Monday, October 14, 2013

Buying Magic - A Whole New Experience!

That's usually the first question I get from beginning magicians and it's a good one. "What do I need to get started?" It's almost said in a desperate manner, too. For the budding magician, I can say one thing: Relax!

Fortunately, all you need is a trip to your local library! That's the best way to begin your interest in magic. Most libraries (and, of course, bookstores) have several books from which to learn some basic magic tricks.



But, if you are looking to buy magic, what should you do first?

Local Magic Shops

Do you have a local magic shop in your area? Most large, metropolitan cities and resort towns used to, but -- because of the Internet --many have closed. Search Google or in the Yellow Pages under "Magicians' Supplies". There, you may find at least one magic shop for you to visit. Before you venture down there, call them and check out their hours of operation. (This may seem like common sense, but magic shops generally are not always open when they should.)

Magic shops are usually small stores with magic that is focused on the amateur and beginner. (These days, most professional magicians purchase magic through the Internet.)

Books -- Your Best Value

You should concentrate on buying a book. Books are the best value for the money - you can get a magic book for about $40 with hundreds of tricks in it, versus one $40 trick that does one thing. (But, if you see a good trick that you like... get it!)

Magic is Expensive!

Don't get put-off by the high prices of magic; it's expensive. Part of what you're paying for is the secret! (Now you know one of the reasons why magicians don't give away their secrets: They've paid good money for them and don't wish to just give them away.)

I remember the first time I bought a magic trick. It was at a small kiosk in the mall when I was 17 years old. I was shown a small stick (magicians call them "paddles") that changed color from red to gold and back again. The salesman at the magic shop did all sorts of things with it, too! He made it disappear, reappear, change color, change size...! I was amazed and plunked-down my dollar. (That was a lot to a 17-year old.)

Well, when I got home with my trick and instructions, I was shocked. It was just a piece of Plexiglas and some diffraction grating on each side. That's it! No mechanism. Nothing. The whole thing was operated by slight-of-hand. And, the instructions only covered the color changes, not the vanishes, size changes, etc.

Was I Disappointed? Yes, Until...

Until I read the instructions, practiced the trick, and showed it to some of my friends. And... it worked!

Just Be Careful

Buying magic can be tricky. Really. When purchasing the effects, ask the seller if the trick does everything he made it do. That is, did he "enhance it" with any fancy dexterity, or does the trick work as shown? Also, in many resort towns, magic shops mark-up the prices of tricks dramatically.

Be Sure You Want What You Are Buying

Most magic shops (brick & mortar and online) will not allow you to return the trick after you've opened it. The reason is... the secrets in magic are usually disappointing and when you finally learn how the trick you just bought actually works, you may want your money back! Just remember my anecdote above about the $1 trick I bought.

You can ask them if they offer a 100% money-back guarantee, and if they do, you're safe. But, don't just return the trick. Learn it, play with it, make it work for you. You'll have a blast!

You can also purchase magic by mail order or online. Most of the larger shops have a mail order department or web site and it is a safe and easier way to purchase magic.

However, for the most fun and the best experience in learning magic, take a trip out to your local magic shop. Buy a book, get a trick, take in the experience. It's how the pros all started.

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