talkmagic.co.uk

I've just received an email from Penguin ( which I'm sure some of you have also received ) promoting the effect The Grail. The subject line is a quote from a user ""Undoubtedly the best trick I've ever seen." -John Ray, NJ"

The full quote inside reads

"This is by far the cleanest most mind boggling trick on penguin. It is so extremely simple and involes only the very slightest bit of math. there is absolutely no sleight of hand everything you see you will get and definatley worth the price" -John Ray

This kind of thing makes my blood boil.

Are we supposed to know who this John Ray is? Has he really purchased all of Penguins output in order to be able to make this statement. His full endorsement contains two spelling errors, why on earth would I want that associated with a product I'm trying to sell.

A quick Google search for John Ray Magician just turns up a single magic related link which is to an awful Youtube video.

Jay Sankey is guilty of this also, littering his promotional emails with quotes from random nobodies saying how it's the best thing they have ever seen. How is this supposed to influence our decision to purchase>? I can understand quoting a famous magician about your product, but a bunch of absolute nobodies..?

I am fully aware I am also an absolute nobody, but at the very east if you Google "Rob Sharp Magician" you will find my Facebook magician page and my regular website so people at least know I actually /do/ a bit of magic now and then.

Rant over, we now return you to your regular service...

R

P.S. If there is a famous magician called John Ray out there somewhere then I humbly apologise, but might I suggest you may need a better publicist since I have never heard of you and neither has Google.

P.P.S Magic Bunny readers may have a sense of Deja-vu while reading this thread.