9 Things to look for when buying a Pool Table
The following items will help you sort out what to look for when you are making your decision on which pool table is the right one for you.
- The longevity of the company
Many Retail stores, Web sites, outlets and manufacturers come and go in the pool table sales market place. They believe that it is easy to come in and make a fast buck and soon find out what it truly takes to supply and support a quality product.
Only work with company’s that have been around for at least 5 years in their current location.
WHY YOU CARE- When a company goes out of business it voids you warranty on the products as well as you have no one to help you in a repair situation.
- The Price
Many sales that occur either over the internet, in the newspaper or advertised in other media that looks “too good to be true” pricing isn’t true. Compare the quality of the tables against the outlined areas below in construction, warranty/guarantee and service.
Prices most of time, do not include an accessory play package (add $100-$395), delivery(add $250-$399) and choices of top quality of felt (add $99-$299). The pictures you see of the products may or may not represent the true color of item.
WHY YOU CARE- You may be thinking you got a great price on a quality table to find out you are paying more, receiving less and with no recourse.
- The Warranty/Guarantee
Sales that happen over the internet are especially challenging. They will state that they have an unconditional or a conditional policy. You will find that when you read the fine print that they will provide parts but not the labor for repairs or shipping damage. That is if you can get them to provide anything at all.
WHY YOU CARE- You may find that after you believed you saved money on the sale vs a retail store that the product has come in damaged. The delivery staffs are subcontracted and you can’t get anyone at the place of purchase to help you. You then will have to contact a retail location in your area to help out and in the process spend more time, money and aggravation than you had planned.
- Selection of Product
It is best to view a large selection of different styles, woods and colors to make a choice which fit’s better in your home. The ability to see the product in person makes a great difference to match your desired décor. You also can get a feel of how it will fit in the room of the house you choose. A picture can be deceiving in the color of product, sheen of the finish and overall appeal. You may be in the market to outfit more games, wall art, billiard light or a complete game room. You want to make sure all these items will match as well as will fit in the space you have.
WHY YOU CARE- You will spend a good deal of money on something that will fit with your décor and offer years of enjoyment for your family and friends. You don’t want that money spent on something that is inferior or doesn’t match your taste.
- Frame Construction –
You want to make sure you will get many years of enjoyment from your pool table. You may want to take it with you when you move or relocate to another part of your home as needs change.
It is important that your table have metal insert (European) in the wood components of the table. Some tables still use wood screws to attach the pool table frame, legs and rails together. Most quality tables now use metal to metal. (Screws into metal inserted on metal washers)
WHY YOU CARE- If you plan on moving the table in the future, screws into wood will weaken the table structure. (The strength of metal to metal reduces wobbling effect and in general, is superior even if you don’t move the table.)
- Rail System-
The way the rails are attached to the frame of the body is important to get an even an consistent bounce of the ball. Many tables use a single insert in the rail that is pulled down to the slate by a bolt. Each rail has 3 areas to hold it in place to the slate surface.
It is superior to find a rail having a “floating nut plate system” that uses a long metal insert into the rail in the 3 places that is secured to the slate.
WHY YOU CARE- The ball will play more consistently, the table will play more quietly and you have less a chance of stressing or cracking the rail with this style of construction.
7. Leg Support System-
Some tables are still using a wood block system with screws to support the legs of the table. It is superior to have a metal bracket system that uses screws and nut inserts. (similar to the frame construction issue.)
WHY YOU CARE- The support on the entire table rests on the legs. You want the strongest possible support system to reduce any table wobble. It is also important as you move the table to use metal to metal system rather that the metal screws into wood that eventually strips out.
8. Friendly Knowledgeable staff-
While this guide is a good introduction in comparing product on the market, it can’t replace the guidance of a game room professional. The styles, woods, finishes, accessory’s available, options are almost endless.
Look for guidance from someone who has your interests as a focus, rather than a sale.
WHY YOU CARE-
You want the best quality, price and selection when you are shopping for any item.
A low price may look very attractive at first, but most of the time people want a value for their money. Discussion of options, accompaniment of other items, space allocations, are all considerations that can be worked through with someone who does this for a living. You will find that it is well worth your time spent with a professional that has worked with many customers just like you. You need options and choices. You need the truth, not hype.
9. Professional Delivery-
Your pool table is both a piece of furniture and a precision toy. It must be handled with care for the cosmetic attributes of the table as well as be installed correctly to play correctly.
Look for a company that has an in house delivery staff that has been factory trained.
WHY YOU CARE-
Many sub contract delivery personnel are not familiar with all the products that they deliver. Sometimes, they have never seen a model that is like yours or don’t know all the adjustments to the type of table you have to install it correctly. This will void the warranty on the table.
When you have a factory trained installation team they have seen it all before. They have the support of the factory and maintain the factory warranty on the product.