Don suggests that you always attempt to use the same card (usually a black Ace) as the DL card for the 1st trick. With the Loftus cards, had no problem.

However, attempting to use a black ace in front of the Ace of Diamonds of the MM cards REALLY confused me, so I began to use a black King instead. I always used the same black king. I've used the same MM deck for about 5-6 shows, probably 200-300 demos. Suddenly, that black King had worn down to the point that I couldn't feel it when doing the DL and I began getting 4 cards instead of 2.

So I now have to use a different king. Of course, I could use ANY card as the taller card but using the black king (as with Don's black ace) allows me to KNOW which card is theoretically under the box for the 1st trick, without thinking. The cards themselves are almost as slick as when new, so no prob there but I wore out the king! Never did that with Loftus or maybe I changed decks before it happened.

Anyone else ever wear out your king?

Jon

I never use the same card for the dl unless by accident, don't want to take the time to reset, just take a quick peak.

I never really worked with the MM decks even when I'm selling them. I'm happy with the loftus, so I just use them as my worker, when I loftus is out and use the MMs.

I've never worn out the King, but I have worn out my fingers, my voice and my back pitching Svengali decks!

If you are getting 200+ demos out of one deck, I'd say you're doing OK with it. SETH

Yep, I can't believe it myself. The cards themselves are about as slick as when new, tho the edges are a little sweat-encusted. I wish the TCM cards stayed as slick! As I've mentioned before, I demo the ones from Haines but sell the ones from Eddie's.

I'm thinking it's about time to change decks but I'm gonna try changing the black king to a black queen. If that wears out, I'll try a black jack, ad infinitum. Wanna see how long it takes to REALLY wear out this deck.

Seth, sorry about your voice, fingers and back! I'd loan ya mine but I'm usin' 'em!

Jon

After 30 plus years of pitching I worn everything out...mainly ME !


Later,Don

After the first year, I bought a wireless rechargeable 30-watt portable PA system -- probably best investment I ever made, and it paid for itself inside of a month.

When they start making rechargeable fingers and backs, I'll be first in line! SETH

I'm 6'1'', I deal blackjack all week and I go pitch on the weekend.. I'll join the "My Back Hurts" Club. Where do I sign up?

And even though I use the same face card at the start, all my cards are evenly worn and darkened by sweat, moisture and melted ice cream from the kid's hands... aren't they precious?

I found that it helps if your pitch table is the right height, so that you don't have to bend over to pick up cards and money.

For me, that means it's about even with my waist. The table I got at Sam's Club has legs that can adjust to three different heights, and the top one is just about perfect for me. SETH

I use the joint by Don Driver from the plans that come with the Svengali Pitch DVD. .

It is a high joint, plus I stand on a box behind it that is about 10" tall. So I am in the air, and my back is not bending over. An old piece of carpet remnat on top of the box, saves the feet on a long day.

ROD

Rod -- Great idea about that carpet remnant! I do the same thing, and it is a lifesaver on concrete or asphalt. Even on grass or damp ground, it keeps your feet from getting wet.

Go to any carpet store and ask for some of the bound samples that they are done with, and would normally just throw away. They are perfect for this, and they are free! SETH

SETH: another thing I do is I wear a good grade walking type shoe, like the Doctor's and nurses wear, that have a real nice padding inside, regular dress shoes cut in like crazy by the end of the day., but these padded shoes really help.

ROD

I can't believe it. I am still demoing the same deck after selling 143 MM decks!

(The 2nd gross came after I left for the show on Friday but I managed to sell all I had left from the 1st gross at the gun show this past weekend.)

They were WHIZZING off my table. Many people bought 2 decks. The aisles were so narrow (only 6') people had to stop while I demo'd. And because of that, I think I may have sold more than usual. I had never done that show before and it was really good! If I could get the kids to stop, (and THAT was easy!) THEY BOUGHT!

I've now worn out the top and bottom edges of BOTH black kings and I'm working on one of the black queens. But what is weird is that the cards themselves are still almost as slick as when new. Side edges are filty, yes. But the cards themselves are SLIPPPPPERRRY!!! As I've said before, I wish the TCM cards stayed as slippery! When I finally DO change decks, I'm thinking about gluing some of these MM cards together to make demo TCM sets for me. (I have at least 2 full boxes of dupe 2s and 9s from the Zodiac decks, thot about doing it to THEM too. Can you say "cheapskate"?)

I'm actually thinking about continuing to sell the MM cards, even after the ones from Loftus are again available. I know, they cost 10 cents more, the cards are made of thinner stock and I gotta print the instructions and pack 'em in the envelope. But I really like the idea of the A of D key card. And the package (with the TCM cards inside) looks really professional. PLUS the MM cards have that website with instructions. Ah, decisions--decisions....

Jon

No wonder Loftus is sold out of Svengali Decks -- you guys are selling them faster than they can collate them!

Congrats on the land-office business you guys are doing. It shows what can be done with a good pitch, the right setup and some practice.

I'm getting set for my first big outdoor show this season, in about two weeks. It's an "Earth Day" Festival, with lots of kids, a couple of bands and strolling entertainers, and plenty of good food concessions. With good weather, they usually get about 3,000+ people, and I have done well there in the past. I'm ready to roll! SETH

Hey Jon:

That is fantastic. You have some real MAGIC in your pitch! I have been working the ZIBIT and the pitch joint. Not together, but at different venues. Its handy when you are working the same flea markets in the area. Some are just once a month so I just switch from one to the other monthly. Keep Up the good work Jon.

Seth: I have a big festival coming up May 1 , it has large attendance too, if the weather holds I expect to do well there. Set up in a cold rain and 40 degree temp. yesterday at a local flea market. Thought it would be a blank, but finally the skies cleared and all the vendors did pretty well, after a slow start to the day. by teardown time temp was 68 . Hey Seth, I wish you all the best this season. ROD

Thanks Rod, and the same to you! May your Svengali Decks never get out of order, and may your IT never tangle!!

I have also set up in a drizzle, and it's not fun. Once it cleared up, and I did OK. Another time, it really started to come down and I had to pack up fast and leave. But the show was very nice about it -- they are giving me and the other vendors who showed up and tried to stick it out a free spot this year, which they did not have to do.

The outdoor fairs and festivals are where the big money is, but the weather is always a factor. SETH

Thanks Seth!!!!!!

I usually get to the spot early and am one of the first to set up( you can pick up some pocket change that way from the Vendors and their kids before the show opens., and then I am usually the last one to tear down, once again I pick up a few bucks from the Vendors who didn't get a chance to stop by earlier and also from the stragglers who are still on the lot after the show closes. The sponsor's appreaciate this, and will usually reserve you the same spot at their next flea market...thats what happened this time. Next flea market at this location is May 2 Booth space is only 20.00 for the day.
that's great that you got a free spot , some of these sponsors a really nice to work with. My wish to you is." MAY ALL THE KIDS WITH STICKY ICE CREAM ON THEIR HANDS, WASH UP AT THE OLD HOSE, BEFORE TRYING YOUR Svengali DECK" HAHA

ROD

Ihave something on my mind so I have to let it ou.All the guys here (and for give if I miss any) Steh,Rod,Jon and Louis.Now granted that's not many but it makes me like a proud father to here you guys giving each other advice,and I might add good advice and hearing of all your success.I did make thoes DVDs to make money but I also made them to leave something behind and seeing and listening to all you I now can say "mission accomplished " .

Thanks for all you have ccomplished it means so much to me.

Carry on troops,
Don

Funny you should mention it, Don, because I was having the same thought recently as I read some of these posts -- all the JCL's grew up! And for every one of us who posts here at the Café, I'm sure there are plenty more out there who are doing a great Svengali/Worm pitch based on your DVD.

You are really the "Johnny Appleseed" of Svengali decks! You planted plenty of seeds and now you are seeing the trees grow, bloom and bear fruit. I'm sure it's very satisfying, and believe me, you have earned every bit of it.

I'm glad you're proud of us, because we're proud of you, for sharing and helping us get to where we need to be. The Svengali Pitch sounds like a simple thing, but it does take time, effort and practice to master. It also takes experience -- you have to pay your dues and learn how to deal with people. Your DVD and "tech support" provided us with the little details that would help anyone to hit the ground running with this pitch.

I should also add that anyone who does the Svengali or Worm pitch and sells to kids is sort of doing the same thing. Although plenty of these decks and worms will end up in recycling bins, I'm sure that some of these kids will get bitten by the "magic bug." Hopefully, they may eventually become the magicians and the Svengali pitchmen and women [pitchpersons??] of tomorrow.

So let's all go out this season and start planting some more "seeds" --- and also have a good time and make some money in the process! SETH

Hey Don:

Seth pretty well covered my feelings as well in his post. Thanks Don for getting us up and running in the pitch business. I highly recommend your DVD to everyone who is interested in starting to pitch.

In much appreaciation and a big Thank-you

Have a great day Don

ROD

Ditto, Seth and Rod. And while Don is not exactly the 1st guy in the Svengali biz, as far as I'M concerned, he's FIRST with me. Without Don and his DVDs I'd still be JUST a stripper guy!

Frankly, I don't even remember where I saw the ad for the DVD, it's been so long ago. And I can tell you, truthfully, I ordered it, played it once then salted it away in my filing cabinet for a verrrry long time. One day, I got it out, showed it to my wife, asked her opinion and she said, (not exactly in these words...) "Well, dummy if you bought it, you'd better USE it."

But the real "point of no return" was when I actually BOUGHT my 1st 2 gross of decks. A couple hundred bucks ain't much for SOME people but to have 200 bucks in stock setting in my office with NO way to get rid of it was not my idea of a good idea.

So, dunno how many times MOST people practice prior to actually attempting to SELL the little buggers but I must admit I played the DVD on the living room player, me in front of the TV, HUNDREDS of times. If it had been a record, the grooves would have been gone. And I NEVER got the cards in the correct order at the end of the demo. NEVER!! My wife could, but I couldn't.

But that's ancient history now. I haven't dropped a deck in, oh, 3, maybe 4 DEMOS!!

Again, I echo the thanx of every one, Don. When they made you, they threw away the mold. Does that mean you're mouldy? As Johnny Mathis said, "I'ts not for me to say..."

Jon