© Billiards of New Orleans 2018
Pool Table Buying Guide
If you want to get the most bang for your buck when buying a
pool table, follow these simple rules and you'll always end up
with a great table!
Check
the
name
brand.
Not
all
tables
are
equal.
Brand
names
command
a
premium.
Beware
though! Not all models of a specific brand are good!
Research
the
specific
model.
Some
manufacturers
have
entry-level
tables.
These
tables
are
often
made
of
particle
board
and
veneered
in
a
hardwood
skin.
The
difference
can
be
hundreds
or
even
thousands
of
dollars.
If
you're
buying
a
table
with
leather
pockets,
check
the
leather.
Often
times,
the
previous
owner
didn't
maintain
the
leather;
causing
dry-rot.
This
shouldn't
prevent
you
from
buying
the
table.
But,
it should be a negotiation point when it comes to how much you should pay.
Check
the
rubber
on
the
rails.
Tables
that
get
a
lot
of
sunlight
will
often
have
dry-rotted
rubber.
The
signs
to
look
for
are:
1)
Little
to
no
rebound
of
the
ball.
2)
A
"thud"
sound
when
a
ball
is
bouncing
off
the
rail.
3)
Hard
and
soft
spots
when
pressing
into
the
rubber
with
your
fingers. Tables needing new rubber will also need to be recovered.
Find
out
when
the
cloth
was
last
changed.
Pool
tables
require
maintenance.
It's
par
for
the
course.
Even
with
no
play,
it
is
recommended
cloth
be
changed
every
5
to
7
years
(even
more
frequently
for
heavily
used
tables).
No
installer
will
offer
a
warranty
on
used
cloth.
So,
if
reusing
the
existing
cloth,
make
sure
it's
good.
Otherwise,
use
this
information
to
your
advantage when purchasing.
Look
for
rusty
hardware.
If
you're
buying
an
antique
table,
this
may
not
be
a
big
deal.
However, on modern tables (since the invention of climate control), this is a sign of neglect.
Always
look
for
tables
with
"framed
slate".
A
quality
table
will
have
a
wood
frame
attached
to the slate. This serves as both an anchor point for the cloth and it adds structural stability.
Look
for
broken
/
missing
parts.
Rail
aprons
(the
piece
of
wood
that
hangs
off
the
rail
and
covers
the
side
of
the
slate)
are
often
broken
or
loose
due
to
abuse.
Heavily
dented
and
dinged
top-rails
are
also
a
sign.
This
doesn't
make
the
table
bad.
But,
damage
does
effect
the sale price.
Avoid
"honeycomb"
playfields!!!!
If
the
table
is
extremely
lightweight,
it
probably
has
this
type
of
playfield.
"Honeycomb"
playfields
consist
of
a
cardboard
inner
structure
with
a
press-
board
top.
These
tables
are
basically
children's
toys
at
best.
They
should
NEVER
be
considered anything more.
Typical
price
to
move
a
pool
table
is
going
to
be
around
$400.
Stairs
and
distance
will
also
be
a
factor.
Recovering
is
roughly
the
same
(unless
both
services
are
performed
at
the
same
time).
Knowing
this,
and
having
the
above
mentioned
tips,
your
buying
experience
should
go
smoothly.
Buying a Used Table vs. New
Here's
where
I
fill
you
in
on
the
dirty
little
secret
of
pool
tables
(and
furniture,
for
that
matter).
A
new
pool
table
loses
half
of
its
value
the
instant
it's
installed
in
your
house!
So,
that
table
you
just
spent
$4000
dollars
on
last
week
will
now
only
sell
(used)
for
$2000.
New
pool tables have a higher depreciation than cars.
Here's where you, as a buyer, can make some EXCELLENT deals.
Typically,
the
sale
price
of
a
pool
table
is
just
the
beginning
of
what
you
ACTUALLY
pay.
A
play
package
(i.e.
cues,
balls,
triangle
rack,
lighting,
etc.)
will
run
anywhere
between
$250
to
over
$1000.
In
addition
to
that,
you'll
also
pay
a
delivery
and
installation
charge
of
between
$250
and
$500.
Finally,
add
in
state
and
local
sales
taxes.
So,
a
table
that
retails
for
$3000
with
a
(moderately priced) play package of $500 will end up costing just at $4200!
When
purchasing
a
used
pool
table,
the
play
package
is
generally
included
in
the
price
of
the
table.
Thus,
adding
to
the
overall
value.
Sales
tax
doesn't
usually
apply
on
private
party
sales.
If
we
use
the
"half
value"
mentioned
above,
a
"like
new"
$3000
table
should
sell
for
$1500
(including
the
play
package);
even
less
if
the
table
needs
recovering
and/or
new
rubber.
Add
in moving costs of about $400, and your total investment should be around $2000.
As a side note... The table you purchased used (assuming it isn't abused) will not depreciate!
There
are
some
advantages
to
buying
a
brand
new
table.
However,
most
buyers
will
never
take
advantage of those benefits.
There
are
lots
of
great,
used
tables
out
there.
And
the
prudent
shopper,
armed
with
this
information, will be rewarded with years of hassle-free entertainment.
Being forearmed with a
bit of knowledge when
buying a pool table can
save you HUNDREDS of
dollers!
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movers and installers
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