Avoid like the plague! Marvin's NO Magic Drawing Board ~Cliche Soire
Written: Jul 06 '02 (Updated Jul 06 '02)
Product Rating:
Durability:
Pros: Includes a Bonus set of pens.
Cons: Hard to Use, Costly, AVOID!
The Bottom Line: There is a better chance of finding a snowball in hell than the occasion arriving that I will recommend purchasing a Marvin's Magic Drawing Board!
Originally one of those as seen on TV stints, now as common as grandma at bingo, the Marvin's Magic Drawing Board was one of the presents that my girls requested a couple years ago. Christmas comes but once a year, and grandma likes her grandbabies to be happy camper’s. Wanting to put some magic in the occasion grandma provided each of the girls with items from their wish lists, and they each received a Marvin's Magic Drawing Board.
Commercials make it look like drawing on this board is easy as pie. I tell you, if proper testing occurred prior to this toy being released, parents would’ve sent the designer back to the drawing board. Although you'll never know till you try and purchasing might be required to arrive at a decision, allow me to forewarn that you get what you pay for, and I suggest that you avoid this like the plague.
Marvin's Magic Drawing Board
Recommended for Age 4 and up.
I don’t know about you, but when my girls receive a gift I like them to be happy as a pig in mud. When this doesn’t happen due to the fault of a product I become mad as a wet hen. If a person claims this toy works as advertised they’re one brick short of a load, and should be thrown to the wolves. Had I been the wise consumer, I would’ve perused the wonders of Epinions, happened upon Pluckyducks (http://www.epinions.com/kifm-review-5584-50254E1-391F2B5C-prod2) well written, scathing review of the Marvin's Magic Drawing Board, and hurried to erase that request from my sweet as sugar girlies Christmas wish-lists.
Included:
Marvin's Magic Drawing Board
13” x 10” x 3/8” board. Cream trim around exterior. Instructions on back. Filled with black goo, that is over a rainbow-colored surface (blue, orange, green, and yellow).
Special drawing tool
An orange-red gizmo that is thin. One end is wide – 2 ½”, the other is ¼” rounded point. Within my review I will refer to it as the stylus.
2 color pens
2 changing pens
1 activator pen
Drawing board with stencils
Instructions
The Marvin's Magic Drawing Board measures approximately 13” x 10” x 3/8” and is easy to tote. I recommend taping a small ziploc® bag on the back of the board to hold the stylus (special drawing tool). If you lose the stylus you are up Creek without a paddle, as if things were ever actually well and good with it. **sigh**
What It Is (er… isn’t?)
This board contains a black substance over a rainbow-patterned board. Commercial hype indicates this product to be a blessing in disguise. It is true that you don’t need crayons, markers, pens, or paper to create artistic images. However, don’t expect to replicate the images shown on TV. Let's face it this is a mere marketing lesson of Let the Buyer Beware! Unfortunately it is a costly one. At $19.95 per unit, Marvin is possibly rolling in money.
How You Use It:
Using the included stylus you create pictures. This occurs by applying pressure to the surface of the board. You position the stylus in various angles, and drag it. This parts the goo, exposing the rainbow-colored under portion. A kid always knows more than an adult but attempting to recreate the pictures shown on TV will leave most feeling as sharp as a wet corn flake. Reality is that you drag the stylus, the goo shifts. Attempting to ‘erase’ the board you’ll be ready to tear your hair out. They claim:
“The board's vibrant colors create dazzling images without any paints, markers, crayons, or other messy materials. The Marvin's Magic Drawing Board erases cleanly and easily so it can be reused over and over.”
http://www.asseenontv.com/prod-pages/MarvinsMagicDrawingBoard.html
This claim is dead wrong and really rubs me the wrong way! Reality is that a very patient adult might choose to attempt the maneuver of creating a clean slate, but wasn’t the entire idea to provide you kid with a creativity platform that is easy as ABC?
The Bonus
Also included with purchase is a set of Marvin's magic pens. This set of five felt-tipped pens has received more use than the Marvin's Magic Drawing Board, but the purchase price of $19.95 (or more) doesn’t allow this bonus to equal reason to purchase. You receive two color pens, two color changing pens, and a white secret pen. Two pens work similar to everyday markers. Children can create a picture, or use the included stencils. When they apply the two color changing pens, the picture takes a new look by changing color. The secret pen allows your child to write a message, and then apply one of the two color changing pens on top to reveal the content. The pens are easy to use and work exceptionally well on the included drawing pad. Most children will find the inclusion of these like a breath of fresh air, and this set might be the saving grace that prevents Mom’s from going stark raving mad.
Recommended?
There’s a better chance of finding a snowball in hell than the occasion arriving that I will recommend purchasing a Marvin's Magic Drawing Board! The only instance I see this expense worthy is for providing a logical lesson of making a bad decision is better then making no decision at all, and turning this into an example of commercialization. But most of us parents prefer to avoid crocodile tears, and will be better off stirring our children to a different purchase.
If someone recommends purchasing this toy chances are that he's a few fries short of a happy meal.
Nitty Gritty
My sincere thanks to Mind-full for presenting this challenge! Happy 2 year anniversary Amy!
This review is part of the "Cliché Soirée Write-Off" hosted by mind-full to celebrate her 2-year anniversary with Epinions. If you think a write-off for this purpose is cliché . . . well, that's the point. You're ahead of the game already! Read on for more cliché phrases, and take a look at the other Epinions' talent who have thrown their hats into the write-off ring!
There are no lame ducks here, so delight in the chance to read the diverse submissions of:
amyk49 • AliventiAsylum • ariel10575 • BeeCharmer • CJsMommy • dedemw • dgturtle2 • fallyn96 • flamepillar • Granniemose • gungian • HawgWyld • imokliel • Jag2112 • JaclynL • jeff_wilder78 • jenb123 • katm • kiko_cat • lattechick • laura10801 • Lisa_J • LRGuis • lyoness913 • mind-full • Mininut • MrReEvolution • mrsditmer • My3lilmen • ned1 • pamelita3099 • Petra • pogomom • shadow8 • sleeper54 • unhappycarrie • vbfc • wiseokc
Marvin,s Magic Drawing Board was inspired and created by internationally renowned magician Marvin Berglas. With Marvin,s Magic Drawing Board, your chi...More at eBay
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