Finding used decks, sigh.

At flea markets, I think the vendors expect that you will try to bargain or make them an initial lowball offer. So never regard their marked up prices as their bottom line. On the other hand, i have never found a tarot deck at a flea market in this area-just old photos, ephemera, and so on that I use in my art.

The Internet is a double edged sword. Without it, it would be much more difficult to find out about small press limited edition decks that might appeal to you. There'd be no auctions to hunt for bargains. Worst of all, you'd end up taking chances on sealed decks you found in stores because there weren't online scans, reviews, etc. Yep, I am that old to remember the pre-Internet days.

Physical bound books are their way to becoming obsolete. In another decade or so, all used bookstores are going to be antiquarian-pricier and more of a niche market. I hope that it doesn't happen with Tarot decks because even the Orphalese Tarot program doesn't substitute for using an actual physical deck IMO, but stranger things have happened in my lifetime.

GoldenWolf said:

At flea markets, I think the vendors expect that you will try to bargain or make them an initial lowball offer. So never regard their marked up prices as their bottom line. On the other hand, i have never found a tarot deck at a flea market in this area-just old photos, ephemera, and so on that I use in my art.

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yes, this is true - but even still, prices are getting higher and higher. I am not big on haggling, either, so usually won't go back and forth with someone. If the price is fair, I'll pay it. If it's too high, I walk away - and if they don't want to lose me, they will usually throw out a lower price. I suppose I have lost out on things this way, with non agressive vendors, but if I REALLY want something bad, I don't walk away too quickly and it works out. Sometimes, though, I get the feeling that they are just waiting for someone with more money than sense to come along, and are not going to budge on price, and in that case, I don't waste my time or theirs. Plenty of vendors, plenty of markets, and nothing I need that bad.

I don't see a lot of tarot decks either at flea markets, however, I have seen a few - and sometimes you have to ask. When I see a vendor who has a lot of cards of any kind - baseball, playing cards, etc. I will ask them. Twice they dug out tarot cards for me, once one of those older owl lenormand decks. I am not sure why the decks were not displayed - maybe it is tarot's reputation, maybe they just didn't think anyone would be interested.

Craigslist is another place I occasionally find some good older decks - though the last time I went thru that site, I wound up with three very musty smelling decks that no matter what I do, cannot seem to get the smell out!

I've never found a deck at a used bookstore, rummage sale, or flea market. I ask and I get everything from simple "No, sorry" to evil looks and frosty "We wouldn't have anything like THAT" replies. I did find three tarot books at a used bookstore the other day, but they weren't any I'd want.

I envy you people who have found gems in such places!

I found a whole load once, in Carlisle. For RIDICULOUS prices. I told the owner (he's someone I actually know) that he could do heaps better on ebay. He said he just couldn't be bothered. I said OK - but I shall only sell them on. Go right ahead, he said.

So I did - but only for enough extra to cover my costs. 6 people here became suddenly very happy !

I also know someone who sells used decks cheaply to his personal list of buyers...

I'm all in favour of dim stallholders.

They're not all doing their homework, there are still dumb ones to be found here and there. I came across a gorgeous 19th Century Spanish deck on the antique market (NB, for those of you who don't know; Spanish decks have 40 cards) and the stallholder told me "yeah, it's only got 40 cards, some are missing. Shame as it's a nice antique deck..."

"Gosh yes" I added "12 missing". She offered it me for 5 euros. I bought it and went away whistling.

Don't lose heart, they're not all smart...

Le Fanu said:

I'm all in favour of dim stallholders.

They're not all doing their homework, there are still dumb ones to be found here and there. I came across a gorgeous 19th Century Spanish deck on the antique market (NB, for those of you who don't know; Spanish decks have 40 cards) and the stallholder told me "yeah, it's only got 40 cards, some are missing. Shame as it's a nice antique deck..."

"Gosh yes" I added "12 missing". She offered it me for 5 euros. I bought it and went away whistling.

Don't lose heart, they're not all smart...

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LOL- I have too much of an honest streak... when I find good stuff, I will typically let the store clerk/owner know, but most of the time they don't care and just sell it at the stated price. It is how I found my Dusserre Ed Papus tarot- sold cheap because it didn't have the box.

tarotbear said:

Not trying to go off-thread here, but at Abebooks. com - an online used book business, they just sold a first-printing copy of 'The Day of the Triffids' for $14,500 - so the idea that it is 'just sitting there for 20 years why don't they sell it already' doesn't work for book sellers.

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Antiguarian book prices are a different animal.
We have no proveanance for the volume you mention that might include its sales history. The dealer may have paid $7,250 for it two weeks ago. Whoever paid $14,500 for a book wanted it and knew what it was worth, at least to them. Or they have money to spend freely on such things.

moving OT

GoldenWolf said:

Physical bound books are their way to becoming obsolete. In another decade or so, all used bookstores are going to be antiquarian-pricier and more of a niche market. I hope that it doesn't happen with Tarot decks because even the Orphalese Tarot program doesn't substitute for using an actual physical deck IMO, but stranger things have happened in my lifetime.

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This is a highly speculative statement and, if any of the computerized or digital media experiences of the last 25 years are evidence, equally unlikely. As one example, my company, like most, consumes far more paper now than it ever did before we had word processing and email. And we have far fewer employees. However, to support your positions, a health industry leader here in Boise ID has totally abandoned their massive printed materials and gone completely web-based. Their decision was driven by their marketplace's need for fast searching and access to the best and current information on sometimes life-critical topics.

The same speculation can be applied to tarot and to your art form, which, I infer, is constructive. Do you see a shift in your market toward digital versions of your collage? Is that a market you would embrace if it were feasilbe? Would you rather work with a mouse and a scanner than scissors and glue? Myself, I don't mind viewing some Photoshop art on my Mac but I'm much happier seeing it at full full size, in full color and hung on a wall. I've seen some holograms but I REALLY like sculpture and will pay admission to a museum to see good work.

There is, of course, no need for physical tarot cards now. Yet a spread of DiGiTaRoT on an iPad, while contemporary and tricksy, lacks all class.

bogiesan said:

There is, of course, no need for physical tarot cards now. Yet a spread of DiGiTaRoT on an iPad, while contemporary and tricksy, lacks all class.

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There will always be bound books (are all the gajillions of existing bound books going to disappear, magickally?) , but no matter what anyone creates, Tarot cards on an iPad are NOT random - and Tarot is all about Random. There is nothing random about a computer program. It is the act of touching, shuffling and the laying of cards that is all part of Tarot and no touch screen gimmickry can match it.

For five years I worked as a banker in a casino. In that time we went 'coinless' and the 'drop the token in the slot; pull the level, watch the tumblers tumble' went the way of the horse and buggy. Insert your bill and push a button - a video screen jiggles with a fake 'whirring sound' - and "You Won!" or "Better Luck Next Time!" displays on the screen. Your payout is a paper slip with a barcode - just like when you bring bottles back to the supermarket. No dropping of tokens, no clanking of coins, no pulling the bandit's one arm - just sit and push a button. When you are done, take the slip to the cashier. The sights and sounds of what makes a casino fun have been removed...and somehow the public likes this.

There will always be Tarot decks.

I agree that the internet has changed the way we shop, and one of the consequences of that is that prices rise, and sellers are more aware of what they have. However, they are people, too, and I don't like talking about them as "dumb." I'm not sure I would make a seller raise their prices if they didn't know what they had, I probably wouldn't, but I would feel a pang of remorse for "swindling" them. People here have probably sold decks and have wanted the best price possible for them, wanting to get what you deserve or even make a profit isn't evil.