The Day I Refused A Tarot Deck

Thread originally posted on the Aeclectic Tarot Forum on 23 Aug 2002, and now archived in the Forum Library.

Kiama	23 Aug 2002
I never thought I'd see the day *Kiama shkes head and puts on her 'I'm old and wise and experienced' tone of voice* Never thought it would get as bad as that... Never in *Insert high pitched drawn out vowels here* aaaaaall myyyyy yeeeeeaaars have I seen the like..... On with the story of the *Drumroll* Day I Refused A Tarot Deck! *Cue horror music* I walked into my local bokshop, and, as usual, asked the shop assistant, Simon, to se if I could order a new Tarot deck. Simon: Which one this time Kim? (Were on ist name terms now!) Kim Could you see if the Dali Universal is avaliable please? Simon: Sure. Type into his computer) Right... It appears here's a republishment pending, but I'll jut pone the company and check that... It might b that this database is out of date. (Phones company.) Hello? Yes, can you ceck an ISBN for me? It's *Insert ISBN here, cuz I've forgotten it!* Thanks. (Pause, feeling like eternity) Hi! You have? Brilliant! I'll just ask the customer. Kim they have one copy of the first edition available, would you like to order that one? Kim: YES PLEASE! Sion: Okay (To phon) Yep, can we order that copy please? Pardon? (Shocked pause) Hang on, I'll ask... Kim, do you know the price? Kim: No... Simon: £85.11 Kim: Well, yeah, I still want it. Simon: (Listens to phone) OH... (To me) Well, that's without VAT. It's £100 with VAT. Kim: (High pitched intake of breath) NO THANKYOU! (Kim runs out of shop, with the whole staff of Bookends Bookshop astounded, for the first time in their lives, they have seen Kim refuse a Tarot deck that is available.... Now I'm kicking mysef... I COULD have had the Dali Universal! But I said NO! Fellow Tarot-holics, help me overcome my grief! I'm also sad, because the bookshop cannot get me a copy of Tarot of the Cloisters... *Sniff* Apparantly, we have no rights to it here in the UK... :( So I bought the Fairy Ring Oracle that was sittin on the shelves instead. }) Kiama

Pollux	23 Aug 2002
I think you stopped because the price was high... and you are starting to think about University. :) Don't worry, you are still the Queen. Even if now I put the Princess of Wands. :TPW

jema	23 Aug 2002
well, you did good kiama, there are places you can get it a lot cheaper. like here: http://www.tarotcardtrader.com/marketplace.html

purplelady	23 Aug 2002
OH MY GOD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Actually, you are being a little discriminating, which is a GOOD thing! I haven't personally seen this deck for cheaper. And I don't even particularly want it. But I think I heard through the rumor mill it may be going back into print? ( note- just something I thought I read somewhere but I could be wrong , not even positive it's OOP?! But I think it is?!) But if it's true maybe you subconsciously knew that? I always think a lot about the decks I'm buying. a lot. Before I decide I really really really really want it. That way I feel happy that I'm spending my money on something really worthwhile. And I don't think there's anything wrong with that at all.

purplelady	23 Aug 2002
Well , not totally true, there have been Rare occasions when I bought a deck on a whim. But I ended up Loving the deck ;) .

kayne	23 Aug 2002
Kiama: No one wants to be walking down the street and see some mad woman wearing rags with hair down to her feet pushing a shopping trolly *full* of tarot decks repeating, "All my pretties, oh my pretties... but at least I have Dali Universal, my pretties!" Creepy huh.

RedWood	23 Aug 2002
Kayne...LOLOL great visual!!!

Jeannette	24 Aug 2002
Quote: Originally posted by purplelady ...But I think I heard through the rumor mill it may be going back into print? ( note- just something I thought I read somewhere but I could be wrong , not even positive it's OOP?! But I think it is?!)... Nope. Not OOP. Still available in North America through USG and other distributors. Talk to Pollux about joining his new OOP (& new releases, etc.) newslist. :) -- Jeannette http://www.tarotgarden.com

Strega	25 Aug 2002
Kiama: $100? OUCH! :( kayne: LMAO!

the hermit	25 Aug 2002
Quote: Originally posted by Strega Kiama: $100? OUCH! :( kayne: LMAO! sorry Strega... but I believe it reads "£100" which would be around $152 give or take a pound great imagery kayne!!!

Jeannette	25 Aug 2002
Quote: Originally posted by the hermit ...sorry Strega... but I believe it reads "£100" which would be around $152 give or take a pound... It says £85 and change, yes? That'd be maybe $130... still a bit more expensive than your average massmarket deck, however. In the U.S., the suggested retail price for the Dali Universal is $100. In defense of the higher figure, I will attest that the printing and packaging of this deck is of the highest quality. Gold-gilt edges on the cards, excellent image reproduction, great cardstock, beautifully double-boxed (the outer box is covered in a red velveteen material). Definitely a more expensive item to produce than your average off-the-shelf deck. But I'm sure the price also partly reflects the fine art "brand name," if you will, that is Dali. -- Jeannette http://www.tarotgarden.com

the hermit	25 Aug 2002
Quote: Sion: Okay (To phon) Yep, can we order that copy please? Pardon? (Shocked pause) Hang on, I'll ask... Kim, do you know the price? Kim: No... Simon: £85.11 Kim: Well, yeah, I still want it. Simon: (Listens to phone) OH... (To me) Well, that's without VAT. It's £100 with VAT. £85.11 = $129.49 £100 with VAT (value added tax-welcome to the EU) = $152.15

Jeannette	25 Aug 2002
Quote: Originally posted by the hermit ...£85.11 = $129.49 £100 with VAT (value added tax-welcome to the EU) = $152.15... Ah... gotcha. Erg. (And I even think you're getting a better GBP-to-USD exchange rate than I am!!!:)) -- Jeannette http://www.tarotgarden.com ______________________ Sharpei Diem: Sieze the wrinkle-dog.

Liliana	25 Aug 2002
I think I could find a number of things in the Tarotgarden database I want way more than Dali for a lot less I won a Dali for 12 bucks on an out of the way auction site, but the person wont answer emails, prolly thought shed get way more, and being a crappy auction site she doesnt care if I give her negative feedback :P :THP

Strega	25 Aug 2002
Quote: Originally posted by the hermit sorry Strega... but I believe it reads "£100" which would be around $152 give or take a pound Oh... I should wear my glasses next time. ;) Double OUCH? :D

Woodsong	25 Aug 2002
I understand the Dali Poker deck is identical to the Dali Tarot deck -- except that it's missing the Majors. However, you can often find the Dali Poker deck in the $10 to $15 range -- it might help ease the itch a bit?

Jewel	26 Aug 2002
Well Kiama sounds like now you know what to ask your b/f for come Yule time! :) ... I would not pay that for that deck anyways ... Once I saw it I took it off my wanted list. I think I am with whomever suggested going into the Tarot Garden databased and getting 2-3 decks I would want more for the same price as 1 Dali ... but that is a personal preference and if you want the Dali I hope that one day you get it. P.S. I also got the Faery Ring the other day ... cool deck!

Cerulean	26 Aug 2002
I forgot until now, I have an inexpensive option if you want to see some of the Dali majors...a small giftbook called Art of the Tarot by Christina Oleson, I believe, for about $5.00 or so. There's lots of color pictures even of other classic or hard to find image styles within tarot art history. It's a small book.

jade	26 Aug 2002
Quote: Originally posted by kayne Kiama: No one wants to be walking down the street and see some mad woman wearing rags with hair down to her feet pushing a shopping trolly *full* of tarot decks repeating, "All my pretties, oh my pretties... but at least I have Dali Universal, my pretties!" Creepy huh. ROFLMAO - university degree clutched in her hands............. :D i love ya kiama and i'm proud of you for not buying this deck. love jade Quote: In the U.S., the suggested retail price for the Dali Universal is $100. In defense of the higher figure, I will attest that the printing and packaging of this deck is of the highest quality. Gold-gilt edges on the cards, excellent image reproduction, great cardstock, beautifully double-boxed (the outer box is covered in a red velveteen material). Definitely a more expensive item to produce than your average off-the-shelf deck. But I'm sure the price also partly reflects the fine art "brand name," if you will, that is Dali. jeanette, you are not helping ;) heehee jade

Jeannette	26 Aug 2002
Quote: Originally posted by jade jeanette, you are not helping...heehee Hey -- if you're looking for an excuse not to buy the Dali, I can give you several of those, too... heh, heh... -- Jeannette http://www.tarotgarden.com

Marion	26 Aug 2002
Quote: Originally posted by jade i love ya kiama and i'm proud of you for not buying this deck. um, she did order it jade... Quote: Originally posted by Kiama And I have on the way... (Tarot-wise) Ukiyoe Tarot and Tarot of the Trance (Trade from Jema) Deva Tarot (Trade from Catlin) Dali Uiversal (From internet) Tarot of the Cloisters (Gift from a very kind-hearted sou [/b]

Kiama	27 Aug 2002
Quote: Originally posted by Marion um, she did order it jade... Yeah, thanks for pointing out my obvious addiction and lack of willpower. ;) }) I got it much cheaper though! ONly $75, compated to $152! Kiama

catlin	27 Aug 2002
Hi Kiama, I know that you'd finally give in! I did not believe my eyes when I saw this thread LOL.

Marion	27 Aug 2002
Quote: Originally posted by Kiama I got it much cheaper though! ONly $75, compated to $152! Heck, that's half the opriginal price, so that qualifies as a bargain. A different category of shopping altogether. :D

DollChica	27 Aug 2002
I read the title to this thread and immediately thought..."Lemme guess, you had a reeeealy bad flu" Divination is obviously not my strong suit. I wouldn't pay that much for a deck either. And I can afford it. :D

Jewel	27 Aug 2002
Quote: Originally posted by Marion Heck, that's half the opriginal price, so that qualifies as a bargain. A different category of shopping altogether. :D Exactly! congratulations on your bargain shopping Kiama! That's the spirit!

Kiama	28 Aug 2002
Quote: Originally posted by Marion Heck, that's half the opriginal price, so that qualifies as a bargain. A different category of shopping altogether. :D Thanks! You made me feel a little less guilty... ;) }) Although now I've gotta wait for payday... Kiama

purplelady	28 Aug 2002
Good Job bargain hunting Kiama! :D :D :D .

juice	03 Sep 2002
I just ordered a sheet with the 78 cards printed in color on it with 3 backs. I doubt it has gold on it but don't know yet. The print is 24" by 36" which would make the cards near full size if I cut the print apart. What I want to know is if this was a good find. I was planning on giving a spare to a friend who collects decks but could be persuaded otherwise if it is worth something. Their is a slight chance that another could be acquired if there was a good enough reason.

Zhritza	09 Oct 2002
juice, I don't have the Dali and I have never held one in my hands or anything (except once, in the box), but it sounds like a good deal to me, as long as you paid what you would pay for a normal upper-end in-print deck ($35 or less). The reason I say this is that, based on multiple accounts I have read, the gold edging apparently makes the Dali impossible to shuffle or even to riffle without trashing the gold. ...Uh, that is, if you were intending to use the Dali for readings. If not, personally I'd just frame the sheet when you get it and impress visitors with it. Kiama: She Scores!! Good on yer! :)

juice	10 Oct 2002
The prints did arrive and my friend loves birthday present. He heard the deck cost hundreds of dollars. I only told him I've seen it for less than a hundred. }) He has a collection of 80 some odd decks but knows that I don't pay that kind of money for nothing. I'm glad to hear the gold isn't worth the effort. I paid less than $35 each. I actually bought 2 for myself but haven't had the heart to cut the second one up for reading yet. I've gotten so many decks lately that deserve proper attention first. The picture of each card is a little smaller than I had hoped for. The print has a wide white border on it ready for framing. The gold color of the cards is that color they used to call gold before a shiny paint became readily available. The 3 backs are actually 1 back and 2 back designs with the stuff you find on extra cards in a deck. I almost wish I hadn't given my friend one of the posters because when we were going through the used book store today, my friend found the companion book with copies of the pictures in color 4 times bigger than on the poster. Guess who got to buy the book? :( :)

Zhritza	10 Oct 2002
Quote: Originally posted by juice I almost wish I hadn't given my friend one of the posters because when we were going through the used book store today, my friend found the companion book with copies of the pictures in color 4 times bigger than on the poster. If you made color copies from the book on card stock, it would be just about as expensive, and it would not be printing-press quality like your sheets are. I still say you came out ahead. :)

The The Day I Refused A Tarot Deck thread was originally posted on 23 Aug 2002 in the Tarot Decks board, and is now archived in the Forum Library. Read the active threads in Tarot Decks, or read more archived threads.