Bizarre experience with Billiards Plus. I won't make any recommendation; I'll just explain my experience for reference.
I was ready to purchase a new pool table for ~$2500; I had looked at a number of other retailers. I went to Billiards Plus before making a decision. They have a good selection of used tables; I liked the 2nd most expensive one at $2400 + $350 installation. I was surprised the price didn't include installation, as every other retailer I visited included installation in the price, but I didn't say anything while there. I wasn't sure about the fit yet, and wasn't sure it was a fair price yet. I asked if I could take some pictures, they said yes. I closed by saying I'd show it to my wife that night and let them know if we're interested tomorrow.
After discussing with my wife and researching it online, we decided we were interested. Considering its used and other retailers (at least that we visited) included delivery/setup in the price, I sent the following offer in an email: "... You said the price was $2400 + $350 delivery/setup. Is that the best you can do? Would you do $2500 cash?" Their response the next morning was: "The best i can do Is $2,600.00 cash, should i consider it sold ?" My response was "My wife works until 4:30 today. I'd like her to see it before we make the final decision. Any chance of seeing it again today late afternoon? We can leave by 4:30-4:45 and be there ~5:15." Their response was: " Ok, you can come this afternoon. We will only wait here till 5:30 though." Honestly I thought this was somewhat rude, I respect they would only be available certain hours, but I also expect the response to be a little more polite. In hindsight I should have thought more about that response at the time.
My wife wound up working late, so I called them ~4:15pm to let them know we wouldn't make it, and I'd call or email back to see when we could come. I emailed the next morning to ask if they'd be in their store that morning and if I could stop down, which was fine. After looking at the table again carefully, I said we had a deal. They wrote up an invoice, I paid a deposit of $500 cash. It thought it was strange, however, that they mentioned multiple times "you didn't want to pay our price" while I was there. It apparently bothered them I made an offer on a used table, rather than just agreeing. I'll leave it to you to decide if I made a "fair" offer, I listed the exact sequence of events and direct email quotes.
While there I looked at accessories, and asked about a set of specific pool balls. They had a used set, I asked the price, but they didn't know the price, they had to check. I had previously found the best online price to be $190 including shipping for a new set. Their set was used but nice, and include a couple of extras valued at about $30. They said they'd email me the price; I accepted that and left on what I thought were good terms, with a deal on a table.
During the emails about delivery/installation, we honed in on a day, and I asked about the balls again. Their response was: " The balls are $200. Friday morning is best for us, unless we get something over by you for one of the mornings (tues or wednesday) then we can schedule you in the afternoon." My response was: "Hi Lance, Fri. morning is good. Ouch on the balls though, new sets without the training ball are going regularly for $199 online including shipping. "
They sent me two responses: 1) "Tom, I have decided to return your deposit, the table is no longer for sale, check will be mailed out tomorrow" and 2) "Tom you didn't want to pay what i was asking for the table, now you are looking for a better deal on the balls, go somewhere else for your deals".
After that I didn't want to try and recover the sale, I wouldn't want them to be in my home doing an install and even if they did, I'd wonder what kind of service after the sale I'd receive if there were any problems. My response was: "Sounds like a plan. I'll look for the check to arrive in the next few days."
In years of visiting antique shops/2nd hand stores, I never thought it was rude to ask if the price is the best they can do on a used item, and in this economy I don't even think it's rude to ask this on many new items. I certainly didn't think it was rude to politely offer $2500 for a $2750 item, I didn't think I made a "low-ball" or disrespectful offer on their 2nd most expensive table. In the end I'm quite happy they returned my deposit. I purchased the original table I was looking at from another retailer. It was installed last week for $2400. It's a great solid mahogany table, new, looks great, and the service I received couldn't have been better. I purchased the balls online, they also arrived last week. Once again, thanks Billiards Plus for deciding you didn't want my $2600, I had a wonderful experience with another retailer, who I think legitimately values my business. read more