code of silence and secrecy in magic shops

Struggling with an effect? Any tips (without giving too much away!) you'd like to share?

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Postby IAIN » Nov 15th, '06, 10:43



i bought some real thumb-cuffs recently from Stephen's magic emphorium, and there was no instructions as to how to really escape from them...so i e-mailed and provided order proof to them and just asked...

they were great about it all, gave me e-mailed instructions on how to escape...very nice about it all...

i think there's a thin line for retailers of magic in some respects, but i've yet to have a bad experience with one thankfully...

:idea: alakazam always give me a call if there's a problem with an order
:idea: magictricks - carl is always very helpful with any problem, he's even been kind enough to answer me with a business idea i had and sent me a very helpful and lengthy e-mail
:idea: seige and NUMS- was an absolute gentleman when i ordered, always kept me informed hourly at one point!
:idea: cards4magic -always had an e-mail if there was delay
and i even got a response from penguin magic when an order didnt appear after a week and no e-mail from then initially, then when i queried it all, lo and behold it appeared the next day...

IAIN
 

Postby greedoniz » Nov 15th, '06, 13:03

I have also found the guys in bothDavenports and international magic very helpful especially with vague questions I tend to ask.

Hmmm international magic is a 10 minute walk from my work here....it's pay day....near lunch time.

I feel a C.U.P.S attack coming on

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Postby greedoniz » Nov 15th, '06, 14:38

....yep there's another £60 gone.
...and yes they were very helpful

Had alot to say about the black widow. I dont think I'll be getting one after that review

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Postby Pcwizme » Nov 15th, '06, 14:47

*holds up hands* i dont like International magic because my first time in there it felt like it was a matter of "heres a kid, he has money, lets sell him something he dont want" i went to davent ports for the first time and they didnt pressure me in to buying anything, and since then i have spent £0.00 in IM and £1000's in Davenports,

PCWIZME thats me!!

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Postby johntheblob » Nov 15th, '06, 14:57

Maybe these tight lipped owners could teach me a thing or two ;)

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Postby lindz » Nov 15th, '06, 16:32

The only magic shop i have actually been inside is Alakazam and they have to be the most friendly people i have ever done business with in a shop. I generally go in there and have a chat and a few fags with them for about an hour then they demo a couple of tricks which i ask to be shown then i usually buy whatever i decide have another chat and a fag and go home. Everyrtime i go there they never put any pressure on me to buy things and they generally dont mind you standing in there having a chat if you dont buy anything either and also if your struggling with something they dont mind giving you help as much as they can. Even once i brought an effect and i couldnt understand the instructions so i took it back there and they set the whole deck up for me which took them about half an hour. I think they are generally nice guys in there i dont know if everywhere is like this but these are a really friendly group.

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Postby dat8962 » Nov 15th, '06, 20:31

I can only assume that if a magic shop gets as many people visitng them as we get newbies asking for exposure then it stands to reason that they will be on the cautious side until they get to know you, or can demonstrate that you have a solid knoowledge of the basics.

In my opinion this is reasonable practice for the craft that we are devoted to.

When you begin to build up a relationship with your dealer of preference then they know that you are a good customer and they will open up more and more to ensure that you're buying from them what actually suits you. If they push you into buying any old thing, or you feel as if you have been steered this way for the sake of a sale then they realise that you will stop going and eventually they will lose your custom.

It's like going into a pub in a tourist resort. The barman knows his regulars and looks after them. The tourists buy a couple of pints and are gone forever.

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Postby PickAnyCard » Nov 15th, '06, 22:19

Here in Stockholm we only have 1 magic shop. And those who works there are like family for you, in magic meaning.

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