Real Secrets Trick of the Month Club...

[erdnasephile]

1+ to Don. It's an extra event that the participants have paid extra (through their subscription fees) to attend. I see it as analogous to special workshops put on by Tamariz, Carney, etc. at conventions. Plus, it might draw in more people to register for the Genii convention, which is a good thing. :)

[Steve Bryant]

Unless I missed it, they take out no ads in Genii and, being a subscription service, are essentially competition to Genii. I think Richard should not only charge them but insist on keeping their Paypal account open for the next Genii bash.

[Don Hendrix]

I was having a senior moment when I asked about the Genii bash meet-up info. It hasn't been released yet.

[Ted M]

Don, RS doesn't seem to announce anything directly to its subscribers.

Rather than receiving any sort of alert from Real Secrets, we learn from 3rd party websites about the [temporary, fleeting] posting of better thought-out presentations, handling tips and even bare last-name-only credits for what are effectively only partially specified RS routines delivered in the mail.

Why would you expect this to be any different?

[Richard Kaufman]

There is no Genii event information on the RS website yet. The details will be announced closer to the actual convention in October. Since the RS party will not conflict with anything else except a meal, and they will be serving pizza, no one needs to make advance plans for it.

[Richard Kaufman]

Why am I providing them with the opportunity to do this at my convention?

I think it will be fun.

It costs me nothing.

And there's something else, which you'll understand more about shortly.

[Don Hendrix]

The next installment of RS arrive in my mailbox yesterday. Another good one.

[Richard Kaufman]

Just got home from a trip and found RS 4 in my mailbox. Very clever extension on something that no one has thought of before.

Plus there is a bonus prop in there for yet another trick (no instructions, but I assume these will appear on the website in due time).

I will repeat this for those of you who haven't joined yet: this is the best $15 a month I've spent in many years. The guys at Real Secrets are doing exactly what they promised.

[Marco Pusterla]

RS4 arrived in the UK as well. While the trick doesn't appeal to me, it's a very clever dressing for an old principle. I had two different "bonus props", one of which is a damn clever idea, which is worth (for me, at least), the price of the subscription.

[Richard Kaufman]

Most folks actually got two bonus items this month.

[Arcato]

Too bad I can't make it to the Genii convention... Not only am I missing a great bunch of performers at what I think will be a fantastic convention, but I'd really like to know what other surprises RS have planned... Oh well hopefully they'll repeat something similar in Europe maybe at Blackpool next year...

[Richard Kaufman]

Arcato! Save your euros--you can make it!

[Dave V]

Don, RS doesn't seem to announce anything directly to its subscribers.

Rather than receiving any sort of alert from Real Secrets, we learn from 3rd party websites about the [temporary, fleeting] posting of better thought-out presentations, handling tips and even bare last-name-only credits for what are effectively only partially specified RS routines delivered in the mail.

Why would you expect this to be any different?

That's a good example of why I decided to leave RS. They still haven't figured out that part of any enterprise is customer service.

I may be missing out on some great tricks, but I don't care. They may be worth the price but they're not worth the total cost.

[Evan Shuster]

I must say, I have contacted the RS team on multiple occasions and each time I have received a prompt response and exceptional customer service.

[Don Hendrix]

My experience with RS is very much the opposite of Dave V's.

[Gordon Meyer]

I thought RS #4 was an especially good value, what with the two bonuses.

[erdnasephile]

RS subscribers going to Genii Bash: you might want to check the site today.

[Don Hendrix]

The website looks the same to me as it did the past few days. Did I miss something? There is an announcement of the Genii party, but that has been up for a while.

[Arcato]

Arcato! Save your euros--you can make it!

Sorry Richard,
this is not a financial but timing issue for me: the German magic circle (MZvD) is celebrating its 100th anniversary on the same weekend with a convention and I'll be there... I signed up for this convention before the Genii convention was even announced... :(

[keeper]

I had an issue with the post office damaging my RS #4. When I emailed RS they not only replied in less than 12 hours they shippped out a replacement package priority mail. They may be mysterious but have given excellent service so far to me.

As to #4 a great re-working of an old principle. I re-worked their presentation a bit (picking my words carefully here)..instead of using the 1-1-1-1-1-1 sequence I did a 1-2-3 sequence. I felt it less repetitive and the 1-2-3 process provides a nice build-up in the context of that patter line.

[Marco Pusterla]

I re-worked their presentation a bit (picking my words carefully here)..instead of using ...

You should send your changes to RS so that they can be shared with other members ;)

[Richard Kaufman]

keeper, you should send your suggestions to Real Secrets where it can be posted for members and not here. Just a suggestion.

[Mike Kamlet]

More notes posted on the site including a bonus trick with the extra props from #4

[Richard Kaufman]

Thanks for the heads up!

[Richard Kaufman]

Note that there are TWO bonus routines up there. One is at the bottom of the page, the other is in the menu on the left side!

[Edward Pungot]

Next installment arrived in the mail this afternoon.
I like the ambiguity of being ask a second time to discard several items when they asked us from the get-go NOT to throw anything away. My guess (or rather hope) is that these "discarded" items will be the ticket in to the pizza party where extra hidden bonuses will be in store for those who followed the initial premise of not throwing anything away.

I know I can't say anything, but I will say this:
When the Genii Convention comes around I will definitely be getting myself one of those "Weber Wallets" to store all my Real Secrets goodies.

I forgot to add...I got myself from Wal-Mart one of those black plastic envelope size file folders. They have 13 slots which is perfect for labeling and storing all your enclosed envelopes with instructions and props all in one economical and convenient place.

[PickaCard]

What is the Webber Wallet I keep reading about? I cannot find any information on it and it does not appear to be for sale to members of Real Secrets.

[Richard Kaufman]

So far, Michael Weber is only selling his wallet at conventions or lectures. But since he's lecturing at the Genii convention, I assume he'll be selling them there. :)

[PickaCard]

I still don't know what the Weber Wallet is :(

[El Mystico]

My guess: it is a wallet, designed by Weber.
But why Carl Maria von Weber designed wallets for magicians is anyone's guess.

[Smurf]

For sale at the cafe (not mine) with a short description:
http://www.themagiccafe.com/forums/view ... forum=76&0

[Don Hendrix]

The latest Real Secret arrived in my mailbox in Tucson today.

[Matthew Field]

A new trick up on the member's section of the website with an amazing trick using props from Issue 2.

WOW!!

Matt Field

[Richard Kaufman]

Pain in MY ass. The damn site won't let me sign in using my membership number and the stupid number retrieval form claims my email doesn't exist in their system. Crap!

[Edward Pungot]

Before I post this, I just want to say that I would never back-stab you, you know this. I was just shocked to hear this news and wanted to find the reason (which most likely might be found on this thread). The only thing I could find was this and the bylaw stipulated on the Terms & Conditions:

Most folks actually got [color:#000099]two bonus items[/color] this month.

[color:#000099]Note that there are TWO bonus routines up there.[/color] One is at the bottom of the page, the other is in the menu on the left side!

We ask that you not post any information about the materials you receive, [color:#000099]the number of objects[/color], the types of routines, the names of the creators and contributors.

If this is the grounds for expulsion, this may indeed be the story of the year.

I have the highest respect for you Richard and was just as shocked as you were. You meant no harm and I support your love for magic all the way. I would even give-up my own membership to give to you if that would be allowed. You gave me more than any kid could ever wish for and more.

Sincerely,

Edward Pungot

[erdnasephile]

It's gotta be a computer glitch: I find it hard to believe RK would be expelled for such posts.

Besides, if he really got expelled, he would have received a pro-rated refund.

[Matthew Field]

It's a computer glitch. The same thing happened to me (and apparently several others, according to RS), and I got a great response and TLC from the Real Secrets team. Ultimately, they gave me a new Membership ID, which works fine.

This is not somebody being expelled, no "story of the year." You should work for a British tabloid, Edward.

Matt Field

[Asser Andersen]

Same ting happened to me - my e-mail address got lost from their files. I corresponded directly with the RS-team and they solved the issue very effectively and with exceptionally good costumer service.

[Chris Aguilar]

Whatever they're using to track their customers must be pretty lousy if they keep losing e-mail addresses.

Perhaps they don't backup their vital customer information regularly.

[Richard Kaufman]

it has nothing to do with expulsion, but only to do with an electronic BURP. It happens to us to. Sometimes I wake up and the whole damn website is gone. I call the company hosting our server and it takes a few minutes to get things straightened out. I'm EAGERLY looking to getting back onto the Real Secrets site and seeing the new goodies.