http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=pla......A#t=350s

Jeff Hobson started his online Lecture Network and after much fanfare....it shutdown, burning its members. But, we knew who ran it.

Michael Close started his "For Workers Only" site, but after it failed to meet it's promises to members, it shutdown. But, we knew who ran it.

Now we have these Real Secrets guys wanting us to join for a big fee, but...they are anonymous, cloaked in secrecy, telling us we don't need to know who they are, because it's all about artists and creators. If it folds down and members get burned, who is held responsible? All the "big names" they mentioned won't man up. They'll just say "I only submitted tricks to them".

They say "The first issue will ship out the beginning of April". What exactly is an "issue"? What's in it? They won't say. How do they define the beginning of April for the first shipment? April 1st? 7th? The 14th?

This may be the greatest event/idea magic has ever known. But considering how they have represented themselves, I'd say it's going, in a short time, be a big failure.

I'l stick with The Magic Café, Genii, Magic and Reel Magic.

Thanks Eric

I thought I was going out on a limb here as the first one to post with doubts. Thanks, guys, for chiming in with your perspectives!

Tim Trono has worked with some of the biggest names in magic, developing and bringing out magic we all use. Michael Webber is an actual genius. All the names mentioned are well respected.

My issue is with the original poster and how this was presented. If you prepare a perfect filet mignon, in a 5 star restaurant, but serve it on a dirty paper plate, the customer will be turned off and not accept it.

If your going to ask people to pay over $100 dollars for something then you have an obligation to provide far more information than So far has been given. Too many secrets.

I think this is the key point. Micheal Weber rarely releases material. He would not tarnish his rep with something that was not solid.
I wonder how hard it is to cancel? They say "recurring" these things can be a nightmare.
James
ps
I have this DVD of a Japanese TV show with Weber doing a hammered nail matrix. The nails are in the board, then he magically moves them around.
eyepopping!

The website has "NO" contact information, "No" address, "No" phone number, "No"names but there "IS" a link to send your money.
Ummmmmm I'm signing up!!

I'm signing up, too-- to Reel Magic Magazine.

I just showed the ad to a close friend who knows a little about marketing. He agrees that this whole thing should be avoided. regardless of who may or not be part of this project, having no name, address, or contact info is extremely bad business practices. There is no protection in place for customers, and they should be offering a money back guarantee. If there are big reputal names on this project, why such an unethical and immoral way to sell a product? No one goes into such secrecy unless there is something to hide. In this case people are hiding, and in this industry we know that there are several dishonest, immoral, unethical liars and thiefs. The surprising thing is, they once were reputable names in our industry.

I've been ripped on site and I know who they are....

Not withstanding the screams of the terrified, I cannot imagine Steve Brooks joining up AND touting this without knowing the people involved, being shown the stuff already on the shelf,and having trust in the people's ability to pull this off.

I'd drop $150 on this...I've dropped more on highly touted unworkable carp from other people I've heard of...but none of those names were Brooks, Maven or Weber.

Tho...it is probably time to fess up to the other info such as names of the founders and publishers. This thing could be REALLY exciting and could call out some high end work...private, limited, no revealing...sounds real good to me.

It may well not be something they want hoards of people joining. There well be some altruistic things going on.

Then again, I could be wrong.

But, in the meantime, I'm in. It's worth the risk of a 3-month subscripton at the least.

I see where you can sign up and pay via PayPal, though it says there that you agree with the Terms - which are nebulous at best. Also, no privacy policy that I can find. I think I will beg out of this one.

Thank you.

Jim

My understanding is that one of the names associated with Real Secrets is going to make a statement regarding the major concerns of people...in the meantime, hang in there!

Regards,
Mike

I took the chance the other day and paid a full year membership, because I like the idea of getting a magic surprise each month. However, after reading many of the concerns posted here, I'm having second thoughts, and I emailed Real Secrets to ask them for a refund. I'll let you all know how that goes.

[quote]On 2012-02-20 06:24, Xiqual wrote:
I wonder how hard it is to cancel? They say "recurring" these things can be a nightmare.
James
[quote]
With Paypal, it's as easy as pushing a button on their website.

Saw Mr Weber at blackpool convention this weekend and he was selling subscriptions to this on his stand. For me, that is enough proof it is legit.

Moreover, he was really excited about this, and the things they were going to release.

Good day gentlemen,

Jon Hackett

Nice to see a rabbling mob trash this with no evidence of anything. Assumptions of intent flying like snarky arrows. Assumptions of the very worst instead of assumptions of the very best. Perhaps, if everyone who objects does NOT join in, the actual members would be better off? So far there are....oops, as a member, I cannot comment on content.

However: $12 a month for exclusive hot stuff....cheaper than ANY eBook out there.

Relax. If you don't like the setup, DON'T join, and it doesn't concern you. If you do like it, join up.

...and I'd bet refund request will be handled promptly. Think about it...why would anyone give anyone a hassle on refunds this early in the game?

Some people will join because of the creators behind it ( I wanted to ). In about two months they should receive their first 'miracle'. Maybe we'll get a review.

But..the "REAL SECRETS TEAM" says in their first and only Café post "Certainly you can discuss whether you like or hate Real Secrets with others around you but you simply have to agree to the rules of the game to be and continue to be a member".

So...will they just come here and say the first trick they received is the greatest trick they have ever seen...but...they can't discuss it. Just take their word for it and join right away.

I'd be very suspect of reviews that come in as online forums already have the friends of creators giving glowing reviews. There is talk that companies and creators pay people to give glowing reviews. The online world of magic is like a Twilight Zone episode where you don't know who to trust.

Do do do do, do do do do......

If the stuff is good, members will NOT want others to join. Exclusive is exclusive, and silence is the lock.

And apparently the creators are demanding secrecy. How is this bad?