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AlanSmola New user 28 Posts |
Okay, so I was just booked for a public show that is coming up this December (New Years Eve) and I have decided that I need to start selling things after the show...especially that one. I have searched this site over and over again for information and I have found a lot of good stuff, BUT, I would like to have anyone's thoughts on the subject. Here is my question...
I have decided that one thing I could definitly sell at my public shows are magic sets...but what is the best way of getting these? I have heard that you can buy your own tricks and assemble them, or have them custom made, etc. If any of you already do this, what is the best set I can put together for the best price and the biggest profit turn-out? also, if I put the set together myself, what is the best thing to put the tricks in....box, plastic bag, etc. Another thing I thought I could sell is Svengali decks. Where in the United States could I get good prices on them so that I can re-sell them after my shows. I'm sure some of you already do this, so what has been the best place to buy them with your experience. Okay, and lastly I came across a website that offers your own magic DVD for the price of $350.00. It's a DVD that has 10 tricks on it all performed with white gloves, and when you order it from the company, they will put your picture and website on the menu of the DVD....making it look like your own personal DVD. I thought about this, and with the modern market we live in today, these could really sell! Now, I was either thinking about buying that, OR, I have a friend who is in the video business, and they could shoot a proffesional video of me explaining how to do some simple tricks on it, hence saving me the $350.00. The only thing is that I don't want to be doing anything illegal, but I figured that so many magic videos have come out with different people teaching the same tricks, that as long as I gave credit to whoever invented the trick, I would be fine. As far that this approach to BOR sales I am very new to it, so if any of you have sold DVDs in the past I would love to hear your input. Well, that is it for now....I'm just tryingto make the best decision as far as what stuff to buy wholesale and where to buy it, so I would love to hear what everyone else does and what works for them. Thanks! -Alan |
Starrpower Inner circle 4070 Posts |
Rhode Island Novelty
D. Robbins Oriental Trading Robbins has a minimum of $300 or $350. The other two do not so I sometimes go to them for smaller quantities. I don't know about anyone else, but kits with higher price tags ($10 and up) do not sell as well for me as items $5 or less. I'd rather sell a lot of lower-priced items than a few higher priced ones. Coin drawers and magic wands sell well for me, as do coloring books (not the kind that do a trick, just magic-themed.) Card decks only sell well when I'm able to demo them. Lighted objects are also big sellers (necklaces, mouth lights, and wands.) I've found good quality sven decks at dollar stores for (guess how much?) This is comparable to what magic wholesalers sell them for. |
jakeg Inner circle 1741 Posts |
I suggest that you try http://www.Wandkits.com
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Starrpower Inner circle 4070 Posts |
Seems pretty high priced if you ask me. What's in them? The ad doesn't say. Is anyone using these Wandkits with success?
At $7 each wholesale, your markup would be pretty high. The ad suggests $20-$25. My experience is you'll sell, well ... almost none at that rate. Parents will drop five or ten bucks, but will have second thoughts about spending $20 on a souvenir item, especially if you have 2 or 3 kids with you. |
Eldon Inner circle Virden, IL 1137 Posts |
We sell "102 EZ Magic Tricks" books from D Robbins. They have a blank page on the back were our cast can sign them. I give a few away during the show and mention that we will have them fo sell. With shipping they are about 25 cents each and we sell them for 2 dollars. We sell a lot of these each show. One word of caution, don't have a lot of different merchandise. When people have to decide, a lot of times they won't buy anything.
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Christopher Starr Inner circle Heart of America 1850 Posts |
Great links - I didn't have the Rhode Island Novelty link. And the Wandkit is a cute idea.
Good advice, Eldon, about limiting the choice. There is a very small window of sales opportunity after a performance to pitch something. The key to maximum sales is the ability to make every transaction as swift as possible. Anyone that has been to a concert recently has seen this sales technique in action. They yell at you and pitch the shirt or whatever, and if you take too long after you have approached the table, then they are yelling/pitching/selling to someone else with cash in their hand. Chris |
Starrpower Inner circle 4070 Posts |
But, I wouldn't make it TOO limiting. I like to have about 5 items. Oftentimes, a parent will buy a couple things for each kid -- but they want something DIFFERENT for each. If you only have one or two items, you'll only sell 2.
I will have mostly low-dollar stuff ($1-$4), and one $7-$10 item (usually a t-shirt.) For me, that works. |
AlanSmola New user 28 Posts |
Thanks everyone! It's great to hear back from people so quickly; I just LOVE this website. Anyway, I have another question. How much do you think I would be able to sell at this gig I have coming up in december. I am doing 3 shows, each 45 mins long...and everyshow is about an entire theatre full of people. WOuld it be a wise decision to spend the $300.00 minimun and purchase magic books from the D. Robbins website, or should I go for something smaller. Also, when someone mentioned that they get Svengali decks at the dollar store, do you just re-sell them for a higher price, say 5 dollars? THanks again for everyone's help, and if anyone has any experience with the DVD sales like I mentioned, please feel free to comment!
-Alan |
TroyRoark Loyal user Springfield IL 282 Posts |
I produced my own instructional DVD. I've sold a ton of them, but I also did my own shooting and editing, so the overhead was close to nothing.
I sell them for $10. |
MAKMagic Special user I got banned for one of my 555 Posts |
Agreed - those wandkits look like a cute idea, however - aside from the terrible website, it doesn't say what's in them! 7$ a pop as a wholesale price is too high. I'm not sure what gigs he's selling them for 20$ each and getting sales - but I want some:)
.:Michael Kelley
On the Level, By the Square |
Donald Dunphy Inner circle Victoria, BC, Canada 7563 Posts |
Click the link "Wand Kits" on the page you land on (at the top, beside the word "Home"). It will take you to a second page which shows the contents of the two different versions of the kits. Just pointing out the information is there, if you look.
BTW, I've never used the WandKits, but have seen the link before. - Donald P.S. I sell magic wands and also my own activity books BOR. I have also sold my own "private label" magic kits upon occassion. I prefer my own branded / private label items over generic ones. If you sell it for $5, and they see the exact same item later in a dollar store for $1, you will make them feel ripped off!
Donald Dunphy is a Victoria Magician, British Columbia, Canada.
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Starrpower Inner circle 4070 Posts |
No more than buying a $5 beer at the stadium, and finding the same brand for $3 a six-pack at the store. Souvenirs are always more expensive at events; people expect that. Besides, I really think they are worth it; try finding a $4 sven deck at a magic store!
Yeah, I buy 'em for $1 and sell 'em for $4. They are not all that easy to find, even at the dollar store. When I find them, I stock up. In fact, the magic store in my town buys the $1 kits and sells them in his shop for $3.95 ... same town! I agree, your own brand is great, but cuts into the profit. There's NO WAY I could come close to producing as good-looking a product as these for $1. These decks and kits are well-made, and very professional. I think I'd feel more ripped-off from the photocopied pamphlets that many magicians sell for a buck or two. BTW, you will get TONS more sales if you can demonstrate the trick. Hands down. Ten times the sales. |
adam christopher Veteran user 316 Posts |
If you want to see succesful merchandising go see a ringling bros. show.....with over 60 vendors on each of the 2 big shows, 6 penski's worth of equip. and 2 semi's full of stock it's an impressive operation.,,,,,but the sells floto division (merch) keeps those shows on the road and makes Ken Feld a ton of money......just watch and learn!
Adam |
Aaron Isaacs Regular user 123 Posts |
Check out http://www.fivedollarmagickit.com
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