Just wondered how acceptable it is for many to buy from other countries now the web has made the world a smaller place, and using systems like Paypal for payment with credit cards (www.paypal.com)

Or do most U.S. magicians stay local?

Obviously in some cases there would be a language problem with instructions, but Australia, U.K., U.S.A., Canada, etc. share the English language.

Apart from the mass marketed wonders from the "big boys" the web does provide the opportunity to seek out stuff not every dealer carries, (and many magic shops are almost clones of each other, all stocking the latest from the major wholesale suppliers), seeking out magic dealers that do produce their own stuff, in small quantities, something, different!

Apart from England,the bulk of Europe now shares the same currency, the Euro, and certainly for magicians there, trading with dealers in neighbouring countries has become far simpler.

I know a lot of UK magicians now think nothing of ordering from abroad and it can work out cheaper, except for when you occassionally get hit for VAT tax. But that is not applicable on books. And if you are prepared to wait for it to arrive by surface you should save.


Paul Hallas

Paul,



I'm not certain if I am representative of the "average" magician in the U.S., but I do find myself shying away from over-seas ordering. As you stated, most dealers carry similar items. And when I see the pound symbol (I don't even have that on my keyboard) I don't even try to do the exchange rate.



I suppose it is easier for me to purchase in dollars, and I can have the item in two or three days, in most cases.



However, I'm not ruling out a U.K. purchase--or any other country for that matter-- if the price were right, or if it were an unusual enough item.



Scott

My keyboard has £ and $ keys. Never thought that yours might not!

Hi Paul,

I live in the Netherlands, and there aren’t any magic stores in my area. So, it’s almost a must for me to order things online.

The next problem is that there are far more online-store’s located in The States than there are in Europe. Holland counts maybe a hand full of reliable online merchants.

Most of the items I buy are therefore comming from abroad. Luckily I have no problem reading the English language (writing is another thing). So most of my purchases are done at American stores.

I must say I’d sooner pay in dollars than in pounds. Why? Actually, I don’t know.

I guess I don’t trust the pound.

It always seems so cheap, but after I converted it to Guilders or Euro it turns out to be (much) more than I thought.

I hope I answered your question.


_________________

N14

Paul,



I never realized that I didn't have the £ either until I was going to type it. (I copy/pasted the one in this message). The symbol for pound here is lb. -- and most people say they have too many are trying to get rid of some of their's



I don't suppose you want to lose any £ over there though.



Scott

N14, you should try and get across to England for the Blackpool Magicians Club convention. Possibly the largest convention in the world. Usually over 3000 registrants and over 60 dealers.



Scott, you're right, I don't want to lose any £, but now Xmas is over could probably lose a few lb.



Sometimes there are effects in England that are not available elsewhere. All dealers should have SOME original product.



Have either of you ever used Paypal for purchases?



Paul.

Paul:



I make my web purchases based on availability. If I desire a product that is produced here in The States, I will buy it here. However, if what I desire is only available abroad, then I will buy it there. My last magic purchase was the new Guy Hollingworth effect and his website was the only source for it.



I tend to use my credit card for purchases, but there have been occasions on e-bay when I have used PayPal.



-Marty

Hi,

I am in the UK, and I buy from all over. Because of the weak Dollar to the Pound some times it is cheaper to buy goods from the US than the UK, (unless Paul Hallas is selling it.) But, I have also made purchases from Canada, Germany, The Netherlands,

Whoever has what I need (or think I need)

Phillip <IMG SRC="/forums/images/smiles/Where.gif">

I often buy from Canada:
Camirand, Hades, Tony Eng in Victoria.

The problem with buying from overseas is the long wait, and since the Attack on America, packages from overseas are held up and investigated in customs, making the wait even longer.

Plus, the postage is SO much more expensive, and then you have to wait SO much longer. When I buy from my favorite dealer http://www.discountmagic.com
I call him, and two days later I have my item! Now, I don’t have to pay postage, because he is local - he just gives me a call, and I go pick it up. And not everyone will get it QUITE that quick.

He doesn’t keep a very big stock, and has to order most stuff first (which is why it takes two days for me), but that is why I use him - huge selction, discounted prices, fast turn around and no postage.

And yes, I use Paypal all the time, both to buy and sell magic.

Hi Paul,

Could you send me some info on that convention.


Thanks

Hey Paul,

Do you think it would be worth me going to that convention, even for me, a magic virgin like me.

I wouldn't want to feel like a duck out of water.

Just thought I’d ask, because it's only about 10 mins down the road from me.
Would I be a fool to miss it?

Advice???


Cheerz - Gavin W.

I have had very good luck ordering
“overseas”. I’m in the USA and have ordered directly from Pavel (Geneva Switzerland), from ZauberLaden (Zurich, Switzerland), from J B magic in England, and in the past used to order from Magic Hands in Germany and even once from the Vernet brothers in Argentina. I have always received good service from the various dealers, received my goods intact and in a timely manner (not much longer than an order in the USA) and felt that I got good value for my dollar.

My dealings with Magic Hands and Vernet predated my being on the Internet and were done by good old-fashioned snail-mail!

If you want to know what your money is worth when converted, say French Franks to US Dollars (1 USD = 7.35401 FR) or Dollars to Euros (1.00 USD = 1.12106 euro) or Pounds to Euros (1 Euro = 0.615765 GBP) and so forth then go to:
http://www.xe.com/ucc/

As one who both buys and sells around the world, there shouldn't be much of a problem, if you deal with a reputable dealer.

Personally, I ship any orders the day I receive them and have never had a complaint in the past 10 years.

(We now interrupt this post for a commercial message.)

If you are interested in my e-mail catalog, let me know and I'll cybersend you a copy.

cheers,

Peter Marucci

showtimecol@aol.com

Blackpool Convention details can be found at:

http://www.blackpoolmagic.com


Gavin, yes, if you only live 10 mins down the road, you’d be a fool to miss Blackpool. Just put a lock on your wallet Go for the lectures and performances, don’t want you to be blamed for your bankrupting yourself.

If you’ve never been it will be a real eye opener for you, you will see some of the best magic in the world. You will get a buzz for days!


Scott said:

He doesn't keep a very big stock, and has to order most stuff first

Hmmm. That's cheating, lol.
More advantageous for you because you live local.

In many years, I have only had 2 problems ordering overseas, first an international money order kept going, missing in the USA, and secondly, more recent, a stock order of books went missing. So both my problems have been U.S. based!

Back here, I once had someone claiming he had not received a book, but after I sent a replacement it turned out he had received the book, loaned it out the day it arrived, and forgot!!!
Only when his friend brought it back did he give me an embarrased phone call.


Paul.

Hi Paul,
I buy from here in Sweden, but mostly from the UK. The VAT over here is 25%.
But if someone has what I require, then I don´t mind where it comes from.
Have sent cash in the past via recorded delivery, but now use C.C. and Paypal.

Maybe someone can help me with a little advice... I'm an Americian who's currently living in Australia... I have a small magic page... Where I sell my own brand of magic.. At present, I'm having the people pay by postal money order... Which works OK, only I have to mail them back to my bank, as no one here will cash them for me... The PAY-PAL thing would be great, can anyone tell me if there is such a Pay-Pal thing other than in the USA???

Piccard, you can use PayPal from Australia. I have it as an option for my customers. I don't think they are the best option as they can be a little hard to contact! If you want any information, email me direct.

I sell around the world and I hope some of you will ask for a list or have a look when my new catalog is available (probably Monday). I use direct debit, Paymate, Money Order and a secure catalog (Visa, Mastercard and Bankcard) for Australian sales with Paypal, International Money Order (expensive), Bank cheque, Western Union and a secure catalog (Visa and Mastercard) for sales from overseas. I am investigating other systems, (Card's book will be available by direct download soon) and am prepared to discuss any other option anyone wants to use.

I had a real problem just before Christmas when my ISP was off the Internet for more than 2 weeks but I believe that people understood that it was nothing to do with my business, I just got caught in the ISP's problem.

I cannot compete with the USA and UK dealers on price for the latest items but do have quite a few hard to find and discontinued items. I do sell a few trade items on eBay (listed on eBay Australia but available worldwide) and may open an eBay store.

As a (US-based) seller of a single product (my book, "Mindsights"), I've had lots of orders from other countries in Europe and Australasia, with no problems so far. Most pay via PayPal; a couple of very brave souls have mailed me cash (not a wise idea)! In general, US-based suppliers do not like to deal with foreign currencies (even postal money orders), as the U.S. is not a very "international" country: most banks and other institutions charge exhorbitant amounts for dealing with foreign currencies (indeed, the vast majority of Americans have never owned a passport!).

As a buyer, I happily deal with foreign dealers, but only those who allow me to pay via PayPal or credit card (sometimes one and the same), again due to the difficulty/expense of getting foreign currency instruments here. In my native country (Canada), I can go into any post office and get a money order in £ for the same price as a money order in Canadian dollars. In the U.S. I pay something like a $25 surcharge to do the same thing!

And no, Paul, U.S. keyboards don't have £ symbols, but there are lots of utility programs that give one fairly convenient access to such things.

... Doug

I have had a very good experience (so far) buying overseas. I live in the U.S. and have bought both magic and other items from folks in Hong Kong, England, the Netherlands and Singapore. Items purchased included Derren Brown's video, straight from him - and he autographed it- a Koornwinder Kar with autographed instructions from Dick, nesting wood chop cups, a special set of shells for the shell game, and so forth. I generally buy stock items at the lowest prices I can find them, which usually means phone/internet/mail order in the U.S. as I don't have the luxury of a shop nearby. I by unique items, collectibles or other special things from whomever has what I want. In the latter case many are willing to autograph the item in some way, making it more special.
Cordially,
tr

You can get the £ symbol on US keyboards by holding down alt and then typing the number 156 and releasing.

You can also find a lot of weird symbols there by trying different numbers. O.K I better stop... ya'll will think I'm playing with ½ a deck. I just wanted to throw in my 2¢