I'm very sad and angry now.....

Thread originally posted on the Aeclectic Tarot Forum on 08 May 2004, and now archived in the Forum Library.

Suriel	08 May 2004
I just bought a new deck of 78 tarot cards..... When i finally have the time to check it all through, i found that there are six cards that are with the same picture! and even the images do not show any of the meanings of the card!.......:( I look at them, those comic-imaged-tarot cards, I know i've been cheated....i know i've been cheated by the shop where i buy it..... But i couldn't make the shop return the money, because those cards don't have any broken, only the images are repeated used.........i know that the images have been wrong fit with the card name, because they don't fit in the meanings! I was very sad at the time, and i cried my eyes out, in front of those cards....I've been longing for so long to have a 78 tarot deck, but it turns out like this......so i'm despair at the time..... At last i take them away from me and slept for several hours.... but i'm still sad, still angry, and don't know what should i do.... What should i do????? Should i thrwo them away, or try to get back the money, or, try to get used to the tarot cards?? I'm really upset now, and i need your opinion........:(

Astra	08 May 2004
You haven't said what deck it is. Many publishers will replace decks with this type of error free if you notify them directly. The store is really stuck between a rock and a hard place, because they're usually the third or fourth step in the distribution chain, and have no control over what they get sent, but publishers really, really don't want their stuff to end up with a bad reputation, and can make this kind of replacement.

Ruby7	08 May 2004
Hi Lswern, how frustrating and disappointing for you. What deck did you buy? The store should definitely refund you or exchange for a new deck, at the least they should check into the situation for you. But I would like to know what deck you are talking about? Ruby7

Suriel	08 May 2004
It's "X Arashi Kisyu Sorata Arisugawa" illustrated by CLAMP. It's made based on a comic, titled "X" .......... i'm still sad......:(

hedgecub	08 May 2004
Contact the publisher and explain the situation. Most publishers will be happy to send you replacement cards for the ones that were defective. And I must say that the store was wrong in not giving you a replacement. If the deck is defective, it's defective, and it deserves a refund or at least a replacement. In any case, if you can't negotiate with the store, then go straight to the publisher. They're generally more reasonable about these things.

Savoyali	08 May 2004
Is this an official deck? I've only ever come across bootleg type decks from HongKong, but never a CLAMP-sanctioned 'proper' deck. If it is, then definitely try the publisher, as the others have said. If it's the bootleg kind, I'm sorry, but in that case that was to be expected. They're usually more a collectible gimmick than a deck meant to be read with.

Cariad	08 May 2004
Dont be sad or angry any more u were not meant to have Tarot cards that day! Go treat yourself to a new pack different version. Put it down to a bad experience or a message coming your way! Enjoy ure new deck!

isthmus nekoi	08 May 2004
Unfortunatly, I think I have seen this deck, and it is not an official deck. It is really a collectors item and was not created for readings. I don't think you can get your money back. CLAMP art is beautiful, so I wouldn't throw it away, but perhaps you could get another deck that is made for readings. If you like anime styles I believe there are some official anime decks out there, so don't despair...

Pook	08 May 2004
I think U should definitely try and return them to the store where U bought them from. Many retatilers have return policies that say as long as you did not damage the product, you can return or exchange it. I am very sorry about your unlucky purchase. Please don't let this hamper your enthusiasm for tarot, though. There is so much enlightenment to be had from it.

Cerulean	08 May 2004
It has some guesses from fans that show information in regards to the major arcana. http://www.geocities.com/rabbit_tomb/tarot.html http://www.eleves.ens.fr/home/aze/anime/mythes/tarologie.html Do also check my link below (ryan.net has most of the cards) to see if these have different cards that you might print to assist any cards that might be missing from your deck. Do you like the anime art and the show enough to keep the deck? Do you have friends you might sell the deck to if they like the show or art style, but it wasn't what you wanted? The Japanese anime decks are very difficult sometimes to use with tarot associations, even if one has studied different types of decks. The existing art for the cartoon/anime and tarot associations take some time to work through. Do all the tarot cards have pictures on them? I've only kept one or two of my anime decks. I have an RG Veda one that has pictures that I thought at first were all the same, but there's slight differences. I do not read Chinese, but through some guesswork, I was able to match what card should be related to an existing tarot card. When the RG Veda magazines in English might become available, I'll have to see if I recognize the scenes...but I had to go online and look for the story of the cartoon/anime series to find out anything about the deck. So I am waiting to use this pretty deck, but I had to set it aside. I am sorry you did not find what you are looking for, because it is a disappointing feeling. At the moment right now I've got a sinus infection and I know I am awaiting the arrival of the mail, hoping that I receive a deck that I ordered... Regards, Cerulean P.S. The link below to various images -- I don't know if this will help, but if you are able to download the files, you might be able to compare to see if these are the same as your deck or if you are missing some and can print replacements http://ryen.net/tarot/x/ http://kamui.9power.org/x/tarot/tarot.htm

Alissa	08 May 2004
I have a Chobits anime deck, a gift, that is very odd and totally un Tarot, really. It also shows some scenes in more than one card, like one long view, one close up. But, I hold on to it. It's weird, maybe someday I'll read the books and become familiar with the images' content. Then I might read with it. For now, it stays in its box.

Suriel	08 May 2004
Yes, it's not official deck.......:( ....I shouldn't have bought it...... And, Cerulean, i'm really sad to say, the links you gave me is really useful and is the saem deck i've bought, but, my deck's tarot cards are COMPLETELY wrong placed and SO MANY are missing!!!!!!!!:( I shall try to exchange something with the same value with the tarot deck with the shop where i bought it....it might make me not that angry and sad...... And, thankx to all you guys, though i still can't get out of disappoinment right at this time, but i'll be fine, i think.

Savoyali	08 May 2004
Alissa, I have that one, too! I usually list it under 'Nearly Tarot, But Not Quite' :D Lswern, wish there was more we could do! Sending you some ~~~~healing vibes~~~~

Umbrae	08 May 2004
Forget returning them to the store. It’s not their fault. Forget returning them to the publishers, cuz they don’t care. There are a ton of bootleg ClampX decks out there. As of the last I heard, none were approved or licensed. The images were put on the cards with no consideration as to traditional iconography. This happens with a lot (but not all) of the Asian decks. However some Asian decks rock!

Cerulean	08 May 2004
An alternative opinion You are correct, the manga decks from Japan/China and Korea are difficult to research and authenticate...stores such as tarotgarden.com, sasugabooks.com and fan sites also take a lot of time to look through for good or research. I agree it is not the fault of the store who did not know they were selling something defective or 'not quite tarot'---but it doesn't hurt to take a receipt and the cards back in the packaging to the store to ask if an exchange can be done. Sometimes a retail store that stocks merchandise and depends on local clientele will allow an exchange when an online seller cannot. It is worth a try and if done right away, the manager or sales people who helped before might also be sympathetic. I have been very fortunate to deal with physical stores or sellers who sometimes will sometimes make an exception. Of course it is the manager sometimes who sets the policy to allow the exchange for whatever the reason. The others who did suggest that it is hard to sort out what Asian decks might work as a tarot deck---yes, that would really depend on how your cultural filters work. Some anime fansites show amazing ability to work with anime art and tarot...I cannot always explain why sometimes I can only read with a Thoth-based or an Italian deck or why sometimes an Asian/Euroasian style is the only thing that works for me. I think I have sometimes one of those strange wirings that makes aeclectic's sampling of topics really work for me... Good luck and hope my different opinion makes sense. Cerulean Mari

Umbrae	08 May 2004
BTW: I’d defiantly hold onto the deck…

Nycelle	09 May 2004
I would suggest returning them to the store, and explaining that these are unofficial 'bootleg' decks that are not genuine. They may be willing to refund under those circumstances. If not, explain that you wanted them to be aware they were selling substandard merchandise so they could take it up with their suppliers. This could be especially effective if the legality of bootleg decks is questionable. And the store should be reasonable if you point out that they are being conned as well, paying normal prices for unofficial decks. Best of luck!

mj07	09 May 2004
just curious, lswern, since this is the second asian or asian-published deck you've bought, where are you getting them at? Chinatown? Or do you live in Asia? In my experience, Chinese shopkeepers are more likely to stock bootlegs of various products and FAR more reluctant to except returns or exchanges! Again, depending on where you bought it, perhaps you're better off not shopping there again! For whatever reason, they don't seem too concerned with good customer service! :D

hedgecub	09 May 2004
If you can't find any reputable stores that sell Tarot decks where you live (I'm assuming you're in Asia), you could try http://www.amazon.co.jp/. They have an English translation of their website, they carry tarot decks, and they should be carrying official decks as well as being willing to refund or replace if you find your deck is faulty or a bootleg deck.

Suriel	09 May 2004
Thanks for your suggestions...:) and, mj07, I bought my two tarot decks from diferent shops.... I bought the unofficial deck in a small shop near my school, but my first deck is bought in Kinokuniya, an international bookstore......:) I think i'll try to get at least an exchange for something else with the tarot deck this Tuesday.....wish me good luck! or else i'll just have to see the spent money as a lesson fee -- to not buy tarot deck again in that shop! I will buy another one in Kinokuniya later....it's more dependable....:)

MAR	11 May 2004
yes, try to exchange it, cause even if you keep it, don't going to feel happy using it anymore. let us know what you did. Bright Blessings, MAR

Suriel	15 May 2004
Hi, everyone who has replied to this thread!!:) I've returned the bootleg tarot deck to the shop which sold it to me...! But i only get 80% refund.....:( However, it's better than none! Thanks, for you all! Lswern

The I'm very sad and angry now..... thread was originally posted on 08 May 2004 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.