talkmagic.co.uk

Yesterday whilst on the tube' i was overcome with a sudden urge to get off at Chancery Lane. Why? - because International Magic is just around the corner and i had never been.

So in i went, had a nose around and have to say Martin and Barry are two of the nicest people i have met.

2 hours later i left the shop with a very heavy bag (Worth a few bob) and loads of freebies.

I only say this as the last bricks and Mortar' Magic shop i went into was years ago and I was disappointed and found the guy behind the counter arrogant.

Also on their shelves they have the two most important books (To me) that have influenced me above any others - Compleat Invocation and Seance.

I sold a lot of svengali decks for International Magic. All over the country in fact. It would not be an exaggeration to say that I had a moderate hand in their beginnings. If it weren't for the svengali deck there would be no International Magic in the first place. And I had a hand in selling a goodly proportion of those svengali decks.

I marvel at the fact they are still in the same location 40 years later.

IM is a brilliant friendly shop staffed by top blokes. Marco has some great moves if you bump into him when you're next in there. And of course Jerry Sadowitz is a regular. Plus often a free cup of tea on offer and a helpful chat, with no obligation to buy. Highly recommended (unlike Davenports who never have anything good in stock and seem intent on employing obnoxious staff).

How unfair. I'm pretty sure im Birmingham we don't have any magic shops, there's a coin magic one (I'm not too interested in that, Bobo more than satisfies me on that front) and some other one I have never been to nor heard anything about. I would love to be corrected.

TheStoner wrote:IM is a brilliant friendly shop staffed by top blokes. Marco has some great moves if you bump into him when you're next in there. And of course Jerry Sadowitz is a regular. Plus often a free cup of tea on offer and a helpful chat, with no obligation to buy. Highly recommended (unlike Davenports who never have anything good in stock and seem intent on employing obnoxious staff).

Tis' funny that can you guess which other shop i had been to?

SamGurney wrote:How unfair. I'm pretty sure im Birmingham we don't have any magic shops, there's a coin magic one (I'm not too interested in that, Bobo more than satisfies me on that front) and some other one I have never been to nor heard anything about. I would love to be corrected.

Consider yourself corrected then

World Magic Shop
Unit 1 Rea Business Park
Inkerman Street
Birmingham
B7 4SH
Tel: 0121 333 6400
Email - sales@worldmagicshop.com

Thank you! I love being wrong sometimes.

If you fancy a short trip out then also try:

House Of Magic UK
80 Brook Street
Stourbridge
West Midlands
United Kingdom
DY8 3XB
Telephone: 01384-373209
Fax: 01384-350429
Email: info@houseofmagicuk.com
http://house-of-magic-shop.co.uk/
I've never been there myself but several TM members have and rate them very highly.

Also:
Albion Magic Company
22 Stoney Lane
West Bromwich
B71 4EP
England
Tel:+44 (0)121 532 4509
Fax: +44 (0)121 588 2436
Email: magic@albionmagiccompany.co.uk
www.albionmagiccompany.co.uk

thanks

You've also got Kaymar Magic in Nuneaton, West Midlands which is not far from Birmingham too. Get onto the M6 and head South to Coventry.

They're at Unit 3, 108 Croft Road, Nuneaton, CV10 7DN.

Do any of these specalise in Mentalism?

If was them i would give the place a facelift and make it more user friendly. For instance the section to right as you walk in with Rubber Bats and party balloons etc should be thrown out and perhaps a TV installed playing vids of all the effects they have. That glass cabinet is a real dogs dinner with dead Bees laying there and moths ,dust etc tetc or perhaps thats the attraction for some folks.

I think Martin should visit Tescos and see how retail is really done.
With a clinical operation they could probably double there turnover , but no more than that. To go to the next level you need bigger premises and some Marketing brains

And there we have an example of a way to ruin a magic shop. We don't want videos of the effects, big clean stores with huge isles and everything catalogued. It takes away from the whole magic shop experience.

As for the party stuff, it is a major source of bringing customers in. Dozens upon dozens of people walk in looking for novelty items and eventually end up buying a basic book on magic etc.

Thats your opinon. Half the time they cant find anything or cant remember the price or Marcos lost it or borrowed and hasnt brought it back, it can eb a joke

My time is expensive and i cant hang around

I still go in there and support them but i could have spent a lot more with these guys ...As Gordon Gekko said " dont get emotional about stock". Its all about the bottom line

I like magic shops with a messy, cluttered, and freindly atmosphere. If they could neaten things up and still keep the charm and the atmosphere, it would be great, but why should they take the risk? The mess and "unprofessional" way the shops are laid out is great, it makes you feel more comfortable browsing around the place and trying out TT's, chop cups, and things. Mmmmmm... magic shop... *heads out for nearest magic shop, ready to part with a lot of cash*