Hi, I just started out in magic beginning this year and am mostly into card magic. I got started off with Ellusionist's videos, which helped me because I knew absolutely nothing. However, I just recently picked up Royal Road, and I realized I could spend 11.95 on a book that contained $200 dollars worth of the videos I bought. Not only that, but I felt kind of disappointed in the Ellusionist material because of crediting inconsistencies (Honesty is something that I really value). Also, I'm kind of getting sick of the crazy marketing and testimonials and such, blah, blah, I'm sure you've guys heard this rant many times before.

So, I was wondering if you guys could provide me with some of the online sites that you trust. Btw, can anyone give me a review on Desouza's Deceptions book if they have it?

Thank you, glad to have found these forums.

Hi Fallout,

Welcome to the café. You'll find a lot of great people here that will share lot's of fantastic information with you.

I use Denny & Lee Magic ( http://www.dennymagic.com ) for most of my online shopping. The owner, Denny Haney, is a semi-retired professional magician and has always treated me with honesty and fairness. He knows "junk" and avoids it. He will also answer any question I might have, without giving away the secret of course, and stands behind everything he sells.

Have fun in your magical journey. I'm sure there will be more suggested dealers to follow soon.

Take care, Mark.

I also recommend Barry's Magic Shop - http://barrysmagicshop.com/. If you give his store a call and tell him what you're interested in, he'll help guide you. The shop itself is worth walking into if you're ever in the neighborhood.

Have fun,

Jason

Denny's is also an great expample of how a modern magic shop works. you can call the shop and talk to Denny in person as well as order online from his studio. He is also well respected in the magic industry as a whole so you know The advice your getting is from practical hard work in the real world not just someone on a marketing trip trying to repackage someone elses work as their own.
There are many more out there like Denny lets support the bricks and mortar shops.
Michael Taggert

I'd Go with Denny's Magic shop If not my secound pick would be Barry's.
Ashley

Magic Warehouse and Daytona Magic
AJ

Penguinmagic.com is good although a bit commercial in ellusionist fashion lol but I think when it comes to "little" effects they sell on video, books are better... full lenght DVD are good, Jay Sankey's one for example

Yeah, but a little Sankey (no pun intended) goes a long way. He may not be one you want to imitate. That guy has talent... but man is he hard to listen to for very long. Just saw his perfomance in St. Louis and he was throwing things and insulting people all over the place. Though I guess when you have the technical skill he has you can get away with that. Just wish he'd tone it down a little. Of course, my opinion only.
Rick

I'll put a second vote for in for http://penguinmagic.com. Just be careful on what you buy. Somethings there are a bit secondrate, if you catch my drift. But, it's not too hard to spot what's a good deal and what isn't.

These are two of my favorite places to do business with Daytona Magic my # 1 choice of good old fashion brick and mortar shops in Daytona Beach about 100 miles north of where I live. It's a nice pleasant drive up there and Harry and Irv are the best!
Cardamagically,
<<<KRaZy4KaRdZ>>>

http://www.illusionwarehouse.com

You might want to choose a shop that is closer to you so it might not take as long to arrive. If you can find a shop that is a brick and mortar shop as well as an online shop that would be good. This way you would still be supporting a real magic shop. Finally you should choose a shop that has good ethics.

My Site - http://www.mintonmagic.com/newstore/

It is small but has some custom effects as well as other effects!

Thanks! Happy Shopping!

For online magic shop, I'd recommend
http://www.mjmmagic.com
http://www.penguinmagic.com
http://www.ellusionist.com
http://www.themagicwarehouse.com
http://www.mymagic.com
http://www.llpub.com

They all have excellent customer services, good selections, very competitive pricing and I love the free shipping and life time 10% discount after your first purchase (only Mjmmagic and Penguin).

http://www.magicproshop.com

http://www.mjmmagic.com is my favorite. They'll always beat prices, great shipping and has pretty much everything you could need.

Terrific advice on this subject! Allow me to add a few thoughts:

The “information explosion” in magic has been positive in many ways, but also has caused problems. This “explosion” and easy access to information has spawned some dishonest opportunists. Forums like this one are of great value to help separate the good from the bad.

There is such a wide variety of information available, a newcomer can become overwhelmed. You’ll also find many folks with little or no experience have quickly become “experts” and are publishing DVDs, books and e-books. You’ll spend your money on some real nonsense if you are not careful. It is wise to research carefully every purchase.

Let me make these suggestions:
First, study and learn to apply the axioms of the art; the age-old concepts which have stood the test of time. Study the classic texts (Maskelyne & Devant, Nelms, Fitskee, Tarbell, etc.) Many modern magic enthusiasts consider these works “old hat” and outdated. This simply is not true. The language may be outdated, but the wisdom in these books is timeless.

Second, this has been said many times, but bears repeating: learn a few tricks very well. Prepare ALL the necessary elements for successful performance with these few tricks. Learning the mechanics of a trick and hoping you’ll think of something clever to say when you try to perform it is a recipe for failure. Scripting, blocking, planning the misdirection, projecting your personality etc. are more a part of successful performance than knowing the mechanics.

Third, find a qualified mentor. This person will most likely not be a member of your local magic club. Nothing against magic clubs, but you need a professional performer who has years of performing experience and knows the venue which interests you. This person must be really good at what he/she does. You’ll have to have done serious work on your own if you expect a person of this type to help you. It won’t be easy to find someone like this who is willing to help you, but your efforts will be rewarded.

With performing experience, you will reap the rewards of your detailed preparation. If you keep your eyes, ears and most importantly, your mind open, you'll learn much from your experience performing. If you undergird your performance with systematic, creative, intelligent preparation and guidance from a mentor, you’ll have a chance of becoming a good performer.

Can you become a successful entertainer without following a process such as this? Sure, anything is possible. But you’ll save yourself a lot of time, money and heartaches if you get the background you need.

With performing experience and reasearch, you'll be able invest your money wisely and you’ll discover there are few good, excellent new mechanical marvels, books, techniques and “moves.” Maybe you'll still get "burned" a few times, but you’ll also come to value the direct, deceptive, versatile classic methods which have stood the test of time.

Thanks for considering my thoughts.

Regards,

Gerald

Was wondering why nobody selected Hocus-Pocus? http://www.hocus-pocus.com/ I think the prices are high, but the tricks/gimics/materials are usually high quality (you get what ya pay for). They also have a lot of online video's demoing the tricks and a good staff when you need to call for some advice. I don't think the advertising is over the top like on some sights where I feel manipulated into buying this new awesome, unbelievable trick. I also use Elmwood magic and I have used ellusionist (even if they are a little over the top the products are pretty top notch).

One plus for Penguin, is the special forums you can go to for specific items you have purchased. lots of good ideas to be found there.

Hi guys,

What do you think of the quality of products from "Magic Masters" -- such as their invisible deck, rising card, cups and balls, etc. Is there a section where various manufacturers of various tricks are compared?

-Ananda.