Cardstock issues with Frouds ‘Fairies Oracle’?!

[Raggydoll]

I was pretty stoked when I received my copy of the Fairies Oracle, but my heart sank when I took the cards out. I do not believe I have ever experienced such poor quality of cardstock. Like really thin cardboard and no lamination. It honestly looked a bit homemade (no, this was not a counterfeit deck, it’s the real deal and the current edition that’s available right now). I did go to amazon and read reviews and I saw that a lot of people had mentioned the really bad quality. One person also said that it used to have a better quality of cardstock when it was first released. So, do any of you guys know if there has been a change in cardstock? And how do you find your version of this deck? I decided to send it back so I can’t provide any pictures. This is the only time I have ever sent a deck back. I just could not get past this issue. Cardstock is important to me and it takes away so much from the lovely artwork when it’s this bad.  :-\

[Flaxen]

I don’t have issues with mine but I bought it when the deck first came out.

 

Disappointing that the modern cardstock is not as good. I wonder if they’ve had feedback to that effect?

[Raggydoll]

I don’t have issues with mine but I bought it when the deck first came out.

 

Disappointing that the modern cardstock is not as good. I wonder if they’ve had feedback to that effect?

 

I'm gonna provide feedback to the place where I bought it from. Maybe I will run across a pre-loved 'vintage' edition one day, but I'm not gonna actively pursue it. I have so many lovely things in my collection already so I'm not heartbroken by this, just a bit disappointed.

[DownUnderNZer]

 

Will go and get both my decks out to see what they are like although I think they are fine from memory. The card stock.

 

Have had them some years now, but only since 2011 on....

[Raggydoll]

Thanks. Will be interesting to hear!

[DownUnderNZer]

I have both sets Fairys and Heart of the Fairies - one was published in 2000 and the other 2010.

 

Somewhat on the thin and flimsy side (both), also, the boxes they came in are not sturdy or the best. However, my cards are fine in both sets as in no damage as well as the books. Still looks brand new.

 

Have to agree, the cardstock is not really the best = if I was to bend a card in half it is not likely to recover.

 

If yours is thinner than that, if it is indeed a later release than mine, I could not imagine what it would feel like or how much thinner it could be.

[Raggydoll]

I’m not sure if there has ever been more than one release or one edition, it was just what I read in a review online. But the way you describe it is exactly how I experienced it. It felt like it could (and would) crease badly if I didn’t handle it with utmost care. I don’t riffle shuffle and I’m not rough on my cards but I am a very tactile person so I like the feel of nice cardstock when I touch my cards. It just adds to the whole ritual of reading cards, in my opinion  ;)

[Jewel]

I got mine when it came out in 2000.  The cardstock, though not the best has held up to being carried around in purses and bags and riffle shuffling for 18 years so I am not going to complain.  The love and use of the card shows, but somehow with this deck it just makes them even more precious to me, scuffs and all.  I am sad to hear you will not get to experience them due to the card stock because they leap off the cards, there is a magic to them I have never found in any other deck of cards.  They come alive.

[Raggydoll]

I got mine when it came out in 2000.  The cardstock, though not the best has held up to being carried around in purses and bags and riffle shuffling for 18 years so I am not going to complain.  The love and use of the card shows, but somehow with this deck it just makes them even more precious to me, scuffs and all.  I am sad to hear you will not get to experience them due to the card stock because they leap off the cards, there is a magic to them I have never found in any other deck of cards.  They come alive.

 

Me too, I had such high hopes  :-\

[Raggydoll]

I hope I don’t come across as being a snob when I complain about cardstock  :-[ It might seem like a minor thing to some people but for me this truly is a dealbreaker. But as I previously said, I have never returned a deck prior to this and I have never seen a deck that even comes close to being this flimsy (and I have owned lots of inexpensive mass produced decks. It is only recently that I have started purchasing limited editions and independently published decks. For almost 20 years I only bought mass produced decks and/or pre-loved decks).

[Little Fang]

Don't fret about sounding like a snob!  If you can't enjoy how a deck feels in your hands, it breaks some of the magic.  You won't want to use it, won't connect, and won't enjoy it.  I don't have the deck, but I just wanted to say my piece. :)

[Guest libra]

I'm so sad that they have changed the cardstock! I've had it for years, so I guess the old stuff and it's really nice! Then, yes, but not uncomfortably so (I don't like really thick cardstock anyway). And it's softened up so it over the years.

 

I think most tarot enthusiasts are snobs about cardstock in one way or another! It really does matter for something you handle so often and for magical moments of your life. The exact way our smobbiness lies may vary, but I do think really flimsy cards probably isn't a favorite for any of us!

[Raggydoll]

Don't fret about sounding like a snob!  If you can't enjoy how a deck feels in your hands, it breaks some of the magic.  You won't want to use it, won't connect, and won't enjoy it.  I don't have the deck, but I just wanted to say my piece. :)

 

Thank you! Yes it truly breaks some of the magic, that is a good way of putting it. I think this all ties in with the way I use my cards (I use them not only for readings but for rituals and magic as well) and the kind of beliefs I have around tarot as a spiritual tool. I like having the feel of nature and trees when I touch my cards. I want them to feel ‘earthy’ and substantial. So yes, I am totally 100% a tactile person and you are right in that I should not try and excuse myself for being the way I am. Thanks again, I needed to hear that  <3 ((

[Guest Night Shade]

Don't fret about sounding like a snob!  If you can't enjoy how a deck feels in your hands, it breaks some of the magic.  You won't want to use it, won't connect, and won't enjoy it.  I don't have the deck, but I just wanted to say my piece. :)

 

Absolutely.  Not only that, you paid good money for this deck; you deserve a quality product that's not going to fall apart after just a few uses.

[Raggydoll]

Don't fret about sounding like a snob!  If you can't enjoy how a deck feels in your hands, it breaks some of the magic.  You won't want to use it, won't connect, and won't enjoy it.  I don't have the deck, but I just wanted to say my piece. :)

 

Absolutely.  Not only that, you paid good money for this deck; you deserve a quality product that's not going to fall apart after just a few uses.

 

This is true. Thank you  <3

[Saturn Celeste]

Raggydoll, was the deck made in China?  They are the absolute worse decks you can get and many of the big names use China.  Llewellyn is one of the big ones to use China and their brand new decks have incredibly lousy cardstock.  :'(

[Raggydoll]

Raggydoll, was the deck made in China?  They are the absolute worse decks you can get and many of the big names use China.  Llewellyn is one of the big ones to use China and their brand new decks have incredibly lousy cardstock.  :'(

 

Yeah I believe it said printed in Hong Kong.

[abalone]

My Faeries Oracle I've had for years and even though its thin its held up except for wear along the edges cause I use it a lot  :biggrin: I also have their Heart of Faerie and that one was disappointing to me to open.  The cards are really thin.  I'm afraid to shuffle it which is why I probably don't use it so much.  I wish these card makers would take more care with what stock they use for printing.

[Jewel]

Don't fret about sounding like a snob!  If you can't enjoy how a deck feels in your hands, it breaks some of the magic.  You won't want to use it, won't connect, and won't enjoy it.  I don't have the deck, but I just wanted to say my piece. :)

I totally agree with this.

[Raggydoll]

Don't fret about sounding like a snob!  If you can't enjoy how a deck feels in your hands, it breaks some of the magic.  You won't want to use it, won't connect, and won't enjoy it.  I don't have the deck, but I just wanted to say my piece. :)

I totally agree with this.

 

<3 ((

[Esk]

I bought my Fouds' fairies Oracle 2 years ago and I think I have the same version as you Raggydoll. The cards are very thin and flexible.

Before seeing this discussion I haven't noticed how thin they are because I don't use this deck a lot and, on the contrary, I don't like thick cardstock, but I understand your disapointment. I agree the cards are poor quality.

And even if I don't have a problem with this oracle I understand your point, it's really unpleasant to handle a deck you're not comfortable with. Plus this cards are more fragile.

[Raggydoll]

I bought my Fouds' fairies Oracle 2 years ago and I think I have the same version as you Raggydoll. The cards are very thin and flexible.

Before seeing this discussion I haven't noticed how thin they are because I don't use this deck a lot and, on the contrary, I don't like thick cardstock, but I understand your disapointment. I agree the cards are poor quality.

And even if I don't have a problem with this oracle I understand your point, it's really unpleasant to handle a deck you're not comfortable with. Plus this cards are more fragile.

 

Thank you  :)  I’m glad to hear that I’m just not imagining things! I know that a lot of people like thinner cardstock because it shuffles so nicely and I totally respect that. There are several high quality options for slimmer cards as well. And some of my indie decks are way too thick even for my liking (I am looking at you La Corte dei Tarocchi!!)

[Page of Ghosts]

It IS very thin, so I completely understand your issues. The faeries themselves trump the cardstock issues for me, so I manage to get some joy and use out of it. But for sure, it's the thinnest cardstock I own. I like my decks to be flexible since I riffle shuffle and really dislike big and thick cards, so while Llewellyn stock is very questionable to me this is way thinner. It could probably have been twice as thick with no problems :bugeyed:

[Raggydoll]

It IS very thin, so I completely understand your issues. The faeries themselves trump the cardstock issues for me, so I manage to get some joy and use out of it. But for sure, it's the thinnest cardstock I own. I like my decks to be flexible since I riffle shuffle and really dislike big and thick cards, so while Llewellyn stock is very questionable to me this is way thinner. It could probably have been twice as thick with no problems :bugeyed:

 

Thank you sweetie  :) I am very glad to hear that you have managed to get past the cardstock issues and still get joy out of it  :love:

[Jewel]

I do hope in the future they re-issue the deck on better card stock so you can get and enjoy it Raggydoll.  The faeries are really magical and honestly I feel them flittering about me a lot of the time, they do not constrain themselves to the confines of the deck that is what is so special about them.  My original deck does sound like it is thicker than what you guys are describing here.  Mine may be worn, a bit scuffed after 18 years, but I cannot imagine replacing it.  I love it just the way it is, my friends reside there when they are not out and about flittering around me  :biggrin: