My Sales Philosophy

This summer I began selling small magical items at a couple of local farmers markets.  In addition to demonstrating the items that I sell, I teach customers how to perform the product they just purchased, and I do some general performing.  My joke is that I am the resident magician of the market; I told the organizers that every farmers market needs a resident magician, and they fell for it, uh, believed me!

The products that I sell are generally magical effects (“tricks”) that beginners can learn, especially beginning around the age of 8.  I have at least one that much younger children can begin to learn to perform; they can understand how it works, and begin to work on presentation.  One little customer was showing his new magical ability around the Baker Memorial UM Church where his mother was helping set up for a special event.

Many of these same effects exist in much more expensive versions.  In fact, I have several in various versions, including one that I made myself.  My prices are generally lower than anyone in the area.  (I invite you to comparison shop, and I can tell you where some of the brick and mortar stores are.  They also have larger inventories than I have.)  My prices are probably comparable to some discount sites online, though you would have to pay shipping.

The philosophy behind my prices is that I want to provide an introduction to magic to children at the farmers markets.  The way that I learned a lot of the effects that I still perform was to see Jerry at The Secret Magic and Joke Shop in Merle Hay Mall in Des Moines stand behind the counter and demonstrate various pieces of magic.  I try to do that for my young customers.  I also try to set my prices low enough that any given trick is not prohibitive; I have several customers that are learning great magic, simply though it is.

As I said, my prices are generally lower than shops in the area; I don’t have a brick and mortar site to keep up.  But do understand that I am not only selling the props for doing a particular magical illusion.  Sellers of magic will always emphasize that we are selling the secret.  So sometimes magical items may seem a little high priced (comparison shop to ascertain an appropriate value), but do remember that the seller is selling the secret.  Written instructions – and, of course, the secret – come with the trick.  And as often as possible, I give a short lesson in how the effect works, how to perform it, various key elements, etc.

So stop by at either the South Elgin Farmers Market on Wednesday afternoons (2:30 – 6:30 p.m.) or the St. Charles Farmers Market on Friday mornings (I am usually there from about 8:00 or 8:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.).  I have sold to children, to moms buying for a child, grandparents buying for a grandchild or for themselves to be able to be a magical grandparent.  So stop by, see me perform some magic, perhaps pick up a little magical effect to amaze friends, children, grandchildren, or to perhaps teach them to perform.  Abracadabra!