Where's my wallet?

Why does it take so long to get a Predator?

The Predator wallets are handmade for me by Joe Porper Products. This means each one is hand cut, hand sewn, hand assembled, hand stitched and hand pressed. Nothing about these wallets is mass produced so every stage of the process takes time. The work is also batched to make best use of the materials and to ensure uniformity at every stage. Initial delays were caused by problems with the technical details of the wallet. These were resolved during the first batch, which went out mid-November.

The second batch has been held up by problems getting the right materials (as a result, Joe now handpicks every piece of leather personally) and then the busy Christmas period slowed everything right down.

It is important to keep in mind that this is not a mass produced item. Great care goes into each one so that every facet of the wallet's design matches up to my expectations and Joe Porper's standards. This is not simply a standard wallet with an additional slide or slit cut into the pattern, it has been specially engineered to conceal a powerful secret.

Is there any faster way to get a Predator?

The short answer is no. I am still waiting for my second Predator, which I can't take until all of your orders are filled! I insist on sending out orders strictly in the order they were received. This is the only way to be fair. Even my friends have to join the queue.

How long is the average wait?

Worse case scenario - one to two months. Having ironed out many of the wrinkles in the process, I genuinely believe one month will be the average wait time after this batch. the truth is I am in the hands of the workshop until the wallets are delivered. The current list stretches back to mid-November and wallets are finally starting to arrive.

What is the latest update?

Wednesday 7th January - I spoke with Joe this week and it looks like wallets are scheduled to arrive at the end of the week. About ten orders will ship this weekend. Joe and I are both in Las Vegas for the World Magic Seminar next week. When we return we expect another batch of wallets to be ready and the rest within the next fortnight. Once I am in LA I will hire a car and drive to the workshop daily if that's what it takes. I will fight to complete all orders as quickly as possible.

Please note that I am incommunicado in Las Vegas as it's almost impossible to locate an Internet store out there. I will post an update in two weeks, by which time many of you will, hopefully, already have wallets in the mail.

Finally...

I hope you all realise that we are working hard to get The Predator to you. It is very important to me that you get a quality prop, made by the finest carftsman in magic. I could easily have had thousands made in Taiwan but the final product would be vastly inferior. I believe that my time and effort and your patience is a fair price to pay for this device. I am immensely proud of the Predator and I want you to be happy with your investment. When you receive it, and use it, I know you're going to be delighted.

Delays are frustrating but I feel it is worth waiting to get the right product. in recent years, several people have committed to delivering high quality, powerful effect to the magic community. Everyone has experienced the same problems but the final result has always been justified.

All the best for 2004,

R. Paul Wilson