A quick search on eBay will yield over a 11,000 "magic tricks" being sold on any given day, at any given time. There is a lot of magic on the market - and that is only on eBay!
If you look at some of the larger magic retailers online, it can be absolutely mind boggling as to where to begin if you are interested in learning magic tricks.
If you are new to magic, or you are shopping for your children, there are some basic money traps to be avoided.
Trap #1: The Newest Tricks are the Best Magic
Wrong. Actually, the most simple magic is always the best magic. Period. Once you learn the fundamentals of magic you will quickly learn that nearly all new magic tricks are a simple "spin-offs" of very old magic tricks or based on very well-established principles and techniques of magic.
Stick with magic tricks and products that have stood the test of time and teach the fundamentals of magic. You won't be able to perform any fancy sleight of hand right off the bat anyways (to do so takes much practice and time) and most flashy "new" magic is beyond the ability of the novice - let alone the complete beginner.
My best suggestion is to buy a Magic Trick set, made in America, to learn a variety of different types of magic (coin, sponge ball, card, etc.) to get a grasp on the basics. It is important to buy American, because while there are some very cheap import magic sets, the instructions tend to be unintelligible. In the long run, if you go cheap you on buying a magic set, you will have wasted your money and end up spending more.
Trap #2: Free Online Magic Tricks or Ebooks
They are free for a reason. When is the last time you got something free from a stranger that really "wowed" you? Yeah, me too - never! So why are you expecting anything different when you get some "free" magic trick online?
Trap #3: Buying Cheap Magic Tricks
As alluded to above, buying a cheap import magic set is only costing you money. There are very affordable solutions domestically produced. The American made Magic set is the best. I would highly recommend any of the magic kits or sets from FUN Inc.
You can also buy single magic tricks made in America with good instructions for less than $5.00 if you shop around.
Buy Magic Tricks that Teach the Basics
If you are a beginner magician - stay away from cheap imports and flashy new magic tricks. Both will only end in frustration and possibly giving up the art of magic before you even really get started.
I cannot emphasize enough how important good instruction is - you're not paying for the actual magic "gimmick" but for the knowledge and the instruction for any given magic trick. Buy a well produced magic DVD or magic set, and you will set yourself up for a long and enjoyable journey on the pathway of magic.
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