Sharing Hints on Avoiding Improvident Purchases of Decks + Books

Thread originally posted on the Aeclectic Tarot Forum on 12 Nov 2003, and now archived in the Forum Library.

Rusty Neon	12 Nov 2003
Here are some ideas. I'd be interested in yours. (By the way, many of these hints are also transferrable to avoiding improvident purchases of music CDs and other objects of desire -- lately, something worse for me than the draw of things tarot.) (1) Don't go into a store wanting to buy a deck without knowing the deck or what kind of deck you want. Otherwise, just window shop in the store that day, and come back another day to do buying. (2) Try not to go to stores (or to internet purchase sites) when you are really down, or when you are really up. (3) Research, research, and research: read the reviews, check out the scans (especially at websites that show all 78 cards), and ask on this forum. Did I mention research? (4) If the deck, or kind of deck, that you want isn't in the store, don't just buy a substitute for it. (5) Try to visit stores that have sample decks. (6) Be especially vigilant about going into stores when you're out of town. The "I must buy it now" risk is exponentially higher. If you like it, jot down the title and ISBN; you can always order it later at your local store or from that out-of-town store. If you want souvenirs of your trip, you can always buy a postcard from the souvenir store. :) (7) Other risks of "I must buy it now" occur when you see that out-of-print or hard-to-find or specially priced clearance item right there in the store. Postpone the purchase if you can. At least go for a walk, and come back later. (8) Stay away from enablers.

Rusty Neon	12 Nov 2003
(9) Before making the decision to buy a deck or kind of deck, make a list (at least a mental list) of the pros and cons, and not glossing over the cons. (10) It's tempting to become specialized. If you like a certain book or deck, the desire is strong to buy something similar in theme or by the same author/artist. However, with specialization, there is a bigger chance of obsolescene if your interests change. Favour diversity rather than specialization. For example, if you're in a Celtic wave, you may feel tempted to get Celtic themed decks; when you're out of that wave, you're left with umpteen decks having a theme that no longer inspires you. If you find that tha a given theme has more than a fleeting interest, you should try nevertheless to build up any theme-based collection slowly and item by item, with time in between. (11) Discover and get to know your new treasures, before you go on to buy new ones. This delays acquisitions, and perhaps by then you have a better idea of how your tastes and interests, which do constantly change, are changing. (12) Sometimes, rather paradoxically, it's better to spend more money rather than less. If there's a book or deck you want and that you still want after research and reflection, but it's more costly than others or for which you need to pay shipping costs or customs duties, it may still be a worthwhile purchase, as otherwise you could have unsatisfied objectives that are compensated for by impulsive purchases of less costly and less satisying substitutes. (13) Don't feel that you need to buy, at the same time you buy a deck, the small but pricey, artist-penned book that explains the deck. For a while, see if you can get along with just the little white booklet and your current tarot books. Many deck books don't add much substantial beyond the LWB. It's possible that you may not even end up liking the deck, so that you'd be stuck with both the bum deck and the deck book. (14) Likewise, it's wise not to build up a tarot collection, or any type of other collection, too quickly. Maybe you'll find, for instance, that tarot isn't really that interesting, and you'll be glad you didn't buy so many books and decks.

MeeWah	12 Nov 2003
Rusty Neon: Evident that much thought & experience has been invested in the suggestions & that just about every eventuality is covered. Thanks for the comprehensive & common-sense suggestions. The following are methods I use. For continuity, I am picking up the numbering where ye left off. 15. To curb impulse buying, try keeping a Wish List for a period of time first. A physical list requires effort & thought. It also teaches self-control & to think objectively (best case scenario). Keep the list for only the serious interests, thus eliminating the maybe decks which would pad the list. Take the time to record the deck name, pertinent information, price; also briefly note its appealing features. Add to the list as appropriate. Decide ahead of time to limit the choice to one or at most, two. Wait until there is a selection of several decks. Then choose from amongst the selection, with attention to the notes regarding their appeal. 16. Avoid going to a shop with a sum of money or credit cards as that is just too tempting & convenient & risks throwing any resolve out the shop door. 17. When browsing in a store, make it a point to do just that. If there are sample decks, all the better to enjoy the experience. Use the opportunity to determine what the deck looks like & if it is to serve as a collectible piece or for active use. If ye carry a Wish List, use the time to note selections if any. Ditto for browsing online. Edited to add: I apply this for books, too--my biggest "vice".

divinerguy	12 Nov 2003
One benefit of improvident purchases is the ability to get a new deck in trade.

mercenary30	12 Nov 2003
18. Resolve to make all purchases through Aeclectic Tarot with an online merchant so the community you love so much can benefit from your purchase. That way you may be able to convince yourself that when you get home you will order it.....

MoreMagic	12 Nov 2003
19. When you get that terrible craving-"I MUST buy that deck" or "I MUST buy A deck" (especially likely when the deck you want is not in stock at the store you are in) try removing yourself to another location (even the next aisle over) and do a little meditation. Focus on the physical sensation of the craving (shortness of breath, empty feeling in the pit of the stomach, etc.) and see if you can release it all. Sometimes when you get the physical stuff under control, you can get a grip mentally (I don't really need this deck now, I can wait) and you can walk away. Assuming you want to. :)

Cerulean	12 Nov 2003
A mass market title might appear on abebooks.com, used at amazon.com OR ecampus or half.com. Email the seller first to make certain it's a deck with all the things you know should be in it (some booksellers have oracle sets listed as tarot but don't have 78 cards). If you can buy used or half-price decks like new at a local used bookstore, ask the counterpeople as you browse. The box may be beat up, but the deck and book might actually he rarely touched... For yourself...save your lunch money and say budget a deck a month with what you save with lunch/breafast in half-salad or sandwiches and fruit....and it can be an either or...would you rather rent movies on a weekend or go to matinee and save a little for your tarot bank? A deck with a good booklet replaces most fiction titles for me. It's not suffering, it's finding creative alternatives for what works.

firestorm	13 Nov 2003
20) At the VERY least, if you aren't able to view the entire deck, check out a generous sample of major AND minor arcana. In some decks the two are like night and day to the point of being incredible that they are even part of the same deck. Plus, sometimes only a few great cards in an otherwise standard deck are scanned, thereby increasing the risk of disappointment upon learning that the entire deck isn't as "great" as the few scanned cards you viewed.

Mystic Zyl	13 Nov 2003
Yes Rusty, stay away from enablers.....................I am telling my girlfriend she has to stay in the car, she is a bad influence, not! I blame all my purchases,( when my boyfriends screams about having too many decks,) on her. Love those whom enable! ohhhh I got to go, I feel the urge to buy another deck.....

The Sharing Hints on Avoiding Improvident Purchases of Decks + Books thread was originally posted on 12 Nov 2003 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.