|
|
Dennis Michael Inner circle Southern, NJ 5821 Posts |
Has anyone downsized and sold most of their magic. If so, Why did you? And, how did you sell it? Ebay? Craighlist? Café? Magic Club Auction?
I realize I have thousands of dollars of unused stuff, mostly props, illusions, books, kids magic and they are brand new. My kids are grown and out of the "Big" house and if I move they can't go with me because there would not be any room for them. A list of items would be in the hundreds. Any thoughts?
Dennis Michael
|
Starrpower Inner circle 4070 Posts |
I am in the process of doing that right now. After 30 year in the biz doing everything from cruises to resorts to colleges, illusions to hypnosis to mentalism, restaurants and private parties, I have found my niche!
However, magicians are very strange. They tend to only want to buy the newest and latest. It's so funny that a prop or trick that was popular 15 years ago garners little interest, even though it might be an ideal trick that many professionals are successfully using. If it's not "new" you might was well dump it off at Goodwill, 'cuz magicians are not interested. It has been about a five year process for me to get rid of props. I have used all the ways you mentioned. In addition, I have taken things to magic meetings, mentioned things on web sites, and just generally "put the word out." The truth is, I ended up giving away much of it. Just a few months ago I gave away a nearly brand new Chalet Sub Trunk because there was simply no market to sell it. $100 + shipping would have made me happy and I could not even find that. I have a "Relativity" and an "Axtell Remote Control Drawing Board" that are both gatering dust! Maybe it's the economy. I wish you good luck, and please post if you have any success. I think starting with a list in the "For Sale" section here would be a good starting point. You are well known here and I would venture to guess your post might get more attention than the average bear. |
Atom3339 Inner circle Spokane, WA 3242 Posts |
Good thread. I was out of Magic for 40 years. EVERYTHING is new to me! I buy a TON of stuff here. I believe there are a lot of members who buy and enjoy the "new" stuff. This is an EXCELLENT place to start!
TH
Occupy Your Dream |
Dennis Michael Inner circle Southern, NJ 5821 Posts |
Thanks Starpower. It was so nice to own all of this stuff and its time to downsize.
Your answer is what I was thinking.
Dennis Michael
|
Steven True Special user Bonney Lake,WA 765 Posts |
I don't buy much of the new stuff. I am the old guy that did the zig zag for years. Some of the new stuff is great but I always have that special place in my heart for the older things. I am not a collector but still have one of the first mental effects I ever purchased way back in the 70's. New people just don't know what they are missing. I just wish I could say I was downsizing. I was out of magic for about 25 years and trying to rebuild some of my older stuff. It will take time but maybe I will have it all back someday.
Steven True |
Jim Sparx Inner circle Far Out, Texas 1144 Posts |
You can always get rid of stuff at several sites other than Ebay. Ron Allesi, Old Magic Props and several stores advertise they buy and sell used stuff, and on consignment (Ron and Old Magic props charge pretty good rates of only 15%). Just google the words 'used magic props' for a list of stores. And you can open your own store on a famous auction site previously mentioned.
Besides the hunter and gatherer monikers, magicians are great hoarders, either out of the need to say "see how big my collection is" or we just like to accumulate what later becomes junk antiques with little value other than in the eyes of the beholder. On the other hand a prop worth $5 when we bought it might be worth several hundred now, or not.
Et tu, Spartacus?
https://fineartamerica.com/profiles/chispadeelpaso.html |
Donald Dunphy Inner circle Victoria, BC, Canada 7563 Posts |
Hi Dennis -
Another active place to sell used magic is on the SME (Surplus Magic Exchange) group on Facebook. There are also other groups on Facebook that are for selling and buying magic, too. - Donald
Donald Dunphy is a Victoria Magician, British Columbia, Canada.
|
Dennis Michael Inner circle Southern, NJ 5821 Posts |
Donald, PM or email be those locations.
Den
Dennis Michael
|
Banester Special user 669 Posts |
Hocus-Pocus as well as Ron Allesi.
I assume you are looking for someone to catalog and sell your items since there are so many? If not, magic Café would be a good spot to sell some of the items.
The art of a magician is to create wonder.
If we live with a sense of wonder, our lives become filled with joy -Doug Henning- |
MaxfieldsMagic Inner circle Instead of practicing, I made 3009 Posts |
Judging by the number of estate sales you seem to find on magic sites these days, I'm guessing that a lot of magicians, hobbyists and collectors never do get around to selling off their collections. My wife says she'll kill me If I die and leave her with a basement full of unmarked stuff.
Now appearing nightly in my basement.
|
Dennis Michael Inner circle Southern, NJ 5821 Posts |
Quote:
On 2013-01-17 18:03, MaxfieldsMagic wrote: I can relate, she said it goes right to the "curb".
Dennis Michael
|
The Magic Cafe Forum Index » » A tangled web we weave... » » Downsizing: Selling Magic (0 Likes) |
[ Top of Page ] |
All content & postings Copyright © 2001-2024 Steve Brooks. All Rights Reserved. This page was created in 0.02 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 < |