In this world, you pay for what you get. Cheap prices always seem attractive because they show you how much money you will save upfront. What they fail to mention is how much this will cost you to actually do the job right once you have become a victim of a poor pool table installation.
Visit The Pool Table Showroom in Person
When considering purchasing a pool table, it is best to visit a showroom to see and touch the actual table. Every pool table looks nice in a picture on your monitor or in a brochure. Anyone can say anything they want over the phone but how do you, the consumer, really know the difference. In this industry, everyone claims to have the best construction and offers an extended warranty when they cannot even stand behind it. It is impossible to pass a fair judgment on cloth colors and wood stain selections through a screen.
We pride ourselves on the fact that our customers come and visit our showroom so they can see actual wood selections such as curly maple, cherry, maple, birdseye maple, bubinga, jatoba, or oak. We have the largest selection of stains and custom options in the east, including both brushed and polished aluminum, brass, and stainless steel finishes.
Avoid Shady Online Retailers
When calling an internet based company you will get an operator who most likely will take your name and number. You will receive a call from a manager later on with attractive offers and great deals. Ask these people a few basic questions regarding construction or B.C.A. specifications and they will put you on hold. He or she may tell you that the rails have K-66 rubber cushions and that they use 1″ slates. Just to clue you in, almost all pool table manufacturers use a K-66 rubber cushion. What is it made of though? If you would like to know more about rubber cushions and rubber cushions replacement, please call Century Billiards & Game room and speak with one of our billiard experts.
Confirm a Certified Billiard Technician for Assembly
The most important aspect is how the pool table is going to be assembled. Who is going to assemble your table, a “certified billiard technician?” Most likely, this is not going to be the case. You will be lucky if you get a “butcher”, who claims he has thirty years experience, working on tables out of his car. Let’s be practical. If your pool table seams are not done properly and your table is not level, what good is having it?
Avoid Cheap Imported Products
Pool Tables and other imported Game room furniture are brought into the country by containers from China. These import companies are really only concerned with one thing: fitting as many pieces into the container as possible. These pieces of furniture are held together by many flimsy screws and tiny bolts. This keeps the cost down for the consumer but also brings down the quality of the finished product. Before purchasing an import off of the internet, please keep in mind the following.
Your pool table is shipped by a commercial shipping company. Most shipping companies do not deliver to residential areas. If they do, additional fees will apply for a lift gate because not that many people have a forklift at their house. A lift gate on a truck can run up to $450. The slates have been crated at the factory and might be on a pallet. Your table is in two boxes. Who knows how much shifting occurred during transit. All three of these items now remain at the edge of your driveway and you are left with the obstacle of getting your brand new pool table into the garage, house, or basement.
Once you have opened your boxes and uncrated the slates, you may encounter cracked slates or damaged table components because of poor handling. Who is going to get you a new set of slates? Usually, hardware is missing. Is it the responsibility of the pool table technician hired to assemble the table to replace these items, which were purchased through the internet? No.
Another common occurrence is that the rails will not even be upholstered or the cloth and accessories are missing. Upholstering a set of billiard rails is labor intensive and creates more time on the job. You may notice also that your pockets real shiny and are not real genuine leather. That is because it is leatherette, which will not hold up over the life of the table. The rails and frame are not really solid maple either. You are really looking at a hardwood with a veneer or laminate. The frame components are held together by small bolts, which often strip or spin out. The cross members are not very supportive at all, and the long beam from the head to foot often sags with time. Let’s be honest, if you want quality, then you might want to consider paying slightly more.
Do Your Own Research
Do your homework. Ask a friend, neighbor, or a relative if they know of someone but make the decision on your own. Do some research online and educate yourself. Why would you let a seasonal department store, who then hire poorly self-trained mechanics, work in your home? How could you buy a table from someone who doesn’t understand the mechanics of a billiard table themselves?
Shop Local at Your Local Billiards Shop
Once you are convinced to go down to your local billiard sales shop, please consider the following. A pool table is a piece of furniture. It will be a main focal point in your home. It should be a one-time purchase and be passed down in the family from one generation to the next.
Century Billiards Has Over 100 Years Experience
Buying a pool table? Here at Century Billiards, we’ve been in billiards for over 100 years and we have the vast knowledge and experience to ensure you of outstanding quality, professionalism, and craftsmanship. Come down to our location in East Northport where our certified billiard technicians we’ll work with you directly and put you at ease. Feel free to give us a call for any questions, concerns, or design ideas you might have!
If you want the best performing custom pool table in NY along with the nicest looking style, deal with the Billiard Experts at Century Billiards.
Give Us a Call Today at (631) 462-6655!