Where do you release tools/products?

[Maaz Hasan]

So I know where to publish effects people can do easily with minimal gimmicks and or just regular items (Marketplace, Penguin Magic, etc.). What about effects that use a manufactured prop? I have an idea for a (future) effect that I might sell that involves a gimmicked cup or water bottle, but don't know how I would produce that. From what I understand, Murphy's makes you sell it for a super cheap price, so wouldn't that put me in a financial hole?

Basically, how did magicians not working with a Magic company specifically manufacture and sell their products (like @obrienmagic's Switcheroo, Brian Brushwood's Book Test, etc.).

 

[obrienmagic]

Maybe this will help?

 

[Maaz Hasan]

Maybe this will help?

Oh, I watched that a while ago (and it was a big help ). In fact, your video is what got me thinking about where to release it if Murphy's makes it financially disadvantageous. I guess lectures are the best idea...? But atm, I'm only 16 so...

 

[obrienmagic]

Other platforms you could sell your product on (depending on what it is exactly) are:

-Etsy
-Ebay
-Amazon
-PayPal
-Square
-Weebly/Wordpress/Squarespace (or any free web hosting site)
-Facebook (I sell things on Facebook all the time in different magic buy/sell/trade groups)
-Sell directly to magic shops yourself

There are tons of avenues to self publish and sell that do not rely on any major magic companies. With MMS it is just easier to distribute worldwide. But if you do it yourself you will make more profit per unit sold

 

[Maaz Hasan]

Thanks!

 

[Tom Wong]

Maybe this will help?

Thanks that was very helpful. One question though. While selling through papal do you ever have the issue of customers charging back?

 

[obrienmagic]

Thanks that was very helpful. One question though. While selling through papal do you ever have the issue of customers charging back?

Can you be more specific. Sorry my friend not sure what you mean?

 

[Tom Wong]

Can you be more specific. Sorry my friend not sure what you mean?

A chargeback happens when a buyer asks their card issuer to reverse a completed payment.

Chargebacks are filed outside of PayPal, by the card holder, with their card issuer. The outcome is decided by the credit card company and not by PayPal. Chargebacks are one of the unfortunate risks of accepting card payments.

Common reasons for chargebacks include:

• The card holder is claiming unauthorised use of their card
• The card holder is claiming they did not receive the item or the item received was different from the original description.

If you suffer a chargeback on a payment you received, we’ll email asking you to respond with information. We’ll use the details you provide to check if you’re eligible for Seller protection and we’ll dispute the chargeback with the credit card issuer on your behalf.

 

[Maaz Hasan]

A chargeback happens when a buyer asks their card issuer to reverse a completed payment.

Chargebacks are filed outside of PayPal, by the card holder, with their card issuer. The outcome is decided by the credit card company and not by PayPal. Chargebacks are one of the unfortunate risks of accepting card payments.

Common reasons for chargebacks include:

• The card holder is claiming unauthorised use of their card
• The card holder is claiming they did not receive the item or the item received was different from the original description.

If you suffer a chargeback on a payment you received, we’ll email asking you to respond with information. We’ll use the details you provide to check if you’re eligible for Seller protection and we’ll dispute the chargeback with the credit card issuer on your behalf.

So its like a refund, but instead of returning the product, they just get their money back?

 

[Tom Wong]

Pretty much, you can dispute it (fight against it), but whether you win and your dispute is accepted is another story.

 

[Tom Wong]

So its like a refund, but instead of returning the product, they just get their money back?

Also this is why a lot of people who make transactions over paypal, do so through the friends and family option rather that the sell & buy goods option as it rules out the possibility of chargeback.

 

[obrienmagic]

Honestly i have not ONCE had this happen (knock on wood.) Though I am sure it does happen sometimes, I do not think it is a significant risk. I have lost a couple items in the mail, but that is why you have money to cover your losses set aside strictly for that.

Customer service is a huge part of my business and sometimes you have to eat the cost of materials or lose a bit of money to keep the customer happy. This pays off in the end though because i have a few loyal customers who will buy just about every product I put out because they like my content and think my service is fair.

BTW thank you to those of you who keep my lights and hot water running. You know who you are

 

[WitchDocIsIn]

PayPal will almost always side with the customer in disputed purchases. It is very difficult to win those claims from the merchant's point of view.

 

[Tom Wong]

PayPal will almost always side with the customer in disputed purchases. It is very difficult to win those claims from the merchant's point of view.

That is very true.