branded as American_________ (fill in the blank) or ________U.S.A. even though the only thing “American” about them is their corporate headquarters.
Would you trust a company that is not honest when it comes to something as simple as its name?...We wouldn’t!
©2009 Fodor Billiards
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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