Magic Tricks

( From a Verified Buyer )

Anyone thinking about buying this Flash Wand must
"Be Aware" of the following problems with it. Unfortunately, Penguin isn't updating the sales information on this Flash Wand, and I had to learn about it the following, The Hard Way.

1). FLASH WAND. Uses a "Glo-Plug" as the ignition source for
the Flash Cotton/Paper.

2). "Glo-Plug's" wear out/break, after about 25 to 30 uses
and must be replaced. (According to the instructions).

3). The Instructions that come with this Flash Wand, CLEARLY
STATE: "When the replacement of the glo-plug is necessary,
be sure that you only use the glo-plug's offered/sold by
Penguin Magic." The instructions continue saying: "The
ones sold in Hobby Stores and other places Will
Not Work."

4). Upon looking for replacement Glo-Plug's here, in the
PENGUIN website, I found the Glo-Plugs, but also found
that Penguin is "Out of Stock" and cannot get them
anymore.

Which means that You cannot get Glo-Plugs either!

Now, if you believe Penguin? In that these are "Special
Glo-Plugs" being used, that are more powerful and proprietary to Only Penguin Magic.

Then, what you are buying is a Disposable Flash
Wand. Because with the inability to purchase any outside sourced Glo-Plug, coupled with Penguin's inability to acquire the proper Glo-Plug. After you fire this unit the 25 to 30 times, that you're told the Glo-Plug will last, you will end up with a Dead, non functioning, inoperable Flash Wand.

I guess, in a sense, I was lucky, in that the Flash Wand that I purchased, came D. O. A.; (DEAD ON ARRIVAL). I'm not sure what was wrong with it, but after assembly, (according to the instructions), it would not work.

That's when I learned about everything I listed up above.

I'm not sure why Penguin Magic isn't offering some kind of
Pre-Buy Notification; (in the area where you would Add this to your cart). Letting everyone know about the non-existence of the Glo-Plug? My only thought would be that Penguin must have hundreds of these Flash Wands in Stock and with a notification that these are now a Disposable Unit, they wouldn't sell any, getting stuck with them all, or having to basically give them away - and hey... they're not cheap, right?

So, if you go with the above theory? Then that lends to unethical sales practice. Personally, I don't want to believe that Penguin is selling anything unethically, do you?

So hopefully, after reading this review, Penguin Magic adds a note to this Flash Wand. But, I already emailed them, asking them "Why no disclaimer?" I got no reply!

I even tried to help Penguin locate a new Glo-Plug. I informed Cathy, in Customer Service, (via email), that I own a Heating and Air Conditioning company, with access to numerous vendors who are able to supply the Glo-Plugs. All I needed was the specifications on the one they used? But, it seems that Cathy, and others, at Penguin, all had emergencies hit them, all at once. (We did have those huge Napa, No. Calif. Fires), that devastated thousands of people. And, giving the benefit of any kind of doubt, maybe they lived in that area?

Nobody ever got back to me, ever. . .
All I got was a prepaid, FedEx Shipping Label, to return the Flash Wand.

So, I guess I had my answer, regarding my helping Penguin!

I would have loved to have this Flash Wand, and I think that if it wasn't for the Glo-Plug issue, I'd still have it.
It did have good weight and a good feel to it.

Since this issue I've done a lot of research on flash items and unless you absolutely Must Have a Wand type?
You might want to take a look at "PYRO Mini"?

I own it now and actually go everywhere with it.
It's so easy to load, inconspicuous, and the cool thing is.

I'm now Shooting Fire, Out Of The Palm Of My Hand.
(Double Loads Too)

Sorry Flash Wand, you're a great idea but have a very limited shelf life... 25 to 30 loads, to be exact!

So, it's a case of Buyer "Be Aware", not buyer beware.

If Penguin steps up and places a disclaimer near the, Add To Cart, area; Then I'll change my review from 2, to 3.

And, if they ever get the Glo Plug issue sorted out,
I'd even go up as high as 4.

Thanks for reading.