Just as pool tables are available through many different retailers, they are available through many different wholesalers or distributors as well. Buying wholesale may work for you if you are furnishing a new bar or game room and need to buy several pool tables or pool table accessories. Keep these things in mind if you are in the market for new or used pool tables at wholesale prices:
1) Most reputable wholesale suppliers probably will not sell you their products at wholesale prices unless you have a real business, Tax ID number, and plan on reselling them.
2) Most wholesale suppliers will have a minimum order quantity or requirement. This will vary depending on the supplier and may be “x” amount of pool tables or “x” amount of dollars.
Finding Wholesale Pool Tables
Doing a simple Google search for “wholesale pool tables” or “used pool tables” wholesale will bring up several results and may help you find a reputable supplier that you could work with.
Manufacturer and trade directories such as Alibaba may be a good place to look. There is a lot of talk about scam artists on Alibaba and other sites similar to it on the internet. If you choose to use a source such as a trade directory, make sure you know who you are dealing with before you purchase.
Personally, my favorite route for finding anything wholesale is to talk to the manufacturer directly. If you own a pool table or some accessories you can usually find the manufacturer labeled on the item itself. A simple search for the manufacturers name will give you any contact information you should need.
Alternatively, you could go to All The Brands.com and search for “pool tables” or “billiard tables”. This will bring up a page with some advertisements at the top. If you scroll down near the bottom, you will see a section called “brands in category”. These are all of the brands or manufacturers on the site for pool tables. Some of the brands I see are Sportcraft, and Wholesale Furniture Brokers.
Next, if you click on one of the manufacturers, it will bring you to another page. Again, there are ads on the top of the page, but if you scroll down to the bottom, you will see the Sportcraft logo. Next to the logo are categories for the products that this company manufactures. In this case we have Sportcraft Air Hockey Tables and Sportcraft Billiard Tables. If you click on Sportcraft Billiard Tables and again scroll to the bottom, you will see “More information about Sportcraft Billiard Tables can be found at http://www.sportcraft.com/”. Of course this method will work to find just about any manufacturer you desire.
Purchasing Pool Tables and Accessories Wholesale
How To Move A Pool Table
So you have found and purchased a used pool table and now you need to move it into your game room. You may think that moving a pool table is like moving any other piece of fine furniture, but it’s actually quite different. When a pool table is setup it is assembled to precise specifications and leveled perfectly. Any movement could possibly put the pool table out of “spec”.
Moving a pool table can be risky and dangerous if not done correctly. After the pool table has been setup, the slate is screwed or bolted right to the pool table frame. Moving the unit as one piece can cause the slate to crack where it is screwed to the frame. Other pieces that may get damaged are the rails, rail panels, or the frame. Your pool table will also need to be totally re-leveled after it’s moved. If you purchased your pool table new, you could void the warranty by attempting to move it yourself.
It is recommended to have a pool table mechanic come and move the pool table for you. The move could cost anywhere from $100 - $300 dollars or more, but it’s money well spent to save your precious slate which can cost upwards of $700 to replace.
If you plan on doing the move yourself, you will need several people. You should always lift carefully on the sides and never on the ends. If you have purchased a used pool table and need to move it to your home it will most certainly need to be disassembled and reassembled. DIY Network has a nice idea for moving a pool table around in a room using dollies and casters here.
Again, I will reiterate that moving a pool table on your own can be dangerous and costly and should be left to the professionals. There are several pool table moving service available. You could look in your local classifieds or websites such as Craigslist.
Moving a pool table can be risky and dangerous if not done correctly. After the pool table has been setup, the slate is screwed or bolted right to the pool table frame. Moving the unit as one piece can cause the slate to crack where it is screwed to the frame. Other pieces that may get damaged are the rails, rail panels, or the frame. Your pool table will also need to be totally re-leveled after it’s moved. If you purchased your pool table new, you could void the warranty by attempting to move it yourself.
It is recommended to have a pool table mechanic come and move the pool table for you. The move could cost anywhere from $100 - $300 dollars or more, but it’s money well spent to save your precious slate which can cost upwards of $700 to replace.
If you plan on doing the move yourself, you will need several people. You should always lift carefully on the sides and never on the ends. If you have purchased a used pool table and need to move it to your home it will most certainly need to be disassembled and reassembled. DIY Network has a nice idea for moving a pool table around in a room using dollies and casters here.
Again, I will reiterate that moving a pool table on your own can be dangerous and costly and should be left to the professionals. There are several pool table moving service available. You could look in your local classifieds or websites such as Craigslist.
Before Buying a Used Pool Table
There are several things to consider and look for before you decide to purchase a used pool table (or any pool table for that matter). Here are the main things to consider:
1) Size
Generally, pool tables come in 4 different sizes - 6 foot, 7 foot, 8 foot, and 9 foot. Tournament pool tables are 9 foot in length. If you want your pool setting to be professional and authentic you will want to look for a 9 footer.
If you don't care about a professional setting, the other sizes should be fine for you. The only thing you will want to watch for is where you will be setting up you pool table.
You want to make sure that you have enough room to aim and make a shot all the way around your pool table. The average pool cue is about 57" long (shorter pool cues are available if required)so you will want at least 60 inches from your pool table to the wall. Using this calculation, your "pool room" should be 120" longer and wider than your pool table.
2) Budget
Pool tables range in price from a few hundred to a few thousand dollars or more. You can find new and used pool tables at several places. Retail stores, yard sales, your local classifieds, sporting goods stores, and Ebay just to name a few. Purchasing a used pool table through the classifieds, or on Ebay can save you a lot of money.
If you decide to purchase a used pool table, you may be better off to do it locally through classifieds or a yard sale. This way you will be able to see the pool table in person and maybe even try playing on it to make sure it is of acceptable quality for you.
Purchasing on Ebay or another auction site may be able to save you more money, but, unless the pool table is within a reasonable distance, you won't be able to "try before you buy". The shipping costs for this method may diminish any money you were able to save.
3) Construction Materials
Another factor to look at when purchasing a new or used pool table is the quality of the construction.
Pool tables can be made from solid wood, laminate, plastic, metal, and more. Solid wood is the most sturdy, and therefore, generally the most expensive. Common types of wood are hardwoods such as oak or cherry. Your choice will need to be based on personal preference, and what the pool table will mainly be used for. If the pool table will be used only as a hobby on the side, or if it will mainly for children then you probably don't need to go with the most expensive. If you can push on the pool table and it seems sturdy and doesn't rock, it will probably be sufficient. Another factor to think about is the room the pool table will be going into. Which construction will match your home decor?
The most popular material for the table bed is slate. Slate is used due to it's strength and stability. It can be one piece or separated into 2 or 3 pieces. One piece is the best because is guarantees a smooth surface. Multiple pieces are ok, but you will want to make sure that the surface is smooth where the pieces come together. Cheaper alternatives are available, but I wouldn't recommend them.
Felt is used to go over the slate. It is generally a well constructed cloth which allows the balls to roll smoother and faster and increases durability. The main colors for the felt are green or red, but other colors are available.
The pockets are generally made of plastic or leather. They can be covered and enclosed or exposed. Choosing the type of pockets your pool table has is mainly a personal preference.
4) Setup
Pool table setup can be a tricky business. Professional setup and installation services are available. They can range from $50 to $300 or more. If you are mechanically inclined you may be able to setup a pool table on your own depending on which type you choose. At the very least, you will probably need a friend due to the weight of your pool table. The more expensive, well constructed pool tables can be upwards of 1500lbs!
Whether you choose a new or used pool table, it is much like purchasing a piece of fine furniture. You will want to make sure it will match your home decor and look nice. Pool tables are virtually maintenance free and will provide hours of enjoyment in setup correctly and kept clean.
Good luck in your search!
1) Size
Generally, pool tables come in 4 different sizes - 6 foot, 7 foot, 8 foot, and 9 foot. Tournament pool tables are 9 foot in length. If you want your pool setting to be professional and authentic you will want to look for a 9 footer.
If you don't care about a professional setting, the other sizes should be fine for you. The only thing you will want to watch for is where you will be setting up you pool table.
You want to make sure that you have enough room to aim and make a shot all the way around your pool table. The average pool cue is about 57" long (shorter pool cues are available if required)so you will want at least 60 inches from your pool table to the wall. Using this calculation, your "pool room" should be 120" longer and wider than your pool table.
2) Budget
Pool tables range in price from a few hundred to a few thousand dollars or more. You can find new and used pool tables at several places. Retail stores, yard sales, your local classifieds, sporting goods stores, and Ebay just to name a few. Purchasing a used pool table through the classifieds, or on Ebay can save you a lot of money.
If you decide to purchase a used pool table, you may be better off to do it locally through classifieds or a yard sale. This way you will be able to see the pool table in person and maybe even try playing on it to make sure it is of acceptable quality for you.
Purchasing on Ebay or another auction site may be able to save you more money, but, unless the pool table is within a reasonable distance, you won't be able to "try before you buy". The shipping costs for this method may diminish any money you were able to save.
3) Construction Materials
Another factor to look at when purchasing a new or used pool table is the quality of the construction.
Pool tables can be made from solid wood, laminate, plastic, metal, and more. Solid wood is the most sturdy, and therefore, generally the most expensive. Common types of wood are hardwoods such as oak or cherry. Your choice will need to be based on personal preference, and what the pool table will mainly be used for. If the pool table will be used only as a hobby on the side, or if it will mainly for children then you probably don't need to go with the most expensive. If you can push on the pool table and it seems sturdy and doesn't rock, it will probably be sufficient. Another factor to think about is the room the pool table will be going into. Which construction will match your home decor?
The most popular material for the table bed is slate. Slate is used due to it's strength and stability. It can be one piece or separated into 2 or 3 pieces. One piece is the best because is guarantees a smooth surface. Multiple pieces are ok, but you will want to make sure that the surface is smooth where the pieces come together. Cheaper alternatives are available, but I wouldn't recommend them.
Felt is used to go over the slate. It is generally a well constructed cloth which allows the balls to roll smoother and faster and increases durability. The main colors for the felt are green or red, but other colors are available.
The pockets are generally made of plastic or leather. They can be covered and enclosed or exposed. Choosing the type of pockets your pool table has is mainly a personal preference.
4) Setup
Pool table setup can be a tricky business. Professional setup and installation services are available. They can range from $50 to $300 or more. If you are mechanically inclined you may be able to setup a pool table on your own depending on which type you choose. At the very least, you will probably need a friend due to the weight of your pool table. The more expensive, well constructed pool tables can be upwards of 1500lbs!
Whether you choose a new or used pool table, it is much like purchasing a piece of fine furniture. You will want to make sure it will match your home decor and look nice. Pool tables are virtually maintenance free and will provide hours of enjoyment in setup correctly and kept clean.
Good luck in your search!
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