Baller08 - I think we are saying the same thing - but a little different...you think it's stupid, I think it exits in LIFE - so deal with it. My point is this - Jerry's decks aren't "WORTH" 150 dollars, but they ARE - let me explain, it reminds me of a story. This guy is travelling through a village and on the outskirts of town - he sees a pot for $10.00...long story short...he sees the same pot in town for $100.00, and the same guy is selling them - he asks the owner, "Why do you sell your pots for $100 in town, and $10 out? The owner replied, "Because some people like to spend $10, some people like to spend $100". The moral - sometimes people want to pay more for something because of what it provides them (perceived value - sure it's market driven, but the market drive itself...it's not like I see commercial for the dammed things - I mean, if I see commercials on TV or a Pop-up on my computer, I will agree it's marketing) - you may simplify it by saying it's the desire to "have some other don't" - but it's not the product - it's the experience. People weren't waiting in line to "own" a donut - they wanted the experience of eating a great donut that was considered the best - something rare...they weren’t “GULLIBLE”...or do you call all your customers that? Let me explain...
JERRY'S DECKS are considered "the best" not because they are the best deck in materials, but because of what is attached to it. You negligence in understanding this, makes me realize you don't appreciate the value of an experience and having/being part of something - which makes me understand you don't know the value of your magic and what it is people are really buying into when they hire you (if they hire you). YOUR CARD TRICKS AREN'T WORTH ANYTHING EITHER - but you give them a perceived value, when you work professionally. THIS same value is what is attached to the STATUS of these cards in THOSE WHO USE THEM ARE LEGENDS - YOU ARE NOT - SO KNOWBODY USES YOUR DECK...I am sure you would love a piece of the MILLIONS of dollars playing cards generate each year...not including the novelty decks sold on site like this! Guys like Lee Asher, Aaron Fisher, Micheal Weber, Jason England...and so on - all handle and cherish their Nuggets and RARELY give them away without fee. If someone is going to spend 150 on a deck of cards...I want to know those guys - because they love magic enough to invest in something that may be worthless to most but has meaning to members of the magic circle and is considered a collector’s item. They will eventually be so rare using them will be like...to quote "Pineapple Express", eating a unicorn.
It's two things pal - supply and demand (the deck is rare) in combination with status - you call it marketing and brain washing....honestly Baller08...it might be because I got mind for cheap...or given to me by Lee himself, as we are good friends....but I will tell you this - they do have value, they are part of magic history, as much as overpriced Furbees and PS3 are. However, this is part of magic; Jerry’s Nuggets are a rare part of our history...just like a set of shackles used by Houdini...or a set of Cups by Ross Bertram...or any other famous old props...this PROP is a deck of cards, and it is like owning one of those other historical props. Sorry it's a deck of cards - so perhaps you aren't narrow minded...you may just not be a student and lover of magic enough to understand their value as we leave OUR piece of history in time on magic. I guess owning magic props that legends used is a poor investment...and the only reason I do it is because some form of “marketing” is telling me to do it?
Um, NO, and as for the status thing - Your Avator has a picture of you wearing a hat with a team name on it...you paid more for it than buying a generic hat with nothing on it...so you are gullible and brain washed by marketing!! NOPE – you made a choice that the item you bought had value. So, even though I understand your thoughts...how you deliver them lacks any tack for people that DO understand it’s meaning and value, so please go back to living your point of view...it really shows your character, and I don’t think I have anything to share with you as you appear to lack any substantial knowledge on being a magician and a decent person.
As for saying it’s a weak reason” I want a different deck at conventions – let me explain, I like a different deck because, at sessions, David Williamson would borrow two guys decks that had the same colour back...and shuffle them together. It took those two guys a rather long time to separate their deck. I figured to avoid it and outsmart David (or copy cats that see David mess with people), I would always bring a deck nobody had to the meeting...well, decks are so massed produced now...everyone has every deck on the market - however, very few show up with Nuggets. If some jerk shuffles my deck into someone else’s...I can remove them from the backs, rather than the face...and if they riffle shuffle...my stack is unbroken, and can lead to some cool ideas. So, I think my reason is fine.
Hope this clears up any misunderstandings. Good luck in your magic.
