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digiquick Regular user Sydney 114 Posts |
Anybody bought it - A customer of mine purchased this and has told me its crap - same guy also purchased Mar Wilsons Magic Bingo and thought that to be a rip of - the DVD does not even show a performance - I think the scams and poorly produce rubbish is increasing, why are we magicians so foolish as to buy this stuff.
I sell Magic in Australia - Australian Magicians soon tell me in very strong language when they are unhappy - It is happening a lot. I now have a policy that if when I order anything in for a customer - If I consider it to be a sc am or rubbish I give it to em Free. However I will shout loud from my site to let my customers know. My advice is to stick to the well known names, but then How did Magic Bingo slip through. Mark Wilson hang your head in shame, or at least reply to my customers complaint Another item that I refunded on was Dream Gimmick, the DVD was poor and the gimmick ws very plain. Now we are getting a host of DVDs covering one trick - Look at the new Tac Tics by Jonathan Egginton - Catapult a 2 DVD set covered this effect and so many other things. I could go on and on - but whilst magicians are prepaired to put up with it and buy this garbage it will continue |
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Joshua Barrett Inner circle Cincinnati, Ohio 3631 Posts |
I know many who love the dream gimmick and the dvd. I love catapult. I liked the ghost shelf. sounds to me like your customers are taking advantage of you, as the products they are buying are of fine quaility. why does a magic dvd have to be hollywood quality... does it chnage the content?
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digiquick Regular user Sydney 114 Posts |
I do think customers are entitled to a profesional production - Re Mark Wilsons Magic Bingo - at least have some footage of the effect being performed, give some ideas as to presentation and performance, at least have the good manners to reply to a complaint.
Ghost Shelf, well that's your opinion - I saw it and wont be selling them Dream Gimmick - Mmm take a look at Zombie Ball DVD by the Worlds Greatest magic - Now that's real value for money |
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Joshua Barrett Inner circle Cincinnati, Ohio 3631 Posts |
You can think what you want but the best trick I do, was filmed in someones living room.
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GarySumpter Special user UK 857 Posts |
Digiquickm with respect, do you not look at the products you sell before offering them to your customers? I worked for a well known UK Magic Dealer and everything that came in was checked for quality etc prior to being made available.
Just curious if you do the same? Gary |
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Cameron Francis V.I.P. 7025 Posts |
Joshua, I don't believe he was questioning the quality of Platt's dvd, just the Egginton trick "Tac Tics" which is a one trick dvd and apparently contains the same handling as Platt's trick... but sells for around $25.
MOMENT'S NOTICE LIVE 3 - Six impromptu card tricks! Out now! http://cameronfrancismagic.com/moments-notice-live-3.html
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Jay Crowe Loyal user Visual Artist 269 Posts |
Quote:
On 2007-12-19 15:09, Cameron Francis wrote: You are wrong. Honestly I'm a little bit tired of assumptions when people don't actually own the effects or doesen't even cares to ask the creators/producers before making false statements. Regards.
CEO, Eureka Magic
www.eurekamagic.com - magic that works www.facebook.com/eurekamagic www.facebook.com/jaycrowemagic |
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Cameron Francis V.I.P. 7025 Posts |
Okay. Sorry about that.
But I did say "apparently". I didn't state it as fact.
MOMENT'S NOTICE LIVE 3 - Six impromptu card tricks! Out now! http://cameronfrancismagic.com/moments-notice-live-3.html
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Jay Crowe Loyal user Visual Artist 269 Posts |
Cameron,
No problem, It happens, I forgive you.
CEO, Eureka Magic
www.eurekamagic.com - magic that works www.facebook.com/eurekamagic www.facebook.com/jaycrowemagic |
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MagicSanta Inner circle Northern Nevada 5841 Posts |
Digiquick has a problem...he is in Australia. The problem is shipping to Australia and back to distributors is expensive. While it is a good idea to check out a product before agreeing to sell it his profits would be eaten up if he had individual units sent to him for review then another shipping fee started (rates for carriers start, if a discount is in place, at close to $30 for a box or more, I am in the international shipping business) and that would have to be passed on to customers already paying extra for everything. If he buys a dozen of an item, reviews it, and it isn't good then he again has to pay for the shipping back because it is his decision to not sell rather than a fault of distributors.
The simple fact is anyone can produce a DVD or a hard copy routine. Computers make it so simple even I could do it if so inclined. The distributor isn't responsible for the quality of the magic even though some, like Murphy's Magical Supplies and Magic City, have magicians in house that are willing and able to help take a product from a 'maybe it would sell' item to a better packaged one that could sell. Remember, a distributor exist because they have the network to put products into shops and the ability to inventory and ship them. If I had a product in mind I'd turn to a guy like Tim Trono and see if he would give his thoughts. Creators also need to start looking closer at what they are releasing and rather than going for an ego stroke decide if it really is something they want to be associated with and try to do so honestly and not fool themselves. Try to think more like a scientist, when a scientist comes up with something the first thing they do is try to disprove it. I feel bad for digiquick because he can't afford to hold inventory that he paid for and that he paid a premium to ship because it is a bad product and word of them spread pretty quickly through a magic community. He also can't afford to have a hot product not available because he is gun shy after being stuck with bad stuff and not wanting to risk it with a product he isn't familiar with. I don't know how he is going to get around it unless he strikes a deal with a distributor to agree to take inventory back if it doesn't sell in a suitable amount of time or if it doesn't meet his standards. Good luck with the shop. |
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digiquick Regular user Sydney 114 Posts |
Hi Guys
Firstly my knowledge of magic is extensive, have been in magic for 45 years was mentored by the likes of David nixon, Le Levant and many other, I first started buying magic from a catalogue put out by Davenports - I soon caught on to the Hype factor and realised that my purchases would not always turn out as I expected. I do now think the hype factor is out of control. Here in Australia I run a web site but with a difference, my phone number and personal mobile number is on the front page, my customers ring me and I give advice on items that I stock or have seen, however customers ask me for items they have seen advertised or have heard about, with thousands of items available its impossible to have seen or stock em all - However I am now saying to customers if I get something in and I personally think its Rubbish I will send it to them FREE OF CHARGE I do take customers complaints very seriously and if they complain I make a decision whether the complaint is valied - Lets face it one mans treasure is another mans garbage - It is impossible for any magic store to have viewed every DVD or Trick available - but I believe this blatent glossing over of the truth about items using fancy desriptions has gone to far. Look at Refraction by David Penn - A poorly produced DVD that quite blatently copies Ted Leslies Bending Wine Glass - On Teds DVD you get eleven effects - Refraction just one. Disintergaration, One lousy trick on a very badly made DVD - But I will sell it because its something that somebody might just need to complete a certain routine - It works and the method is OK - However one item padded out on a single DVD - Get Real I could go On and On I discovered that sponge clowns noses with the slot to fix onto a nose are great for manipulation routines, your fingers go into the slot and can help in vanishing the balls and with a kids party you can do a routine where the kids end up with the balls on their noses. I could sell em as a revolutionary new method for vanishing Sponge Balls - your Kids show will be a hit using these SPECIAL balls - no Difficult Sleight of hand needed - DVD will be comming soon - But really they are just sponge balls - If I made a DVD with the routine, showed the performance and added other new idea's then I think I could sell it - But not as with Magic Bingo a DVD that does not even have the performance - I look at many descriptions of items that are not false but they just embelish the truth - It has gone to far. Here in Ozzie Land we have a great Magic Scene - I travel around as much as possible holding open days for people to see the items, but with our great distances its difficult for magicians to get to Magic stores - the internet is a great place for them to shop - but I have to be honest. A small boy living on a Dairy Farm in a very remote area - Moo Cow Farm, the Address Mo0 Cow Lane - "Really" started purchasing items from me, he is a budding magician way out back, without being able to purchase with confidence good value for money items I am sure he would have ditched the Art, and that would have been a shame - For every pro their are hundreds of amature magicians who get and give great joy from magic - I personally do not wanna rip them of to make a buck |
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Logan Inner circle 2289 Posts |
I really don't know of any solution to your problem digiquick, however I do sympathize with you my friend.
The magic scene now is FILLED with so-called magicians putting out 'new' material just to make a quick buck. It's sad to say the least. Inferior methods, poorly manufactured DVDs and props, its hard to run away from such an abundance of items, but as a dealer there isn't much you can do, other than boycotting certain items. Whatever good you ARE doing though is highly commendable and even though you may never solve the problem completely, I solute you for having it in your heart to have your customer's best intentions in mind. There should be more dealers like you in the world. I truly believe that if each and every dealer had their customer's best intentions in mind, inferior magic products would cease to exist...because then no one would sell them. My best to you digiquick. Take care, Logan
You've been hit by, you've been struck by, a smooth criminal.
Singapore's Hairiest Corporate Comedy Magician! |
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MagicSanta Inner circle Northern Nevada 5841 Posts |
Great, now we get to look forward to Miracle Sponge Balls with special 'something' and from Magic Makers Rudy Hunters Miraculous Balls of Sponge.
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Barrett_James Loyal user Southern Arizona 242 Posts |
Quote:" I could sell em as a revolutionary new method for vanishing Sponge Balls - your Kids show will be a hit using these SPECIAL balls - no Difficult Sleight of hand needed - DVD will be comming soon"
Dad-gum! Did MagicMakers already beat me to the punch!?! My version is called Judy the Sponge Mouse..er...LADYBUG! What is MagicMakers calling them?!?! Regards, Barrett James
"...let us now rejoin our foolish friends and commence the book properly." G.H.
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takeachance Inner circle 3764 Posts |
I'll give digiquick his due's, he does review products honestly for his customers here in Australia. Best dealer I've come across in 15 years. Sorry I just recently came across his web site, could have saved me a lot of pain and disappointment over the years. Highly recommended to any Aussie magicians
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jhard Regular user Dallas, TX 135 Posts |
I had the pleasure of being employed by Mark Wilson's Magical Productions, Inc. in Los Angeles and watched "Magic Bingo" go from the idea stage to the performance stage. During the late '60's and '70s Magical Productions produced attractions for trade shows, sales meetings, and special events. ZENITH, then a big name in TV and radio, held their national sales meeting in Los Angeles and had contracted Magical Productions to produce their sales meeting. I don't remember exactly who came up with the idea, but I watched Leo Benhke struggle with the mathmatics of Magic Bingo and then the entire team of Magical Productions personnel were in on the presentation with Alan Wakeling leading the brain storming. I attended the meeting where the effect was to be presented. Each of approx. 1800 top salesmen for ZENITH were in the large hall for the meeting that had begun around 3:00 pm. On each chair was a plastic packet which contained brochures for the new ZENITH products, a short pencil as used in Bingo games, and a Bingo Card which, of course, was part of "Magic Bingo".
After hours of watching slides and films of new ZENITH products, the presenter told his audience of 1800 top salesmen in the country that they were going to take a brief beak and play a game of bingo and that the winner and his family would be taken to an exotic resturant for a full course dinner and a great evening out. There was a great sense of relief throughout the auditorium that, finally, the business of the day had ended and there was some fun and a good prize in store. The presenter turned the program over to the CEO of ZENITH, a table with the usual Bingo cage and balls were brought on and the fun began. "Please turn your attention to the plastic packet where you will find a pencil and a bingo card. Please remove these from the packet and we will begin the game. You may notice something different about your bingo card in that instead of the usual word "Bingo" at the top of the card there is the word "Sales". You must yell the word "Sales" if you win. If the winner yells "Bingo", he will be immediately disqualified. Remember, it's "Sales" and not "Bingo". The first person to yell "sales" is the winner, and yell loud because this room is large. So, lets begin". The set-up was perfect. Mark had coached the CEO as to procedure, all 1800 salesmen in the room were "buzzing" amongst themselves and pencils were at the ready. The cage was rotated and the first ball was chosen. "Under the A, 23"......then the 2nd and 3rd balls...."Under the S 6.........under the L 42" By this time each person was glancing at his neighbors cards to see who had the advantage. They could tell the cards were different. The call continued and toward the end the numbers came quickly. The effect of 1800 men and women leaping up at the same time and yelling "sales" was absolutely spectacular and deafening. Then came that moment of realization of what had happened and the laughter began.....and then huge applause. The CEO came back to the mike and said, "Just as I thought....you are ALL winners. Go get your family, dinner is on me." They all retired to the huge banquet room for dinner. "Magic Bingo" was the talk of the remainder of the sales meeting, and Mark Wilson and Magical Productions were the heros of the the day. "Magical Bingo" was used several other times during the next few years with great....and I mean GREAT...success. Mark never tried to sell it if it wasn't right for the venue, the company, etc. Only if the situation called for it. So, "Magic Bingo" is not going to fit everywhere. Resturants, birthday parties, etc......don't even consider it. But if you are a corporate magician, "Magic Bingo" is absolutely perfect for sales meetings and the bigger the better. The impact is priceless. But I would recommend this ONLY for professional entertainers who know the value of this sort of effect. Mark Wilson is not a "so called" magician. His professional life is well known and is very successful. He doesn't put out garbage. Some people need, I suppose, a performance DVD to get the picture or to have something to copy. The concept of "Magic Bingo" alone should tweak a professional's imagination enough that he could visualize it and see the value. I would suggest that digiquick would kinow that, having examined the merchandise, and would have cautioned his customers as to presentation and appropriateness. John Hardman
Success to all.
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dave burgess New user 75 Posts |
I'll vouch for Magic Bingo.
I've used it for three years and have NEVER had it receive a poor reaction. My group sizes are 25 to 250 and it kills. Never fails to send a jolt of adrenaline and good feelings through the crowd. Best of all, the person who loves it the most is the person who booked the show. I'll take a worker over fancy packaging any day. Dave |
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kg2magic New user 35 Posts |
“Dear Graham
I found your thread on the café very interesting. Firstly this was not bought from Digiquick but bought direct from a dealer in America. Point 1 Re Ghost shelf: Search the internet for invisible shelves and you will have everything you need to know and it costs nothing and has been around from the year dot! HOWEVER AND I QUOTE from the advertising!!!!!!! “Yes, you can put a small goldfish bowl on it. Yes, it will dock on a glass wall. These highly and very deceptive statements imply that you can not see the mechanics if you put a goldfish bowl or mount it to glass. It is blatantly saying we’ve found a way of making it invisible, which isn't exactly true. If you put it on a glass wall you would still see the gimmick fasteners fasteners if you looked from underneath.. And you can not put a goldfish bowl on it without putting a book or a dvd underneath it to hide it. But they conveniently forgot to tell you this. And further on this point after paying credit card fees, postage, and exchange rates, it costs around $40 to buy and to top it all off the gimmick which I can buy for under $1 at my local hardware had a label on it, but the sellers of this item couldn’t TAKE ENOUGH PRIDE TO peel the price sticker off so they just got a texta and crossed it out. So if they really believed they were delivering a high quality product, why did they not take a little pride and spend 30 seconds to remove the price tag and bar code??? Honestly if you believed in a product and had pride and integrity would you deliver a product in this fashion. RE MAGIC BINGO Firstly magic Bingo is written up in Corporate Presentations, and very well written up. So why would you buy it??? Well again I quote: The effect of 1800 men and women leaping up at the same time and yelling "sales" was absolutely spectacular and deafening. Then came that moment of realization of what had happened and the laughter began.....and then huge applause. The CEO came back to the mike and said, "Just as I thought....you are ALL winners. Go get your family, dinner is on me." They all retired to the huge banquet room for dinner. Well it just so happens the original add tells you in black and white you get a video of this performance and I believe this is worth paying for. However, when you receive magic bingo, you get no performance dvd or video, (now I read the original copy for magic bingo and put it on file, I could imagine in my wildest dream you would leave this out and rewrite the copy) instead you get about 10 minutes of testimonial about how great it is, then You get another 10 minutes telling you that the cards can be customised (as if that wasn’t obvious from the first couple of examples! Then you finally get a very brief minute if that, that tells you how it works! And after you suffer through all that you find out that the performance clips, which are the only reason why you would buy it in the first place if you had Corporate Presentation is not included! As for the rest of the stupidity on this post: This is the only industry where you can lie about products and get away with it because you are buying (oh my got dare I say it….Secrets). Well if you want to visit this: Then Graham from Digiquick is one of the respected people I know in magic. He is one of the very few people I know who is prepared to stand up and be counted with integrity. You can’t blame magic dealer for writing false and misleading copy, because magic dealers don’t write it any more, and they get burnt just like the rest of us. But at least Graham is prepared to say enough is enough. Lets stop all this false and deceptive practices and get back to providing a product and service That you can be proud of.” So how about it who else wants to stand up and be counted? Who else is prepared to say, don’t write false misleading copy, so both dealers and customer are protected from scams? Who else wants to stand up and say “this is an industry and a career I can be proud of”? |
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kg2magic New user 35 Posts |
Further to the above post, I think Bob Klamm's excellent little booklet on buying magic gives the best advice I ever came across.
If it costs $10 the gimmick costs a penny. Think about it and you can probably make it and same wasting money. (in most but not all cases. There have been some excellent items in magic that you could make without cost, but you still gladly pay $20 for because they were worth it.) If it costs $50 the gimmick probably still costs a penny or two and may or may not be good. Buyer be warned. if it costs $100 or $200, you have every right to expect something worthwhile and usable for several years. If you spend a $1,000 then you expect quality to last. (I paraphrase, but the point is the same.) I can't remember the name of the book and if anyone can, it would be worth posting here because it is an excellent example of value for money. A little book put out by a dealer, that told people how to buy well. Worked for fifteen years and cost about $15. And still reasonably valid today. And one of the best magic items I ever invested in. |
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Logan Inner circle 2289 Posts |
Amen kg2magic.
False advertising has to stop!
You've been hit by, you've been struck by, a smooth criminal.
Singapore's Hairiest Corporate Comedy Magician! |
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