I recently found Dick Abbott's billiardcue.com Internet site and was immediately impressed by the selection and variety of exceptional cues. But, as a newcomer to high-end and collectible cues, I was hesitant to base my trust on the contents of a Web page.

I had talked with other such Internet cue suppliers who turned out to be nothing more than consignment shops with no actual inventory. They simply acted as middle men selling cues based on the description and photos supplied by the seller. Personally, I prefer the assurance of knowing the seller has actually seen and knows the cue's actual condition.

Since I was seriously interested in several of Mr. Abbott's cues, I arranged a trip to Roanoke to visit with Dick and see the cues first hand. I was relieved to find a real person with a real thriving business. All of the cues shown on the billiardcue.com site are stored on the premises. Dick receives, inspects, and photographs each cue before listing it on the web. Should you choose to visit his shop, he has a pool table so you can try-before-you-buy.

During my visit, Mr. Abbott was most gracious and hospitable. He patiently afforded me all the time I needed to make my decision and generously shared his knowledge and information about collectible cues. That day I purchased two cues and plan to buy another in the near future.

I highly recommend Dick Abbott to anyone who is looking to purchase or sell a billiard or pool cue. He is knowledgeable, his prices are very fair, and his liberal return policy insures you will get what you pay for. Most importantly, he has a sincere interest in customer service and satisfaction.

In my opinion, Dick Abbott is a five-star resource for billiard cues and related supplies. Having seen the operation first hand, I will not hesitate to purchase from him via mail order, and recommend his services to others.

Regards,

Joe Hardesty
Author of "Simply Pool"
Ephrata  PA  USA
hardesty@dejazzd.com