Have Magic Companies Learned to Print Legal Money?

Over the last years, there has been a trend from magic companies and the interest of the consumer market. There has been a huge influx of custom playing cards into the market. At an increased cost then regular cards and the ability to make cards limited edition and raise the price exponentially. I personally believe that the companies have developed a way to print money. By charging almost any price for cards. Now I have seen some beautiful cards and have used cards that are custom and love the feel of them. But it makes you think. When does it become more about people racing to create a new design and make a limited deck only to raise the price later? When are there so many types of cards out there that it doesn’t matter anymore.

Personally I’m torn on this topic. I love all the cards and enjoy using and collecting cards. At the same time I truly despise the cards that are made “limited” and after a certain amount there are no more but magically a few months later there’s a “Hidden” batch that’s found and now cost 3 times as much. When ever I hear this marketing push I almost immediately lose interest int he deck. I would love to hear all of your thoughts on this. Please respond and share this post. I’d like to get a discussion started on this.

Thank all of you for your support. We have some great new things in the works.

-Xavior Spade

http://twitter.com/ryanpflynn Tim Flynn

I think it is pathetic! I am glad I am “old enough” to not get caught up in all the hype of these miraculous playing cards. I must admit however that I too do love many of the cards coming out. But to what use? As a performer of not only stand up magic but close up/walk around/table hopping magic… I find it interesting because I usually have cards signed, or torn and basically doing this destroys a deck of cards. When I purchase these over priced, special edition cards I tend to play with a deck for a while, to break it in, but don’t use it in my magical work. So what is the point of them?

Not only that but being a magician, I already create suspicion when I bring out a deck of cards, sometimes asked if that is a “normal” deck of cards. Using Bicycle cards which are widely recognized is the best way to dispel this idea in a spectators mind. Using a deck of playing cards that are nice, pretty but different just heightens suspicion.And… since they are more expensive, I tend to stay away from them.
This new trend in playing cards reminds me of the baseball card craze that swept the nation back in the mid 80′s. A whole industry was revamped and excitement created. New baseball card companies appeared overnight. Donruss, Fleer, and a whole slew of others. All trying to get their piece of the pie before it disappeared. And disappear it did. It ruined baseball card collecting for me and my children.
Jason Rideout

I hope you don’t mind, but I posted about this at UnitedCardists.net

http://www.unitedcardists.net/uc/forum/viewtopic.php?f=5&t=7537

I’m hoping to stimulate this conversation.

CBJ
- http://www.thedailydeception.com/members/xaviorspade/ Xavior Spade
  
  No problem, post what you want where you want!
http://www.facebook.com/JordanML2 Jordan Linker

As long as people will buy them, others will create these specialty decks. I’ve bought some that appealed to me. Strangely, people rarely notice they are “special”. Many drug chains and big box stores sell special decks. I do use rider backs most of the time.
http://www.facebook.com/people/Fin-Handley/789064147 Fin Handley

I think it’s about supply and demand. The companies know there are still plenty of people out there with disposable income, people who collect cards, and spoiled brats who want EVERYTHING!! This means there is a market for a new deck every day! Well, nearly. And as capitalists living in a “consumer” world it makes sense to cash in on this chance to make money. It is human nature at work.

I like having a HUGE choice of decks to pick from when I do occasionally shop for cards, as I love the eye candy of certain different designs. I don’t think there is anything evil about what these companies are doing.. they are responding to demand, or even in some cases helping to create demand, but this is what the free market is all about! We can choose to take part in it or not but I don’t think we can moan about it. Don’t like the market? Don’t buy the cards.