What happens when someone steals your pool cue?
How often is it found and returned?
When a pool cue is stolen a police report is made and one begins to search local pawn shops hoping to recover it but in the back of their mind they know it is unlikely that the cue will turn up.
Brian Schuh, SNAGG CIO states “With no positive identification, law enforcement cannot confiscate the cue. Physical description of the art is not enough identification to let them identify and confiscate the item.”
Seybert’s billiard supply has implemented several ideas to help lower the theft rate on cues such as adding a laser engraver to their services for personalization options and tracking serial numbers on cues.
Even with these changes, it is not enough and cues are turning up missing with little or no chance of being returned.
In the Fall of 2014, Seyberts owner, Sid Kries, was introduced to a product that could increase the prevention of cue theft and help return lost and stolen cues to their rightful owners. Snagg RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) is a microchip that is the size of grain of rice. With a few tweaks and help from his store manager, Rick Matzke, they have come up with a way to install these microchips into cues so well that they cannot be located or removed.
It is also small enough that the balance point and weight system is not affected. Only scanners located at law enforcement stations can read through the wood to help identify the lost or stolen cue. This microchip provides proof of ownership to law enforcement so they can scan it, the same way they scan pets, to identify the owner and return it.
Snagg’s database system scans countless online sources including Craigslist, Ebay and pawnshop records worldwide. If your item shows up as a hit, Snagg will send law enforcement to scan the chip through the cue and recover it.
Seyberts Billiard Supply offers the Snagg Mircochip as an option for any cue purchased through them.
They can install it for a single low fee and the item is then protected for life. This is not only an option for new cues but old ones as well. Once the Snagg Microchip is installed into the cues, users can then register the items with Snagg.com to provide contact information, upload images of their cue and print out a certificate of authenticity.
The record is then saved in Snaggs database. If the item comes up lost or stolen Snagg works with your investigating officer to relay pertinent information and begin their process of recovering the cue.
Statistically 1 in 3 items protected by Snagg is returned in contract to .01% of standard thefts.
More cue makers are jumping on board with this innovative idea to help protect your purchase. Pechauer Custom Cues has started adding Snagg Mircochips to their 2015 line of Camelot Cues, Pro Series, and Limited Edition cues at no extra cost to the consumer.
With Snagg installed, you have a better chance of recovering your cue as well as having piece of mind knowing that it is protected and traceable with high tech scanners in databases all around the world.
Cary Thompson joined Seybert’s Billiard Supply in 2005 in sales and customer service. She has been with them for 10 years now and feels that every day is more entertaining than the last. Throughout the years their job titles have meant very little. She says: we know where we stand but work together as a group to get things done. I have enjoyed doing sales, marketing, invoicing, customer service, shipping, writing for the site and for press releases. Not a day goes by that I can say is boring. We strive to have the best possible customer service in our industry with a staff of pool players and normal people just like you. Rick, Sid, and Kory are amazing at what they do and keep me on my toes. Everyone is knowledgeable in different areas and that makes our process smooth from the time an order is placed until it leaves our building. When Cary is not working she is involved in other activities such as APA Pool League 8 Ball, Coaching Softball and Cheer, reading, writing, sports fitness, and playing music.
Photo: Supplied by Seybert’s Billiard Supply
Editor: Dana Gornall