Fact Checking the Brunswick Parsons

Posted August 6, 2018

FACT CHECK #1: This table is priced way too high.

We are just going to come right out and say it… You are getting ripped off at this price point. The truth is that Restoration Hardware (the website where this table is being sold) is a division of Pottery Barn. Brunswick is a completely separate company as well. So that makes 3 different companies that will need to get their cut of the sale. What ends up happening is the YOU, the consumer, end up footing the bill so that everyone else can get paid.

FACT CHECK #2: “European Oak” sounds fancy but it’s not a high-quality wood type.

We’ve seen this same marketing trick dozens of times. Many other shuffleboard distributors like to use nice-sounding terms like Tulipwood, Canadian Maple, and even European White Oak. These terms are used to create a false image that the wood they’re using is high-quality, but in truth, it isn’t. So why the funny names? There are actually some macro-level geopolitical games at play and you’re paying the price. As you’ve probably heard, there are some trade issues going on with China and the United States. As a result, it’s more expensive to ship high-quality hardwoods (like true North American Rock Maple) to and from China. So companies that ship their tables overseas to get manufactured are sending lower-quality softwoods to get pass the tariffs.

In the case of the Brunswick Parsons, European White Oak probably is the actual wood type being used for the cabinet, but it’s not as great a wood as it sounds. Those “nicks, knots, and imperfections” are not a sign of character. Neither are the cracks you’ll almost certainly see as well. That’s because it takes a lot of time to kiln dry white oak without cracking it, and as they say, time is money. In reality, they’re trying to “sell” you on the negatives by making them sound positive.

FACT CHECK #3: Let’s be honest, it ain’t 3 inches.

This playboard is not 3 inches thick. There is a quarter inch of plastic polymer poured over the top of a 2.75″ playboard which means you’re essentially playing on plastic. When it comes to your Shuffleboard table’s playing surface, every inch matters. In fact, every quarter inch matters too!

Have you ever been at a tavern or recreation center and played on a board where the pucks just don’t glide well? You’ve probably noticed chips, rough spots, and pucks that always seem to slide toward the edges. Your shuffleboard experience is lessened because the polymer wears down and can damage easily, and it tends to warp boards. The warping is becomes even worse with thinner playboards. Virtually every shuffleboard manufacturer that uses the poured epoxy doesn’t even bother with a premium hardwood playboard because the end-game is being played on plastic, not the actual wood.

Why pay almost $7,500 for an overpriced made in China Shuffleboard Table??? Instead, consider the original handcrafted Pine Parsons from McClure Tables and save over $2,700!

The McClure Tables Pine Parson

Made to order wholesale Price: $4,795
In Stock Sale Price: $4,295

The Parson’s Pine Shuffleboard Table in Heirloom finish is both stylish and cost-effective. Each Parson’s shuffleboard table cabinet is made from the eastern knotty pine and made by the same craftsmen that make the McClure handcrafted custom tables. Every Parson’s shuffleboard table features legs constructed from solid pine. The sleek design of the Parson’s legs adds to the overall aesthetic, strength, and stability of the table. Each Parson’s Pine shuffleboard is also equipped with a 20″ wide, 3″ thick solid hard rock maple playing surface that is sealed with a specially formulated piano finish that has a lifetime warranty. This premium playing surface ensures that your new Parson’s shuffleboard table will last for years and provide you and your family with countless hours of enjoyment.

100% Handcrafted & Made In America
Playboard is Crafted from North American Hard Rock Maple
Available in 12, 14,16,18,20 and 22-foot sizes
In Stock Ready to Ship Immediately 12′ 14′ & 16′ modles
Made to order craft time 2 to 4 weeks

BUY NOW

Not convinced? Let’s share a story from a McClure Tables customer that started his Shuffleboard buying process with a knock-off brand.

We received a phone call one day from a customer named Kevin about purchasing climate adjusters for a shuffleboard table he had purchased on Amazon from a company in China. From his descriptions, he was having serious issues with a crooked second table playboard, to which we had to inform him that climate adjusters just won’t fix, unfortunately. We suggested that he returned the table if he could and seek a replacement from the manufacturer. Thanks to the great customer service Amazon offers, they promptly covered the costs to return the table and Kevin received a replacement shuffleboard. To his surprise, he had further issues with this new replacement and Kevin made the decision to send us a follow-up email to inquire about purchasing a McClure shuffleboard table.

You probably don’t remember me but we spoke on the phone not too long ago. Since we had nenver even seen a shuffleboard table we thought we’d start small (read: cheap) to make sre we like the sport. We found that we love it but we got stuck with an interior Chinese table. They sent us a replacement for free which we’re now sending that one back too. Amazon is paying all costs to get it back to them for a full refund to us. The first table we were told to field destroy. I’m going to take the playing surface out to fashion a bar in the game room.

A short time after receiving his brand new McClure Patriot table, Kevin reached out with another email to express his love and satisfaction with the shuffleboard table he received. He no longer had any issues as we met his needs, it complimented the room he placed it in, and most importantly, it played just the way he wanted it to. An experience we believe every customer should experience when purchasing a shuffleboard table and what we strive for.

I cannot express enough how much we LOVE our Patriot table. I like the Mocha too, it seems to be a nice contrast to the room.

We are 100% satisfied with your service and table. Love how this table plays the way a Shuffleboard Table should. This is our first ‘real’ table experience. Love the slight (20lb paper thick) concave structure, no need for any adjustments.

Chris Overlay