Card sizes

Thread originally posted on the Aeclectic Tarot Forum on 27 Nov 2001, and now archived in the Forum Library.

numbrel	27 Nov 2001
I saw some auctions on eBay where the cards were advertised as "large" when I emailed the seller about what "large" meant he said it meant that they weren't miniture. I enquired about the Whimsical Tarot, but there were other auctions with "large" cards and they are other "regular size" decks I have seen. Is there a reason the seller thinks miniture cards are common? I have seen only a couple decks for sale anywhere that are listed as miniture. I don't trust the seller because he listed the Whimsical deck as "rare" but I thought I would check about how common miniture cards are. numbrel

Jewel	27 Nov 2001
I do not think there are a lot of miniature decks. As for sellers listing things as "rare" or "large" that is just to get you to look at their stuff I think. That or they do not know anything about Tarot *LOL*. Good luck finding what you are seeking! Love & Light,

tarotbear	27 Nov 2001
numbrel- eBay is FULL OF OPPORTUNISTS! People find something and try to sell it, whether they have any knowledge of it or not. When I go to ebay looking for decks, I laugh myself silly over people trying to sell the Robin Wood deck as 'rare'! OR- the people that include the word 'pagan' or wiccan' in their description in an attempt to sell it to you. I once saw a deck for sale that I knew I had seen on alidastore, so I went to check it out and could buy it from Italy and have it shipped for less than it was selling on ebay! CAVEAT EMPERATOR! Never buy the first one you see, either! Sometimes people have multiple entries for the same item and are trying to get a better price- read everything when you are on eBay, including what the shipping charges are. In case you are wondering about how crazy people are- go and check out the prices on 'Hot Wheels' selling on eBAY- YOU'LL BE AMAZED!

cj	27 Nov 2001
[quote]numbrel (27 Nov, 2001 23:34): Hi, Cards that I have seen come in a few different sizes. READ before you buy (personally, I like larger cards). I was burned on E-Bay, so be careful..... cj

Strange2	27 Nov 2001
You can check out the size and other details of a particular Tarot deck on the Astrology Center of America web site, at: http://www.astroamerica.com/t-menu.html I have not ordered through them yet, but their prices seem reasonable, and they provide lots of info on the various decks, so it's a great "wish list" site!

numbrel	28 Nov 2001
tarotbear - I know what you mean. I have been both a buyer and seller on eBay for a couple years and I know that I have to be careful. I will not buy from people who put "rare" in their descriptions. I gave this guy a chance though when I emailed him, but his reply was short, terse and he definately lost a sale because I asked if he was going to relist and he didn't bother to tell me about that or put in a short sales pitch. If he can't be bothered to sell, I can't be bothered to buy. numbrel

Tallarico	15 Nov 2003
What sizes constitute as miniature, regular, and large? I bought a few decks, and I don't know if I have "regulation" size. Or do the same decks often come in different sizes, for whatever reason?

jmd	15 Nov 2003
To some extant, this depends on both the deck and whatever 'tradition' has developed around it. For example, the 'standard' size Crowley-Harris deck was, around ten years ago, often referred to as the 'small' version; and the then 'large' version was considered 'standard'. In general, however, an average size Tarot will be approximately as seen in the cabinet of stores which sell a large number of decks - ie., the width approximately between 6 and 8 cm, with a height of between 11 and 13 cm. 'Miniatures' are often quite small. With some decks, especially more common ones, a large variety of sizes may be available: 'miniature', 'small', 'standard', 'large', and 'giant'. It is probably worth asking the actual dimension of the cards if it cannot be ascertained against others visually...

Star Spirit	15 Nov 2003
Sellers will sometimes say anything to sell an item on Ebay (ie. It's RARE, when it's not). It doesn't necessarily mean they are going to con you (perhaps they are just ignorant). But tarotbear is right. Make sure you read everything, prices, shipping, and the seller's feedback rating. I find that to be one of the first things I check. If they have hundreds or thousands of feedback entries and they're like 98% to 99% positive, I tend to have more confidence in them. But shop around too, look at other auctions, other websites (especially if they are trying to sell the deck as a rare item when clearly it is not), and stores as well. You don't want to end up paying more than you should. P.S. I do bid on Ebay but I have never bid on a tarot deck there....you'd think they'd more likely list miniature cards as 'miniature' than list common regular sized cards as 'large'. That would just confuse me!

Le_Corsair	16 Nov 2003
Many of the sellers on Ebay will provide dimensions when they list an item. If they don't, and you are unsure about the size of the deck, just click on the "Ask seller a question" field, and an email form will pop up. If the seller is unwilling to happily answer your question and provide dimensions, then don't make a purchase! It's as simple as that. Of all the decks I own, the Ator tarot is sized most comfortably for my hands, at 4.25" long by 3" wide. (metric 107mm long by 707mm wide.) It's a little shorter and wider than the standard-sized tarot deck. Bob :THERM

Tallarico	16 Nov 2003
LOL! *trotting off to get the ruler* (must convert cm's to inches...must convert cm's to inches...) thanks everyone. Here is an Ebay story... I bid on 4 great wicca books...hmmm I thought, 4 books for under 5 dollars, great deal! AFTER I won the auction, the guy killed me with 10.00 dollar shipping charge! Still waiting for the books. However 4 books at $15.00 still is a great price. Beware those who don't list shipping! (or email before bidding). I believe that is how alot of them make money, with shipping charges. Also, I found a less expensive site for books and decks if you are interested (USA, not sure of shipping elsewhere Lol) http://www.buy.com

firestorm	16 Nov 2003
I'll be honest. I don't trust the people on eBay. The best experience I've had buying used tarot decks online was when I bought my Hermetic deck last summer on Amazon. I like Amazon because its not an auction, there's a price and you can buy it or not. The deck was exactly in the same shape as was portrayed. I didn't have that same luck on ebay...plus, don't even get me started on the shipping charges. I've been burned twice on ebay and considering I've only made 3 purchases, those odds aren't good enough for me. I think a large portion of the sellers count on people being too caught up in "winning" the auction to be thinking clearly. But then, thats JMO.

LadyMedusa	16 Nov 2003
After reading all the negative responses about Ebay here is a positive one. I have bought a few new decks and several used ones. My s/o has his own habit (not tarot ) and between us we have only had 1 problem in 4 years. That individual was eventually charged criminally for fraud. He had accepted money orders sent through the mail without sending the merchandise. We stick to 4 simple rules... 1. Assume nothing READ THE ENTIRE LISTING, every word! 2. Do your homework know what something is worth before you buy! 3. We read the feedback! Even good sellers can have have the rare negative, so we also check the feedback left by the seller to them. It usually tells the rest of the story. 4. If shipping is not stated in the listing we ask before we bid. As for the amount of the shipping and handling charge Ebay charges a listing fee, bubble wrap and those foamy things cost money. Some people haven't figured out you can get priority mail materials free at the post office. Shipping and HANDLING is where both fees are combined, that's why it doesn't say SHIPPING only. Amazon... I purchased a book for a gift. I filled out the information areas correctly for shippng to another address. Since I brought it up can you guess where it was shipped to? Ok I'll go back to my corner now... LadyMedusa

Majecot	16 Nov 2003
It sounds like the Seller in Numbrel's first post did not even know what he had. He probably picked up the cards at some sale, see they are bigger than a standard poker deck, and viola they are "large". I am guilty of Ebaying and thankfully I have only been burned once. Live and learn... I am very carefull now about checking feedback BEFORE I bid. I never buy Tarot on Ebay though because I think there are too many other places to buy from that are a better priced. (BTW Overstock.com shipping price is only 2.95)

Mystic Zyl	17 Nov 2003
Ebay is full of people that are corrupt. I have even went as far as to write some of these people that list cards as "rare" and ask them to be honest. One wrote back and told me that the Robert Hanson deck was rare, because he went to a bookstore and they did not have it on their shelves. There is a scam now with some of the Ebay merchants trying to sell Lady Cleo cards, calling then Egyptian, Sphinx and other names.

The Card sizes thread was originally posted on 27 Nov 2001 in the Talking Tarot board, and is now archived in the Forum Library. Read the active threads in Talking Tarot, or read more archived threads.