2013 Holiday Shopping Season - CARDS, MAGIC, CARDISTRY

[Don Boyer]

Hello, one and all!

This is the PCP but I'm putting this topic here for ALL holiday shopping, sales, giveaways, comments, etc., including magic-related items - think of it as one-stop shopping for the latest information on the holiday season this year.

Ellusionist fired the opening salvo.  Just got an email - one v.2 Smoke bundle including the Greg Wilson DVD for only $99, 'til year's end or while supplies last.  Not bad.  Available now, no need to wait for next week.

We also know they're offering Red Arcanes as a holiday giveaway, but no word yet on how to obtain one aside from being in the Black Club.  BTW: Clubbers - that freebie offer ends Thursday if you haven't already taken advantage, and don't forget there's a coupon code required AND it's a one-shot deal.

[kdklown]

Same pure smoke bundle $99 on Penguin magic's "Cool Box".  These are run daily for 24 hours.  Nice magic discounts.  I've come to check this every day now.  Product changes at about 2 am eastern every night.  Phone app is available that gives you a heads up on the next days deal.  Not really holiday related but daily discounts all the same. 

[Nurul]

So, the holidays are fast approaching, I thought I'd share this giveaway with you all. I'm sure there'll be more to come from many other magic retailers.
Paul Harris has a good habit of putting out some great magic and being associated with it too.
Every $20 gets you one entry.
Enjoy

[Don Boyer]

You might not have noticed this but I started a topic in the PCP for EVERYTHING related to holiday deals for 2013, including magic, just so it's all in one place.  I've stickied the topic to make it more prominent and I'm merging this with that.

[Don Boyer]

Big news - Russell Kercheval is having a blowout sale.

http://d19cgyi5s8w5eh.cloudfront.net/eml/58467018-415X-4ZY1-8439-UY4Y96W1706Y?e=Johnnyb_2011%40yahoo.com&a=U259U531-Z7U0-407Y-Z71Z-8Y15V4Y36WX7&f=&t=1

I'm thinking that it's not so much a holiday sale, but an "I'm-trying-to-ship-my-Quicksilvers-and-ran-out-of-cash" sale, but still, it's worth looking into.  Credit for the scoop goes to John B.

In short, Hornets are under $4 a pack, all other decks (Quicksilver and both Heraldry decks) are under $6 a pack, bulk discounting still applies to drop the price further, and uncut sheets of all of those decks are $33.33.  He's even got a deal for under $40 to get two of every deck he's currently selling.

[speedyy400]

They are already sold out on that sampler $40, 2 packs of each deck deal. Went pretty quickly lol figured I would update you =D

[KPopFever605]

Brian Brushwood from Scam School is having amazing deals and bundles on his site (I believe it's scamstuff.com). if you'd like his autograph, he also have some signed decks included in some of he bundles as well.

Other than that, yesterday, I found that Best Buy, Amazon, Target, and Wal-Mart all have viewable ads foreshadowing their Black Friday deals. When I looked at them, nothing was extraordinary. Except for, some name-brand phones under a dollar, of course, with a two-year contract.

[Don Boyer]

Brian Brushwood from Scam School is having amazing deals and bundles on his site (I believe it's scamstuff.com). if you'd like his autograph, he also have some signed decks included in some of he bundles as well.

Other than that, yesterday, I found that Best Buy, Amazon, Target, and Wal-Mart all have viewable ads foreshadowing their Black Friday deals. When I looked at them, nothing was extraordinary. Except for, some name-brand phones under a dollar, of course, with a two-year contract.

That's nice.  But please try to keep it to playing cards, magic or cardistry.  If I want cellphones cheap, I'll find cellphoneforum.com, rack up a zillion posts and be named High Exalted One... 

[KPopFever605]

Brian Brushwood from Scam School is having amazing deals and bundles on his site (I believe it's scamstuff.com). if you'd like his autograph, he also have some signed decks included in some of he bundles as well.

Other than that, yesterday, I found that Best Buy, Amazon, Target, and Wal-Mart all have viewable ads foreshadowing their Black Friday deals. When I looked at them, nothing was extraordinary. Except for, some name-brand phones under a dollar, of course, with a two-year contract.

That's nice.  But please try to keep it to playing cards, magic or cardistry.  If I want cellphones cheap, I'll find cellphoneforum.com, rack up a zillion posts and be named High Exalted One... 

Oh, I thought this thread was for "EVERYTHING related to the holiday seasons"? Guess I took that too far.

[John B.]

Don he is right, you did say this was for anything

Hello, one and all!

This is the PCP but I'm putting this topic here for ALL holiday shopping, sales, giveaways, comments, etc., including magic-related items - think of it as one-stop shopping for the latest information on the holiday season this year.

So he can talk about that if he wants.

Since I am working black friday I get an employee special black friday related discount for a couple weeks later, 25% off everything in one trip.

[CBJ]

BLACK FRIDAY!


Black Friday Deals

On Friday, November 28, the Bicycle® community will find out that, with a promotion code, they can save a certain percentage on any products at shopbicyclecards.com.

But you aren’t the general Bicycle® community. You’re a member of Club 808. Your promotion code will be worth an even higher percentage off. We’ll email all Club 808 members at midnight on Black Friday with your 808-only promo code, which will work on everything except a Club 808 membership itself. From 12:00AM EST to 11:59PM EST.



CBJ

[Don Boyer]

Don he is right, you did say this was for anything

Hello, one and all!

This is the PCP but I'm putting this topic here for ALL holiday shopping, sales, giveaways, comments, etc., including magic-related items - think of it as one-stop shopping for the latest information on the holiday season this year.

So he can talk about that if he wants.

Since I am working black friday I get an employee special black friday related discount for a couple weeks later, 25% off everything in one trip.

Hey, wise guy - I was referring to the fact that it's the PLAYING CARD PLETHORA but that we should post ALL the sales and specials, meaning those covering MAGIC and CARDISTRY, which aren't usually posted here.  Perhaps I should move it to the STISO board and call it a day?

[John B.]

Don he is right, you did say this was for anything

Hello, one and all!

This is the PCP but I'm putting this topic here for ALL holiday shopping, sales, giveaways, comments, etc., including magic-related items - think of it as one-stop shopping for the latest information on the holiday season this year.

So he can talk about that if he wants.

Since I am working black friday I get an employee special black friday related discount for a couple weeks later, 25% off everything in one trip.

Hey, wise guy - I was referring to the fact that it's the PLAYING CARD PLETHORA but that we should post ALL the sales and specials, meaning those covering MAGIC and CARDISTRY, which aren't usually posted here.  Perhaps I should move it to the STISO board and call it a day?

Your the mod do what you want. I am just saying by your words we are right, what you meant and what you said were not the same.

[Don Boyer]

I've changed the title - now can we PLEASE stick to the topic?

[Don Boyer]

Anonymous (no, I'm not writing it in 1337 spe@k) scooped us all on the goings-on over at the Blue Crown for the holiday season.

http://aethercards.com/discourse/playing-card-plethora/%28new%29-white-luxury-crown-deck-by-the-blue-crown/?topicseen

Looks like we're getting White Luxury Crowns!  There appears to be a good deal more, but the details are pending later today.

[KPopFever605]

So, Ellusionist released/announced somethings today:

1) The Gaff System - Eric Jones, Calen Morelli, Daniel Madison
- Freaking amazing! The three most creative minds in magic came together to create a truly stunning work of art.

2) Messado Rings
- A unique variation on a timeless classic.

3) Announced their annual holiday sale with two ways to win/earn awesome prizes!
- You can earn amazing prizes by reaching a certain amount of dollars instantly when purchasing, such as an Artifice Stainless Steel Card Clip, Halo Wristband, White LTD. decks, and more.
- You can also earn by making a shipable purchase, where, in that purchase you will receive a raffel number. By the end of the week, Ellusionist will raffle off all entries from the previous week or win one of sixty prizes, such as an Apple computer, signed decks, signed DVD, a gross of playing cards and much more.

What do you guys think of Ellusionist's take this year on their holiday special?

[Don Boyer]

What do you guys think of Ellusionist's take this year on their holiday special?

So far, looks like they're doing it up right.  I think raffles are easier to deal with for us than last year's collecting of poker hands.

[the assman]

Since I just started collecting this year I've never partaken in the "holiday season" sales.  I'm looking for advice on when is the best day to buy. 

A while back I was reading some old posts from Nov/Dec 2012.  I recall some posters complaining that they made purchases on Black Friday only to see even better deals on Cyber Monday.  I know I'd be pretty bummed if that happened to me so I'm trying to avoid that scenario.  Thanks in advance.

[atsquare]

What do you guys think of Ellusionist's take this year on their holiday special?

I think over the last few years, Ellusionist have had the best holiday giveaways. This year is even better than last year in my opinion because the raffle system will be much more simpler than last years poker hands as Don mentioned. In comparison to theory11; purchases made from theory11 would allow you to accumulate tokens which give you the choice to allocate between five prizes. These prizes being 10k points elite membership, a gross of their unlimited playing cards, wire production kit (HD camera), ultimate brick (12 of their rarest decks) and a $500 coupon at theory11. Personally, I didn't find any of these prizes appealing with the exception of the ultimate brick. I really hope they have something different this year. I guess we'll just have to wait and see.

The Blue Crown holiday giveaway spoiler look good. Can't wait to see the rest of it.

[KPopFever605]

So far, looks like they're doing it up right.  I think raffles are easier to deal with for us than last year's collecting of poker hands.

Although I think they're doing a fabulous job, I am a bit irked by the $300 reward level for the White LTD. deck, compared to last year's $150 level for the original. Although I'm not going to buy any, I was just shocked. I know you're going to say that Ellusionist is doing this to target those collectors that MUST obtain all in a collection (me), but do you think they may a bit unreasonable? After all, having a steep reward level may deter more potentials buyers, right?

Since I just started collecting this year I've never partaken in the "holiday season" sales.  I'm looking for advice on when is the best day to buy. 

On Black Friday, that's usually when the greatest deals are released, such as theory11 is doing this year, but other companies choose to release their specials a bit earlier, such as Ellusionist. Generally speaking, you'd want to be there for a release, in the case that it does sell out. Other than that, I don't think there is a specific "day" to make a purchase, because it ultimately stems down to when the companies release their deals/products and how long such would last. Regarding Cyber Monday, there are still some sales, but I think the peak is obviously on BF.

This year is even better than last year in my opinion because the raffle system will be much more simpler than last years poker hands as Don mentioned.

Although a raffle system is much simpler this year, I did enjoy Ellusionist's variety in terms of their approach last year. To me, it felt like playing a hand of poker, not know what cards you will be dealt.

[Don Boyer]

So far, looks like they're doing it up right.  I think raffles are easier to deal with for us than last year's collecting of poker hands.

Although I think they're doing a fabulous job, I am a bit irked by the $300 reward level for the White LTD. deck, compared to last year's $150 level for the original. Although I'm not going to buy any, I was just shocked. I know you're going to say that Ellusionist is doing this to target those collectors that MUST obtain all in a collection (me), but do you think they may a bit unreasonable? After all, having a steep reward level may deter more potentials buyers, right?

If people wanted White LTDs more cheaply, they could have bought a DVD last week (about $30-$40 with shipping) to get one...

Is it high?  Yeah.  But it's their prerogative as to what point at which to declare the giveaway.  Remember, you're not actually buying the deck for that much money - you're buying merchandise worth that much and the deck is a free gift.  Plus a gift from every tier preceding it, too...

I understand the collector's desire to have it all, but they're freebies, and you're complaining?  Assuming a print run of 2,500 decks, that's in the ballpark of $8,000 the company's just giving away to customers just like you.  At retail, they would easily fetch anywhere from $12,500 to $20,000, assuming they're priced as all their other decks are.  I don't think it's unfair for the company to ask you to meet a minimum requirement to get a free gift.

Personally, I'm unconcerned about the White LTD.  Or the purple ones.  I was disappointed they changed the face designs.

[KPopFever605]

If people wanted White LTDs more cheaply, they could have bought a DVD last week (about $30-$40 with shipping) to get one...

Oh, yeah! Is that promotion still going on? Probably not, huh?

[Don Boyer]

If people wanted White LTDs more cheaply, they could have bought a DVD last week (about $30-$40 with shipping) to get one...

Oh, yeah! Is that promotion still going on? Probably not, huh?

I believe it ended at the end of last week.  You snooze, you lose.

[KPopFever605]

If people wanted White LTDs more cheaply, they could have bought a DVD last week (about $30-$40 with shipping) to get one...

Oh, yeah! Is that promotion still going on? Probably not, huh?

I believe it ended at the end of last week.  You snooze, you lose.

I wouldn't consider it losing, because I wasn't really interested in them. I just like knowing things.

UPDATE: theory11 just posted a teaser for one of their three releases on Black Friday, Decoy. It's a rising-card effect, where a card is out-jogged and slowly rises to the top. The also said that one of their other releases will be another deck of cards, possibly rounding out their three, unless they make the BlackJAQKS a promotional item.

[Don Boyer]

I was just in touch with Bill Kalush.  I can't give you details, but I can say he's got a number of very interesting things planned over at CARC for THURSDAY.  It's worth checking out while you're still buzzing on a turkey-induced tryptophan high.  There will be new products - and more!