How not to ask for a favor...

[JasonEngland]

Got an instant message from a member here recently. His name was Suhaas G. I get many similar questions from time to time, and I always try and answer them with the most appropriate level of information that I can. For instance, if you’re a rank beginner, you’re not going to be sent on some chase for an obscure pamphlet that you’ll never find. If you’re an established expert, I may speak using some “common” jargon that I wouldn’t use with a beginner, etc.

This guy was wanting information on bottoms and Greek deals, and I assumed he was an beginner (I still think that). I pointed him to my 1-on-1 downloads on those very moves at this very site, thinking that was a good place for a beginner to start on these moves. Of course, I didn’t realize at the time that what he was really looking for was information on a silver platter, but we’re getting ahead of ourselves….

Hello Jason,

I was wondering what some good resources for learning the bottom and the greek deal are. I looked around for the greek deal and I could not find it anywhere.

Thanks!

This was my reply:

I think I know a guy.....

I filmed two separate 1-on-1 downloads on those very moves right here on this very site.

They're in the 1-on-1 section under my name, just do a search for them. After you've watched them, I'll be happy to answer any questions you might have.

Jason


I got this back from him:

Well, I knew that you had them here. Thanks Jason but does this mean that you won't give me the resources either? Ahh well.

Thanks anyway. Will just ask someone else.

Suhaas

I’m not really sure what more to say at this point. I never replied back, but the sense of entitlement I got from this post bugged me all week. If there are any more of you out there like this, please don’t ever write to me. You depress me.

Jason

 

[penguincdude]

That's strange. He's a fool to wish for anything than those videos. Personally I think they're great. Maybe he already had your videos.

 

[WilliamMckeehan]

4 or 5 bucks really is not that much for a sleight that will probably take a life time of work to make great haha.

 

[WPT]

Very rude message indeed. Stating that you are just a nobody that can be replaced by asking someone else is just.. wrong.

I do however find his message kind of amusing. Asking you for a 'good resource' on those two sleights is stupid because of (at least) two reasons. First of all you have, as previously stated, put up two excellent videos for us to watch. I have enjoyed the bottom dealing video for over 6 months now and must say that it has improved my bottom deal (I couldn't bottom deal before this video) tremendously.

Second, in your videos (at least Bottom Dealing and Strike Seconds, which are the ones I actually have) you do actually recommend loads of good resources for the sleights. If he had just taken his time to watch through the actual video and try to work on the actual sleight, he would've gotten resources enough to keep anyone busy for years.

Funny thing he posted a link for the 'next book syndrome' by Darwin Ortiz a few days ago..

 

[worldwideme]

That's strange. He's a fool to wish for anything than those videos. Personally I think they're great. Maybe he already had your videos.

i agree. thats how i understood that.

 

[Bill Charlton]

Got an instant message from a member here recently. His name was Suhaas G. I get many similar questions from time to time, and I always try and answer them with the most appropriate level of information that I can. For instance, if you’re a rank beginner, you’re not going to be sent on some chase for an obscure pamphlet that you’ll never find. If you’re an established expert, I may speak using some “common” jargon that I wouldn’t use with a beginner, etc.

This guy was wanting information on bottoms and Greek deals, and I assumed he was an beginner (I still think that). I pointed him to my 1-on-1 downloads on those very moves at this very site, thinking that was a good place for a beginner to start on these moves. Of course, I didn’t realize at the time that what he was really looking for was information on a silver platter, but we’re getting ahead of ourselves….




This was my reply:

I think I know a guy.....

I filmed two separate 1-on-1 downloads on those very moves right here on this very site.

They're in the 1-on-1 section under my name, just do a search for them. After you've watched them, I'll be happy to answer any questions you might have.

Jason


I got this back from him:






I’m not really sure what more to say at this point. I never replied back, but the sense of entitlement I got from this post bugged me all week. If there are any more of you out there like this, please don’t ever write to me. You depress me.

Jason

Instead of being depressed over the fact that he didn't watch your videos (most probably he does not have a credit card) , you should have referred him to TEATCC ( www.erdnase.com ).I think his question was legitimate but may be óffensive'to some people like you but not me.

 

[Creeper]

^+1


I also don't think its right to post his name here...now all the fanboys won't like him...oh well

 

[KeoSilver]

Instead of being depressed over the fact that he didn't watch your videos (most probably he does not have a credit card) , you should have referred him to TEATCC ( www.erdnase.com ).I think his question was legitimate but may be óffensive'to some people like you but not me.

Well Bill, I do not think it was what the man was asking for was the problem. But the tone in which the member responded was what made it offensive.

 

[Bill Charlton]

Well Bill, I do not think it was what the man was asking for was the problem. But the tone in which the member responded was what made it offensive.

His response was fine(to me).Since Jason won't give resources without buying his videos , he would be of course disappointed.Wanting to ask someone else after not getting an answer from a person who has 20 years of experience is fine.

 

[William Draven]

The dude wants something for nothing, that's not exactly right. I've got to agree with Jason, that's the wrong approach to take.

 

[Bill Charlton]

The dude wants something for nothing, that's not exactly right. I've got to agree with Jason, that's the wrong approach to take.

I think he just asked for resources.

 

[Robert//Livingston]

Bill,

You learned how to Greek Deal from EATCT? Also, I'm pretty sure Suhaas knows about the book as well. Is EATCT the best place to learn the bottom deal? It was a lot easier to visualize with a video and then go back to the book and reread the section, for me at least.

Sure, Jason could have gave him every book, video, and pamphlet that referred to a bottom or Greek deal, but he gave him two great sources and he declined. Is it really that hard to use a search function in the forum, or google?

Don't be lazy.

 

[KeoSilver]

I think he just asked for resources.

It was all good until up to this point: "Thanks Jason but does this mean that you won't give me the resources either? Ahh well.

Thanks anyway. Will just ask someone else."


He has a dismissive tone like, oh okay so I won't get any free information from you I'll go ask someone else. He also had the tone of entitlement like, Jason is here, he should have some resources that he will give up to me.

You know now that I think about it more, Jason did give him resources. The two very detailed one on ones on the site. Then to say, "Thanks...but does this mean that you won't give me the resources either?" Then, not even allow a proper response from Jason. On another note, the responder should of rephrased the question like this, "I am aware of your one on ones. However, I am looking for other resources on the net. At this time I do not have the financial to buy the one on ones, but I'd really like to learn more about the move. Any help is greatly appreciated."

But that is just my opinion.

 

[Bill Charlton]

Bill,

You learned how to Greek Deal from EATCT? Also, I'm pretty sure Suhaas knows about the book as well. Is EATCT the best place to learn the bottom deal? It was a lot easier to visualize with a video and then go back to the book and reread the section, for me at least.

Sure, Jason could have gave him every book, video, and pamphlet that referred to a bottom or Greek deal, but he gave him two great sources and he declined. Is it really that hard to use a search function in the forum, or google?

Don't be lazy.

He obviously can't get the videos as if had a credit card , he would have gotten it already.Stop trying to force him to buy the videos.He asked for other resources , not the videos.

 

[Bill Charlton]

It was all good until up to this point: "Thanks Jason but does this mean that you won't give me the resources either? Ahh well.

Thanks anyway. Will just ask someone else."


He has a dismissive tone like, oh okay so I won't get any free information from you I'll go ask someone else. He also had the tone of entitlement like, Jason is here, he should have some resources that he will give up to me.

You know now that I think about it more, Jason did give him resources. The two very detailed one on ones on the site. Then to say, "Thanks...but does this mean that you won't give me the resources either?" Then, not even allow a proper response from Jason. On another note, the responder should of rephrased the question like this, "I am aware of your one on ones. However, I am looking for other resources on the net. At this time I do not have the financial to buy the one on ones, but I'd really like to learn more about the move. Any help is greatly appreciated."

But that is just my opinion.

+1. I agree.

 

[Jacob]

Not taking sides but IMO i tend to look for other resources besides 1 on 1s because I dont have a credit card. ...if only Theory 11 accepted Paypal. Thats why I look for resources that accept paypal. Still no idea why Theory 11 doesnt accept it. Most other places do.

 

[KeoSilver]

Not taking sides but IMO i tend to look for other resources besides 1 on 1s because I dont have a credit card. ...if only Theory 11 accepted Paypal. Thats why I look for resources that accept paypal. Still no idea why Theory 11 doesnt accept it. Most other places do.

That isn't really an excuse anymore. Paypal has the digital master cards that you can make and use for online purchase.

 

[fridoliina]

After reading this thread i realised one thing, magicians have become to spoiled.

Having someone like Jason England on the forum which is always very nice and helpfull when it comes to answering questions is like having Neil Peart from rush on a forum for drummers or Stephen King on a forum for writers helping people getting their songs or novels together. We are incredibly lucky.

 

[Rneogy]

Well... I know Suhaas and I'm pretty sure he wouldn't say something like that... Not that I'm saying he didn't send that message.. Maybe it was some sort of misunderstanding...

Rneogy

 

[wZEnigma]

He's a 14 year old magician who's asking for free information.

...Pretty sure that's a typical crappy kid magician. But it does kinda sound fishy for him...maybe he's a closet exposure fanatic.

EDIT: Jesus post count!

Ian