So after being a member of ebay for years I have a question for everyone. What are your thoughts on people exposing a gimmick on ebay just to make the sale. I actually think it is wrong and have contacted several sellers in the past. Examples of things I have seen....asrah form, mirror on a mirror box..ledge on a shadow box, and more.

I know we can't stop exposure as it is a part of the business we are in but ebay seems like a bad place for exposure just make the sale.....

What are your thoughts?

tpdmagic

I think buyers on ebay are usually looking for something specific. It's not the type of site where one expects to see secrets without paying for them.

Although I don't approve of the photo, it's certainly better than the mass media exposures that have happened in the past (i.e. Fox).

There's two things you could do. 1) E-mail the seller and politely ask that they remove the second photo or 2) Just don't buy from people that sell like that.

Deerbourne

I have in the past politely asked for the removal of photos like this one. It has worked on a few occasions. I understand, and agree with your thoughts on it. I just think that it is wrong...

tpdmagic

I'll agree with deerbourne. Nobody will sift through ebay to find magic secrets. If anybody wants to know something they will find it out anyway no matter how secret it is. People always want to know how something is done, but won't put in the effort to learn.

I have found exposure on eBay and found it disturbing. I am not of the school that says, "Don't worry, no big deal. People will always find out if they really want to." My point of view is very simple. Don't be a fanatic and don't get hysterical about exposure but take every opportunity to avoid it. That means in ads, in putting the names of tricks on props, in telling spectators the name of the effect as you perform, etc. Just make the effort to maintain as much mystery as possible.

Gianni