2 weeks ago, I stumbled upon this magic shop in a popular IT mall in town. While the name of the shop has been around for quite a number of years, this particular shop is a newly opened one, and there are a few other branches around town.

It used to only sell magic and party props, but now they have jumped on the bandwagon of giving magic lessons. Personally, I have no problems with shops teaching magic. But the issue here is the standard of the teacher.

That day I went to the mall to meet my friend, and he smsed me to come up to the shop (he knew I’m interested in magic). By the time I reached, my friend had just bought himself a stripper/marked deck (costing $35, non-Bicycle) and the demonstrator, a middle-aged uncle, was explaining to him on how to use it.

Honestly, it was quite unbearable for me to hear out the uncle’s confusing and boring monologue. In fact, it was so bad that I had to bring my friend down to MacDonald’s to explain to him again after the uncle had finished.

Anyway, the owner, (a local magician and ventriloquist), happened to drop by. Upon seeing me, he tried to sell me a “ring-linked-to-chain” trick for $20, saying that it was DIFFERENT from ALL the other versions out there, although I couldn’t really tell what was the big difference.

After seeing my disinterested face, he tried to sell me the stripper/marked deck too, claiming that it could be used to win card games and proceeded to show me a gambling effect with it, plus a very, very poorly executed bottom deal (which according to him, was an exclusive sleight known only to him. I guess he was right… considering that he was the only person I ever saw doing it so badly).

To cut the story short, I didn’t buy anything from him that day.

Eventually, I did went back on another day to get a Faded Out Deck. The uncle (not the owner) offered to demonstrate the effect for me. As there were other customers in the shop at that time, they started to crowd around us as he was demonstrating the effect.

Seriously, I had some expectations for the uncle. I thought, even if he couldn’t teach, at least he should be able to perform, but the patter was so corny and the half-pass he did so blatant that the little girl (who would usually be screaming their heads off) beside me was left with a blank look, wondering where was the magic….

I won't name the shop here. But for anybody who might know the shop and is thinking of taking lessons from there, think twice and thrice.
And the stuff there, IMO, is really quite expensive.

I sympathize. I once went to their other branch and I got burnt during the demonstration of a 'magic effect'. My left hand got physically BURNT.

I wanted to punch him, but I was too stunned to move.

Any problem mentioning the shop's name ? Is for awareness and anyway your comment is an individual opinion of a dealer review.

Yes, it was a personal opinion, based on my own experience. For all I know, people could have different experiences from mine. I am ok with that

I actually write it to help save some money for people (esp newbies) who are thinking of buying things or learning magic from magic shops. Nothing wrong with learning, but if one must pay to learn, at least pay for quality teaching.

It is my own preference not to name the shop or the person involved, so as not to let it look like I am making some personal attacks. In any case, there are only a handful of magic shops around, I am sure you all will know which one when you come across it.

Anyway, the shop I mentioned had not, in my experience, did anything unethical or illegal. Just that I think you can buy the same stuff for lesser money.... (ok, I understand they have higher rents to pay, but I am just coming from the point of a consumer)

Same opinon. I was like feeling "What the heck?" when the uncle showed me a magic of a coin appearing out of nowhere in a cup with a blue base. He uses a sentence which indirectly insulted me.

He said as his fist reach into his pocket and take it out again. "Do you see a coin in my hand? I guess you cant, because only people with High IQ can see it"

So sad to hear that magic is exploited in this way.

Maybe to survive, this person has to go all out with his marketing skills to make ends meet.

Boycott them and chances they will close in a couple of months.

Keep it up Axl for posting.

Uncle Bob

the shop is call The Magic Wand. I bought a PK nut from him for $300 and the thing spoilt and he refused to help me. Lied saying that the gimmick was from US and i found out that it was from china and sold at 30-40% of his selling prices.

Anyway fyi the uncle is no more working there now...another guy took over doing the teaching n demo etc.

Their stuff is not only expensive it's bloody expensive.

I was at Funan IT mall, getting a pre-order for Starcraft II!! So decided to visit Magic Wand there, their stuff are expensive. Like a rider back deck about 50% more than usual price. I was served by a Chinese guy also.

Em guys, I thought no names of shops?

I dun even know if saying the mall in which it is located is allowed.