Short answer: when should you choose which store?

The lowest product price is only the number you see on a product page. The best buy is broader: product price plus shipping, delivery time, ease of returns, warranty, support, product quality, and whether it actually suits your skill level.

This matters a lot in magic. You’re not just buying an object. You’re often buying a method, handling, gimmick, routine, or digital instruction. A product can be technically good, but still not fit your style, experience, or performance environment.

The simple decision rule

Are you unsure about level, quality, compatibility, delivery, returns, or warranty? Then a specialist magic shop like Premium Magic Store is usually the better choice.

Do you know exactly what you’re looking for, are you in no rush, can you judge whether the product is original and complete, and does the price difference remain significant after all costs are included? Then buying internationally can sometimes be a good option.

This isn’t meant to scare you. Many magicians also shop internationally. But in practice, beginners often compare product prices directly, while the real costs and practical risks only become clear later.

Specialist shop, international shop, or marketplace?

This comparison helps you look beyond just “where is it cheapest?”

Item	Specialist shop such as Premium Magic Store	International magic shop	General marketplace or unknown seller
Price	A clearer overall picture, sharp pricing, lowest price guarantee, and Premium Points can add value.	The product price may seem lower, but shipping, taxes, and return costs must be included.	Often a low visible price, but quality and origin are less certain.
Delivery time	Usually more practical when you want reliable delivery, especially with deadlines.	May take longer, especially for overseas orders or pre-orders.	Varies a lot and is sometimes unclear.
Advice	Specialized magic expertise and honest product advice before you buy.	Can be good with true specialists, but service is often more remote.	Usually little real knowledge about handling, skill level, or routines.
Returns and warranty	Clear service and practical handling via FAQ.	Legal rights may apply, but the process can be more cumbersome.	Terms and conditions vary widely; communication can be difficult.
Risk of counterfeits	Reliable product selection and a focus on original products.	Depends on the provider.	Be extra alert for replicas, incomplete instructions, and unclear origin.
Suitable for beginners	A strong point, because you can get help with choice, skill level, and practical use.	Possible, but it requires more independent research.	More risky due to a lack of explanation and product knowledge.

Where the price difference often goes wrong

An international shop sometimes seems cheaper because you only see the product price. But for a fair comparison, you also need to factor in:

• shipping costs;
• VAT or sales tax;
• any import processing or customs clearance fees;
• insured shipping;
• return shipping costs to another country;
• time lost if an item is defective, incomplete, or delivered incorrectly;
• support if you get stuck with handling, instructions, or installation.

Additional costs may apply for international purchases. For consumer rights within the EU, you can find general information via https://europa.eu/youreurope/citizens/consumers/shopping/shopping-consumer-rights/index_en.htm|Your Europe: consumer rights. For import rules, always check the official customs or tax information for your own country.

Price differences is a useful starting point if you want to look beyond just “cheap” and consider the true value of a purchase. With magic, that value often lies in originality, clear instruction, reliability, and support if something doesn’t work right away.

Local, regional, and overseas orders: why that difference matters

An order from a nearby or regional supplier is usually more straightforward than an overseas order. Returning an item internationally can be more expensive, take longer, or involve extra communication.

With overseas orders, you need to be extra alert. VAT or sales tax, import processing, customs clearance fees, and longer delivery times can all play a role. Warranties or returns can also be more hassle due to distance, time zones, language barriers, and international shipping.

If everything goes well, you might not notice much of a difference. But if a gimmick arrives incomplete, an app doesn’t work, or a product arrives too late for your performance, that difference suddenly becomes very real.

Why advice on magic products is so important

With many ordinary products, it’s fairly easy to compare specifications. With magic, that’s more difficult. The trailer often shows the best conditions: perfect timing, good lighting, the right distance, and a performer who has done the trick many times before.

That doesn’t make a product bad. But it does mean you want to know in advance:

• how difficult the handling really is;
• whether it’s suitable for beginners;
• whether it works live or mainly on camera;
• how much preparation is required;
• whether it’s angle-sensitive;
• how fast the reset is;
• whether you need refills, add-ons, or extra materials;
• whether the product is suitable for close-up, walk-around, social media, children’s audiences, or stage performances.

What we often see: customers don’t only ask “how much does it cost?”, but mainly “can I really use this in my situation?”. That’s exactly the difference between simply selling a product and helping someone make the right choice.

Three real-world examples where support makes a difference

1. App and phone magic

With app and phone magic, you’re not just buying a trick. You’re also buying the confidence that it will work on your device and that you’ll understand how to perform it cleanly.

High ScoreTrailer — let op: dit toont meestal de beste omstandigheden. Bekijk product

Take High Score, for example. With modern phone magic, you want to think ahead about compatibility, settings, updates, internet usage, performance flow, and support. A lower price is less appealing if you discover right before a performance that your phone settings aren’t right or that you haven’t mastered the handling yet.

Who is this type of product for? For performers who want to work in a modern, interactive, or visual style and are willing to put in the time to go through the setup and presentation. Less suitable if you’re looking for something that works straight out of the box without any technical preparation.

2. Gimmicks and specialized props

With gimmicks, it’s often about quality, reliability, and expectations. A product may be cleverly designed, but still require preparation, specific handling, or a particular performance environment.

An example is iStraw or a specialized prop like Venom Cube (Compact Edition). Products like these can be strong, but you want to know in advance how practical they are for your situation: close-up, social media, walk-around, rehearsals, or actual shows.

For beginners, this is important because “visual” doesn’t automatically mean “easy” or “reliable.” For experienced magicians, it’s mainly a practical consideration: you want to know if something is solid enough to use regularly.

3. Systems, add-ons, and ongoing costs

Some products aren’t standalone tricks, but part of a system. Think of combinations like Acronym + IMF Bundle and IMF (add-on for Akronym). In that case, you’ll want to understand upfront exactly what you need, what an add-on does, and whether you’ll need to expand anything later.

This is a classic situation where expert advice is useful. Not because the product is necessarily complicated, but because you want to avoid buying the wrong component or choosing a system that doesn’t fit your workflow.

Digital downloads and app magic: no shipping, but still support

When it comes to digital products, buyers often think: no package, so no problem. That’s only partly true. You don’t have international shipping, but you still have to deal with compatibility, language, installation, updates, licenses, and support.

A digital download from abroad can be fine if you know what you’re buying and are comfortable with the technical side. But if you’re a beginner, or if you need the effect quickly for a performance or video, accessible support is worth a lot.

At Premium Magic, you can ask questions via Contact before you buy. This is especially helpful for app-based magic, electronic gimmicks, and products where settings or compatibility are a factor.