talkmagic.co.uk

what about blacked backed bikes? i found this on the magicbox website http://www.magicbox.uk.com/product.php/908/11486/
are these just a more xpensive version? can anyone who uses them or has used them let me no please

Kati - have you ever used Bargain Magic?

Not saying anything against Penguin, but sometimes other sites are cheaper, quicker and give better service.

In fact, I've always found Penguin to take ages when it comes to delivery. I order from them only very rarely. In fact, only when they've got a Sankey product that I can't get hold of anywhere else.

The black backed and green backed Bikes are exactly the same as the usual red and blue ones in terms of quality and handling so using them would just be a personal choice or perhaps to enhance a particular effect. Elsewhere we discussed using the green ones for things to do with St.Patrick's Day, Leprechauns etc and I guess the black ones could be used for the darker, more sinister effects and stories where the Black Tigers might be a bit over the top.

ok, thanks!

Even Bargain Magic is a decent bit more expensive than Penguin (I think).

I will check when the site comes back up.

Kati

It should be noted that Magic Box are restricting the number of black backed Bikes that you can order - I think to 4 decks per customer. Not sure why other than they are particularly popular or they have a supply problem.

I often use black backed Bikes, depending on the routine I'm performing. They do, as suggested work well for a sinister style card trick.

but I've now progressed beyond self workers

Since most working professionals use self workers among their effects maybe it's not a progression.

I always have some self -workers in my act. Good to mix them with the more avanced stuff

katrielalex wrote:Even Bargain Magic is a decent bit more expensive than Penguin (I think).

I will check when the site comes back up.

Kati

Bargain Magic is actually a site that searches a long list of online magic retailers to find you the cheapest deal (P&P included).

but I've now progressed beyond self workers

You're right Happy Toad but I didn't mean it in that context.

I do of course use self workers as part of my routine - who doesn't?

what I meant to say was that I've progressed to a point where I don't use them exclusively and instead, try to find and use magic that is based on sleights and misdirection. Hopefully you will now get my point

Just adding my two-penn'th for MagicBox - http://www.magicbox.uk.com - as value for money, and more importantly service have been excellent in my experience. Very fast delivery too.

Penguin have been good - but don't find their customer service line terribly responsive when I've had problems. Felt a bit gutted when all their website ads said 'Ships today or it's free' - but when you read the small print (which I hadn't) it says 'ships next business day or it's free'. Fed back to them and got no apology, just a pointer to small print and that they'd get around to fixing the errant adverts 'soon'. Would still buy from them though.

Big boxes of bikes are cheap at CostCo if there's one near you and you can get membership (or a friend who's a member) - but they normally only have blue.

yesterday i used a magic store i haven't used before World Of Magic: http://www.world-of-magic.co.uk. Nice selection of products and at a good price e.g. Weapons of a Card Shark by Jeff Wessmiller only costs £23.49 compared to Alakazam's £26.99. Shipping is free for European orders over £20.

I placed my order yesterday and they were shipped today by First Class Royal Mail.

Has anyone else used it?

Yup. Bought a a few bits plus a close-up mat from them... much cheaper than anyone else. They came back and explained that it was out of stock and would take a few days, to which I said 'not a problem'.

Was emailed to inform me it had shipped - and he threw a couple of freebies in by way of compensation.

Very courteous and professional service.

I had a problem with World of Magic in that the order hadn't arrived in over a week - I phoned the number under the 'Contact Us' link and I had an apology, on the phone within the hour. The guy (my memory fails me now as to his name) chucked in a freebie (worth half the order itself), and I have no qualms at all with ordering from them again.

Their prices are real low and postage is free. I always check there first and compare other sites with W-O-M prices.

Cheap as chips...

'far as I know Penguin does have UK branch....how does the stocks differ? Any difference on the number of tricks they carry?

Anyway, I do recommend Penguin if you're unsure of the effect just by reading the description. It's good to know how it's performed, and, the Penguin products have instructional videos so you can learn visually.