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James Munton Inner circle Dallas, TX 1199 Posts |
I remember the wonderful Al Cohen of Al's Magic Shop used to complain that the sandwich shop next door was a much better business. People go in buy a bag of potato chips and leave. If he sold potato chips in his magic shop, customers would spend an hour looking at all the different packs. They would want to see and taste the chips. Then they would ask for a different color packet - one that he didn't have. They might try to make the potato chips themselves at home, and finally they would order a bag online!
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JeffWampler Regular user Bristol, TN 191 Posts |
That's funny, James...
Back to the question... Just to echo what has been said, Murphy's, Robbins, and Loftus are the places to go for your products...Robbins probably has better prices, but Loftus has really nice packaging... Negotiating terms of your contract with the mall should be your main concern...think about how many Svengalis and bags of doggie doo you must sell to break even...Also, the mall where I live make shop and kiosk owners open and close when the mall opens and closes...depending on where you are and the traffic, you may have some very lonely weekdays... Just another thought, I know a lot of mall shops operate at break even or even a slight loss during the year and make their bucks during the holidays...perhaps holding off until November and signing a 3 month contract (Nov-Jan) with the mall may be an option? Good luck! |
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bsears Inner circle Cincinnati, Ohio 1040 Posts |
I remember all those "Magic Zone" ads in the magazines years ago. According to them, people were making a ton of money "living their dream."
As it turns out, most of those kiosks did horribly. I heard several sad stories of people losing badly with them. They started closing one after the other. Then the ads disappeared. Just a cautionary tale. |
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Andrew Zuber Inner circle Los Angeles, CA 3014 Posts |
I think it should be noted that the original question here was in regards to tips on opening a kiosk and which suppliers to use, not "should I do this?" While words of wisdom are nice to hear, I don't think any of us should be saying "don't do this." I have no doubt a venture like this is costly and time consuming, but who knows what the outcome will be? We should especially be supportive considering that it's harder and harder these days to buy magic in person.
"I'm sorry - if you were right, I would agree with you." -Robin Williams, Awakenings
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WillRoya Loyal user Henderson, NV 223 Posts |
Only buy product that has a 500% mark-up or more. Besides Svengali, the vanishing kit from magic makers has been good for me and also my float this dvd, aka floating card.
Also magic worms and splat balls are good too, a good jam item or opener. I average 1000+ per day at fairs with those items, 300 - 500 at malls and swap meets. Sometimes you can get a reduced rate in rent or free rent or even have them pay you becauce you are providing entertainment. |
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Gordon Special user Chicago 692 Posts |
Fun, Inc is probably a better supplier for you. Murphy's is a wholesaler, but Fun, Inc is a manufacturer. You can get the "slum magic" (and let's face it, that's what will sell) items personalized so people feel they're getting something unique and not just a commodity.
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Mark Boody Illusionist Inner circle 1366 Posts |
After operating a magic shop inside of a dept. store for 2 yrs a great piece of advice is demo,demo,demo. Magic won't sell itself. Never tell them you are a magician, because the customer will think only you can do it. Just keep it as I'm a regular guy who learned this stuff from the instructions & so can YOU!
Good Luck in your adventure. Mark
Only he who can see the invisible can do the impossible. Frank L. Gaines
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