text: The Magic Cafe Forums - What Shop Do you Order from?
  The Magic Cafe Forum Index » » New to magic? » » What Shop Do you Order from? (0 Likes)
  Posted: Aug 21, 2010 10:50 am
  Was wondering what shop you prefer and why?
  Posted: Aug 21, 2010 01:31 pm
  I've not ordered from Abbotts or Tannens, but I have purchased items in their stores. No problems.
  I've also purchased several effects from Hank Lees old store in downtown Boston. It was a great looking shop with good service and solid inventory. I don't know about their new location. I've heard mixed reviews about their online service ranging from poor customer service to advertising items not in stock. I steer clear.
  My favorites are (in no particular order) The Trickery, Stevens, Hocus Pocus, and Viking. All offer top notch merchandise, fast delivery, and excellent customer service. I've never been disappointed.
  Posted: Aug 21, 2010 02:08 pm
  I really like the Magic Warehouse. I've placed two orders so far and they ship really fast. Regular UPS works out to one day because they're in Maryland and I'm in New Jersey. Very convenient.
  Posted: Aug 21, 2010 03:01 pm
  I really like magicvault (www.shopmagicvault.com). they have a great selection and better yet, they have prices that most other shops cannot offer. My orders are shipped fast and always correct. They have free shipping offers and usually toss in something free as a gift. I got to meet them at one of the conventions and they are a great group of guys.
  I also like outlaw-effects.com for unique mentalism items. They ship kinda slow, but the items are hand made and really nice.
  By the way, this question comes up often. You should search on "best shops" before posting this question..
  Posted: Aug 21, 2010 03:09 pm
  Abbotts, Tannens, and Hank Lee are probibly the last places I would ever shop, Abbotts, and Tannens have got to be the worst magic shops on earth. Google the trick that you are interested in, and buy it there, and if you Froogle it they will show you the cheapest place to buy it.
  Posted: Aug 21, 2010 04:30 pm
  A M E N to your assertion about Tannen's. Their fall from grace has been swift and deserved. They have perhaps the WORST customer service I have EVER encountered. It was not always so, but alas, it seems that way now. Lou and Irv Tannen nust be spinning in their graves.
  My shops of choice are: IllusionsMagic in Willowick, OH, The Cuckoos' Nest in Pittsburgh, PA, and Denny and Lee Magic Studio in Balitmore, MD and Las Vegas, NV.
  Online, I have had GREAT experiences with Elmwood Magic. Their customer service is excellent and their shipping is insanely fast. I think they have an Einstein-Rosen bridge
  I also am a HUGE fan of Lybrary.com http://www.lybrary.com, The Miracle Factory and Martin Breese, Ltd. http;//www.abracadabra.co.uk
  Lastly, it's ALWAYS cool to go to the actual creators' sites! http://www.full52.com, http://www.peterduffie.com, http://www.cameron-francis.com and http://www.vinnymarini.com
  Oh, and a special mention to H&R Magic Books. Richard Hatch and Charlie Randall ROCK!!!
  Posted: Aug 21, 2010 05:01 pm
  The first time my wife and I went to see Monday Night Magic I just had to stop at Tannens as part of my New York City sight seeing, and the crack staff at Tannens wouldn't get out of their chairs unless I first promised to buy something. We have been back to New York City many times since then, but not to Tannens.
  My only complaint I have with Hank Lee is that they think that I am using a stolen credit card, and just won't take my @#$% money. LOL
  Abbotts unfortunetly has seen better days.
  Posted: Aug 21, 2010 05:19 pm
  I live near Hank Lees and have been there. The shop is okay in person. I find that there are many things they have in stock and many things they don't. Before you place an order with Hank Lee make sure you send them an email to check their inventory. I haven't tried ordering from Abbotts or Tannens!
  As for places I do order from regularly, I really like Diamonds Magic and The Magic Warehouse.
  Posted: Aug 21, 2010 05:42 pm
  The Trickery, MJM Magic and Penguin Magic have been reliable.
  Tannen's! Never again!
  Posted: Aug 21, 2010 05:55 pm
  Penguin may be reliable to buy from, but they have very questionable ethics when it comes to the tricks that they sell.
  OK Al. Care to explain?
  Posted: Aug 21, 2010 06:15 pm
  Magic warehouse is my first choice.
  Penguin had some issues some time ago. I think all that is pretty much in the past.
  I buy from them now and then.
  Posted: Aug 21, 2010 07:07 pm
  If they have cleaned up their act that's fine. I guess I'm talking about the way they did business a couple years ago.
  Posted: Aug 21, 2010 07:37 pm
  Thanks for the kind words Clownmagic. I appreciate you mentioning us. we love what we do and we want to be the very best at it.
  Even though I own a magic shop, I do find original and unique sources of magic - Doug Higley is one of them. His items are really top notch and one of a kind.
  http://www.grindshow.com
  Posted: Aug 21, 2010 10:24 pm
  I also prefer Magic Warehouse.
  Shipping is fast and so far, they never send any wrong orders.
  Posted: Aug 22, 2010 12:50 am
  Joe Pon (proprietor) owns a brick and mortal magic shop and is also an internet dealer who ships worldwide.
  He'll help you to buy what you actually need, not merely what the demo videos lead you to believe you need.
  Posted: Aug 22, 2010 12:54 am
  I used to buy books from Penguin but have stopped doing so since they increased the prices. I shop at "i hyphen magicnation dot com" The prices at mjm magic is very competitive as well.
  Vlad... Great and thorough list.
  Illusions is my "go-to" local shop. The owner Buck, is old school and proud of it. He runs a dying breed brick and mortar that is becoming few and far between. If he doesn't have something in stock...he'll order it for you quickly. I've never ordered from him on-line, as his web site is outdated, but he keeps up with the latest and still believes in books.
  Cuckoos Nest rocks the house. Another old school shop with good service, great inventory, and real working magicians behind the counters. Plus, they have a separate room exclusively for books and DVDs. And, Pittsburgh is a great town (I say that even though our cities are mortal football enemies).
  And you're right Vlad, many creators have great sites that are worth a look.
  Speaking of which, don't forget one of Magic's most generous creators...Bob Solari. Clever guy who doesn't overcharge for his original effects... http://www.gmrcreations.com/bob
  Mark Reed... You are so right regarding Doug Higley. Creepy web site, but not a creepy guy. As nice as they come, and oh so talented.
  Posted: Aug 22, 2010 12:40 pm
  On 2010-08-21 19:15, professorwhut wrote:
  The Magic Warehouse is my 1st choice too...great fast service put's them above all the rest IMHO.
  Posted: Aug 22, 2010 04:01 pm
  I've had good experiences at Hocus Pocus, Magic Warehouse, Outlaw Effects, Wunderground, and (of course) Abbott's - Best days never seemed better - Abbott's 2 weeks ago.
  http://www.magicgettogether.com/A.jpg
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  http://www.magicgettogether.com/TT.jpg
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  Find out more about Abbott's history by checking out the free Abbott Compendium at http://www.magicgettogether.com/compendium.pdf
  Find out more about Abbott's today at http://www.abbottmagic.com , http://www.topsmag.com , http://magicgettogether.com