Hank Lee's to Close

Discuss the latest news and rumors in the magic world.
User avatar
Matthew Field
Posts: 2846
Joined: January 18th, 2008, 12:00 pm
Favorite Magician: Slydini
Location: Hastings, England, UK

Hank Lee's to Close

Postby Matthew Field » October 26th, 2012, 9:03 am

This from Hank Lee:

-------------------------

Greetings from all of us at Hank Lees Magic Factory.

We here at Hank Lees all knew it was coming. Despite Herculean efforts by Steve and Aron and Don, the handwriting was on the wall. As Steve put it, this is such a nuanced business; it is impossible for a person to learn every phase in a short time. I want to personally thank both of them for trying so hard to make it work.

Its been a long and wonderful road; nearly four decades in business. But, we have made the difficult decision to close Hank Lees Magic Factory. Sunday, October 28th will be our last day of operation.

I want to thank all of our customers and friends for their support over the past 37 years. There are no better people than you, anywhere.

I want to assure you that this closure is not forever. We will reorganize and we will be back.

If you have Gift Certificates or Reward Points, hold onto them. When we re-open, we will honor all of them.

If you have items on back order, be assured that we are working feverishly to get them out to you.

Of course, it wouldnt be Friday without our weekly Excitement. So, for the last time, check it out.

Hank

-------------------

Too bad, but he brought it on himself.

Matt Field

User avatar
erdnasephile
Posts: 4770
Joined: January 17th, 2008, 12:00 pm

Re: Hank Lee's to Close

Postby erdnasephile » October 26th, 2012, 9:17 am

I'm not a businessman, so please pardon this ignorant question: what would be the advantage of closing and then reopening?

Is he talking about declaring bankruptcy to get protection from his creditors?

Also, here's a dated, but interesting layperson's (well, actually a magicians parent's) take on the crime. http://dover.patch.com/blog_posts/is-this-an-illusion

The Magic Apple
Posts: 850
Joined: January 23rd, 2008, 12:00 pm
Location: Studio City, CA
Contact:

Re: Hank Lee's to Close

Postby The Magic Apple » October 26th, 2012, 10:41 am

He won't be re-opening unless they set up a gift shop in jail.

Please use common sense and DO NOT order from this guy. There is barely any inventory and he WILL charge your card and chances are, he WON'T send you the items.

So you can see how a reputable dealer works, This weekend ONLY, The Magic Apple is offering 20% off the ENTIRE website! Enter the code "genii" in the coupon box from today until Sunday.
www.themagicapple.com
TheMagicApple.com
818-508-9921
Follow us: @The_Magic_Apple

User avatar
Richard Kaufman
Posts: 27056
Joined: July 18th, 2001, 12:00 pm
Favorite Magician: Theodore DeLand
Location: Washington DC
Contact:

Re: Hank Lee's to Close

Postby Richard Kaufman » October 26th, 2012, 11:32 am

There's nothing remotely surprising about this.
Subscribe today to Genii Magazine

Scott M.
Posts: 197
Joined: March 13th, 2008, 12:42 am
Location: NYC

Re: Hank Lee's to Close

Postby Scott M. » October 26th, 2012, 11:40 am

I've never ordered from Hank Lee nor ever commented on the news of his theft and conviction. But this final posting, which implies that the reason HL is closing is because his existing staff can't pick up the "nuances" of the business, is disgraceful. For him not to acknowledge his own culpability in destroying the store's reputation and dissuading anyone from shopping there is stunning.

Dave Shepherd
Posts: 424
Joined: January 17th, 2008, 12:00 pm
Location: 15 miles w. of Washington, DC
Contact:

Re: Hank Lee's to Close

Postby Dave Shepherd » October 26th, 2012, 12:19 pm

There surely does seem to be a lot of denial in Hank's statement. As I've received those weekly email newsletters recently, which sound as though everything is normal, I've wondered why there was so little talk about the cataclysmic mistake Hank made.

I'd agree that it's probably not the best idea to place an order from Hank Lee this weekend. On the other hand, I'm not sure I would have used this thread to try to guide folks to my own business as an alternative.

Just sayin'.

User avatar
Richard Kaufman
Posts: 27056
Joined: July 18th, 2001, 12:00 pm
Favorite Magician: Theodore DeLand
Location: Washington DC
Contact:

Re: Hank Lee's to Close

Postby Richard Kaufman » October 26th, 2012, 1:12 pm

Here's my advice (keeping in mind the 75 MILLION dollars worth of worthless gift cards that people got stuck with when Sharper Image went out of business):

Hank writes: "If you have Gift Certificates or Reward Points, hold onto them."

B*[censored]! This business is NEVER going to reopen. SPEND THOSE GIVE CERTIFICATES AND REWARD POINTS TODAY AND TOMORROW since they are going to close on Sunday or you will probably never see a penny of their value.
Subscribe today to Genii Magazine

Ted M
Posts: 1187
Joined: January 24th, 2008, 12:00 pm
Favorite Magician: Dani DaOrtiz
Location: Madison, WI

Re: Hank Lee's to Close

Postby Ted M » October 26th, 2012, 1:35 pm

Any advice for folks who have paid for items "on back order"?

magicman468
Posts: 1
Joined: October 26th, 2012, 2:03 pm

Re: Hank Lee's to Close

Postby magicman468 » October 26th, 2012, 2:07 pm

I can tell you this.. I bought something a week ago and this is the rudest man I have ever met. There cutomer service is horrible. Shipped me the wrong stuff. What I loser ... I hope they through the entire book at him ... Cannot STAND THE MAN!!!!

User avatar
Richard Kaufman
Posts: 27056
Joined: July 18th, 2001, 12:00 pm
Favorite Magician: Theodore DeLand
Location: Washington DC
Contact:

Re: Hank Lee's to Close

Postby Richard Kaufman » October 26th, 2012, 2:19 pm

If you have an item on "back order" and the business is closing Sunday, call your credit card company or PayPal IMMEDIATELY and get the charge reversed.

Magicman468: Hank Lee is in jail. Whoever you were in contact with was not Hank Lee.
Subscribe today to Genii Magazine

User avatar
erdnasephile
Posts: 4770
Joined: January 17th, 2008, 12:00 pm

Re: Hank Lee's to Close

Postby erdnasephile » October 26th, 2012, 3:02 pm

What Richard says goes for any business where you have gift cards, unrefunded tickets with airlines, etc. Typically the end user is the last creditor to be considered when it comes to paying everyone back.

Personally, I use gift certificates as soon as I receive them, as you never know these days who is going to suddenly close up shop. (I'm spending Best Buy and Barnes and Noble gift cards as we speak).

Leo Jr
Posts: 10
Joined: September 14th, 2008, 8:37 pm

Re: Hank Lee's to Close

Postby Leo Jr » October 26th, 2012, 4:55 pm

What happens if you have streaming video thru Hanks web site?

I don't have any but was wondering what happens to these when a store goes under.

Best
Leo Jr

User avatar
mrgoat
Posts: 4242
Joined: January 17th, 2008, 12:00 pm
Location: Brighton, UK
Contact:

Re: Hank Lee's to Close

Postby mrgoat » October 26th, 2012, 6:21 pm

Leo Jr wrote:What happens if you have streaming video thru Hanks web site?

I don't have any but was wondering what happens to these when a store goes under.

Best
Leo Jr


[censored]/paddle etc

User avatar
Richard Kaufman
Posts: 27056
Joined: July 18th, 2001, 12:00 pm
Favorite Magician: Theodore DeLand
Location: Washington DC
Contact:

Re: Hank Lee's to Close

Postby Richard Kaufman » October 26th, 2012, 6:49 pm

I have just heard that Hank is not in jail yet. He was scheduled to take his state-paid holiday on Oct.29, but it has been delayed and will most likely happen within the next 30 days. And, the rumor is that he is not closing shop voluntarily.
Subscribe today to Genii Magazine

User avatar
erdnasephile
Posts: 4770
Joined: January 17th, 2008, 12:00 pm

Re: Hank Lee's to Close

Postby erdnasephile » October 26th, 2012, 6:53 pm

And that's the real weakness with many of the streaming video merchants where you can't download your own copy (or dig it out of your cache)

If they go under--your investment is lost.

Yay, books!

jwalkmagic
Posts: 58
Joined: January 31st, 2009, 1:21 pm
Location: Cape Cod

Re: Hank Lee's to Close

Postby jwalkmagic » October 26th, 2012, 9:49 pm

If you are in the area I would wait to see what the liquidators decide to do with the stuff.

User avatar
Richard Kaufman
Posts: 27056
Joined: July 18th, 2001, 12:00 pm
Favorite Magician: Theodore DeLand
Location: Washington DC
Contact:

Re: Hank Lee's to Close

Postby Richard Kaufman » October 26th, 2012, 10:04 pm

You're assuming there's anything to actually liquidate.
Subscribe today to Genii Magazine

Rick Ruhl
Posts: 686
Joined: January 17th, 2008, 12:00 pm
Location: Rialto, Ca

Re: Hank Lee's to Close

Postby Rick Ruhl » October 26th, 2012, 10:05 pm

mrgoat wrote:
[censored]/paddle etc


Hank's remake of the paddle trick?

I guess it's the special on Monday...

Kurt Lee Flickner
Posts: 145
Joined: January 17th, 2008, 12:00 pm
Location: Denver, CO
Contact:

Re: Hank Lee's to Close

Postby Kurt Lee Flickner » October 28th, 2012, 1:26 pm

No, Richard, unless something changed Hank Lee was scheduled to not report to Jail till 10/29
Kurt Lee Flickner
www.MagicEstateSale.com

Richard Hatch
Posts: 2095
Joined: January 17th, 2008, 12:00 pm
Location: Providence, Utah
Contact:

Re: Hank Lee's to Close

Postby Richard Hatch » October 31st, 2012, 6:11 pm

I found this old photo (apparently from the 1994 Cape Cod Conclave) interesting:
https://sphotos-b.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos- ... 8989_n.jpg

Bob Farmer
Posts: 3308
Joined: January 17th, 2008, 12:00 pm
Location: Short card above selection.

Re: Hank Lee's to Close

Postby Bob Farmer » November 1st, 2012, 8:46 am

"Hank Lee Headline Prediction"

Effect: You predict your future.

Method: You ensure accuracy with your own actions.

Satisfaction guaranteed or Hank will apologize.

R.E.Byrnes
Posts: 105
Joined: July 18th, 2012, 1:56 pm

Re: Hank Lee's to Close

Postby R.E.Byrnes » November 1st, 2012, 1:51 pm

Richard's right; use gift cards, negate credit card transactions, etc. now, before Sunday. After that, the entity that was Hank Lee's Magic Factory will cease to exist in an eerily absolute way.

Ted M
Posts: 1187
Joined: January 24th, 2008, 12:00 pm
Favorite Magician: Dani DaOrtiz
Location: Madison, WI

Re: Hank Lee's to Close

Postby Ted M » November 1st, 2012, 5:08 pm

Sunday October 28th, Hank Lee's stated last day of operation, has already passed.

The Magic Factory website is still up.

Of course Hank Lee's website has a long tradition of offering goods for sale that aren't really available.

Situation normal.

User avatar
Brad Jeffers
Posts: 1221
Joined: April 11th, 2008, 5:52 pm
Location: Savannah, GA

Re: Hank Lee's to Close

Postby Brad Jeffers » November 1st, 2012, 5:38 pm

Scott M. wrote:the reason HL is closing is because his existing staff can't pick up the "nuances" of the business

Good thing, as its those "nuances" that landed HL in jail.

User avatar
Doug Conn
Posts: 68
Joined: March 17th, 2008, 10:49 am
Location: New Orleans
Contact:

Re: Hank Lee's to Close

Postby Doug Conn » November 2nd, 2012, 12:53 pm

I found this old photo (apparently from the 1994 Cape Cod Conclave) interesting:
https://sphotos-b.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos- ... 8989_n.jpg
_________________________

Richard,
I might be wrong, but I don't think that's Hank
I could swear that's local NOLA pro Joe Harrison
(that's his trademark photo pose)
Learn more bout me: http://www.connmagic.com

Richard Hatch
Posts: 2095
Joined: January 17th, 2008, 12:00 pm
Location: Providence, Utah
Contact:

Re: Hank Lee's to Close

Postby Richard Hatch » November 2nd, 2012, 1:12 pm

Hank's friend Chuck Kirchner (also in the photo) posted it on facebook in October 2009 and identified the poser as Hank:
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid ... =3&theater

Jim Riser
Posts: 1086
Joined: January 17th, 2008, 12:00 pm
Location: Tucson, AZ

Re: Hank Lee's to Close

Postby Jim Riser » November 2nd, 2012, 4:15 pm

Doug, Richard, do you mean to tell us that Hank stole another person's pose? That pose is soooo good that others might be tempted to steal it too since you posted the photo. Is nothing sacred? Would Hank steal?
Jim

Bill Mullins
Posts: 5913
Joined: January 17th, 2008, 12:00 pm
Location: Huntsville, AL
Contact:

Re: Hank Lee's to Close

Postby Bill Mullins » November 2nd, 2012, 5:44 pm

I expect Jim to post detailed instructions, using precise machinery and exotic materials, on how to build your own pose.

Jim Riser
Posts: 1086
Joined: January 17th, 2008, 12:00 pm
Location: Tucson, AZ

Re: Hank Lee's to Close

Postby Jim Riser » November 2nd, 2012, 6:13 pm

$5 for the PDF, Bill ;-)

Tom-Smith
Posts: 38
Joined: September 25th, 2008, 9:39 pm

Re: Hank Lee's to Close

Postby Tom-Smith » December 3rd, 2012, 11:03 am

I just clicked to the old Hank Lee site, which is gone, and was re-directed to tricksupply.com. The information is that the site will open on 12/5 (updated from 12/1).

User avatar
Richard Kaufman
Posts: 27056
Joined: July 18th, 2001, 12:00 pm
Favorite Magician: Theodore DeLand
Location: Washington DC
Contact:

Re: Hank Lee's to Close

Postby Richard Kaufman » December 3rd, 2012, 11:38 am

Is tricksupply.com an existing magic company?
Subscribe today to Genii Magazine

JHostler
Posts: 754
Joined: September 27th, 2008, 8:34 pm

Re: Hank Lee's to Close

Postby JHostler » December 3rd, 2012, 11:56 am

The URL is owned by Wolfgang Wollet (Wonder Warehouse), who currently sells through various retailers. Perhaps he purchased whatever was left of Hank's stock.

User avatar
Richard Kaufman
Posts: 27056
Joined: July 18th, 2001, 12:00 pm
Favorite Magician: Theodore DeLand
Location: Washington DC
Contact:

Re: Hank Lee's to Close

Postby Richard Kaufman » December 3rd, 2012, 2:58 pm

Sounds like he bought something from Hank.
Subscribe today to Genii Magazine

Ted M
Posts: 1187
Joined: January 24th, 2008, 12:00 pm
Favorite Magician: Dani DaOrtiz
Location: Madison, WI

Re: Hank Lee's to Close

Postby Ted M » December 3rd, 2012, 3:37 pm

Maybe the site opening was delayed due to his goods from Hank being "on back order"...

User avatar
mrgoat
Posts: 4242
Joined: January 17th, 2008, 12:00 pm
Location: Brighton, UK
Contact:

Re: Hank Lee's to Close

Postby mrgoat » December 3rd, 2012, 3:39 pm

Ted M wrote:Paying for something from Hank and actually successfully buying something from Hank can be different things.

I hope what he thinks he bought isn't "on backorder"...


He'll find out backorder has a different meaning inside...

User avatar
Richard Kaufman
Posts: 27056
Joined: July 18th, 2001, 12:00 pm
Favorite Magician: Theodore DeLand
Location: Washington DC
Contact:

Re: Hank Lee's to Close

Postby Richard Kaufman » December 3rd, 2012, 3:50 pm

Yikes!
Subscribe today to Genii Magazine

User avatar
Kevin Connolly
Posts: 2437
Joined: January 17th, 2008, 12:00 pm
Location: New Jersey

Re: Hank Lee's to Close

Postby Kevin Connolly » December 3rd, 2012, 6:06 pm

I hate that when it happens!
Please visit my website.
http://houdinihimself.com/
I buy,sell + trade Houdini, Hardeen items.

Bob Gerdes
Posts: 140
Joined: January 17th, 2008, 12:00 pm
Location: Northport, NY

Re: Hank Lee's to Close

Postby Bob Gerdes » December 4th, 2012, 4:20 pm

Richard Hatch wrote:I found this old photo (apparently from the 1994 Cape Cod Conclave) interesting:
https://sphotos-b.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos- ... 8989_n.jpg



This one from Stevens Magic is also pretty interesting:

[img:center]http://www.stevensmagic.com/personallyspeaking/aug05/Hank%20Lee%20picks%20Joe%27s%20pocket%20-%20again!.jpg[/img]

http://www.stevensmagic.com/personallys ... 05/ps2.htm

User avatar
erdnasephile
Posts: 4770
Joined: January 17th, 2008, 12:00 pm

Re: Hank Lee's to Close

Postby erdnasephile » December 4th, 2012, 4:33 pm

^^^
:D


Return to “Buzz”