|
|
Go to page [Previous] 1~2 | ||||||||||
Sean Fields V.I.P. Winnipeg 894 Posts |
Steve,
I see what you are saying, and I do agree. I am sure you will see that while simple, the bender is very effective, and easy to use. To be very honest, the bend takes a fraction of a second. As mentioned earlier, $75 is a tenative price based on my current costs. If my costs change before release, this will be reflected on the retail price. Menta, Yes, Benz is a real time bender. My primary reason for developing a real time bender is slightly different from others. Many people love real time benders because it allows the coin to be signed. For me, it is simply a practicality issue. I would much rather carry Benz on me, and be able to bend random change, than carry 15 pre bent coins to be switched in. Sean |
|||||||||
ritty360 Elite user McKinney, Texas 405 Posts |
Why not charge $400?
|
|||||||||
Tim Ellis V.I.P. Melbourne, Australia 1234 Posts |
Sean,
Once you decide to release your creation, beware of unethical magic makers copying it and releasing it as their own. I've tried to dissuade people from doing this, but it seems a lost cause. Maxwell from Penguin advised me: "You should focus on educating inventors so they don't make the boneheaded decision not to patent their legally protectable inventions. Our job is to protect our customers. One thing we have to defend our customers from is an anti-competitive marketplace where they get fleeced by magic "inventors"." So his advice is to patent your invention. Be aware though, once you have spent the many dollars required to patent it, a copyist merely has to change the device a tiny bit for it to be considered a new invention. However, Penguin Magic understands this and states in their Guidelines for Ethics & Innovation http://www.penguinmagic.com/ethicsandinnovation.php "In such a small market, it doesn't always make financial sense to patent an invention. Legally, this leaves magic tricks open to imitators. However, there are factors such as mutual trust and respect that have been the foundation of this creative community since its inception. Penguin Magic, in keeping with this tradition is committed to promoting innovation while preserving the spirit of magical brotherhood. A new magic trick must differ from its predecessors in some key way. This may be in function, or design. For purposes of refereeing, Penguin Magic will act as though all applicable magic related products do indeed have patent protection."
www.MagicUnlimited.com
www.timellismagic.com Visit our online shop for instant downloads and ebooks https://shop.timellismagic.com/ Blog - www.magicunlimited.typepad.com |
|||||||||
Larry Davidson Inner circle Boynton Beach, FL 5270 Posts |
Quote:
On 2004-11-30 17:46, Tim Ellis wrote: I know this will sound abrasive but I think that it needs to be said directly -- that's some of the stupidest "advice" I've ever heard. With respect to the specific question you posed, Sean, I think that the complete package including the gimmick and DVD is what makes sense so I'm glad that you've decided to go that route. Off the top of my head, $75 is not unreasonable. If you need a product tester, I'd be happy to do it and pay you $75 if I thought the product was good enough to keep (or return it to you if I didn't). Regards, Larry D. |
|||||||||
billfromoregon Special user 608 Posts |
Sean - I recently purchased the Quantum Bender (through a member of the Café, at a substantial discount). The retail price is $500.00. When I received this, my first impression was "I paid HOW much for this?". Now, the unit works well, but there is just the most basic of routines for it, and the unit itself is quite simple in construction. It does what it says, and it may pay for itself in referrals, but it certainly could have sold for MUCH less. $75.00 is not a lot of money for a utility item with a companion DVD, if well made with quality instruction. I, like Larry, would be happy to test it out (side by side with the QB), and pay you $75.00 if I feel it is a quality prduct (compared to the QB, this is a BARGAIN). And I also vote for the complete package, as this will ultimately be of greatest benefit to the largest number of people (many who might buy the DVD only, would never get around to building the device, just as many who purchased something such as Versatile Monte ((how to print custom playing cards)) will never print any cards). Best of luck -
Bill |
|||||||||
Tiki Loyal user Northwest Arkansas, USA 247 Posts |
You should charge what you think the product is worth. There is no need to justify your price. If your price is too low, you will lose money. if your price is too high, the product will not sell. Most justifications, such as keeping a product out of the hands of hacks, ring hollow anyway.
Because of the market and potential profit of your coin bender is limited, a patent is probably not cost-effective. But you may want to visit with a lawyer about protecting your routines and dvd with copyright protection and protecting the design, appearance and name of your bender with trademark and trade dress protections. Also, you may want to visit with Neil Tobin, as he has had good luck preventing his x-pert from being knocked-off. Good luck to you with your inventions. Cheers, Tiki |
|||||||||
levitate Veteran user 319 Posts |
I think you should include the gimmick, a lot of times when a dvd requires me to make something that uses anything more than tape and glue, I wont ever get around to getting the supplies, muchless putting it together. Also, if you don't include the gimmick, someone else may be inclined to make and sell it on its own.
Michael |
|||||||||
Sean Fields V.I.P. Winnipeg 894 Posts |
Wow, I thought this thread was dead!
Thanks Tim, Larry, Bill, Tiki, and Levitate for your input. I have thought about patenting the device, but ultimately, it would not be my best route. The cost of attaining a patent are quite high, especially considering the cost of such an endeavor increases when you go from a national patent, to an international patent, to a worldwide patent. As well, the device is not 'cutting edge technology'. I simply took some common items, and assembled them in such a way that they will bend coins, so it may be difficult to patent an existing technology. Once I figure out the best way to mass produce these things, I will be looking for market testers. Again, I must stress that I am not looking for BETA testers, this device is past the beta stage, but rather market testers, to get some feedback on peoples initial reaction to the device. Bill, you are right, compared to other benders on the market, $75 is a bargain. I am working on a $75 price point because, quite frankly, I want this thing to sell. The other benders are great, but the price puts them out of the hands of many real working pros that simply cannot part with $500 for one close up effect. I don't want that to happen with this. I want to price it low enough that anyone interested could afford it. As well, at this point, my costs are reasonably high, especially when you understand that if it does retail for $75, I don't make nearly that much per unit. I am all but certain that I WILL include the gimmick, and I am currently trying to get the items neccessary at a lower price, so I may be able to sell it for a touch less, but only time will tell. Sean |
|||||||||
omnibozo Regular user Boulder, CO 151 Posts |
Cool... another coin bending routine... er, wait, in all of the discussion there hasn't been much,if any, discussion of the routine. In what ways does this method advance the effect over others out there? If it advances the deceptiveness of the effect THAT should be the deciding factor for how much to charge. For cleanliness of handling, the QB is the routine to beat. If you think audiences don't care whether or not the coin is signed... you haven't been bending coins for long... or at least you haven't seen the difference in reaction when it sinks in that THEIR marked coin is the very one that is now bent. I bent about 200 in shows over the last three weeks... They do notice. When the spectator announces that he's a metalurgist and knows this is impossible... then the $500 is well spent. When he calls the next week and books a show... order a back up while they are still available!
Definitely keep us posted on availability of your new method. |
|||||||||
Xiqual Inner circle Upper left quadrant 4935 Posts |
Quote:
One big problem with patents no one has mentioned yet. When you patent something, the plans and specs are public. Anyone can see the design of the patented device. There is a webpage that has many patents available from Tenyo and other magic companies. James Linn
Still with the Chinese circus
|
|||||||||
Sean Fields V.I.P. Winnipeg 894 Posts |
The other issue I had with obtaining a patent was the gimmick is made from everyday objects; in fact, it IS an everyday object that has been modified slightly to acheive the effect desired.
Sean |
|||||||||
The Magic Cafe Forum Index » » Tricks & Effects » » Opinions Please... (0 Likes) | ||||||||||
Go to page [Previous] 1~2 |
[ Top of Page ] |
All content & postings Copyright © 2001-2024 Steve Brooks. All Rights Reserved. This page was created in 0.03 seconds requiring 5 database queries. |
The views and comments expressed on The Magic Café are not necessarily those of The Magic Café, Steve Brooks, or Steve Brooks Magic. > Privacy Statement < |