I had my heart set on getting SUC II directly from Mark Strivings since, to my knowledge, it is available through him only. But he has failed to return my emails for quite sometime. Therefore, I am considering SUC I available through most dealers.

Could anyone elaborate on the differences between the two products, appearance-wise and functionally? Thanks.

Suc 1 has one credit card pocket on each side. Suc 2 has two pockets on each side.

Before buying anything directly from Striving I suggest you to take a look at this thread and this other thread.

He is the worst dealer I've dealt with.

Gio

Remember, that if you are buying directly from the creator of an effect or prop, and the creator is also a performer, then you have to expect some kind of delay in your order. Performers often travel, and cannot handle orders when they are away. If this makes you nervous, then avoid ordering from them.

As far as Mark Strivings is concerned, he is probably the only creator I ordered directly from. This was about two years ago. I ordered the SUC 2 and received it quickly. I guess other people have had different experiences.

And to answer the original question, the one and only difference in SUC 1 and SUC 2 is the extra pocket on each side in #2. These extra pockets aren't gaffed. They are there to hold more stuff, thus opening a few more possibilities.

I agree with cardguy.

Even though I haven't bought much from Mark Strivings, I can only say that his services have been excellent. When I purchased my SUC II, it arrived here in Norway in less than a week.

From what I have heard and read about Mark Strivings, I can't believe that he is that little serious as some of the posts here describe.

I do know that he is a very busy performer. I also know that he has been through several big challenges in his life lately.

If I had been in the position of waiting for my stuff, as some of you guys are, and knew about Mark Striving's challenges, I would have given him some time and room to clear his private things out.

I am certain about that he sooner or later will be "back on stage"

He is much too clever performer and creator to be hammered down with stories ruining his reputation plus some true and some untrue rumours.

Just my two cents.

Sven

...And I just love my SUC II.

Sven, on December 2002 (2002!) I sent him $99, and I've never received the items I ordered.

This is not a rumor; this is my experience. Of course, you can trust him more than you trust me. I cannot argue on that. Yet, my trust on him cost me $99 (because I didn't contact Paypal on time), so I think I have to make other people aware of his business practice.

As I said in other posts, I ordered other items before this experience, and all of them arrived with no problems, yet this last order was a total disappointment.

Gio

Just as an observation, as I've never had any dealings with Mark Strivings, but I do know a lot about customer service. If you are selling, performer or not, personal 'challenges' or not, the customer always comes first, always, in the magic fraternity as in retail.

I'm afraid it seems a poor excuse to say he's been touring. That's his livelihood so no problem with that, but at least have someone back home to answer the emails, if only to say "Thanks for your order, sorry for the delay, I'll get it to you in three weeks", or whatever. Even an automated reply would be better than no reply at all.

It was the supply chain failings that let down a lot of the dot.com's in the 90's. If you want to sell over the Net, get your back office right, otherwise there won't be anyone left prepared to buy.

Dr Chutney,

Well said. I have bought stuff from Mark and received them OK, and he seems a decent enough guy. I am sure there is nothing untoward going on, but as you say, he really needs to review his "backroom" systems. It's easy enough to set up auto replies at the very minimum.

Howard

Gio,

I agree that December 2002 is a long while---far to long.

The questions is how long is it since you last tried to reach him about this. Maybe this is an unlucky combination of Mark's lack of back office routines and maybe a bad memory.

I know for certain that he has been delivering as promised a long period after December 2002.

Sven

Perhaps Mark should hand over his mail-order business to an exclusive magic dealer in exchange for a profit split.

That way Mark can focus on doing what he does best---performing and developing new magic products. The magic dealer can provide good customer service and speedy delivery.

Mark, are you reading this?

It looks like he already has done so. Hocus Pocus has taken in quite a few of his creations lately and can, together with all his books, offer quite a large Strivings combo.

Which is very good.

Mark Strivings work is far too good not to be available.

Sven

Sven,

I sent him several e-mails over four months (till April 2003). I've got no replies and no errors from mailservers.

In the meantime, on January, February and April I received his newsletter "Mental Connections E-Letter" So he was using his computer and he was not replying to me.

Finally, on April, I sent him an email asking for a reply or to be removed from his list (I was very disappointed and very angry with him), and I've never received anything since then. So I guess I've been removed and I lost my money.

Could someone tell me if he sent other newsletters after April 2003? If so, that would be a confirmation of my guesses.

Cheers,

Gio

Gio,

I agree, this isn't good. However, if I read you right, it's by now close to one-and-a-half years since your last attempt.

To be honest, I don't remember in detail what happened that long ago, and apparently Mark Strivings doesn't either. I would advice you to give it another try.

Try to write him a letter - not email, and explain the whole thing to him. He probably would respond on that.

If that doesn't work, maybe you should try to reach him through Hocus Pocus? After all, they are carrying his product, and must be in contact with him rather frequently.

Sven

Sven,

Yes, you're right I've given up on that after the last failure to contact Mark.
Time has passed. I'll try to write him a letter, as you suggest. Maybe this time it will work. Thanks for the advice.

Gio

Same situation here. I have been waiting eight weeks with NO replies.

Simply it is not acceptable way to run a business.

If he is away on tour, he should have set-up an automated response to say so.

For all those who have paid via Paypal, be aware that there is a limit on how long you can claim back unfulfilled goods.

I spoke to Roy who makes the SUC, and they haven't heard anything from Mark since April when he ordered a consignment of SUC's and SUC II's. Apparently he is out on the road with his band and is notoriously difficult to pin down.

Still, it is no way to run a business. If Mark can't sell direct then at least sort out a decent distributor. I tried to persuade Roy to make me one, but he only does them in large batches of at least a hundred at a time. Oh well, worth a try.

SUC 2: bidding starts at $125.00 on 6-30-04.

Just kidding. I would not part with mine. I sincerely hope you guys can get yours. I ordered mine end of March and got it in a week.

:goodluck:

What is the SCU? I never heard of it.

I'm sorry SUC?

Mark Strivings' Sight Unseen Case, an incredibly clever device.

Wow, a hundred at a time? And none of us can get hold of one. lol.

Darko, I don't suppose you could ask him to make a batch for us Café members who want one, say 15 or 20 units that we could buy direct? Just an idea.