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magibrad New user Canada 59 Posts |
I've been browsing through magic websites for a while now and I've almost convinced my parents to help me out in terms of ordering things. Here's the catch, how trustworthy are these online magic sites? Like
http://magicmax.com Is it worth it to buy from these sites... or should I fear for the safety of my parents’ credit card number? The two main sites I'm looking at are magicmax.com (American... means a killing in exchange rate) and http://www.browersden.com (Canadian... looks viable) Any tips or suggestions you can offer are helpful! Thanks -Brad Posted: Jan 24, 2003 6:06pm ----------------------------------------------------- Oh... sorry... wrong link... link to Brower's Den is; http://www.browsersden.com/ Yes, that seems reasonable, I'll just have to be careful about what sites I use. Denny and Lees looks like a great site as well, I plan on investigating that further, thanks Dennis and Andy! -Brad |
Andy Wonder Special user Auckland, New Zealand 747 Posts |
Magibrad, the magicmax.com site looks okay, the other one appeared offline when I tried.
Personally I use my credit card for making purchases on the internet all the time & have never had a problem with it. Just stay away from any site that uses aggressive pop up windows, has links to porn sites, illegal warez etc or those annoying flashing animated gifs. You can also look for site security or privacy policy published on their web site which should make you feel a little more comfortable. A lot of these sites use a 3rd party payment shopping cart system like cc now or even Pay-Pal. You should have no problem using any of those.
Andy Wonder, Auckland, New Zealand
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Dennis Michael Inner circle Southern, NJ 5821 Posts |
Good Post Andrew and correct!
I don't know either one except that Browser Den seems like a reasonable place. I do 90% of my shopping at Denny & Lees which is completely trustworthly. There are other posts on the Café which discuss this topic.
Dennis Michael
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magiker Loyal user Sweden 283 Posts |
I´ve ordered from magicmax and I received my goods in a week which, is very good as I live in Sweden
Magiker
Believe in the possibility of the impossible |
Peter Marucci Inner circle 5389 Posts |
Brad,
Let me assure you that the Browser's Den, now owned and operated by Jeff Pinsky, is certainly trustworthy. I have dealt with the Den since the '70s when it was owned by Jeff's golfing buddy Len Cooper and it was trustworthy then, too. BTW, I have no connection, financial or otherwise, with the Browser's Den. |
Ron Reid Inner circle Phoenix, Arizona 2732 Posts |
Hi Brad:
If you must order from the states, I second Dennis' recommendation of Denny and Lee. I buy 90% of my magic from him. Magicsmith and Stevens Magic are both very trustworthy. There are others also. The magicmax site you mentioned looks suspect to me. Their prices look high and it seems they have a lot of stuff aimed at the amateur who doesn't know what to look for. There are too many better alternatives - I recommend you stay away from them. Browser's Den seems the way to go for you. Seems like they have good stuff. They have online demos too. Ron Reid |
JSMagic Loyal user Boston 202 Posts |
I have been to Magic Max's store (one of them) down in florida and bought some of their tapes and the owner seems like a very nice guy-Also they were very helpful down at the store so I ordered from them online and it went fine. Josh
PS> I like magicsmith but I ordered a sammy smith book 2 monthes ago and it ahsnt came...sent numerious emails-Usually I have good luck with them though! Josh
If a magician is not intending to "trick" a spectator, why is every "trick" called a magic "trick"?
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Vilago Loyal user 230 Posts |
Great advice above...for more info, scan this forum for suggestions and reviews of all sorts of online dealers...http://www.themagiccafe.com/forums/viewforum.php?forum=29&9473
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Suave Dan Special user Calgary, Alberta, Canada 656 Posts |
Browers's Den is a great dealer.
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Nighthawk New user 73 Posts |
Browser's Den is not only reputable, but also managed by highly-principled persons who provide great service and advice and contribute not only to the magic community but also the community as a whole. My only criticism is that I am not crazy about its website.
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Carron Special user UK 958 Posts |
I'd go with Browsers Den, and please don't buy from Penguin.
Tom |
macmagic Veteran user MA 400 Posts |
Hello all, I have ordered a lot from Hocus Pocus and have never had a problem. In fact I ordered a dove tray from them and did not like the look of it and they took it back no problem! The other reason I like Hocus Pocus is they have a lot of things you can only get thru them!
"Its a magic thing...........you wouldn't understand"
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Kent Wong Inner circle Edmonton, Alberta, Canada 2458 Posts |
In Canada, I order from either http://www.vanishingrabbit.com or http://www.browsersden.com. Both have very good service, a good assortment of products and competitive pricing. But the most important reason I frequent them is that they also have real brick & mortar stores!
This is becoming a rarity. I know that I can drop into either of these stores at any time and get real service and advice from sincere professionals who are not just trying to "push product". Both stores are also extremely active in promoting the Craft within their community. Brent at the Vanishing Rabbit is extremely active within the IBM ring and is instrumental in bringing lecturers into the City. The same goes with Browser's Den. This weekend, they have JAY SANKEY coming for a free seminar in their store. As for online stores, you can't go wrong with any of the ones mentioned above. I have also had very good service, shipping and pricing from http://www.hocus-pocus.com. Have Fun Shopping! Kent
"Believing is Seeing"
<BR>______________________ <BR> <BR>www.kentwongmagic.com |
Chrystal Inner circle Canada/France 1552 Posts |
Hi Magicbrad,
You would perhaps save on shipping cost and monetary exchange if you ordered from Browswers Den which is a Canadian company as I see you are located in Canada. Like Peter mentioned, they are highly reputable and have been in business for a long time. Perfect Magic (in the East) and Tony's Trick Shop (West Coast) are also highly recommended. Perfect Magic has also been in business for a long time. Tony's Trick Shop is run by Tony Eng, Territorial Pres of the IBM, whose daughter Julie is a well know close up magician in the Toronto area. You can't go wrong with any of the three I've listed. I'm sorry I don't have the urls but a check online should help you out. Chrystal |
Donald Dunphy Inner circle Victoria, BC, Canada 7563 Posts |
Tony' Trick and Joke Shop, that Chrystal mentioned: http://www.magictrick.com/
Tony Eng is an awesome guy, and is one of the best magicians I know! I've also had good experiences with ordering from Morrissey Magic, via mail. http://www.morrisseymagic.com/ - Donald P.S. To Chrystal. I noticed they have a photo of Julie Eng (Tony Eng's daughter) on Browser's Den's home page, with a link to an article where they helped St. Felix's Centre.
Donald Dunphy is a Victoria Magician, British Columbia, Canada.
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RJE Inner circle 1848 Posts |
Hey Brad,
There is also Morrissey Magic in Toronto, decent web site and great brick and mortar shop with excellent service. I would like to echo Chrystal's advice. Purchasing from Canada when you can (there are excellent non-Canadian sellers of course) will save you a lot of money. When you buy outside of Canada, expect to lose a bit on exchange, but expect to pay a bundle more on duties and customs. For example, a recent purchase from a US based company cost me 29.00 in US funds and then Customs Canada charged me another $13.00 Canadian to pick it up at the post office. That $13.00 was NOT shipping, it was NOT C.O.D. it was taxes placed on an item entering Canada from abroad. What makes this even more infuriating is the inconsistency of the billing by Customs Canada. I purchase two or three items a month at least that are magic related. When these are purchased from overseas (Britain or Australia etc.) there is rarely if ever a duty that I have had to pay. When I purchase from the United States, sometimes there is a duty and sometimes not. I have purchased books from the US that sometimes have a duty charge and sometimes do not. Even the lady working at the local post office collecting the duties says it all seems to be based on the person and their mood at customs at the time the parcel clears as to whether or not you will pay anything. Back to the original point, you have been given some great web sites to look at for purchasing from already (and there are more). To get the best purchase price for yourself, try a Canadian supplier first. You could save a bundle on customs. All the best, Rob |
Donald Dunphy Inner circle Victoria, BC, Canada 7563 Posts |
Don't forget that you can also order some of Sammy Smith's magic, if it is of interest to you, from a Canadian supplier, paying Canadian prices. On the home page, click on the button that says "Canadian" on the left hand side. At one time, there used to be a PDF you could open that had all the Canadian prices for his items.
http://www.spsmagic.com/ - Donald
Donald Dunphy is a Victoria Magician, British Columbia, Canada.
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