Without naming who it was (since this forum discourages singling out individual dealers), I had an item I had purchased several years ago and had locked away in a trunk. I dusted it off last month and realized that much of it had corroded and it was no longer functional. I emailed the creator and asked if he sold any replacement parts. He told me to mail it to him and he would take care of it, free of charge. A few weeks later a completely refurbished Inviso-Torch (can you guess who I'm talking about??) shows up in my mailbox!

Yeah you are so right. I love to hear stories like that. A similar experience happened to me. I purchased a Cig up the Nose from a certain individual and used it for 3 or 4 years and I thought it was finished. I emailed this fine individual and not only did he tell me how to solve the problem and my my original as good as new, he sent me an additional 3 more gimmicks. (This was a 75.00 value for free) on top of fixing my orig. I think that is just awesome. I now have enough to last a lifetime and then some. The most amazing service was he showed me how to make just one last a lifetime. Now that is service! This is what the whole magic community needs. People like this are rare. I can assure that if you deal with this guy he will make it worth while. Thanks again GK.

I think the individuals 'hinted' at, more than deserve their names on the board and on the record. It's the good guys everyone needs to hear about...they are earning the business and respect. The bad eggs don't need to be named, the good ones do! Who are they?

Not a magic dealer but a company whose products we could all use:

http://sugarhousebanners.com/

These guys only make vinyl banners. You can create them on line and also upload graphics. I placed an order yesterday it shipped today.

You can call and talk to a graphic artist as well. The product is great, the service is great!

I just ordered two more 5 foot wide x 2 ft banners on 13oz vinyl $35.00 each. I created the banner right online.

John

Thanks for this link John. Looks very promising.

Great story! Makes me feel good!

Some guys are like that. This is really the solution to the vanishing Bricks and Mortar dealer, you know. It's called "the personal touch."

There are a lot of guys in the business who are like that. They take it personally when their products break down, and the go to extemes to fix them.

I tell people I deal with, especially guys who are just going into the business -- treat people the way you want to be treated.

It goes a long way to success.

Bill too bad most dealers are not doing that any more. I just came from a shop in Harrisburg, PA the guy had the door locked even though it was past the time it was supposed to open.

He seemed more interested in doing something with cards then helping his customers. Case in point...a gentlemen asked about a magick kit for kids for around $25...he showed him a stocking that I bought for my daughter three years ago for $15. and told him it was $40.

I had asked the guy if he knew the difference between a product he had on the shelf entitled vanishing bandana plus and the original...he said he didn't know and he thought it was the same thing and went back to playing with his cards.

The lack of person touch is what drives at least for me to the web to purchase items I need. For any dealers that are out there reading this, take Bills advice and give the personal touch.

That's not the "personal touch", that is just business. I mean all retailers "should" provide a level of service that meets the customer needs, or perhaps I should say the "desired" customer needs. Some retailers, online and brick and morter, desire to not be bothered by business. Well, guess that they meet their desired business model eventually by not having any customers. Haven't all of us noticed that the plethora of online magic business have each found their own idenity within the marketplace? All of us could count the top three or four shops out of the many of online. I think the best online suppliers have a brick and morter business also. Why? They understand business and know what they must do to keep customers. It's not all about price is it? It is service and followup.

Regards,
Joe

B&B Magic - I don't think it is against the rules to say you had a good experience with a certain dealer. In fact - I will say right here that The Magic Depot (magic.org) is an excellent store, and I have had nothing but positive transactions with them. As Doug said - it is not necessary to point out the bad guys, but it is helpful (and necessary for the sake of the community) to applaud the good guys.