talkmagic.co.uk

Magicdiscoman,
The 3 foot levitation was not the only selling point of the product, even though it may have been an important one for some people. Other aspects such a low cost and ease of construction, ability to levitate are true. I disagree with your assesment that the DVD is "blatant falsehoods". As far as being entitled to a refund, the only person here that purchased the DVD, from what I can tell and I may be wrong, is David, and he can bring that up if he chooses.
I truly appreciate your good wishes.

Tomo,
Point taken, and I am looking into legal issues, this is not a closed matter.

Delude,
I'm not sure I understand the "what levitation" question, please elaborate on it. Your other questions have nothing to do with the X Levitation DVD, but if you must know, Alex confided in me about some of the poor choices he made and I agreed to help him. He is very different from others his age and I feel he has great potential if he can be set on the right path. As I said before I appreciate every post you guys make because it shows him yet again how NOT to do business. At the end of the day he is still a kid who made some poor choices, but as he's learning being a kid is no excuse not living up to your promises.


David,
Unfortunately I am not familiar with too many other levitations that are out there, so I have to believe what you are saying is true. But again, what makes this thing new is the easy and inexpensive set up that does allow you to levitate while facing the crowd.

Themike wrote:Delude,
I'm not sure I understand the "what levitation" question, please elaborate on it. Your other questions have nothing to do with the X Levitation DVD, but if you must know, Alex confided in me about some of the poor choices he made and I agreed to help him. He is very different from others his age and I feel he has great potential if he can be set on the right path. As I said before I appreciate every post you guys make because it shows him yet again how NOT to do business. At the end of the day he is still a kid who made some poor choices, but as he's learning being a kid is no excuse not living up to your promises.

I think I'd like to handle this one, being the guy who originally asked the question:

In the video where he shoots up the side of a house, was Alex actually performing his own X Levitation or someone else's?

Please find out and post a simple yes/no reply.

Themike wrote:Magicdiscoman,
David,
Unfortunately I am not familiar with too many other levitations that are out there, so I have to believe what you are saying is true. But again, what makes this thing new is the easy and inexpensive set up that does allow you to levitate while facing the crowd.

I can see how so many people are after a cheaper way. But cheap isnt always better. You get what you pay for. And comparing it to Angels, Alexs might be easier to make, but its not as qualitiy made. And I have made a better version (an upgrade so to say) of Angels levitation myself, that is slightly cheaper, easier, and in the long run better. But I dont plan on selling it, ever. so that factor doesnt really make it new, it just makes it easier and cheaper. Yet the people buying it, are spending a lot on a dvd for this effect that was suppose to be great, "the ultimate Levitation."

Granted the icuras is not cheap, but its well made and is over all a good levitation. Same with Angels, its not cheap, but the end result is well worth it for the true performer.

Themike wrote:Hi guys,
Here is some background on me.
I started working with Alex right before the shooting of the X levitation DVD. It is now completed as you guys know. The reason this whole thing started out so amateurish was in fact because it was a 12 year old at the time, trying to develop and market a novel product. He was so in love with his idea, that all the negative feedback understandably scared and overwhelmed him. He was expecting a grand reception, we know that's not how things work in real life. The moral of this story is that he bit off more than he can chew.

Your story does not jive at all with the facts. If you truly believe what you are saying here, then you are yet another victim of his web of lies.

The fact is that long before he started trying to sell this levitation, he was making claims that he came up with a method whereby you could levitate completely surrounded and go as high as you wanted but would begin to lose control after about 5 feet.

As time went on he began changing his claims of what his levitation was capable of. By the time he began trying to sell it, he was no longer claiming you could go five feet, but he was claiming that he would show you three different methods, some of which could be done surrounded.

Alex released two videos claiming they were the X levitation. One of them used a pulley system. The other was a video he stole from youtube of someone he didn't know whose permission he did not have and who had no clue what the X levitation was.

None of this jives with your description of someone excited about an effect they created. If this were all the result of his being excited about an effect he had actually created, then he would not have begun by making ridiculous unlimited altitude levitation claims that are not in any way even remotely feasible with this method he was so excited about. He also would not have falsified videos or stolen other people's videos. It sounds more like someone who started lying about having created an effect and as the lie got bigger and bigger, he found himself in way over his head and had to come up with something, no matter how lame, in order to get himself out of it.

Themike wrote:Hi guys,
Here is some background on me.
I started working with Alex right before the shooting of the X levitation DVD. It is now completed as you guys know. The reason this whole thing started out so amateurish was in fact because it was a 12 year old at the time, trying to develop and market a novel product. He was so in love with his idea, that all the negative feedback understandably scared and overwhelmed him. He was expecting a grand reception, we know that's not how things work in real life. The moral of this story is that he bit off more than he can chew.

Fine but isn't it against US Law for a 12 year old to trade? And after all the negative responses, why did he carry on bluffing, even to the extent of involving the names of internationally known magicians?

I'm sure TM is the same as many other places where magic is discussed inasmuch as amongst our members we have working professionals and innovators who do nothing else for a living. We also have many who are equally accomplished but also have day jobs. Many of these members were the ones who queried the reality of this idea because, from their experience, none of it sounded right and, despite being criticised for doubting a 12 year old lad, have now been proved right. We also have other members who have magic as a hobby and earn their crust in the harsh world of commercialism - not only did they smell a rat, they knew it's name, exactly what it was doing and pointed it out loudly and clearly but again they were criticised for doing so.

The simple facts are that what appears to be a 12 year old lad, possibly assisted by confederates, tried to scam as many people as possible into pre-ordering something which did not exist or, at best, was a copy of other people's work. The quality or otherwise of any DVD is therefore irrelevant, it was the pre-ordering idea and obvious attempt to bluff everyone which gave all this a nasty smell and suggested that it wasn't just a 12 year old at work. On that basis, if Alex has any respect for this art and the paying customers who keep it alive, he should go away and wait until he knows what he's doing, has thoroughly tested and researched matters before offering any more ideas, DVDs or wonderful creations. I have no doubt that the spark of originality can exist in all of us and ingenuity knows no age barriers but the way he's acted dilutes just about every attempt to keep magic as professional as possible.

I personally feel there is something "fishy" about this Mike character. He doesn't seem to have a good grasp on the legal side of things for someone who is a manager. Granted, managers aren't required to have a law degree... it is mostly common sense.

The product sold is not the product recieved. Therefore, false advertisement is in play. Therefore a full refund is the LEAST the patrons are entitled to.

With Alexs' credibility, I wouldn't be surprized if this Mike was a charade. I do hope he is real, as that would be yet another step in the wrong direction for this poor young lad who just needs to give up on his products, give everyone his money back, and release a big fat apology. Then he is welcome to re-release this DVD which according to the review above is just a mere rip off... and sell it properly advertised.

This is just my opinion.

Tomo,
Side of the building demo is the X Levitation.

David,
Clearly you are an early adapter, and have most of the levitations out there. I can see why you were disappointed. The other products you mention cost several times more than the X Levitation. I knot for you the price is less of an issue than quality. The X Levitation is supposed to be a less expensive alternative for those wanting to get into levitations. You clearly are not one of those people.

Bronin,

Your recount is actually pretty consistent with the facts. When Alex thought of the X Levitation, in his head he invisioned being able to go up 5 feet. He was eager to share this with the magic community. As he started actually trying it out he realized it didn't work exactly as he hoped, and the estimates came down. I am aware of three videos, the demo by the side of the house, the demo inside the house, and the teaser. None of them used a pulley and Alex is in all of them. Perhaps there is another video that I am not aware of. I would hope that the majority of you would not take claims by a 12 year old that he invented a levitation that can take you up 5 feet in an open field seriously, and most of you did not.

Mandrake,
It is not illegal for 12 year old to trade, it is illegal to trade with a 12 year old. He carried on because it is hard for someone his age to admit he was wrong and face responsibility, it was by no means the right thing to do, but it is what happened. He is now facing his responsibility. I appreciate that you guys are proffesionals, which is why I am here, since I feel you deserve some answers. I assure you Alex had no confederates. Like I said before he is different from his peers. Your advice about respect for the art of magic is well taken, and he will be doing just that.

i1011i
People here can judge my charcter on their own, in whether or not I have been forthcoming in answering the questions.

Finally,
This will probably be my last post for some time, we decided to stop selling the DVD for now. In all the negativity surrounding it, most of which we are responsible for, the value of the product is lost.
You all were very professional and respectful and I am very much grateful. At no time did I try to condone or gloss over what happened. Alex is a very different person now, he learned a major life lesson. Again I thank you guys for teacing it to him, its better he learns now than later when people may be less forgiving. Now I ask David, and the rest of you guys to be the better men and move on. Allex will continue to deal with the fallout from this for quite some time, he did not get away unpunished.
Thanks again,
Mike

he did not get away unpunished.

true only several hundred pond richer and wiser for his next erm venture.

Now I ask David, and the rest of you guys to be the better men and move on

so no refunds then.

I'm glad i didn't buy the dvd though i was tempted by a 5ft levitation, i feel sorry for thoughs that feel mislead.

still no offer of a refund then.

TheMike, Alex is NOT in all of the videos. The one inside the house, next the curtain is not him. That guy on youtube has another video and looks about twice the age of Alex, has differnt hair, is taller and has a totally different face.

Explain that.

Themike wrote:we decided to stop selling the DVD for now. In all the negativity surrounding it, most of which we are responsible for, the value of the product is lost

If sales of the DVD are suspended permanently rather than 'for now' it will be a very welcome gesture. We can only hope that individual claims for refunds etc will be dealt with directly with each purchaser. Perhaps this would be a good time to draw the line on X-Lev and move on to another hot topic?

Themike wrote:Bronin,

Your recount is actually pretty consistent with the facts. When Alex thought of the X Levitation, in his head he invisioned being able to go up 5 feet. He was eager to share this with the magic community. As he started actually trying it out he realized it didn't work exactly as he hoped, and the estimates came down.

This makes absolutely no sense. If you know the method, then you know that there is no way anyone could envision going that high with that method. You really expect me to believe that Alex thought you could go that high with this method? Do you even know the method? The method is limited by a person's body and it would've been completely obvious to Alex how high he could go had he truly come up with this method before making the claims he did. He could've erred by a few inches and it would've made sense. But there is no way he really thought that he could go 5 feet in an open field surrounded with this method like he claimed.

Themike wrote: I am aware of three videos, the demo by the side of the house, the demo inside the house, and the teaser. None of them used a pulley and Alex is in all of them.

That is untrue. Alex does not appear in the video inside the house. That video had been posted on youtube long before the X levitation was even envisioned. The person who originally posted the video and who actually appears in it has been contacted and has denied knowing who Alex is or what the X levitation is.

Themike wrote:He is now facing his responsibility.

So, he is refunding everyone's money with an apology?

he probably cant refund the purchasers money because he has already spent it on shoes and sideways hats.

To Whom it may concern

Please be advised that I have recently became aware of the "x levitation" as I received numerous complaints from members of various magic related forums that had purchased this DVD.

I have spent the last few days gathering as much information as possible on what has taken place and spent numerous hours finding out what violations "axproductions" has commited.

I have given directions to those that have sought my help in regard to this matter to report it to the apropriate agencys and government departments.

I have been notified by those that I gave the directions to have done the following as I also lodged complaints and concerns myslef.

The complaints made are as follows.

*Deliberatly using misleading video tools to sell a product with claims that once the product you will be able to do exactly what has been shown in the clip.

*Violating copyright code by publishing and marketing a product after is has been made apparent that a violation has taken place.

*It is also belived that "axproductions" is not a registered buisness and is not likely to be filing loss/profit reports in respect to the financial activities of the buisness.

*Refusing to process refund requests in accordance with the consumers statutory rights.

*Creating numerous email account's with the intention to misrepresent.

*Failure to remove the product from sale as soon as the buisness was made aware of numerous violations.

*Failure to abide by paypals terms and conditions.

The following complaints have been forwarded to

The FBI internet fraud division along with appropriate evidence and documentation such as but not limited to receipts copy's of all correspondence received from axproductions

The IRS as it is alleged that over 6o copies of the DVD have been sold and due to the possibility of not being registered for taxation purposes to be taxed on loss/profits made.

Copies of public ommision of guilt have also been forwarded in the form of posts made by representatives of "axproductions"

I ask that if any other member of this forum has or knows of someone or has purchased a copy of this Dvd could they please contact me in complet confidentiality.

Reagrds

T Kimble

All because of some 12 year old kid wanting to showoff...gatta *love* it.

I actually find all of this rather ammusing.

I slightly feel bad for this kid even though he ripped a lot of people off...the FEDs are not something you want knocking at your door...

Hope whoever bought this gets a refund.

~David

I've recently been told that the X levitation is basically a rip off of two levitations.

1. The Elevator
2. The Icarus Effect

I mean, I didn't know that he ripped the elevator as well! Now hes not even selling it anymore. Hopefully thats a good thing, but it seems as if we'll be seing more from alex if you check out his site, www.axproductionslive.com .