Magic sold on eBay can be anything from someones homemade card trick to a large illusion. You will find brand names of magic companies both new and old with collectible magic by Thayer, Abbots, Tannens, National Magic, P&L, and Owen, and more recent manufacturers like Tenyo, Tricks of Japan, Royal, and about a hundred manufacturers. Each effect should have instructions, drawings and phots, or a DVD explanation. The seller should give you a clue as to whether the effect is for beginner, or expert, skilled or no skill, mechanical (the trick itself has a manufactured mechanism that aids in the effect), or self working (which could mean that if you follow directions, the trick will work without any skills or mechanical help).

Watch out for copycat items, overblown descriptions, and inflated claims. Look for well rated sellers and "New in Box" unless you are faniliar with the effect. Unlike most items, there are no refunds or exchanges because part of what you are buying is the secret. A magic item could be as simple as a pencil, but the instruction would tell you how to perform an effect with that pencil. So be aware that a magic product is 90% intellectual property and technique.

There is relatively no copyright or patent protection in this industry so be wary of cloned effects. Books are still a great source of magic information, Video Tapes are the "new bargain" as they are phased out by the DVD versions.

Easy DVD production has made some DVD material to be amateurish and merely someones variation of the original effect.

Advice is to seek comparables, low shipping, and items by the originator or reputable companies mentioned in other ads.