I would not recommend Magic by David based on my experience…read more
When I first spoke with him about a month before the event, he quoted $300 for the magic show and mentioned an additional $75 for balloon twisting and face painting. I confirmed the $300 and told him I would decide later about the add-ons. He also asked for a $27 booking fee, assuring me that it would be deducted from the total amount.
About three weeks later, I called to inform him that I did not want the add-ons. He insisted that I must take them, saying that his assistant would be present for the entire duration and that the package could not be changed. Since the difference was $75, I agreed. He mentioned that with taxes, the total would be $396,--which he had never mentioned before that their will be tax--and requested that payment be made in cash, Cash App or via Venmo, which I found unusual.
On the day of the birthday party, as soon as he arrived, he demanded $396 before bringing in his setup. I reminded him that I had already paid a $27 booking fee, but he refused to deduct it, saying that the Booking fee was separate. I ended up paying the full $396 anyway.
He had promised a one-hour interactive show to keep all the kids engaged. However, the magic show lasted only about 40 minutes, and the face painter stopped after 30 minutes, leaving several kids disappointed. Altogether, the entire performance was over in less than 40 minutes, far short of what was promised.I've attended several other birthday parties with magicians, and they always allowed all the kids to touch the animals. However, this magician only let the birthday girl and her sister touch the animals, which made other kids unhappy.
Additionally, I noticed unprofessional behavior. The tissue roll I had refilled in the morning went missing, and I later saw it with the magician. After the event, it vanished (the magician took it away with him). He was also seen peeking into the children's gifts, even holding one of the return gifts and curiously looking inside, which made me uncomfortable.
Overall, this experience was very disappointing. The service was unprofessional, misleading, and not worth the amount charged. I would strongly advise others not to hire Magic by David for their events.