talkmagic.co.uk

I went to a "local shop" to buy some supplies and to inquire about the gaffed card deck I posted a question about here, and it was an angering experience. There is apparently another magic shop not too far from where I work and I'll have to try THAT one... because the one I went to the other day (for the first and last time) left a lot to be desired.

I don't know if this is usually the case with magic shops, but they guy would say ANYTHING about ANY product ... unless you bought it. That angered me considerably. I personally was expecting more of a "brother to brother" attitude. I went there to buy an ID and Boris deck and to ask him what I posted in another thread about he level of ability necessary to make good use of the gaff deck - he wouldn't answer that. My question to him about the Boris deck was "are there any cards in here of a promotional/instruction nature that would ruin my chances of opening this sealed deck in front of an audience?" and he wouldn't answer clearly!!!! For God's sake the deck was $30! I'm going to buy it either way - I just wanted to know if it was "safe" to open it in front of an audience. ... and in case any of you were wondering - (I found out for myself) - DO NOT open in front of audience. There are two cards that reveal the nature of the deck. Anyways I was very angry about the secrecy. From my attitude and knowledge about the products I clearly showed that I knew what I was talking about and I think he could have answered that question without "giving anything away".

I also asked about another product I had heard about which allows for a rising card trick OTHER than the deck that I already owned (and I described it to him). He said "there's this thing here, it's new"- it was $7.95. I asked "how does it work if not with the mechanism from the full deck" - and of course he wouldn't answer. So I DIDN'T buy it (out of spite!). I mean I would have picked it up for 8 dollars considering I already spent $50 in his store on 2 decks of cards - but I was REALLY angered by this code of silence.... "until you buy".

Are most magic shops actually like this?? All my previous supplies were purchased online - but he customs duties on top of the shipping are discouraging.

It depends, JB magic do this a lot. But because i was such a good customer they would sometimes help out

ANY magic shop I have ever contacted has been most helpful, Penguin (in the good old days ), Top Secret Magic, JB magic, Magic Tricks and, of course NUMS.

I've been back to all of those because of the service.

I've never been in the shop, though. Communication has always been phone or email.

Wow Azrael, I've never had that experience in Toronto. I see you're from Montreal, if you're ever come by here, make sure you drop by Browser's Den. Very nice folks at the den over here. I've only been to two magic stores in my time, and while I understand the need to keep certain things secret until purchase, what you describe sounds a bit on the extreme side!

Although I'm from the UK I have been to Browsers den and found it most helpful... The shop in question wouldn't be a small "office" above a parade of shops in downtown Montreal would it?

I suppose it depends on if they know you really. I'm well known by the lads in Merlins. Knew them before they started with the shop. Don't have any problems going through different effects with them, they know I'm going to buy something before I leave anyway At least I can make sure it suits me and the type of performing I do

No the shop is not in downtown Montreal - it's toward the east end of the city and has a website and all. I guess I'll have to give the guy the benefit of the doubt - he'd never seen me before. But..... I still won't go back anyways and I'll seek out another store. In such a large city, I'm sure there are others!

The only one I have been into, is Magicbox here in the UK.

It was when I first got into magic, only having bought the stuff you can buy at supermarkets.

They showed me the effects of quite a few items. When I had said yes to some, they went into some more details with others. Needless to say, I was a few hundred pounds lighter by the time I left.

I think they have got it exactly right. To show EFFECTS, but not the HOW, until it is obvious you are buying from them. Sounds like you got a raw deal from your shop.

I also order from Practical Magic. One item was out of stock, so they rang me up to ask if I would be interested in something else. He then went through the routine on the phone, ending up with both a sale and a very satisfied customer.

My local shop were quite quiet the first few times I went in and were not willing to show me anything but the more I went in the more I got show and on my last visit I got.

"loverly to see you again I just got this DVD in, have a look" (showed me DVD). I then asked about a specific trick and was shown how it worked, and the bloke spent a good hour or so going through it with me and then took a quid of the price!

I have not been to the shop for a while and feel a bit guilty about that but he was always very nice once he knew I was serious about magic.

Alex

Azrael, was it "Le Spectram"? If so, I totally understand your point! The sellers there all have the "Classic Magic Dealer Syndrom". Sucks that there ain't no other shop in a 1000miles radius!
"Support your local magic dealer!" They say! I say: Damn you! I'm getting my stock unto the internet and choke on your lousy attitute!

There, I said it

Perfect Magic 4755 Van Horne Ave.

Thats the one I was talking about, the guy was very helpful and his wife couldn't wait to show me their latest stuff, but then again I did start the conversation with a list of dvd's I wanted seeing as the exchange rate was so good , my credit card took a bit of a pasting...

All magic dealers the world over are grumpy and miserable. Anyone that sells fun is. Even people who sell jokes look as miserable as sin.

Tradition you know.

True, indeed, *nods the head* and all other signs of approval

i dissagree the guys in Davenports are always helpful and will demonstate everything (even let me try one a Straight jacket to ensure it was an ok fit) and will help if you have a problem

That's because they are scared stiff of Betty.

Be careful. She might serve you one day and you had better be on your best behaviour and hope she is in a good mood.

If I were a magic dealer I would be like the devil incarnate and snarl at everyone.

Mind you my attitude would change rapidly if the customers started to wave hundred dollar bills in front of me. That is probably what happened at Perfect Magic. They could see a live one coming. It tends to make even magic dealers pleasant when that happens.