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Hello to everyone on Magic Talk..

I wonder if anybody out there maybe able to help me on my new venture?

Now some of you may not agree with my new proposed path forward but please hear me out……

After a very demanding managerial role looking after a sale team I have decided to take more of a back seat in the company I work for which will give me more time for family and the new venture I would like to pursue.

To cut a long story short many many moons ago I was wandering through a market (In Devon I think) when I was distracted by a happy looking fellow pitching magic cards (yes you guessed it the Svengali Deck) and after 5 minutes or so and £1.00 down (Yes it was that long ago) I was now in precession of my very own miracle. I practiced and in no time I was performing to all my school friends. I think this was my first incite to what a fantastic hobby this is for me. Anyway this thought has stuck with me for so many years now and I feel it may be time to have a crack at the whip myself. Yes it does sound like old hat but I did some research. It is surprising how many people do not know about the cards if not presented in the typical fashion.

So here is the set up. I have sourced my Gazebo with sides (it’s going to be black for reasons you will see), I have chosen my P.A.system, display and table. All the patter is there, I was not in sales for 10 years for nothing. I mean the hook, the presentation and the end sale routine are down with just a few tweaks required.

Here are the three or four I would like to invest in with the intension of selling. Nothing to difficult and you could say more off the rack novelty items. I would not like to expose true secrets and items that magicians have worked on and are proud of.

Svengarli Cards
Mystiyfly flying card (Hummer type)
Dynamic coins across
Lights from anywhere (Hence the black gazebo)
Perhaps wiggles the worm on a wire (for the younger children)

Now I just need some advice. Does anyone know of a good wholesaler in the UK that can supply me in bulk? I have found a few that will distribute but I don’t want to go down the import side as I don’t want to get involved in import tax, duty etc and most importantly, I don’t want to sell second rate rubbish, the public have a right to have quality even if its at markets etc.. If any one has some information it would be most appreciated. I know most are available from a very well known UK distributor (MM) but any thoughts would help.

I understand trading laws and will do this totally legitimately.. I am not planning to make my millions and this wont be a full time commitment for me just something I can do at school fates, summer fares, boot sales and perhaps the odd market or two.

So if any of you fellow magicians know any wholesalers or have any ideas on products which will fit in with this pitcher style please feel free to let me know your thoughts. I have been through lots of threads I just wanted to put my plea across.

Kind regards

Steve

you are going to be bothered by the reverend Lewis in5.4.3.2.....







( I would give my eye teeth for a demanding managerial role looking after a sales team .. having been out of work for 7 months now, i cant help but think your timings off. )

Many thanks for your reply daleshrimpton.

Please dont get me wrong the decision to take a back seat in my role was not one I totally agreed with or wanted. Let me put it like this, sometimes you make a dicision because its the only one you are given if you get my drift. Perhaps I should have made that clearer but when the chips are down I have always wanted to plough my thoughts to moving forwards for myself and my family.

I am sorry you have been out of work and I did not want to offend.

Regards

Mark Lewis is the man to talk to for a good pitch routine on the cards. I am sure he will appear soon. The Don Driver DVDs are also very popular.

http://www.marklewisentertainment.com/h ... short.html

http://dondriver.net/

Don comes highly reconmended by someone is definitely in no way conected to Mark Lewis.

http://svengalipitchman.blogspot.com/

Good luck on your venture. I have to add one bit though, and that is what you say about the svengali deck, that nobody, or very few recognize it if presented differently.

Perform and sell it exactly the routine that is in the instructions. Contrary to most magicians. The layperson is not familiar with the effect. Most have never seen magic close up and personal to begin with.

If you perform it one way, and the instructions give a whole other presentation chances are people are going to be coming back telling you that theirs does not do what yours did! Which makes your sales misleading. By all means also stock the book 75 effects with a svengali deck, it is cheap and then you can also perform one or two out of the book and sell the book along with the effect.

This has been discussed before a few times. One of the useful threads is available here.

Many many thanks for all your replies.

Still having trouble finding the items wholesale.

Its a fantasic idea stocking the book as well but as with the cards its hard to find a good UK wholesaler.

Does anyone have any ideas or know of a good contact.

Regards

Steve

itsamagicthing wrote: its hard to find a good UK wholesaler.

I think that's your problem. You're really going to have to deal with the US for most things.

Just get a copy of Magic or Genie mag , all the wholesalers are listed.

The last time i was in Vegas the Houdini stores seem to pitch just the lines you suggested... the guy in MGM store must be the world expert on the hummer card by now. Every time i walked past he was doing a demo to some dude.

Hey I have been having the same problem there is a listing on eBay if you do a search and a guy from UK is selling "long short cards" with instructions at 2 for £1.10... Pretty decent. I also want to pitch Svengali decks but as a student I lack the funds to buy in bulk from America