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Luke Sherratt Loyal user The Isle Of Wight, England 246 Posts |
Hi, I am not sure if this is the right place to post but I will give it a shot here goes, My father is finally ready to realise his dream of becoming a magic dealer, it is something he has always said he has wanted to do but not until he was ready, He now feels he is ready and I am doing some research for him but I don't know where to go I mean how does one BECOME a magic dealer? I mean where do you start? Any help you can give me I would be forever gratefull to you. Can someone point me in the right direction?
Many Thanks in advance, Luke
We're 106 miles from Chicago, we have a full tank of gas, half a pack of cigarettes, it's dark and we're wearing sunglasses
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Julie Inner circle 3936 Posts |
Use caution--from a business standpoint many dealers are rethinking his/her enterprise due to current market conditions imposed by the low overhead of "dealers" selling via the internet.
Speak softly and carry a big wallet... |
Daniel J. Ferrara Jr. Regular user Long Island, New York 182 Posts |
Luke,
I really depends on what type of dealer your father wants to become. If he is interested in being an internet dealer exclusively, the task becomes much easier. The overhead is very low, so once the site is up and running, he can treat it as a hobby, or take it seriously and work on marketing. If he wants to open a physical location, it takes much more work. The overhead will be much higher, and he will have to have a staff. If he is going to be financially dependent on this business, make sure he realizes that very few magic shops make tons of money. It is a nitch market and most shops sell more than just magic to survive. For example, he could be an Magic and Gag shop. Another popular one is to be a Halloween shop or costume rental shop as well as a magic shop. |
Rob Johnston Inner circle Utah 2060 Posts |
You have to find the right distributors (I believe a lot of them list in the magic magazines).
"Genius is another word for magic, and the whole point of magic is that it is inexplicable." - Margot Fonteyn
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Bill Rubie New user Baltimore 61 Posts |
Your Dad has to make his shop an experience!! Not just a place to purchase magic. He has to create memories for the first timers.
He has to appreciate the followers. He has to make relationships not create customers. I'm sure your Dad has heard the names: Al Cohen, Phil Thomas, Lou Tannen and Hank Lee. They were and are the true formula to a successful magic shop in the U.S.A. Don't sell junk! Oh and he has to keep late hours like Denny in Baltimore MD.(LOL) Good Luck and let me know when he opens. I will stop by when I get to he other side of the pond. Bill
When a person starts off a factual statement with "They Say"...
Please ask, who are they? Bill |
irossall Special user Snohomish, Washington 529 Posts |
You might PM Tom Frank on this one. Tom had the best Magic shop in Seattle since Mickey Hades left town.
Iven
Give the gift of Life, Be an Organ Donor.
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Tom Frank V.I.P. industrial Strength Magic 493 Posts |
I'll give you the same advice Jay Marshall gave me, "Run for the hills!"
A decade as a magic shop owner in two cities cost me a marriage and my sanity. If he wants to go into business make sure he gets a sanity clause, and don't tell me there is no such thing as Sanity Clause |
Ed Hutchison Regular user Madison, MS (orig. CNY) 118 Posts |
I operated a magic shop in my home for over a decade and found it a great way to make a few bucks while doing something I greatly enjoyed--showing some tricks to my friends.
I also practiced my profession full time and didn't have to depend on the shop for a living. Needless to say, the pressure of being a full-time dealer in an expensive location, handling employees, tax forms, etc., could certainly produce a very different result. I'm curious to know if the original poster's father went into business and if it met his expectations. |
mikeflex New user 81 Posts |
I have been in a few magic shops. My number one tip is to make sure either he or someone else who can demonstrate the tricks is present. I am much more likely to buy something from someone who can demonstrate it first, give me honest opinions on whether the trick is right for me, and perhaps even give me some performance tips after I purchase the effect.
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