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SOLIHELL |
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cazza
Just popping in
Joined: 17-May-2006
Posts: 14
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Posted: 2006-08-22 15:12
I am glad most people agree- especially when you consider Brad was actually seeded 10th on Sat.
Up until now, he hadnt broken into the top 16 so was looking forward to finally having a potentially less time consuming route through to qualification on Sunday having been attending every event regularly since March 2005.
It is a bit naughty when you considering how many byes were given out elsewhere - including a non seeded player in Brad's section of the draw I might add!!
As for the tables, Rileys want the business from UK pool events, so they should shape up pr ship out. Its not the players reponsibility to ensure conditions are good with all due respect. They should be able to turn up & play in decent conditions.
People should vote with their feet - if it means having 12 events, but only using 4 different clubs to do them, then so be it.
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DaveMc
Just can't stay away
Joined: 10-Apr-2006
Posts: 127
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Posted: 2006-08-22 19:13
99.9% of Riley's priorities is selling beer and marketing American Pool as a game to play whilst gettin trashed with your mates.
The fact that Solihull has a DJ booth with music so loud on a friday night that the floor vibrates illustrates who that club is aimed at.
Until they realise that looking after their tables means more than standing cheap plastic triangles and diamonds up on the table and putting an ashtray within reach at all times things are just not going to improve.
VERY rarely do you find a Riley's table with consistent reactive cushions - do they ever recushion their tables?
Why put cheap nasty cloth on the tables that lasts 5 minutes and is less responsive than a brick wall. Good quality cloths may cost that bit more BUT they last longer in general and are not a chore to play on.
Almost every Riley's has tables with pockets unsecured that fall out when you breathe anywhere near them.
I guess my main point is that everybody who plays any discipline of American Pool in the UK needs to put pressure on them to raise their standards to an acceptable level. Its not like they don't make enough money out of us.
All the above especially does not apply to Riley's Victoria. If I lived within a more reasonable distance of there I would never use another Riley's to practise.
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Danny
Home away from home
Joined: 14-Mar-2006
Posts: 909
From: Manchester UK
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Posted: 2006-08-23 01:41
yeh I've always wondered why the BPPPA doesn't just use:
One great North-West club
One great North-East club
One great South-West club
One great South-East club
I'm sure we can all agree on a super fantastic club for each Region. What's the deal in wanting a different club at each event?
Surely it's easier to run, the less venues used. Is it because Rileys pay the BPPPA to have an event at their club each year and aren't willing to pay for more than one?
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poolknight
Home away from home
Joined: 22-Jun-2006
Posts: 478
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Posted: 2006-08-23 05:16
On 2006-08-20 19:15 , Danny Wrote:!!! QUOTE !!! Rileys Policy is:
No under 16's allowed in the building past either 7PM or 9PM (i can't quite remember) even if accompanied by an adult.
Alot of managers at clubs are relaxed about this because it isn't a law abiding rule. It is just a rule placed there by Rileys PLC.
This was the case when I was a Rileys robot anyway. Spoke to a Rileys Manager about this .....told me that it is to do with new goverment licensing laws that have come into effect even then strange law
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pooljedi
Home away from home
Joined: 18-Apr-2006
Posts: 293
From: Preston
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Posted: 2006-08-23 09:20
we seem to have this discussion after every other event and we say the same things over and over. rileys do not care simple the preston club has only seven tables and are all very very bad and now after 2 years they have taken away my table time discount so im paying £6.50 an hour. the best way has to be less venues pick six go twice a year what exactly do rileys do for the "sponsorship" cause if its free table time then thats poor* cause compared to how much food and drink they sell instead they are probally making a profit. *Admin Edit: not enough stars!  [ This message was edited by: Administrator on 2006-08-23 10:01 ]
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cazza
Just popping in
Joined: 17-May-2006
Posts: 14
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Posted: 2006-08-23 09:29
At the end of the day, the clubs who actually care about the players & look after the venue & the tables etc, should be rewarded for doing so, by getting regular tour events held there, say twice a year.
They have earnt that right by having managers that actually care, i.e. Bournemouth, Stretford & Victoria & having a bit of passion about what they do.
Not sure how many tables there are at Bournemouth, but its a lovely club & as far as I know the management team care a lot about what players think.
I find it hard to believe that Rileys dont want business from BPPPA events, as their till receipts must be substantially higher than usual when events are held there.
I am sure that between the players & the BPPPA, people can come up with 6-8 different clubs across the UK that have good playing conditions & just do all 12 events there.
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Riggers
Home away from home
Joined: 30-Mar-2006
Posts: 4454
From: Barnsley (centre of the universe)
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Posted: 2006-08-23 09:38
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read_this
Just can't stay away
Joined: 16-May-2006
Posts: 109
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Posted: 2006-08-23 10:02
Perhaps some sort of official communication to the players on these matters would help? What have the BPPPA done in this regard? I am sure I can recall assurances about tables being reclothed prior to tournaments earlier in the life of the BPPPA.
What is the BPPPAs stance on these things?
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BigDave
Forum User
Joined: 13-Mar-2006
Posts: 11008
From: England
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Posted: 2006-08-23 10:06
Corrr.. Riggers, you must be over the moon having a brand new Rileys on your doorstep!
I look forward to visiting it.
p.s. I quite like touring around the country visiting different places each time, it adds variety and stops it getting stale - anyone else?
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Riggers
Home away from home
Joined: 30-Mar-2006
Posts: 4454
From: Barnsley (centre of the universe)
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Posted: 2006-08-23 10:22
You are welcome anytime Dave and I can supply accomodation too if you need it.
At the moment I'm not even sure how much I'll use Rileys as it all depends on whether they will cut me a good deal. At the moment I have a good relationship with my existing club and have a decent rate for the lights. There are only a couple of Pro Line's in there but they are in good condition, the club is really nice and the staff are great. So the only reason I would consider Rileys is to get more experience on the Sam tables, which obviously play very different. Having said that I'm sure that in the first few months of opening I'll take advantage of the novelty factor of having a new club around the corner.
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pooljedi
Home away from home
Joined: 18-Apr-2006
Posts: 293
From: Preston
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Posted: 2006-08-23 11:59
you better be quick riggers cause if you leave it a couple of months the tables will be covered in beer and gravy like the rest. then again by the sounds of sollihull maybe we need more experience on those tables. [ This message was edited by: pooljedi on 2006-08-23 11:59 ]
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Riggers
Home away from home
Joined: 30-Mar-2006
Posts: 4454
From: Barnsley (centre of the universe)
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Posted: 2006-08-23 14:08
On 2006-08-23 10:02 , read_this Wrote:!!! QUOTE !!! Perhaps some sort of official communication to the players on these matters would help? What have the BPPPA done in this regard? I am sure I can recall assurances about tables being reclothed prior to tournaments earlier in the life of the BPPPA.
What is the BPPPAs stance on these things? I share your view to some extent. I accept that those involved in running the tour are busy people with other things going on in their life besides the 9 ball tour so I certainly wouldn't expect them to be coming here every few minutes defending decisions and answering queries. However, I would have thought that a few days after an event would be a good time to hear feedback from the participants and reply to some of the issues raised.
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tank
Just popping in
Joined: 26-Aug-2006
Posts: 1
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Posted: 2006-08-29 16:22
As a customer of SOLIHULL Rileys i am shocked by your comments. I visit the club 3 or 4 times a week with friends and family and feel i must reply to your comments. Solihull is a fantastic club and week after week we have a brilliant time my friends and i regulary play on the tables but the difference being like the majority of other members i play for fun and to relax.The DJ's help make the atmosphere, the managment and staff are friendly and helpful,friday and saturday evenings say it all for Solihull as the club is packed and the pool tables are fullof members who obviously love playing for fun. This is a club which is lovely to go to and as a regular customer i would just like to say Solihull is just that and i am sure many other members feel the same and agree that this club club provides what us members want which is a great atmospere, caring staff and a asfe friendly place.
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Johanna
Quite a regular
Joined: 17-Jul-2006
Posts: 67
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Posted: 2006-08-29 17:16
On 2006-08-20 12:45 , bruno Wrote:!!! QUOTE !!!
Johanna, did you check out the new Rileys club in Inverness?
We had a SAPPA tournament there earlier this year and I was mightlily impressed.
Mind you it was a new club and I'm sure it will all be downhill from there...
As for the New Yorker, I was hearing some bizarre stories about it.
They have some very strict rules about jump shots and dont allow them. They dont even allow you to use your own chalk unless it is purple!
I have been told that the tables are top notch though....
Hi, sorry for the late reply... We knew there was a Rileys at Inverness but as we were taking things as we went along...we had to go to Fort Williams to find accomodation...I bet many of the people on Hotel business here in sunny Spain would love to have half of the tourists you have up there in Scotland!!! Rafael did few jump shots and we were never told off. Also, we both play with brown chalck and this was not a problem either. In fact, they provided you with the greenish-bluish triangle chalks and the cloth was purple... However, before the WCP, we went to the Rileys closest to the venue and also got a very warm welcome. Played on their "best" table and had a lovely afternoon. However, few days later, we tried to grab a beer and something to snack and we were not let in...different barman and the manager...very cold and unbusinesslike behaviour. we were told that after 11pm, we had to pay the entrance fee or become a member..thats fine..but it was hardly 10.30. When I pointed this out to the manager, he just looked at me and repeteated himself. Obviously he did not want anymore business. It is very difficult for us to understand this kind of behaviour as we live in a community where nearly everybody makes their living from the tourism and turning away paying clients its completely out of order and if you do, at least you try to be nice to them if you want them to come back again..as our average spending at the british pool halls has been around 50 pounds/visit. Sorry if I went out of the topic  Even with theses hickups, we had a lovely holiday and was quite impressed about how nice and helpfull british people are.
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Shooter
Home away from home
Joined: 14-Mar-2006
Posts: 517
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Posted: 2006-08-29 19:13
!!! QUOTE !!!
However, few days later, we tried to grab a beer and something to snack and we were not let in...different barman and the manager...very cold and unbusinesslike behaviour. we were told that after 11pm, we had to pay the entrance fee or become a member..thats fine..but it was hardly 10.30. When I pointed this out to the manager, he just looked at me and repeteated himself. Obviously he did not want anymore business.
Seems to me you have just encountered the typical British attitude! This happens a lot in shops etc. Paying customers seem to be a pain in the *** ----------------- 
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dazzler
Home away from home
Joined: 14-Mar-2006
Posts: 1289
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Posted: 2006-08-29 20:07
Ive been keeping an eye on this thread for a while and thought i should post something...... 1, The only way a "seeded" player should play a prelim is if there is more than 96 players at the event...(32 seeds) ......or more than 112 players for a 16 seeded event. There must have been a mistake at the BPPPA solihull event as i beleive there was only 89 entries.....unless Brad was mis-mistaken on his seeding? 2, I have been in talks with the regional manager for Rileys Solihull, and he asures me that all the tables will be sorted for when the EPT stops off there on the 14/15th October, and also the window issue will be rectified too. 3, I now exactly what Tank is saying when he says that the club has a great atmosphere etc as i was told by the Regional Manager that Solihull is the most busy Rileys club!!! -----------------  [ This message was edited by: dazzler on 2006-08-29 20:09 ]
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fromafar
Just popping in
Joined: 22-Aug-2006
Posts: 3
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Posted: 2006-08-29 21:26
All the time that a badly mismanaged company like Rileys are the dominant force in the club market then competitive pool in the UK has no future. With a handful of exceptions most of their clubs are ****holes. The mentality of senior management is responsible for this and this will never change with these people at the helm.
Surely a pool club should put priority on pool table conditions. Yes, we know that 98% of table usage is casual play. But that is a red herring. Casual players deserve better too. Abuse of the facilities should be policed at club staff level. Unfortunately, the low level of service from club staff ensures that this would be impractical. Many managers are happy to just sit on their hands and draw their fairly poor salary without doing things to earn it. They should not be employed in a service industry. Club staff seem to think that the clubs exist solely for their benefit.
Are they all graduates of The Rileys Charm School ?
Certainly there is no evidence of training in the art of customer communication or anything other than basic work practices. The clubs exist purely as ‘watering holes’ for local lowlife and are fuelled with the gaming machine revenues.
Pool? Snooker? Who cares? Give them **** conditions they are not going to complain. If they do we will just ignore them. After all we are the biggest company in the business.
OK. There are some nice people working in the clubs and I would not wish to tar all the employees with the same brush. But over the years top class managers have moved (or were moved) on for political reasons and the company is poorer for it .
The number of serious players is dropping. There are no more than about 120 – 150 anyway. This will decline as 9 Ball loses popularity and players speak with their feet.
Good tables, poorly maintained. Out of level with cheap cloth, cheap balls. No rests (for the wicked) and cheap plastic triangles. No scoring facilities. The list goes on.
Pool on the TV – not in these pool clubs. Staff want to watch Eastenders or Big Brother.
Or maybe they have cancelled their subscriptions for the summer – like last year when the big pool events were taking place.
There is no pleasure in playing the game in such despicable conditions.
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read_this
Just can't stay away
Joined: 16-May-2006
Posts: 109
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Posted: 2006-08-29 22:05
On 2006-08-29 16:22 , tank Wrote:!!! QUOTE !!! As a customer of SOLIHULL Rileys i am shocked by your comments. I visit the club 3 or 4 times a week with friends and family and feel i must reply to your comments. Solihull is a fantastic club and week after week we have a brilliant time my friends and i regulary play on the tables but the difference being like the majority of other members i play for fun and to relax.The DJ's help make the atmosphere, the managment and staff are friendly and helpful,friday and saturday evenings say it all for Solihull as the club is packed and the pool tables are fullof members who obviously love playing for fun. This is a club which is lovely to go to and as a regular customer i would just like to say Solihull is just that and i am sure many other members feel the same and agree that this club club provides what us members want which is a great atmospere, caring staff and a asfe friendly place. Exactly - great for you. What we want as members of a professional pool association is for a club, which has agreed to host a professional tournament, to take the table conditions seriously for those players who pay their hard earned money to attend. As you point out, you, and other Riley's clientele have different priorities to the regular posters here. However, it is not beyond the wit of many clubs, and even some Riley's clubs to provide what you and we seek all in one package. For pool players, as most people here are, Solihull will continue to get a thumbs down until it takes the provision of good tables seriously. Regards, B.
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gaz1210
Official Pro9 Tipster!
Joined: 30-Mar-2006
Posts: 119
From: North-East
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Posted: 2006-08-29 22:25
Thats a great post by fromafar, Rileys need to work out where their prioritys & brand direction are heading. Do they want to be considered as serious pool/snooker venues or do they want to be bars/clubs first & foremost with the pool tables as an added attraction in the mould of say the elbow room, on the subject of which their tables play a lot better than the majority of rileys clubs I have visited. Solihull agreed to host a PROFESSIONAL event and should therefore prepare the venue accordingly, you would not have St Andrews hosting the open golf but not bothering to cut the fairways.
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malaguista
Home away from home
Joined: 14-Mar-2006
Posts: 1176
From: Spain
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Posted: 2006-08-30 07:23
!!! QUOTE !!! Brand new club opening in Barnsley in October with 15 tables
Persuade them to install 16 tables Riggers. Any flow chart can be divided by 8, 16, 32 etc. and if they are going to have tournaments, one more table would make things a lot easier.
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