talkmagic.co.uk

I'm in the market for MP, ID and maybe BW, however ...

I was stung by a c*** (not the best) stripper (1mm) because I didn't know what to ask. I didn't realise there was more than one standard.

Is this the case with these other decks or can I just go ahead and get them from anywhere, so long as they are bikes?

You'll be okay with an ID or a BW. They're the same principle, really, or rather, the inverse of each other. They won't last forever, but once you get them, you'll realise how to "repair" them when they become worn.

Yes my Brain wave is a bit worse for ware at the moment but if you want a gimmicked deck i do go for svengali.

I just wanted to make sure there was not a quality issue with ID and I could get a rubbish one.

I think as long as you buy from a reputable shop you should be ok. I got stung on ebay once when I bought some doubleback cards, when they came they looked like they'd been printed in someones garage.

The gimmick on an ID does wear out quite quickly but it's easy enough to fix.

Lady of Mystery wrote:I think as long as you buy from a reputable shop you should be ok.

So there are issues of quality with an ID? What do I ask the vendor to ensure I'm not getting a duffer?

I cant imagine that their would be any quality issues with an ID. If there are they should be easy enough to repair.

I have bought IDs from Ellusionist and Penguin. Both did the job fine.

smarvell wrote:So there are issues of quality with an ID? What do I ask the vendor to ensure I'm not getting a duffer?

I think you're over-thinking this, mate.

Magictricks.co.uk, NUMS, Card Collection, anywhere everyone else buys them from is okay. Once you get it open, you'll soon see how to make your own or repair a failing one.

Tomo's right. The only problem I've ever had with the quality of anything I bought was when it came from ebay. Just keep away from there and you'll be fine.

Some one said "Thinking ruins magic" I think it may of been Vernon

I have a Bw as said before the priciple is the same as the ID once you know how they work you can repire them even make your own if the deck is totally worn out. Has for quilty I got mine from International magic bout 2 years ago and the held up well. So longs you get them from a good dealer on bike stock you should be fine.

As for Lady of Mystery getting stug on ebay if you want double backers I think you should get Martinis (no relation) Dvd on card splitting will save you money in the long run.

Then again I have only brought one thing of ebay and that was a very well made svenagli deck.

most gimmicked cards are not "gimmicked" by the USPCC. they are "gimmicked" by other companies afterwards. therefore the quality of the "gimmicking" can vary greatly.

there is a wholesale distributor called "Magic Makers". seems like most gimmicking they "do/arrange/source" is good. this applies to the ID, Brainwave Deck, Svengali decks etc. they are not a retailer so you need to check with yr retailer if MM's are their source.

however, it NO LONGER applies to stripper decks. the USPCC now produces one themselves. it has a far more "balanced" and "precise" gimmick that is every bit as easy to use, but 100 times more difficult for a spec to see. these are beautiful. when buying a stripper deck, ensure you ask, is it a "Factory Sealed USPCC" produced deck. they are the ONLY stripper decks to buy. you will know it's legit because the deck and the celo wrap are still sealed when you get them. the gimmicking has been done by the USPCC before packing.

also, i have bought many times from eBay. i stick to certain retailers and have never had a problem... save a lot of money. i guess it depends more so on "who" you buy from, not so much just that it is eBay.

hope this is helpful.

Well, here's a small 'topical' topic...

I've just had to remove the ID from NUMS after I discovered the batch I had were VERY poor quality.

My usual supplier was out of stock, so I took a plunge and dealt with another wholesaler—who were DEARER per-deck—and they even delivered quicker.

However, upon inspection (yes—unlike most magic box-shifter, I actually CHECK the stuff I stock) I noticed the ID's didn't contain 'a routine'. On further inspection I noted the cards didn't actually 'work' mechanically as easily as my regular brand.

Ergo, they are off line, and on their way back for a refund.

However, my regular brand are on the way back into stock—badged up and including the routine by Daryl (yeah, THE Daryl uses ID's too ).

Over my short time in the 'retail' side of magic, I've noticed the quality of magic accessories is divided by a HUGE gap... ranging from the horrible to the exquisite.

I feel honour bound to supply the best quality at the best price, and I'm sure that's the reason you see some dealers selling items far cheaper than others—because there IS a diversity out there.

My mother in law (bless her) has a fantastic phrase which actually makes a lot of sense, which I'll share with you as an end-note:

Buy cheap, buy twice.

To qoute Jack Choen of Tesco fame.

Buy cheap Buy quilty Stack them high.


I understand that diffrant manafactures have verying qulities take clothes for example. But in magic you need that quality to be high everything has to work first time bang on. But with gimmicked decks the quality veries with a huge gulf in between.

I rember when i first got a gimmicked deck it was a haunted deck i got it home to find the seal had been broken. After inspecting the deck i found out it had been "made". I felt swindled because i thought the USPCC make them!

But in magic as all businesses some people will sell you tat for a lot of money and some will sell you good stuff for less. It is just a case of finding who.

seige wrote:Buy cheap, buy twice.

Ain't that the truth!

Ok, so I didnt know that there were different qualities Ive bought all mine of ebay.. they work well but I wonder if there are better qualities out there..

I have also bought all my rising decks off ebay.. they work about .. oohh.. give or take 5 times then are rendered useless.!!

Thats the only gimmicked cards or otherwise I buy off ebay