From: "Michael Wolfe" To: Skistz@aol.com, balloondeco@fooledya.com Subject: Re: Michael Wolfe's comments Date: Sun, 20 Jul 1997 10:48:03 PDT Jim, First of all let me begin at the bottom of your post: the last time I paid for images magazine was when I bought a bag of Qualatex balloons from a distributor. Why do you think their prices are so high? Someone, somewhere has to pay for all that. Dah! It doesn't take a rocket scientist to "figger" that out! And as far as education: what about the Indiana Balloon Network that has been around long before the QBN chapters? What about the Balloon Expo in Edmundton, Canada? What about the recent Eastern States Balloon Symposium? What about all the instructors that have gone on tour, or hold classes and seminars in their cities for balloon artists to attend? Open your mind to what is going on around you. AND I will drive my Porche any day of the week because I feel that US auto makers have created a market where a car only lasts the duration of the loan. So, I agree with you that Pioneer was a leader in getting this industry started. BUT, BIG BUT, if their product does not meet up to my standards and I end up throwing broken pieces away from poppage, then they need to go back to the drawing board. I will not tolerate buying a product that is inferior, just as I refuse to by an American made car. You really hit a soap box topic with me when you start talking about American products. And as far as fierce competition: In my town, I am not the only person selling balloons. I don't care if my competition sets up shop across the street from me. In fact I would encourage it. They will not drive me out of business, because I have created a nitch market and have loyal customers that I make happy by giving them service and creativity that no one else can give. I don't have to compete in the seminars or IBAC either, because my little corner of the world is where I am most admired, not the piers that attend a large convention. What good does a plaque on the wall do my customers? They are impressed with my work and that's it!! Competition? How can anyone of us consider a party store (like Party City, etc.) competition? There will always be those customers that want the cheapest balloons they can find and that's ok, maybe that is all they can afford. But not everyone wants to buy a Ford or Chevy, especially if they can afford a BMW or Mercedes. Mike Wolfe PartyTrends From: Skistz@aol.com Date: Sun, 20 Jul 1997 05:41:27 -0400 (EDT) To: balloondeco@fooledya.com Subject: Re: Michael Wolfe's comments There is no doubt that competition is good for any industry! Case in point, we can all thank the quality standards set by the imported auto manufactures for making it possible for us to be proud we drive a Pontiac, Ford, Chevy , or Cadillac etc. today. An important thing to remember however is the role the U.S. automakers had played in developing the market for the automobile since the first Horseless Carriage. The U.S. established a worldwide market before any of the competition decided to compete here. Pat and I are relatively new in the balloon industry, going on six years. What directed us towards the business was IBAC in 1990. The inspiration was electric! After getting our feet wet we found a lot of established competition in our market and it was fierce! In order to compete we recognized , as I am sure many of you have, that we needed to offer something more. Service, quality, and creativity became our mission but we needed education and were do you go to get that. In short, there was very little education outside of working for nothing with other balloon people , a lot of trial and error , IBAC once a year and at the time, NABA. The only continuing source for education were publications from Pioneer and a commercially published Balloons and Parties Today. Pioneer invested heavily through education, quality , and sponsorship in many ways, (including IBAC), to build the industry to what it was then. They are the ONLY manufacture , to my knowledge, to consistently continue there major support for the industry to date. I believe this is referred to as Leadership! Pioneer has not only exhibited the same leadership qualities of the U.S. automakers but have also set and maintained the highest standards in the industry for their product. This has been witnessed by many of us, but has been benefiting all of us that have made this business our livelihood. Now that competition has recognized the value in this market and is wanting a bigger share...see if they are hitching a ride or are willing to invest as heavily in us as Pioneer has ...and continues to do. Lets keep things in perspective. Respectfully, Jim Skistimas PS- when was the last time you paid for an IMAGES ______________________________________________________ Get Your Private, Free Email at http://www.hotmail.com