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Jason K.
Regular user
102 Posts
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Posted: Oct 29, 2003 11:11pm
First off, I'll mention some things about this tape that some people may not like.
This isn't one of those sexy high budget tapes with beautiful multicolored packaging. The editing isn't the best, and it doesn't come in DVD. It's homemade, for cryin' out loud. HOWEVER: This tape has something FAR more special that MORE than makes up for these minor, trivial details.
That little something special is knowledge. When you buy this tape from Don, you arn't buying the tape itself, but rather information and knowledge that can only be obtained by many years of experience. (And believe me this guy has lots of years under his belt). He tells you EVERYTHING. From building a
pitch-stand to the use of optional shills in your crowd to generate a bigger hat to the psycological ploys used to GTFM.
This isn't a tape about magic, either. That may also turn-off some. This is a tape on how to properly sell a tricked deck of cards and make VERY good money doing so. Don't buy this tape looking for a revolutionary method of working a Svengali or breakthrough presentational ideas, 'cause you won't find 'em. Do, however, buy this tape if you want to make good money and have fun at the same time.
Yes, Don Driver's "No Frills, short, to the point, proven, easy to learn, homemade, cheap, money making Svengali Pitch" is a joy to behold. If you ever wanted to pitch Svengali decks, and have no idea where to begin, look no further. It can easily shave more than a good, solid year off your learning curve. Simply put, evry single aspiring pitchman needs this tape. Period.
Since his video hasn't really been relased to the magic-buying public as of yet (ask Don when it's coming out, I have no idea) , the price of the tape isn't really established. But think of it this way: if you watch the tape and sell 20 decks, at $5 per deck, in one afternoon at a fleamarket (very possible), that's $100 right there. No matter the price, you'll easily make it back in no time.
There is no need to say that I highly recommend this video.
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Review King
Eternal Order
Also on the Genii forum.
13201 Posts
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Posted: Oct 30, 2003 2:30am
How much profit would there be from the $100?
Don wrote me and I've ordered direct from him. What a great guy he is!
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David / straitjacket
Special user
Manchester. UK
948 Posts
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Posted: Nov 7, 2003 10:04am
Hi all.
I was lucky enough to manage to get a copy of this tape from Don and wanted to add my thoughts on it.
Firstly, Don is a great guy to deal with. He is helpful, friendly, kind and, above all, highly experienced. I have heard of people traveling for hundreds of miles just to attend a flea market and watch him pitch. Well, with this tape you don't have to.
I am a escape and sideshow guy mainly, so to be honest I didn't think I would get much from this tape other than the chance to see Don in action. I was wrong. As has been said above, if you are a pitchman or aspiring pitchman looking to sell the Svengali deck you WILL make the cost of the tape back on your first day out.
Don's technique is strong. However I think anyone in the business of selling, whether it be talking to magic bookers about that potential gig or working on a used car lot will benefit too. The basic techniques contained here have plenty of use outside of the Svengali pitch.
When I was first getting started I made my main living pitching balloons on the street. I would buy a few bags of modeling balloons for £3.50 a bag (containing 100) and sell the completed models at 50p - £1 each. Making about £60 per bag. I could go through two or three bags on a good day. I haven't done the maths but that adds up to thousands of percent in profits. Had I had this tape back then I would have made more, I have no doubt of that.
Some days, the really good ones, I could make £250 +, on the bad ones it might have been as low as £20. I averaged at about £120 per day; not a bad income. With this tape I reckon that average would have been at least 20% higher---that's nearly twice the cost of the tape for every day I pitched. A pretty solid investment.
Don's advice here stretches beyond the actual selling technique too. He lets you know where to sell, how to deal with problems, how to build your stand, how to get the best locations at the flea market and more.
One criticism I had with the tape was that the real-life demo happens in a pretty empty street. It is at a street fair very early on in the day and before hardly anyone has arrived, the camera pans round and you seem to be able to count the number of people there on your fingers.
I thought this should have been done when the place was busier. Thinking about it, though, this part really proved the whole technique, Don does his pitch to what seems to be a dead street and five minutes later his stall is full of people and he has sold about seven decks. That's $35 in five minutes to an empty street.
It seems that everyone there crowded round Don's little stall and bought a deck. By the end of the day, and after lots more people have been and gone, Don will have had the time to perform his pitch many many times. I can only imagine how many decks he could have sold.
I agree with Jason. The production qualities are low. If you buy a tape like this for pretty graphics and good editing, you will be disappointed. However if you buy a video like this for knowledge, real, honest knowledge which you can use to improve your pitching, sales or performance technique then you will find it's money well spent.
Cheers all.
David Straitjacket
http://www.davidescapes.com
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BroDavid
Inner circle
America’s North Coast, Ohio
3182 Posts
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Posted: Nov 8, 2003 11:10pm
Thanks for the great reviews and insights on the tape.
I haven't gotten mine yet, but Don told me it is on the way so I should have it on Monday or Tuesday, and I can hardly wait.
As an old school con man and long-time hustler from my youth to my late forties, even though I have changed my ways and never take unfair advantage of folks anymore, I always look for new ways to make a point and work a pitch in a fair and honest way.
Don is sharing a prize of knowledge that only experience can provide. And I have always believed that this tape would transcend the pitch of a Svengali deck, and have application in just about anything sold - if you think beyond the moment - and as Straightjacket guy spoke above, it apparently does!
Thanks Don!
BroDavid
====
Finally got a chance to watch mine, and it is a rock solid, slam dunk, if you can't make money with the pitch on this tape, just lock youself in a room and don't even go out in public - good, kind of video.
Don even gives you sources for the decks.
But as I suspected, this is also more than just a Svengali pitch. Don knows and tells about reading the crowd, moving them in, holding them, getting the tip, and lots of stuff that any street performer needs to know.
And even if you are a magician, who says you cant use a few extra bucks you will get from pitching a Svengali decks at a flea market? This is a great way for anyone to earn enough money to buy all that magic stuff we all want to buy.
I have a young magician that I am training and teaching the art. But teaching "real world" experience of how to work a crowd is the hardest. They have to experience it. So I will have him pitching Svengali's at the Flea market to get used to the "street" environment.
It is hard enough to get a good pitch around here, and so pitching Svengalis at a flea market is a good real-world experience for anyone.
I am glad that Don finally decided to share this knowledge!
Thanks Don!
BroDavid
Hey, as an aside, does anyone else think that Don looks a bit like Sonny Holiday? Man, with a jacket and the hat, he sure would have the Sonny Holiday look!
If you stand for nothing, you will fall for anything.
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Review King
Eternal Order
Also on the Genii forum.
13201 Posts
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Posted: Nov 12, 2003 9:23pm
WOW, thanks BroDavid for the great review. Don wrote me today and my video is on it's way. I can't wait to get this AND start using it. I think it might be fun for us to write about our experiences and coach each other into pitching!
I just got mine. The best purchase I made in years. Don tips it all. Even if you decide not to pitch, this video is worth watching and learning from. I am so pleased with this. Don came through with flying colors!!!!!!
THANK YOU DON!!!!!!!!
Chris
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Heygeno
New user
87 Posts
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Posted: Nov 16, 2003 4:57am
Where do I order this from?
Thanks
Gene
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Ron Reid
Inner circle
Phoenix, Arizona
2547 Posts
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Posted: Nov 16, 2003 8:27am
Hello Gene:
Here's the link to his page: http://www.dondriver.tk
I'll be ordering mine soon.
Ron
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Randy Sager
Elite user
409 Posts
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Posted: Jan 1, 2004 4:08pm
If you are thinking of Pitching Svengali's you can do no wrong by getting Don's tape.
Don does give the real work on the Svengali pitch.
Thank you Don for puting out a very valuable tool for the pitchman.
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brehm
New user
7 Posts
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Posted: Jan 2, 2004 6:10am
Where would you buy the cards?
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DonDriver
Inner circle
Nashville Tn. area
1001 Posts
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Posted: Jan 2, 2004 11:50am
Hi Brehm,
All that information comes with the video tape.
Happy New Year
Don
http://www.dondriver.net
"I'm with it"
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jlibby
Special user
728 Posts
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Posted: Jan 5, 2004 10:00pm
Well, I got my tape today, and I can only echo what everyone else has written previously. To get the real work on pitching Svengali decks, this tape is a bargain!
Bravo, Don! I'll let you know of my successes.
Have a great day!
Joe L.
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Ty Argo
Special user
Columbus, Ohio
516 Posts
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Posted: Jan 19, 2004 1:24pm
Quote:
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On 2004-01-02 06:10, brehm wrote:
Where would you buy the cards?
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Quote:
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On 2004-01-02 11:50, DonDriver wrote:
Hi Brehm,
All that information comes with the video tape.
Go to http://www.dondriver.tk
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Do note that with the two sources given to buy the cards (by far the cheapest and best), you will have to get a resale tax certificate from your state Dept. of Taxation. Mine only cost $25, so it's not a big thing. The companies will not allow you to order or set up an account without a resale tax ID number because they are wholesale (hence the great price you are getting).
This was a minor setback I wish I had known about beforehand, but I was still VERY pleased with the tape and everything I learned. The tape is worth so much more than Don is charging and I appreciate his service. Thanks Don!
-Ty Argo
"There is a world of difference between a spectator's not knowing how something is done and his knowing that it can't be done."
- Simon Aronson
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DonDriver
Inner circle
Nashville Tn. area
1001 Posts
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Posted: Feb 1, 2004 7:01pm
Hi Guys,
Thanks for all your very kind reviews on my Svengali pitch tape.
Have any of you gone out and pitched yet? If so,please let me know how you made out.
I'm starting on another tape."How to build a tip,get an edge for busking".(street magic)A routine I used for building tips when I worked "JAM AUCTIONS"from downtown Las Vegas to Fairs from coast to coast.Also on this tape will be three comedy "gig bits" you can use in any street show.
I'll be sure to let you all know when its ready.
Thanks again,and have a great day,
Don
http://www.dondriver.net
"I'm with it"
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Review King
Eternal Order
Also on the Genii forum.
13201 Posts
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Posted: Feb 1, 2004 7:28pm
Don please let us know when the new tape is ready-I"M ORDERING RIGHT AWAY!!!
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David / straitjacket
Special user
Manchester. UK
948 Posts
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Posted: Apr 12, 2004 11:58am
Hi Don
Any news on the new video yet?
David Straitjacket
http://www.davidescapes.com
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wmhegbli
Inner circle
Fort Wayne, IN
4457 Posts
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Posted: Apr 12, 2004 12:13pm
I only have one question. What is a Flea Market?
Graduate of the Chavez College of Manual Dixterity and Prestidigitation 1975
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Review King
Eternal Order
Also on the Genii forum.
13201 Posts
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Posted: Apr 12, 2004 12:29pm
Quote:
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On 2004-04-12 12:13, wmhegbli wrote:
I only have one question. What is a Flea Market?
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HELLO! This is where people gather to trade and or sell fleas, which is why there are so many dogs at these events.
Actually, it an old term for a swap meet.
Good question as the term isn't used that much anymore.
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David / straitjacket
Special user
Manchester. UK
948 Posts
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Posted: Apr 12, 2004 1:27pm
It's still a pretty common term in the UK.
http://www.davidescapes.com
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Review King
Eternal Order
Also on the Genii forum.
13201 Posts
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Posted: Apr 12, 2004 1:47pm
I bet it originated in Europe.
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Apprentice
Regular user
153 Posts
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Posted: Apr 13, 2004 12:06pm
Very common term in Canada too.
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DonDriver
Inner circle
Nashville Tn. area
1001 Posts
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Posted: Apr 14, 2004 12:49pm
Hi Guys,
Sorry but I still haven't gotten to my next tape "Building a Tip". The weather has just gotten good here (even though it snowed yesterday), so I hope to get at that project as soon as I find a place to tape.
I'll be sure to let you all know.
Thanks.
Have a Good One,
Don
http://www.dondriver.net
"I'm with it"
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ThorstenHappel
Regular user
Düsseldorf / New York, NY
198 Posts
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Posted: Apr 15, 2004 5:07pm
Quote:
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On 2004-04-12 12:13, wmhegbli wrote:
I only have one question. What is a Flea Market?
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Just a side note: this term is used in German, too.
"Flohmarkt" (= flea market) - and they are very popular.
If I am not mistaken, the French use it, too. "marché aux puces"
Sorry for getting a little sidetracked. Back to Svengali pitching.
Thorsten
-----------------------------------------
"If this be magic, let it be an art ..."
-- William Shakespeare, The Winter's Tale, Act 5, Scene 3
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DonDriver
Inner circle
Nashville Tn. area
1001 Posts
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Posted: Jul 21, 2004 6:08pm
Hey Guys,
How is the Svengali pitch going for the guys that got my video? Lets hear from some of you.
And for anybody that might want to get a copy,just stop my my web site:www.dondriver.tk
Hope to hear from you all soon.
Have a GREAT Day,
Don
http://www.dondriver.net
"I'm with it"
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mota
Inner circle
1148 Posts
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Posted: Sep 27, 2004 12:10am
I just ordered much of the Svengali stuff available...here is my review...
Don Driver's Svengali Pitch Tape...the best of the bunch, this is real world application, complete with the sources for what you need. A very direct, to the point pitch. I used to use Expert at the Pitch Table pitch from David Walker, but will now use this.
Expert at the Pitch Table...most expensive, at 50 bucks, but worth every penny. Get this with Don Driver's tape and you will have a complete education on how to pitch the Svengali and make money.
If you can just get one, get Don Driver's...it pains me to say that, as David Walker's pitch made me much money, but is true. As soon as you can, get Expert at the Pitch Table next...it will pay for itself.
Don Drake How to Make Money With a Svengali Deck...it was OK, but obviously dated, I could have easily got along without it, but I don't feel ripped off either.
Mark Lewis Long and Short of It...you can see this pitch at his web site. It is actually a very good pitch if you are saying this is what you saw a pitchman do once. But while it is quite good for performance, I don't think it would sell decks nearly as well as Don Driver or David Walker. It looks too good, and I am not sure the punter would believe he could do the tricks. Mr. Lewis confirmed promptly and shipped rapidly.
Doc Wayne's Ultimate Svengali Pitch with cassette tape of Pitch...too much tricky babble, detracts from the pitch. I can't imagine anyone using this, especially after hearing the tape. It is more confusing than entertaining.
So, to summarize, since this is supposed to be about Don Driver's tape and I got sidetracked...this tape is one I really, really, wish I had the only copy of. Watch this, practice it and you will make money. My only hope is everyone will watch this and just dream, and I'll have it all to myself...
If you are looking for a fancy collectible, forget it...if you want to make money with magic this is as close to a sure thing as you are going to get. Totally, unreservedly recommended.
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raymond
New user
41 Posts
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Posted: Sep 27, 2004 11:40pm
All the pitches above except one are based on the David Walker method of working the cards. Don Driver has recognised present day realities that you just cannot do 12 minute demos and expect people to hang about that long.
He has cut out the larceny trick (which some people regard as the strongest part of the pitch)and kept in the false explanation.
I do know a magic dealer who used this false expalnation in a theme park but although it worked well he didn't feel too comfortable with it because after all it is a downright lie to say the cards are "magnetic" when they aren't.
I wouldn't discount the Mark Lewis method so quickly.He has sold thousand of decks over 40 years in 5 different countries or so I am told. He is merely using the British method of pitching that was first brought into the UK by Joe Stuthard and developed by Ron Macmillan of International Magic.
I learned to do it the same way and I can assure you that it works very effectively and I believe takes far more money.
Certainly it is a spectactular demo but that is why it can get $10 without any trouble whereas with the American Driver/Walker method you are only going to get $5. Nobody is going to pay $10 for such a simple display of about 3 tricks with a false explanation.
Perhaps I am wrong. I have no idea how much money the American method takes. I have heard all sorts of stories but I would have to see it with my own eyes. You just cannot tell from one demo on an edited tape.
On the Walker tape he did a long dem and I think only sold one. If he had sold more the camera would not have cut away. On the Driver tape he sold 7. However it must be remembered that one of the 7 was a shill (what we Brits call a "rick") so we are now down to 6 sales. However one of those 6 was what we call a "roll up". Americans call it a "roll back". This is someone who saw the demo before but decides to buy it now. So we are now down to 5 sales.Actually if I wanted to be picky it was only 4 sales since one kid bought two decks.
At a very low price of $5?
It must also be remembered that we didn't see on the tape all the other pitches that he did that day. I suspect only a good one was allowed on the tape.
It is hard to quantify of course but I have often sold about 3 or 4 decks at $10 in the same amount of time. Same money approximately. But of course less stock to pay for. Sometimes I have sold 15 in a pitch and sometimes I have sold zilch. I expect Don and Dave Walker have done the same.
The difference is that I sell them at twice the price.
I did watch an American pitchman once. He was only a kid and did the Walker pitch word for word. After 20 minutes he sold one. I would have liked to have seen his boss work. He was trained by Walker himself and was renowned to be one of the best in the business.
However I did find out by various devious means how many they sold that day. It was pretty late in the day and the mall was busy. It was the height of the Xmas season and they had only sold about 5 dozen.This is a fairly moderate amount at Xmas. At the same time in a different part of the same city I was working the cards in a department store and was going through about a hundred to a hundred and fifty decks a day. I do remember selling 16 dozen one day. I can't figure out right now how many that is. I'll let you readers work it out. I am too tired. It's a lot though.
I am not saying I know which way is best. I truly don't unless I get a chance to study Don or Dave do it over a whole day.
I am simply saying to Moto that he shouldn't make assumptions so quickly about the UK method (Mark Lewis) It has worked for decades. I think it is fair to say that it was the foundation of Ron Macmillan's business (International Magic) today.
Having said all that the book won't tell you anything about how to pitch the cards.
I might do that though here. I shall have to see what mood I am in.
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mota
Inner circle
1148 Posts
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Posted: Sep 29, 2004 3:29pm
Thanks for the observations on my review...a few thoughts.
Don Driver has cut the larceny trick but deals with it in two other ways...plus he has a very nice way to give something away free. I admit to missing the larceny trick, I enjoyed it and sold many, many decks with it. But I have to be willing to learn, and the way Don handles this is better.
It is true that the Mark Lewis pitch is the only one on that list that isn't Dave Walker based (except for Docc Wayne's babbling waste of money). Many years ago I had a Martin Lewis published book/cassette combo titled "The Art of the Grafter" (don't remember author) which had a very similar pitch to Mark Lewis's for the Svengali. Perhaps Ron Macmillan influenced the approach of british pitch men, as Dave Walker has with US pitchmen.
The Lewis pitch is a very, very good magic routine, and a similar pitch in "The Art of the Grafter" did bring in quite a bit of money for one of the few British people I know. Nonetheless, I stand by my recommendation of Don Driver's Pitch tape as the best buy for two reasons.
1 The Lewis routine does too much, and is too involved to make people think they can do the tricks easily. Clearly, it does sell decks, but I suspect that it scares some away because they don't think they can do the tricks right out of the box. To me, simpler sells better, though I agree this could just be a matter of style.
2 The Lewis book doesn't go into how to actually sell the deck. As such, it may not be accurate to review it along other pitches that are designed to make money. As sold, it is a very good magic routine and would probably sell decks, but to make the most money selling decks, you definitely need more practical business advice.
To be clear, I really did like the Lewis book, I just think if you want to make money with Svengali, the Don Driver pitch video will serve you better.
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raymond
New user
41 Posts
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Posted: Sep 29, 2004 5:22pm
Thank you Mota for your reply.
The author you are referring to was either Walt Lees or Val Andrews. I wish I could remember who wrote "The Art of the Grafter" Actually Walt Lees put out a tape as well through Martin Breese. (not Martin Lewis)
Both men had some experience with the deck and did it for some time as employees of Ron Macmillan (Val Andrews went out on his own to a limited extent)but were not REAL grafters.
I cannot define a real Svengali grafter. You will know one when you see one. I am not sure if you are from the UK or not but there is only one left there. His name is Derek Ward and he sells the deck for 10 pounds. He learned the pitch from Mark Lewis about 30 years ago.
I agree that the Driver tape will earn you more money than the Lewis book. This is because as you rightly point out the Lewis book will not give you one iota of info on how to sell the decks.
This is quite deliberate. I believe he does not want people to sell Svengali decks. It is a business decision pure and simple. He is generous with information but not about this particular business. Can you blame him?
However if he ever did open up you would be getting dynamite information that would far surpass any of the American methods and take in far more money.
First let me take your criticisms one by one. You have only seen the Lewis demonstration on a videoclip and not before live people. Some of the fancy moves are eliminated except on rare occasions. The spread is ALWAYS included on the grounds that any demonstration that doesn't include it is pretty pathetic.
A couple of the tricks on the video are eliminated so as to fit in other parts of the demo which you have not seen. A couple of other slum items are pitched in order to up the price to $10. $5 is the road to penury and will only work if you are paying low rent or have something more powerful such as the squirmle to sell.
There IS an explanation to convince the customer that they can do the trick. It does not give away the secret of the short card (the magician in me hates the exposure) and the outright lie of the "magnetic card"
Instead the punter tries the cards in his own hands doing a couple of tricks.
Certainly to say that the routine is skilful looking and will frighten people away is a valid criticism I have heard for decades. However the sales I have made using the Lewis method do not bear this out. I remember once selling 478 decks in one day working from 10am to 5pm in a department store.I wasn't selling them for a low price either. The fancyness of the routine didn't seem to put those 478 people off getting their money out.
Ron Macmillan was just as fancy as I am and sold trillions of the decks (slight exaggeration, I suppose!) He would only work for about two hours then get fed up and go to the pub but in that two hours he would take unbelievable money. I still don't know how he did it. I do know that it wasn't by doing a simple routine though.
I remember when I first saw a Svengali pitchman doing a very fancy and spectacular routine. I wasn't doing magic at the time. I wanted to buy the deck because I was inspired and fascinated with all the fancy moves. I think this is why people will get the money out for a difficult looking routine. They want to be as good as the pitchman. It is a challenge for them.
Joe Stuthard came from the "fancy" school. He did not do the false explanation or the larceny trick even though he was from North America. He invented many of the moves in the Lewis routine including the spread.
He made a fortune in Australia selling the decks.There must be a reason for it. He was the influence behind Ron Macmillan who was the influence behind Mark Lewis who is not going to be the influence around anyone in the future in the ineterests of self preservation. Or so I have been led to believe.
I was highly dubious and yes, envious when I heard a grafter tell me that he had seen Stuthard sell 40 decks in one pitch. I said "40? I don't believe you. And how do you know it was exactly 40?
He replied "it was "bang on" (heavy with spenders) It was Xmas. I know he sold 40 because I counted them"
I still don't know how much credence there is in the story but it was clear that he sold a great many. Yet he did things the way I do them. With all the fancy moves. He did "too much" he did an "involved" routine.
He made money though.
It works. And so does the Lewis/Macmillan/Ward/Cronin/Neptune method.
The British way is always best, old chap.
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RonCalhoun
Special user
Independence, KY USA
558 Posts
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Posted: Oct 13, 2004 12:02pm
Don, I got your tape about 6 weeks ago. I ordered a gross of the Svengali decks and made over 500 of the "kickers".
I'm only working this on weekends and than only a few hours at a time. I've sold over 7 dz decks. Which means after expences I'm making between 20 to 30 bucks an hour, and remember I'm only doing maybe 2 1/2 hours once or twice a weekend.
Thanks for the tape and for your advice.
Number 1 Winner of the Café Search Engine Trivia Contest.
http://sos.ky.gov/executive/kentuckycolonels.htm
Member Honorable Order of Kentucky Colonels
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RonCalhoun
Special user
Independence, KY USA
558 Posts
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Posted: Oct 13, 2004 2:02pm
Quote:
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On 2004-09-29 17:22, raymond wrote:
I agree that the Driver tape will earn you more money than the Lewis book.
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Raymond you sure type a lot. 859 words, WOW. The above is ALL I needed to know. It's all my wife, 3 kids and the guy at the bank care about too. Show me da money.
You also said...
Quote:
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However if he (Lewis)ever did open up...
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Raymond, ya know "IF" is a mighty big word. But it don't pay my bills.
Don Driver's Pitch Tape is making me money, period.
Ron Calhoun
Number 1 Winner of the Café Search Engine Trivia Contest.
http://sos.ky.gov/executive/kentuckycolonels.htm
Member Honorable Order of Kentucky Colonels
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Mr Grey
New user
28 Posts
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Posted: Oct 14, 2004 2:43am
Actually he does open up quite a bit on the Danny Hustle site about this type of work. I will post an extract. I warn that it is a very long post
.......................................................
With regard to this gaze business I recently came across an odd thing when pitching Svengali decks.
For those of you that have studied the Dave Walker method of pitching as outlined in "Expert at the Pitch Table" you will remember a method of drawing the people into the table using a false explanation about "one card being shorter than every other card in the deck" (false play on words) and "a magnetic finish"
I don't particularly like this ruse which is standard and indeed essential for Svengali workers brought up in the US way of pitching the cards. However it is indeed an excellent method of bringing people close to the table.
I have adapted the technique and sometimes do this. "I'll teach you the secret. Come in close. If you move your legs your body will follow. You see that tiny mark on the back of the card. Just here. That's right. Come in close-you'll see it. The really tiny mark." At this point the punters crowd in really close (grafters unlike street performers want the audience really close to the table -"belly up to the joint" as Walker puts it) Once people are close enough I say "see that tiny little mark on the back?" I now pause and say "there isn't a tiny mark on the back. I just did that to get you to move in a bit" This gets a laugh.
It is basically a variation of the Walker method suited to my own way of working. I only use it if I find that the punters are not as close as I like.
But here is the point I am trying to make after the preceding long preamble. Walker states that you should stare down at the cards and not look at the punters under the principle that "it is a medical fact that if you look up at them and ask them to move in, they will actually move backwards". I have noticed that on the odd occasion there is actually some truth in this so I have followed the Walker dictum using this "tiny mark on the back" thing which is essentially the same technique as Walker's false explanation to get people to move in.
However just the other day I went against the Walker grain and actually looked at people when I asked them to come in. It worked perfectly and in fact even better than following the advice of not looking at them.
Go figure.
On another note I have been getting a complex lately about the US way of working the cards. I keep hearing word of mouth wondrous tales of how much money is taken this way. Yet I have not seen it myself with my own eyes. I have never watched a US Svengali worker working live. You cannot judge how good the pitch is by watching someone on an edited tape. You have to watch the guy for a couple of hours to really get the flavour of it and see how much money is actually taken.
Two things have been bugging me. The price of the US workers is always around $5. I like to work for $10 but give away extra stuff to make it worth it. The other thing that bugs me is the possibility that my method is too involved and looks difficult for the punters to do. This possibility was raised by a chap called Mota on the Magic Café. I have a suspicion that Mota may have been Walker himself. I was discussing the matter with him under the name "Raymond" when discussing in the review section Don Driver's Svengali tape which I have.
Accordingly I booked in a mall all last week for the sole purpose of testing the US way and price structure out. I did it both ways all week. I have studied the Walker way of working and did it more or less word for word using the same tricks and same pitch. I even did the same false explanation using the magnetic finish bit. I get a laugh when I say "the cards stick together like static electricity. You know when you run a comb through your hair. I remember doing that once" Because of my lack of hair this gets a good laugh. I also used my own methods of pitching for comparison.
Another thing I did was to test the price structure. I removed all the slum items and worked the cards for $5 at times.
My complex is over. I am now 100% sure that my method of working is far, far superior. There really is no comparison whatever. Perhaps it is because I am more used to my way but I found that it really outshone the US Walker/Driver method by far.
I sometimes wonder if Walker and Driver ever get a complex over my method. I do know they wistfully wish for a $10 price but they can't get it. I sometimes get it in certain venues without giving the slum away but most of the time the price is a little heavy even for me without giving the slum away.
I think it would be a very amusing thing if my method winds them up as much as their method does with me. We have both been working our own methods for decades. I suspect all of us are too set in our ways to change now. The timing has been set in over decades of experience.
People wishing to work Svengalis have a choice of working two ways. The US way or my way. Actually the US way has been marketed and explained. My way hasn't. I only detailed the routine I used in my book. People often call it a Svengali pitch book but it isn't. It is just a magic book with stories about pitchmen in it. I don't give away the secrets of getting money out of people.
Mind you a little seeps out here.
Here are the main differences between the US way and my way. I don't use a microphone although that may change in time because as I am getting older I am finding trouble with my throat that I never had before. I do not work mounted on a podium and in fact often work seated at a table with the punters towering over me instead of the other way round.
I am not overly friendly with the public and in fact am very rude and aggressive. A very brash style which is not necessarily part of the UK method of working -it is just nasty old me. I am filled with great hatred of the public until they give me their money after which I am slightly more loving.
My demonstration is far more visual and spectacular and I get far more gasps and laughs doing it my way. The criticism that my way frightens the punters away because of the perceived difficulty of the trick doesn't pan out when taking into account the actual sales. I have had very good sales over the years doing things my way.
Perhaps the US Svengali workers get good sales too. Maybe they are more than mine. I will never know but I would love to. I keep hearing word of mouth tales of sales of 15 to 20 decks every pitch. One vendor told me that he had seen a woman Svengali worker sell to half of her crowds all day consistently. I am sceptical and will have to see it with my own eyes.
I suspect the reality is somewhat different. Sure there will be good days but I would like to see the times when they do pitch after pitch and nobody buys a *** thing. It has happened to me many times and I am bloody sure it has happened to them despite all the tales I hear.
I suppose I will never know for sure.Anybody out there watched a Svengali pitchman having a hard time?
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