L***us again has the Svengalis we all know and love. In the same boxes and display boxes. Price has now gone up to $0.69 if ordered in 2 gross quantities.

Jon

Jon... are they collated?

Tks..

DCB

Collated? Isn't that some kind of toothpaste?

Yes, they are collated. Was told they are the same cards as before, just 9 cents higher price.

Jon

I recently looked at one of these decks and was impressed, especially for the price.

The cards are pretty sturdy and easy to handle, the trimming is consistent and accurate, the instructions are good and they are packed with the deck. Pre-assembly is another plus. The only small downside is that I believe the key card is the same for all decks in each display box (or maybe the entire gross).

My only other criticism, and it is also a small one, lies with the packaging, which is a little too garish (purple) and cartoony-looking for my taste. But then, beauty is in the eye of the beholder, isn't it!

And as I said, you can't beat the price. Get out your Sales Tax Resale Certificates, gang! SETH

Seth,

Does it really make ANY difference at all that the key card is the same in every deck? Isn't it an advantage? That you're selling a deck EXACTLY the same as the one you're using yourself?

Regards,

DCB

Well, it depends. Often some people will stay to watch the pitch a second time, which is fine (it also helps to build the next tip). So I like to keep 2-3 demo decks on the pitch table, each with a different key card, so that if the same person happens to see two different pitches, there will be different "chosen" cards. And sometimes I do have people who buy more than one deck, and it's good that each one has a different key card.

But I agree, other than these situations, it probably doesn't matter. SETH

Frankly, Scarlett....oops wrong show....the only advantage I can see for having the same key card is that old codgers (me!) don't have to remember anything. When I began using the Adams cards, I had to remember it was NOT the 9 of hearts, but the 8 of spades.

"Now, you're gonna REMEMBER that...er...uh...8 of spades, right?"

While it would be nice to have every deck with a diff key, I can live with having the same one. I DO wish it was the ace, however.

Jon

My problem is not remembering the key card, but remembering the indifferent card (part of the DL) that's supposedly on the table, because unless you preset it, it will be different each time.

When I do forget it, I wind up having to say that "now 'my card' will change places" instead of saying whatever value it was, and just hoping that somebody else watching actually remembers what it is.

This usually happens after about 4-5 hours of pitching, as my adrenaline winds down and I start running out of Coca-Cola. SETH

Seth,

I talk about this very thing on the DVD.You can easy "peek" the card when you forget it and the tip won't know you did it.

I always reset.Its only one cut of the deck.

Don

Don, Nice tip there.. I never considered cutting to the same card at the end, "getting ready" for the next pitch..

Thanks!

ps.. I've made quite a bit of progress - I'll be in touch soon.

Regards.,

DCB

If I get a tip right after turning the tip before they'll see me looking though the deck.I'll stop and look up and say "Excuse me...I'm checking the inventory"
It gets a small laugh and I get the deck reset.

It's much better to be able to name the card they "think" is on the table.

Don

I usually pre-set my cards to an ace, as on Don's DVD, so I'll remember. But sometimes the demos come so fast I don't really know the indiff. So I just say, "OK, we're gonna make that--what's on the table? Well, whatever it is, it's gonna change places with the 9."

Usually the kids know what's supposed to be there. Sometimes they don't. So I say, "OK, watch it trade places with the 9... blah blah blah...and the (whatever) has jumped back in the deck, so it can't be under that box...." I really don't have a problem NOT knowing the indifferent NOR the key. I just fake it.

Jon

Does being able to name the card on the table sell more decks? I would have to say probably not.I just like being able to name it.Its a personal thing.

Don

When I can, I do reset/preset the top indifferent card like Don says, because then you are guaranteed a good distinctive change between that one and the key card. Who cares if the Three and Four of Hearts change places? But a Jack and an Ace, or a red Ten and a black face card, now there's something worth watching!

And I also think it helps to name the cards, because it helps to get them into the spec's minds. I've already seen this trick (a few thousand times!), they are seeing it for the first time, and they need to know what's going on. SETH

It is a stronger effect if it changes from a red card to a black card.So I guess it does matter if you can name it or not.

that's my story and I stuck with it...I mean I'm sticking to it.


Don

Don,

As ever - years of experience win out. I'll go with the contrast.

Anyone who's even partly THINKING about Svengali pitching or performing should kick off with Don's DVD. Very rarely does anyone tip so much information on the inside griff...Get it from his website, watch it and wonder.. "Could I really do that?" - of course you can - just BUY IT!

Thanks again, Don.


DCB

Very interesting sidelight on the new Svengalis. My previous freight charge for 2 gross was $32.55. My new invoice shipping was only $12.53. So even tho the cards went up from $172.80 to $198, the total invoice is only $5 higher. So they really only cost $0.73 ea., 2 cents more than before. One more reason to bye 'em from YOU know WHOM! Hmmmmm.....

John

Jon, you have given me a good idea. Until now, I have turned the top card on the deck over at the same time the kid turns over the card on the table. But I like your way much better -- show the top card on the deck first, THEN have the kid turn over his/her card. This makes more sense, is easier to follow, and is probably more effective, too.

Guess I need to go back and watch Don's DVD a few more times! SETH

Seth,
I never turned over the top card the same time the kid turned over the card on the table.Always turn over your card over first.

Yes you do need to go back to my DVD you might double your gross...well maybe not that much. hehehehe

Don

As they say, the devil is in the details!

Seriously, any pro will tell you that it's attention to the details that separates the pros from the amateurs. Same here. While I might not double my gross with this small change, I probably will attract a few more people and sell a few more decks, because the overall effect is improved.

And now you'll excuse me while I turn on my DVD player and get out my note pad . . . SETH