Why Paying a Premium for Simonis Pool Cloth Is Worth It (Especially When You're in a Hurry)

I'm a procurement manager for a mid‑sized billiard supply company. We buy around $180,000 in table felts annually, spread across 40+ accounts. And I've learned one thing the hard way: when time is tight, cheap cloth costs more than Simonis.

The View: Paying for Certainty Isn't a Luxury

Everyone asks me, "Why spend $X on Simonis when Brand Y is half the price?" My answer: because a missed deadline can wipe out whatever you saved on the cloth. In Q2 2024, we had a customer who needed a replacement felt for a tournament — 5 days turn‑around. The cheap vendor said "probably 4‑5 days." Simonis quoted 3 days guaranteed. We paid the rush fee ($180 extra). The tournament happened. The cheap vendor would have cost us a $15,000 event contract. That's not a theory — that's my spreadsheet.

So here's my stance: time certainty is a real product feature, and it's worth a premium. Let me walk you through the numbers.

Argument 1: The Hidden Costs of "Cheap" Felt Go Beyond Price

It's tempting to think you can just compare unit prices. But identical specs from different vendors can result in wildly different outcomes. We tracked 12 installations last year where cheap felt was used. Average lifespan: 14 months before noticeable wear — compared to 30+ months for Simonis 860 Tournament Blue. The re‑install labor ($200‑$350 per table) and downtime (lost revenue) made the "cheap" option 40% more expensive over three years. That's the TCO you don't see on a quote.

Most buyers focus on per‑square‑foot pricing and completely miss installation quality, thickness consistency, and color fade. Simonis cloth doesn't just last longer — it stretches more evenly during install, which cuts labor time. Our installers reported 20% faster fit for Simonis vs. off‑brand materials. Less time on the table means less disruption for the venue.

Argument 2: When You Need It Fast, "Probably" Is a Liability

Here's the thing: uncertainty compounds. A delay in felt delivery pushes back table prep, then cue repair, then tournament scheduling. The domino effect can easily cost 3x the felt price. In March 2024, we paid $400 extra for express Simonis delivery. The alternative was missing a $15,000 event — that's a 37‑to‑1 ROI on the rush fee.

Why do rush fees exist? Because unpredictable demand is expensive to accommodate. Simonis has dedicated inventory for tournament‑grade 860 cloth. When we call, they know exactly when it ships. Cheaper vendors often batch orders and don't prioritize. That "probably Thursday" promise becomes "next Tuesday" — and you've already committed to the client. Not great, not terrible — but in business, "probably" is the third most dangerous word after "trust me" and "it's fine."

Argument 3: The Numbers Don't Lie — A Real Comparison

In Q1 2025, I compared five suppliers for a bulk order of 200 square yards of tournament‑grade felt. Vendor A (Simonis) quoted $2,150, delivered. Vendor B (off‑brand) quoted $1,340 — a 38% lower price. I almost went with B until I calculated the TCO.

• Vendor B: $1,340 cloth + $420 extra labor (due to poor stretch) + $160 shipping (not included) + 2.5 weeks lead time = $1,920 total. And no guarantee on color fade within 18 months.
• Simonis: $2,150 all‑in (free shipping on orders over $2k, included installation guide, 1‑week lead).

The difference? $230. But the cheap option introduced risk. If the color faded before a tournament (and we'd seen it happen), we'd be out another $1,200 in reinstallation. That's a $1,430 swing hidden in fine print.

The surprise wasn't the price difference. It was how much hidden value came with Simonis — support, consistency, and the peace of mind that the cloth will behave exactly as expected.

Responding to the Obvious Pushback: "Simonis Is Still More Expensive"

I get it. Budgets are tight. A $500 upfront saving looks good on paper. But I've seen what happens when a venue owner picks budget cloth to save $200 — and then six months later, the felt pills, the color washes out, and they have to close the table for two days. The lost revenue from those two days often exceeds the original saving. Not to mention customer complaints.

Someone once said, "The cheapest option is usually the most expensive over time." That's not a cliché — it's a procurement maxim. And in a business where a single table can generate $50‑$100 per hour in revenue, downtime eats profit fast.

Also, keep in mind that time certainty isn't just about speed — it's about reliability. When you order Simonis 760 or 860, you know the thickness, the nap, the thread count. You don't have to test a new batch. Your installers don't have to re‑calibrate. That consistency has a dollar value.

And if you're thinking "But my supplier always delivers on time" — great. But is that supplier the one you're switching to for a 40% discount? Or is it the one you've been with for years? In my experience, loyalty to a proven vendor is worth more than a one‑time price cut.

Final Word: What I'd Do Differently if I Started Over

Look, I'm not saying never consider budget options. Sometimes a recreational table in a home doesn't need tournament‑grade cloth. But when you're dealing with commercial clients, event deadlines, or your own reputation, the premium you pay for Simonis is an insurance policy against failure.

After six years of tracking every invoice, I now budget a 10‑15% contingency for rush fees on Simonis orders. It's cheaper than the alternative. And when I get asked, "What's the size of a pool table?" or "Which felt should I use for my league?" — my answer always starts with Simonis 860 Tournament Blue.

Bottom line: pay for the certainty. It's the most cost‑effective decision you'll make.

Note: Prices as of January 2025; verify current rates. All figures are from our internal procurement system and vendor quotes on file.