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markmiller Special user 731 Posts |
Hollywood Magic will be missed.
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rjthomp Regular user Pasadena 199 Posts |
Wow... Horrible news... Though I know that for about a year they haven't been keeping up their stock--just selling off the old stuff.
But Hollywood magic was one of the great ones in its prime and it will definitely be missed. -Rob |
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dsacks Special user 609 Posts |
Bummer -- lot's of history and fun times will be gone
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magicmanfrank Inner circle 1127 Posts |
Quote:
On 2009-11-14 02:52, Victor Brisbin wrote: I think the Costa Mesa store closed in 1998 or 1999.
The Early Bird may get the Worm, but it's the SECOND Mouse that gets the CHEESE!!!
Frank Thurston www.FrankThurstonMagic.com https://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Magic-of-Frank-Thurston/116625117910?ref=nf |
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manreb Special user 666 Posts |
Was down in the LA area last week. Walked past Hollywood Magic, the gate was down and Orsonwells' picture stared back at me. I looked up at were Joe Berg's shop use to be, then out at Hollywood Blvd and realized the magic was gone.
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Steven Steele Chief of Staff 1868 Posts |
The Magic Corner where Jules Lenier used to work is also gone. But the magic isn't gone entirely...just luck north and there is Castle on a hill. Hopefully, it will never leave.
Coram Deo
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carlopanno New user 1 Post |
I was there today. The big sign on the facade has been removed and there are NO TRESPASSING signs on the roll-up door case.
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noble1 Special user 651 Posts |
Anyone know what became of Hollywood Magic's hundreds of rare and out of print books as well as collectible props from Viking, Milson-Worth, Johnson, and many others that JNEAL spoke of in any earlier post?
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Kent Wong Inner circle Edmonton, Alberta, Canada 2458 Posts |
I visited L.A. about a week ago and, knowing that Hollywood Magic was closed, I took a cab from the Magic Castle Hotel to one of the other magic shops. I won't name the shop out of sheer respect for the rules here on the Café. However, in comparison to Hollywood Magic, the store was very small and the people behind the counter didn't seem willing/able to demonstrate anything I was interested in. Normally, I would have left without buying anything; but I'd already spent the money on cab fare, I thought I should at least make a few purchases. So, I made a serious effort and wound up buying about $170.00 in product.
While I was there, an enthusiastic hobbyist came into the shop. He asked the guys behind the counter for tricks he could perform at a children's birthday party. They suggested a few items but, again, they were either unwilling or unable to demonstrate any of the items the customer was interested in. Instead, they asked ME if I could demonstrate various items to the customer. I was happy to help out and so, I recommended and demonstrated several items that I thought would suit his needs. Over the course of an hour, this customer had amassed a purchase of at least $200.00. Now that the customer was happy and I had decided on my own purchases, I figured my job was done. After I paid for my items, I asked one of the guys behind the counter if he could call me a cab so I could get back to the Castle. Surprisingly, he seemed hesitant to do it, saying I had a cell phone and I could call a cab myself. I told him I didn't have the phone number for a cab and asked if he could at least lend me a phone book. He refused! I couldn't believe this! (Nor could other customers who were in the store at the same time) I had just spent an extra hour in this guy's store, helping him sell product at HIS OWN REQUEST, and he couldn't even call me a cab or lend me a phone book?!! Needless to say, I'll NEVER frequent that store ever again. I have great sympathy when people complain about the demise of brick & mortar stores and I try to support them as much as possible; but, just because you're a brick & mortar store, it does not give you an inherent right to that sympathy or support. The stores still need to EARN their right to survive. This means offering a good selection of merchandise, competitive pricing and great customer service. This shop lacked many of these elements and, if they don't improve, I wouldn't be surprised if yet another brick & mortar store bites the dust. Now, this would have NEVER happened at a shop like Hollywood Magic. The guys there knew how to demonstrate products and service customers. They had items you couldn't find anywhere else and they would make every effort possible to ensure you were happy when you left the shop. Hollywood Magic was the kind of brick & mortar magic store that DESERVED to stay in business. We tend not to realize how much we've lost until we wake up one morning to see what's left. Kent
"Believing is Seeing"
<BR>______________________ <BR> <BR>www.kentwongmagic.com |
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magicmanfrank Inner circle 1127 Posts |
There's another Magic shop in Hollywood???
The Early Bird may get the Worm, but it's the SECOND Mouse that gets the CHEESE!!!
Frank Thurston www.FrankThurstonMagic.com https://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Magic-of-Frank-Thurston/116625117910?ref=nf |
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noble1 Special user 651 Posts |
The store Wong is speaking of is in Studio City, not Hollywood. I had a similar experience when I was in the area and dropped in. The owner is said to do everything right, but he wasn't there, the help leaves something to be desired. Hopefully these posts will help things improve.
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magicmanfrank Inner circle 1127 Posts |
Ah, I gotcha!
Now I know which one you are talking about. If I was that owner, I would surely take note!
The Early Bird may get the Worm, but it's the SECOND Mouse that gets the CHEESE!!!
Frank Thurston www.FrankThurstonMagic.com https://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Magic-of-Frank-Thurston/116625117910?ref=nf |
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ClintonMagus Inner circle Southwestern Southeast 3997 Posts |
When I went there in August, several locals were hanging out and visiting with the staff, but no one acknowledged I was there or even asked if I needed help.
Nice selection, though...
Things are more like they are today than they've ever been before...
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Rick Fisher Elite user Rick Fisher 471 Posts |
"We tend not to realize how much we've lost until we wake up one morning to see what's left." --- at this rate there won't be many of us left! Shops can blame bad business on internet,etc...but it is often by their own hand that is their undoing...customer service is and always has to be number #1.
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markmiller Special user 731 Posts |
The guys that work at MA have a click and don't acknowledge those who aren't in it. Like someone mentioned, the owner is great and very accomodating however.
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JNeal Inner circle I used to have 999 posts, now I have 1617 Posts |
In reference to what happened to the rarities both book and prop: I suspect they were hauled out of Hollywood Magic by one of the family members hoping to realize a quick sale. Perhaps they will show up on Ebay or be unloaded somewhere at a fraction of their value.
It is a most unfortunate situation. I sympathize with Kent Wong's experience at another magic shop. I worked at Hollywood MAgic full time in the late 70's and part time occasionally thereafter. Hollywood Magic also went thru' periods where customer service was less than ideal ...and again it depended on the quality of the sales staff. Ironically, when the 'other' magic shop opened, many of Hollywood Magic's 'regulars' ended up going there...because they felt the ownership was more sympathetic to their interests such as sharing card tricks, and letting the 'gang' hang out and occupy the employee's time. It's sometimes tough to strike the proper balance between the social needs of the magic community and the financial demands of a retail business. Now that many brick and mortar shops are closed..where DO the guys go to fraternize? You tube? JNeal
visit me @ JNealShow.com
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Joe Mauro Inner circle 1133 Posts |
Quote:
On 2009-12-08 12:04, Kent Wong wrote: I don't think there is a rule that says you can't name the shop. What a terrible experience. Help us avoid it. Also, why didn't you give them back the magic and ask for your money back?
~Joe
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magicmanfrank Inner circle 1127 Posts |
Most all magic shops offer NO refunds on ANY magic item sold, unless the item is defective.
This is pretty much standard practice.
The Early Bird may get the Worm, but it's the SECOND Mouse that gets the CHEESE!!!
Frank Thurston www.FrankThurstonMagic.com https://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Magic-of-Frank-Thurston/116625117910?ref=nf |
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Joe Mauro Inner circle 1133 Posts |
Quote:
On 2009-12-09 03:08, magicmanfrank wrote: That's true, if he left the store. That policy would have to be clearly stated in big letters. I bet it isn't. Kent Wong, give us a partial address so we can Google and find the store. Then we can alle-mail them about their horrible customer service.
~Joe
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Kent Wong Inner circle Edmonton, Alberta, Canada 2458 Posts |
There have already been enough hints at the shop's name and location from other replies to this thread. I know that Steve Brooks and the moderators here on the Café are extremely sensitive about potentially defamatory comments and, as a guest here at the Café, it's my duty to respect that. I do hope their service improves. Having flown down from Canada to visit the store, that certainly wasn't the lasting impression that I was looking for.
Kent
"Believing is Seeing"
<BR>______________________ <BR> <BR>www.kentwongmagic.com |
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