Black Club 2015 - Every Deck Free, Almost

[rousselle]

A recent e-mail to black club members said don't worry, they are working on a big batch of decks for the holiday shopping season, and we'll get our big batch of free decks then.

I just wonder if those will be ready for us before our memberships expire. I'd renewed in November, when they first announced all this wonderful stuff, and I'm hoping they make the new "free" decks available before the anniversary of those announcements, or a lot of people are going to get miffed.

[double_left]

A recent e-mail to black club members said don't worry, they are working on a big batch of decks for the holiday shopping season, and we'll get our big batch of free decks then.

I just wonder if those will be ready for us before our memberships expire. I'd renewed in November, when they first announced all this wonderful stuff, and I'm hoping they make the new "free" decks available before the anniversary of those announcements, or a lot of people are going to get miffed.

I doubt it very much. For them to release another 6 decks to fulfill their promise of making at least a min of 12 for the year, their going to have to give out two or three at a time before January 1st and we all know their not going to make that happen.

Thank god this was my first and only year I signed up. 12 to up to 20 decks is sooo much smoke. I feel sorry for the people that will have their membership expire before Jan 1st.

NOTE ON RECOGNITION POINTS:
On my last order I used all my points up that I had collected from previous purchases. When I went to the "About Program" page I was shocked to read this;
As of July 23/2015, points are no longer being awarded, as this program is coming to a close.
Points can still be redeemed until they expire or a legally valid end date has been determined, whichever comes first.
What the hell is E doing. They didn't even bother to explain/email/tell anyone that this was happening...

I've seen Dan & Dave offer a deck membership, has anyone bought into this and can elaborate towards the success of their program...

Thanks,

[Talisman]

Wow. I can confirm this. I just clicked on the "See The Full Recognition Points Program Details" tab at the bottom of the page after clicking the "My Recognition Points" tab. All the info is there. Now I gotta use it or lose it.

[hikeeba]

using up the rest of my "recognition points" (that program went to pot quick enough)

Yes - a notice would have been nice.

Also, you can hype-buy some Revolvers (52 decks/day for the next 6 days). Or....you could just wait until December 8th:

"This is your only opportunity to get your hands on this limited deck without waiting til December 8th."

I can wait. Forever.

They really are the worst.

[rousselle]

A recent e-mail to black club members said don't worry, they are working on a big batch of decks for the holiday shopping season, and we'll get our big batch of free decks then.

I just wonder if those will be ready for us before our memberships expire. I'd renewed in November, when they first announced all this wonderful stuff, and I'm hoping they make the new "free" decks available before the anniversary of those announcements, or a lot of people are going to get miffed.

I doubt it very much. For them to release another 6 decks to fulfill their promise of making at least a min of 12 for the year, their going to have to give out two or three at a time before January 1st and we all know their not going to make that happen.

Thank god this was my first and only year I signed up. 12 to up to 20 decks is sooo much smoke. I feel sorry for the people that will have their membership expire before Jan 1st.

DL, that was part of the point of their e-mail, though, if I recall correctly: they said that they were going to batch these up, in part so that Black Club members could take advantage of paying shipping once for the multiple decks. I hope they do. But, again, I hope it happens before the renewals (or sign-ups) that happened when this new program was announced expire, or that they at least allow a brief extension (long enough to let us take advantage of these previously-promised perqs) for those who renewed in good faith last November.

I know a lot of people here feel burned by E, but while I'm stating my concern here, I am nonetheless taking a wait-and-see attitude before jumping to any conclusions.

[Cbkimble]

The way they done so far, I'm betting they wait till a day or two after the majority of members that joined due to the 12 deck promise, till they release the batch. I hope I have to eat these words but I doubt I'll have to.

[hikeeba]

So, lessee...with today's release of FREE inverted kings and 1800s marked (blue) (and blood kings), they are up to 10. Guess they're going to make 12 easily!! (after free executive (becauase you know they held back a few just in case!!) and pressers hit!)

[PrincessTrouble]

Looking at my E orders from last December, for $6.65 (just the cost of shipping), they sent me:

1 BLKCLUBGIFT - Black Club Thanks Gift pending
1 KINGSBLACK - Black Kings Deck pending
1 KINGSINVERT - Kings Inverted Deck pending
1 REDLTDMINI - Ltd Mini Deck pending

So they really shouldn't count the Inverted Kings deck again this year!

I let my BC membership expire a few days ago. Good riddance.

[Talisman]

So, lessee...with today's release of FREE inverted kings and 1800s marked (blue) (and blood kings), they are up to 10. Guess they're going to make 12 easily!! (after free executive (becauase you know they held back a few just in case!!) and pressers hit!)

Correct me if I am wrong, but the only deck of cards that is new from the three being offered for "free" is the Blood Kings. The other two are I guess just bonus decks we have to pay extra shipping for. So that would mean they still owe us 11 new decks.

[Cbkimble]

I'm sure there's a loophole. The absinthe V2 and 52 proof were reprints.

[vasta41]

I'm sure there's a loophole. The absinthe V2 and 52 proof were reprints.

E? Loophole?

[sinjin7]

Here is the line up of the "free" decks E has offered so far:

Lions Den
Black Kings
Sleepers
52 Proof v.2
Absinthe v.2
SWE Erdnase
Revolvers
Blood Kings
Marked 1800's
Inverted Kings

In this list of 10 decks, 3 are recolored Kings decks, 2 are Prohibition reprints, 1 is a marked version of the 1800 deck, 1 is a slight inverted variation of the red Dealers deck, and the Ernase deck is a theme already covered by CARC, so absolutely nothing new or creative here. Of the 2 decks that are new original designs (Lions Den & Sleepers), I would never buy these decks. The only reason I even paid for shipping for these "free" decks is because they were preview decks and no picutres were posted beforehand, they were a blind "surprise" and I didn't get to see what they looked liked until they were delivered to me.

I should have dropped my membership last year, but E made big promises to make up for their neglect of the Black Club, plus they produced the Prohibition set last year so I thought it was a hint of better things to come. But instead of making this year better, they "gave" us a bunch of recycled decks and are dumping membership benefits such as the recognition points program instead.

I guess its fitting that Madison is the face of Ellusionist now, because the BC membership is just a pure con. Unless something drastically changes, I can't see anyone except for the most rabid of fanboys renewing their membership. E should just kill the BC because its hurting their reputation more than helping it.

[Talisman]

So, lessee...with today's release of FREE inverted kings and 1800s marked (blue) (and blood kings), they are up to 10. Guess they're going to make 12 easily!! (after free executive (becauase you know they held back a few just in case!!) and pressers hit!)

Correct me if I am wrong, but the only deck of cards that is new from the three being offered for "free" is the Blood Kings. The other two are I guess just bonus decks we have to pay extra shipping for. So that would mean they still owe us 11 new decks.

I just realized that we are owed 5 new decks not 11.

[Talisman]

Here is the line up of the "free" decks E has offered so far:

Lions Den
Black Kings
Sleepers
52 Proof v.2
Absinthe v.2
SWE Erdnase
Revolvers
Blood Kings
Marked 1800's
Inverted Kings

In this list of 10 decks, 3 are recolored Kings decks, 2 are Prohibition reprints, 1 is a marked version of the 1800 deck, 1 is a slight inverted variation of the red Dealers deck, and the Ernase deck is a theme already covered by CARC, so absolutely nothing new or creative here. Of the 2 decks that are new original designs (Lions Den & Sleepers), I would never buy these decks. The only reason I even paid for shipping for these "free" decks is because they were preview decks and no picutres were posted beforehand, they were a blind "surprise" and I didn't get to see what they looked liked until they were delivered to me.

I should have dropped my membership last year, but E made big promises to make up for their neglect of the Black Club, plus they produced the Prohibition set last year so I thought it was a hint of better things to come. But instead of making this year better, they "gave" us a bunch of recycled decks and are dumping membership benefits such as the recognition points program instead.

I guess its fitting that Madison is the face of Ellusionist now, because the BC membership is just a pure con. Unless something drastically changes, I can't see anyone except for the most rabid of fanboys renewing their membership. E should just kill the BC because its hurting their reputation more than helping it.

Totally agree. I got pulled in because of the discount. Never again.

[Cbkimble]

Ok everyone. This is just purely b/c I did a little research on pricing. I'm not trying to encourage anyone to purchase from E or purchase the black club membership. So far this year, they have 13 black club decks. Now you had to go claim it during a specific period, E claimed it was offered via email but I rarely saw mention of black club decks in emails, or you missed it, I missed one. Say you claimed all 13 decks(estimate at $100) plus you downloaded the 3 most expensive downloads(approximately $75) and the 3 free gifts(estimated at $150 maybe more for renewal), both new and renewing members, the total comes out to an estimated $325. You still have to consider that shipping of the "free" decks has to be paid basically for every deck, average $33 for 2015.

Membership is $147, unless you joined during the discount, and shipping came to $33. That's a total of $180 with well over $250 value. There will be from 12 to 20 free decks. Add on top the 5% off all non black club products, it really can be a great deal, if you're an Ellusionist fan and really like their decks.

Again, I'm not endorsing Ellusionist, just stating the facts.

[jerichoholic]

It seems most E decks have lost value thanks to E, also apparently you can buy as many Black Artifice as you want. Again brings down the value.

[double_left]

So I guess 13 Decks was E's maxium release for this years Blackclub members.

If I remember correctly, "Could possibly be up to 20 Decks the way Ellusionist has some big plans for the year 2015"

What a bunch of crock!

Renew for 2016 - Absolutely NOT!

[ALBERTO68]

Foreign customers PAY ATTENTION, you have to pay custom fees only for renewal without receiving anything!

[jerichoholic]

Foreign customers PAY ATTENTION, you have to pay custom fees only for renewal without receiving anything!

How is that even possible? You must be mistaken. I'm sure you are getting something if you are paying customs fees. Usually they send out some freebies.

[sinjin7]

I think this may be a moot point because, seriously, who is going to renew their Black Club membership? Maybe unless you are a beginner magician, the Black Club is a failure and I wouldn't be surprised to see E pull the plug on it within a couple of years.

[MRHickey]

just got an email from them asking me to renew. and it states:

It's been too long since we last hung out together!

Come back and renew now, we'll send you 3 Rare Ellusionist Decks for free. You'll get the Blue Rounder, Red Arcane and White LTD for free. In addition you'll have additional access to purchase another 2 Black Artifice Decks and 4 more Gold Artifice Decks. We've got big plans for this year. So why not renew now and gain access to everything above plus your instant renewal benefits.

i would to know what these big plans are. We have been hearing about them for sometime now

[hikeeba]

Renewal http://www.ellusionist.com/black-club-1 ... newal.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; states:

"When you Renew for 1 year now you'll receive 3 free Rare Ellusionist Decks. The Blue Rounders, Red Arcane and White LTD-- and access to purchase unlimited additional Black Artifice Decks, and Gold Artifice Decks."

Interesting use of the comma. Wouldn't the ambiguity be avoided by stating 'Gold Artifice decks and unlimited Black Artifice Decks'?

Anyway, I did end up with another year after I "purchased" 12 downloads of "Moves" (all free for BC members). Buy, hey, this Gator pad is great!

[jerichoholic]

I don't want supposedly "rare" decks they've already given us multiple times now and why is it those renewing first time get unlimited black and gold but the longest members are limited to a few? Personally I think it would be much better if long term members got a lower renewal rate, like $75 or $100.

I too am out, I've given them enough of my money for the last 3 years, current currency rates don't help either. I'll stick with T11 Elite, it's free!

[MRHickey]

Did they remove the Black Club Membership? And just letting the people with them run throw their time left. I can't seem to find it on their website. I got an email a few weeks back and stumbled upon it. I'm don't see the sign up one or the renewal one. And the link two post up does not work either. Just wondering, couldn't keep up with their promises and its kicking them in the pants maybe

[jerichoholic]

Someone pointed out that you cannot purchase a membership any more and that seems to be true. I guess E lost too many memberships and gave up.

[CBJ]

Someone pointed out that you cannot purchase a membership any more and that seems to be true. I guess E lost too many memberships and gave up.

Why would you start a new thread?? You even mention how someone pointed it out in another thread (which I've now merged)


Jay

[jerichoholic]

Because I didn't think anyone would pay attention to this old thread, sorry.

[vasta41]

Did they remove the Black Club Membership? And just letting the people with them run throw their time left. I can't seem to find it on their website. I got an email a few weeks back and stumbled upon it. I'm don't see the sign up one or the renewal one. And the link two post up does not work either. Just wondering, couldn't keep up with their promises and its kicking them in the pants maybe

I guess they're going the route of Club808. But the difference is Club808 used to be worth the money.

[jerichoholic]

It's official, Black Club is done, according to Geraint. Of course much like their loyalty points they don't bother to tell anyone.

[double_left]

So if the Blackclub is gone, then the Blackclub store should be gone eventually too I guess!

Oh well, E had a great run at 15 years of making some great products and some not so great products. Mostly not so good products in the last 5 years.

I think the downfall was when they signed/hired Daniel Madison to join their team. It's obvious that everywhere he goes, he makes that company fall/fail, just ask Theory 11 as to why they stop promoting him after producing Players. Maybe, just maybe, it's all the drinking Madison seems to do with his pictures/videos. Not sure, just a shot in the dark.

Anyways, glad to see people finally walking away from E after all their failed promises over the years.

It's just a matter of time before the whole site shuts down.