talkmagic.co.uk

I give Davenports the thumbs up, I don't think they treat you seriously in International Magic if your under 18! I went in there for a Spider thread spooler, and they looked at me as if I was an idiot for my thread ever running out. They said to me, maybey you should first practise with a £5 IT reel until you get the hang of it.

But then again, I went in again and I had a much nicer experience.

I really like Davenports, I found the staff really friendly and if you ask them to show you something, they will. It is annoying how sometimes they don't have much in stock, but how many items do you have. It must be thousands!

This was a skysports football intro involving Davenports
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y_Vk6GwKm6Y

timlic wrote:Hmmmm...

But I do agree that we should keep the shops alive for that hands-on experience!

Unfortunely more and more are now shopping online, and with growing internet sales and mass marketed magic. The quality of magic props has dropped.

Plastic chips and die cast dynamic coins has well as cheap and nasty gimmicks.. has brought the industry to a near standstill. Both DP & IM has felt the impact of the internet, and rising costs of having a shop. with companies like Tesco & Asda.. both selling magic sets.. abeit they are rubbish. But they contain the secrets to far superior effects.

A lot of people come into the shop and demand price rather than quality. They're not intrested in magic just the secret! Magicians are following the trend, why pay £27 for Brass Dynamic coins, when you can pay £7 for die cast and get the same effect. The worse thing about having a shop, is people coming in and asking for a demo.. then go and buy it from the internet!

No wonder magic shop owners aint smiling.

Most internet shops and magic ebay shops are run by people with full time jobs, who dont care if they can sell it on cheap.

The PMDA is currently trying to stop this, or they will be no magic, because it'll be so diluted,

Help keep magic special, buy from Proper dealers.

Please support them where you can.

My little rant over.. lol .. sorry guys

Hi,

Someone mentioned a magic shop in brighton? can anyone give me more info on this...

Thanks

I think Davenports believe they are slightyly Elite, and if they you arnt over the age of 40 and in the M.C then they are usually dull in there. Its dark and dingy, and usually has tramps sat outside..

INTERNATIONAL anyday, friendly and always eager to show you tricks....

But thats just my opinion, Id say go see for yourself and make your own minds up.....

Lord Freddie wrote:International is a fine shop with a lot of good stuff in stock.
Has anyone been to the new(ish) Brighton magic shop?

Brighton Magic shop?? What Brighton magic shop, I live just outside of Brighton and have heard the occasional rumour that one was to open but hadn't heard it was actually up and running. Do you have the details?
Oh, and it's IM all the way for me. Been going there since I was about 12 and they had just the small booth on street level and the big workshop downstairs where Ron Macmillan would take you to demonstrate the goodies. Never forget him telling my Dad off for getting overly nosy with some of the big stage cabinets ha ha.

ed crawford wrote:

Lord Freddie wrote:International is a fine shop with a lot of good stuff in stock.
Has anyone been to the new(ish) Brighton magic shop?

Brighton Magic shop?? What Brighton magic shop, I live just outside of Brighton and have heard the occasional rumour that one was to open but hadn't heard it was actually up and running. Do you have the details?
Oh, and it's IM all the way for me. Been going there since I was about 12 and they had just the small booth on street level and the big workshop downstairs where Ron Macmillan would take you to demonstrate the goodies. Never forget him telling my Dad off for getting overly nosy with some of the big stage cabinets ha ha.

I saw an advert for Brighton Magic Shop in Magic Seen magazine. It just said 'opening soon' and had a website listed which comes up as a dead link. This was in the issue with Paul Daniels on the front, I think.
I've been trying to find out about it or locate but to no avail!

i just went to visit the two magic shops yesterday. id say martin and jerry in the international magic were really friendly and helpful but it seemed that they didnt really take me seriously enough. perhaps im still in the college. then i went to davenports. the outside of the store looked a bit dodgy and haunting but the two guys there were really nice too. no they didnt perform any tricks unless you asked them to. davenports is slightly cheaper in certain magic props

magicofthemind wrote:

pcwells wrote:I remember when Davenports was a little shop right opposite the British Museum. They guy who ran the place was superb too - and older gent than any of the present staff. He had a heavy-duty stammer, but was a great magician, very enthusiastic and always eager to demostrate his wares. I never left empty handed when he was the boss.

I believe you're thinking of Al Woodrow. Nice chap, but I once asked him for a Swami Gimmick and he said they were no longer made...He was never "the boss" though - Betty Davenport was and is.

I also remember the Great Russell Street shop. I went in there when the King Tut exhibition was on across the road; the shop was full of kids buying King Tut souvenirs, but I was after some serious page (I was in my late teens at the time). Pat Page showed and sold me a wonderful rope and ring routine which I still use.

The current Charing Cross premises have a lot more atmosphere - I rather like the dark interior. Shame about the location, though.

Barry

In the early 80's I ran a pub off Goodge Street and often popped down to Davenport's when it was opposite the British Museum. Al Woodrow became a good friend and helped me on my start with close up. I met many wonderful magicans through being at Davenport's and once met Tommy C.
When the shop moved into the underpass it did seem to change, the last time I went there a few years back I didn't appreciate being patronised by a cocky youngster who was more interested in showing off than helping a customer (me!)
What happened to Al anyone know?

zenataomm

I have been to both International Magic and Davenports. The only thing between them in my experience is that if youre in a hurry, just popping in to buy something, it takes longer to be served in Davenports. Other than that, I like both stores.

George Chan wrote:The only thing between them in my experience is that if youre in a hurry, just popping in to buy something, it takes longer to be served in Davenports.

The other difference is that the entrance to IM doesn't smell of wee!

I think the problem of davenport is that bloody arrogant blonde kid always smart. I think he's a member of the MC or something because I think I saw a badge pin similar to the MC's one. He is very arrogant, he always try to show me a crappy backpalming and he tries to sell me the more expensive books (sealed) that are far from what I asked. The other guys are nice.

lol, he is indeed a member of the mc and you aren't the first I've heard moan about his arrogance.

I recognise who youre talking about from that description. He gets better once you get to know him. Yes IM doesnt smell of wee but it doesnt have a shop nearby that lets you make your own cup of tea from a kettle.

Does Jerry Sadowitz still hang out at IM?

Does Jerry Sadowitz still hang out at IM?

Yup, he serves behind the counter on occasion! Very friendly chap!