The Magic Café
Username:
Password:
[ Lost Password ]
  [ Forgot Username ]
The Magic Cafe Forum Index » » New to magic? » » Where do you buy magic? Why? (0 Likes) Printer Friendly Version

 Go to page 1~2~3~4 [Next]
Schismatized
View Profile
New user
58 Posts

Profile of Schismatized
I'm relatively new to the magic community. I've been looking around at different websites that sell magic items and there are so many of them I don't know how to choose which one to give my hard earned money to. I have noticed that many websites only sell dvds and such, but I'm more in the market for books. which websites do you buy from and why?
Shalin
View Profile
New user
91 Posts

Profile of Shalin
I usually buy from http://www.penguinmagic.com. They have a decent selection and demo videos of most of their tricks so you can see the effect before you buy it. The prices are also very good, and there is free shipping on all orders too!

-Shalin

:bikes:
JohnLamberti
View Profile
Elite user
Los Angeles, CA
420 Posts

Profile of JohnLamberti
Shalin,
Welcome to the forums.

Prepare for a sh**storm, however, from folks who don't like penguin.
Corey Harris
View Profile
Inner circle
Kansas City, MO
1230 Posts

Profile of Corey Harris
I personally mostly only shop from my local magic shop. But if I do get things off the internet I go through either Hocus-Pocus.com or Hank Lee's Magic factory. I wont use pengiun for the fact that they steal peoples work and try to remarket it as their own.
Daniel J. Ferrara Jr.
View Profile
Regular user
Long Island, New York
182 Posts

Profile of Daniel J. Ferrara Jr.
Jim Snack
View Profile
Inner circle
1338 Posts

Profile of Jim Snack
I support brick and mortar shops. One of my favorites is Denny Haney's in Baltimore. He can be found on the web at: http://www/dennymagic.com

Jim
Jim Snack

"Helping Magicians Succeed with Downloadable Resources"
www.success-in-magic.com
calexa
View Profile
Inner circle
Germany
1635 Posts

Profile of calexa
Ebay is very good to buy used effects or books.

Another good site with good prices is http://www.magicproshop.com (I have very good experiences with them, ordered from them 3 times).

Magixx
Optimists have more fun.....
evolve629
View Profile
Inner circle
A stack of
3838 Posts

Profile of evolve629
I like the easy relaxing interent shopping from my laptop. I can do my research and then purchase my selection with a few clicks in the comfort of my home. So, it's no surprise that I buy my magic usually from: mjmmagic, penguinmagic, themagicwarehouse, L&L publishing, wizardcraft, madhatter, Meir Yedid Magic, and directly from the website of my favorite magicians.
One hundred percent of the shots you don't take don't go in - Wayne Gretzky
My favorite part is putting the gaffs in the spectators hands...it gives you that warm fuzzy feeling inside! - Bob Kohler
Joe Stone
View Profile
New user
Wood Green, London, UK
61 Posts

Profile of Joe Stone
Lybrary.com is great if you don't mind your books in electronic format - you can pick up some excellent classics for next to nothing..
Schismatized
View Profile
New user
58 Posts

Profile of Schismatized
I'm not in to using ebay to often... I haven't had a good experience with them.
THEGREATSMILLINNI
View Profile
New user
ROBERT W SMILLIE
28 Posts

Profile of THEGREATSMILLINNI
Hi Guys & Gals
Does anyone know where I can purchase John Carneys Book Of Secrets...all
of my sources say it is out of Print
Best Reguards To You All

Bob S.
milamber
View Profile
Regular user
California
130 Posts

Profile of milamber
I don't buy from a single source, however all of my purchases are online...
I have purchased from: Hocus-Pocus, MyMagic.com (Meir Yedid magic), Magic-Notes.com, Ellusionist and Penguin. I also purchase materials directly from the source if available.

On occasion I purchase material from eBay as well.
Cameron Fisk
View Profile
Regular user
Vancouver, BC
194 Posts

Profile of Cameron Fisk
I am also a huge supporter of brick and mortar shops! There are many out there that are struggling to stay open because of cheap impersonal magic sites. There are some already listed and more to come I'm sure on this thread.

I personally worked in a magic shop for 2 years and just got layed off because they had to close. The main reason, people were complaining that they could buy the same effects online a little bit cheaper. Well good luck getting sound personal advise online! Even if you buy online from real stores, you're still helping.

I now work in the meat department of a grocery store part-time between shows. Woo Hoo!!

The moral of this story? Don't make magicians work in meat departments.

Cheers,

Cameron Fisk
mikerobinson
View Profile
New user
20 Posts

Profile of mikerobinson
Penguin Magic - well, I did used to purchase my magic from that magic dealer, as their prices are always cheap, they have a demo vid for almost each product they sell, they offer free instructional videos with almost each product you purchase, as well as, what they call, Penguins Only private forums that only people that purchased the product in regards have access to, for the purpose to discuss the product they have purchased. However, I am truly being honest, I have eliminated my business with Penguin Magic, just a few months ago, for the reason already mentioned above. Their message boards are full of thirteen year olds that do nothing but insult other people and make pointless posts, and not only - not only their message boards, but they are unethical to the art. They sell products (Magic Makers) that are knock-offs of other magicians, they sell another magicians' magic that they have no permision of selling in the first place, and yes, indeed, as already mentioned, they sell someone else's creation and claim it to be their own; I.e. Michael Skinner's 3CM has changed to The Penguin Monte.

The thread subject is not for this magic dealer, but I did have the need to spit it all out and exlain the reason as to why I don't purchase my magic anymore from that magic dealer. I have respect for the art, and if a magic dealer does not, then they shall have nothing to do with my internet screen name.

Unfortunately, we have no magic shops in my area and I HAVE to purchase from online. I have tried a lot of magic dealers, but there are a few that I shop frequently from. Those are: L&L, The Magic Warehouse, Magic Box, and Magic Pro Shop. I purchased a couple times from the Ellusionist website, but I find that dealer way too overpriced, especially on shipping costs.

Mike.
Eric Dittelman
View Profile
Regular user
Astoria, NY
179 Posts

Profile of Eric Dittelman
I buy a good majority of magic at Hank Lee's (www.magicfact.com), considering that I'm a native Bostonian.

-Eric D.
calexa
View Profile
Inner circle
Germany
1635 Posts

Profile of calexa
Quote:
On 2005-07-31 16:48, THEGREATSMILLINNI wrote:
Hi Guys & Gals
Does anyone know where I can purchase John Carneys Book Of Secrets...all
of my sources say it is out of Print
Best Reguards To You All

Bob S.



You can order this book only from his website http://www.carneymagic.com

Magixx
Optimists have more fun.....
rikbrooks
View Profile
Inner circle
Olive Branch, Mississippi
1317 Posts

Profile of rikbrooks
I too bemoan the loss of the brick and mortar magic shop. There are several problems. I don't think that the main problem is the price. I'd pay a little more to buy at a brick and mortar shop. After all, you will get all sorts of personal advice there and that is priceless.

I think that inventory is killing the brick and mortar shops. A web site can 'carry' a massive inventory without having to buy any of it up front. I can tell you for a fact that this intrigues me.

Online I go first to MJMmagic. I do this without fail. I've known Jeff for several years, from back before he started his site, and I know him to be honest. This means a lot to me when I am essentially buying 'mail order'.

Of course the 10% discount is nice but it really isn't enough to tear me away from the brick and mortar.

Jeff's response to all my orders from him have so far been perfect and fast. No mistakes at all.

What more can you ask for?
Chris Miller
View Profile
Loyal user
Rochester, NY
242 Posts

Profile of Chris Miller
I use a mix of online and actual shops. When I was in Portland, Oregon, I liked to go to Callins Magic Shop (now closed) and also to Magic Fest (still open!). Both were very good and the people there would spend time showing you the latest and greatest as well as get you started learning the new stuff you bought. Since I have moved to Rochester, NY, I'm having trouble finding a local magic shop. I travel to Toronto, ON occasionally, and when I am there, I try to go to Browser's Den (A great Shop!). When shopping online, I prefer (in no particular order) the magic warehouse, Hocus-Pocus, Magicbox UK (they have the green cards I like to use), the trickery, and Tannens. I have also been ordering things from some of the magic craftsmen/creators I have learned about here on the Café, and have been very happy with those results: Leather products from the ambitiouscard.com, Custom cards from cardsbymartin, an effect from master of illusions, and some things from Lee Asher. I've been very happy with those purchases. ... I also have to admit that I am a recovering patron of penguinmagic. I was shocked when I discovered what they appear to be doing in terms of ripping people-off. I agree with the comments above in that the penguin site is alluring, but shallow, apparently questionable in ethics, and the message board can't hold a candle to the Café.

Chris
Schismatized
View Profile
New user
58 Posts

Profile of Schismatized
I am in the same boat with you guys as far as penguin goes. I bought one item and that's the last one I will buy. I live in az and as far as I know there aren't any brick and mortar shops near my house... anyone know of any magic shops in arizona? (theres not any in my fone book)
NCR
View Profile
New user
Northfield Mount Hermon, MA
61 Posts

Profile of NCR
I buy most of my tricks from Hank Lee's Magic Factory, but I get most of my books off of Amazon(When possible)
The Magic Cafe Forum Index » » New to magic? » » Where do you buy magic? Why? (0 Likes)
 Go to page 1~2~3~4 [Next]
[ Top of Page ]
All content & postings Copyright © 2001-2024 Steve Brooks. All Rights Reserved.
This page was created in 0.04 seconds requiring 5 database queries.
The views and comments expressed on The Magic Café
are not necessarily those of The Magic Café, Steve Brooks, or Steve Brooks Magic.
> Privacy Statement <

ROTFL Billions and billions served! ROTFL