New Pool Table Purchase Guide
At Billiards Plus we
understand that not everyone knows about pool tables. That's why we have
created this new pool table purchase guide to help you decide what type and
where to purchase your new beauty.
Are They All The Same?
How do you select
when so many look the same? Are they all the same? Is the stain
and cloth color the only things to look for? Is price the only
consideration?
There are many things
to consider when you are shopping for a pool table. You want it to look
great, play great, and last a lifetime. While price is important, it is
not the only thing to consider when purchasing a new pool table.
Is The Pool Table A Recognized Brand Name?
Brunswick
Billiards is the most recognized name in billiards. They are the #1 brand
of pool table in the world and have been for over 100 years. Billiards
Plus is Windsor and Essex County's Brunswick Billiards authorized dealer.
When you buy a
Brunswick pool table you know you are purchasing the best.
Is Billiards The Dealer's Primary
Business?
Billiards Plus has
been in the specialty retail billiards business since 2000. We do not sell pool tables as a sideline when our main
product is "out of season". Our staff are all well trained experts that
are interested in pool. If you want to purchase something for your Games
Room in June, you do not have to wait until their Christmas stock of pool table
stuff comes in. At Billiards Plus,
billiards is our only business.
How Many Different Models Does The
Retailer Stock and Display?
A number of
manufacturers only make a couple of the most popular styles. They feel
it's what the majority of the consumers want and they do not have to inventory
many models.
Some retailers,
especially the ones that only do pool on their "off season" do not want to
inventory many different models, so they only stock and display 1 or 2 models.
Sometimes, just the same model in a different stain color. That's fine for
the people who want the same as everyone else.
Brunswick
manufactures over 30 different models of pool tables in 7 different furniture
styles. Many models are available in different stains, legs, and sizes.
At Billiards Plus we
usually have 20 different Brunswick models on display for you to look at and
compare. After all, you want it to be great, it's going in your home.
Does The Table Have A Quality Fit and Finish?
Brunswick tables have
a better fit and finish than other pool tables. The pockets and rails all
fit together without gaps, the frame does not have gaps or twists,
and the aprons are straight. A Brunswick table will look good now and
years from now.
How Does The Table Play?
While it's hard to
tell how the table will play when it is sitting in the showroom, there are
things that you can be aware of. Brunswick tables have a reputation as
being the best playing tables in the world. Many professional tournaments
are played on Brunswick tables. Some of Brunswick's innovations include
Superspeed cushions which are the biggest in the industry, and Nut Plate
construction for a livelier, more consistent bounce.
At Billiards Plus, we
have a Brunswick table set up that you can play on and see the difference in
playability.
How Is The Table Constructed?
Is the table all
solid wood? Some tables have solid wood top rails and a plywood or MDF
frame. Some of the more creative sales people will call this "solid wood".
Not solid oak, or maple or whatever, but will refer to the table as "solid
wood."
Brunswick tables are
constructed of hand selected, kiln dried, hardwoods. Some tables use
beautiful, exotic hardwoods from all over the world.
Regardless of what
wood is used, all Brunswick tables are assembled with nuts and bolts to maintain
their level and for increased durability and longevity. Most other tables
are assembled with wood screws and staples. When the wood screws work
loose, the table sags and the balls start to drift.
What Is The Warranty?
A lot of companies
claim to have a Lifetime Warranty. It's easy to say to get the sale.
It's a harder thing to stand behind.
How long has the
company been in business? The warranty means nothing if the company goes
out of business. Dufferin Games sold a lot of pool tables in this area and
now they are out of business.
Does the company have
a dealer network across the country? If you move will there be a
dealer there to help you. I don't think that the guy building pool tables at his
house has any kind of dealer network to resolve warranty issues.
I have
heard that some retailers import the same pool table every year, but with a
different nameplate on the table. If a previous customer has a warranty
issue they tell them that they do not deal with that company anymore but they
will get you the phone number of the factory in China and you can contact them
directly. Do you speak Mandarin? How about Cantonese?
Brunswick has been
making pool tables for over 160 years. They have always had a Lifetime
Ownership Warranty and have a huge network of dealers throughout North America
and the world. Brunswick is a 15 billion dollar a year corporation.
If you have a problem, Brunswick will be there to get it resolved to your
satisfaction.
Who Will Install The Table?
Most retailers that
just do pool as a sideline do not have their own installers.. They don't want to
keep installers on staff all year when they won't need them. These
retailers contract the installation out to a "third party". Usually a guy
and a helper show up at your door and want cash for the installation before they
will unload and assemble your new table.
If you have a problem
with your new pool table it becomes a finger pointing exercise with the dealer
and the installer saying that it's the other one's fault.
At Billiards Plus we
have our own Certified Table Mechanics. They work for us year round and we
stand behind their work. We will make you happy.
A "Sold On The Internet
Only" Table?
Tables purchased on
the "Internet only" really is a "Buyer Beware" situation. Some of these sites are
really just con artists trying to make a fast buck. The picture you see on
the
website is really no indication of what the table that comes to your door will
look like.
How will you unload
the truck when it comes to your door? Do you have a forklift to take the
slate off the truck?
Who will install the
table? Most reputable installers that I know will not touch an internet
table and the other installers will charge you a healthy premium to do the job.
There are a lot of
things to consider when purchasing a pool table. It is more than just the
table stain and cloth color. While those things are important, there are
other things to think about too.
Good Luck and Happy Shopping
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