Date: Mon, 17 Apr 2000 13:49:13 +1000 Subject: Re: balloondeco-d Digest V00 #104 From: "Donald Dixon" <balloons@magna.com.au> To: CBALaFler@aol.com, Balloon Headquarters <balloondeco@balloonhq.com> >PBC is more open to ideas than ANY company I have ever dealt with. > >Kevin G'Day from Downunder, Something Kevin didn't mention ..... What is the BEST trade publication available to the balloon industry today .... without a doubt? Balloon Images Magazine! How much does it cost the balloon pro? ... Zip! How many critics and non supporters of Pioneer products still put their hand out for a copy of each issue? Imagine the uproar if PBC decided to stop publishing the free magazine. There would be more screams of profiteering on the back of the little guy. My company is a distributor of Qualatex balloons and many, many other wholesale lines. I see it all the time in this country. The customers who come to us for helium, nets, ribbon, regulators and ting ting, but ..... they buy other lower priced latex balloons elsewhere. I don't have a problem with that! That is their freedom of choice. However, I can't help but frown when the same customer will ask for a copy of the latest Images magazine and then complain that it should be mailed to them direct, so they don't have to come to my showroom. "Pioneer make plenty of profit, they can afford it!" I hear comments like this every week. Also.... "why can't I buy some of those Qualatex promo leaflets to mail out? My work is as good as any CBA. Isn't my money the same colour as everyone elses money? I shouldn't have to prove to Pioneer what I can do?" I sometimes (tactfully) ask those customers if they allow their client to order air filled columns for a function from them, yet the helium arches from someone else because the arches are cheaper elsewhere. Then I remind them that I notice they do not order Qualatex balloons from me .... and I have never pressured them to do so. Unlike the exclusivity conditions of sale they impose upon their clients, they get a pretty good unconditional "shake" from us. However ... Sometimes you just can't have your cake - and eat it too. You only get what you pay for! Why shouldn't Pioneer be able to stipulate who should receive their free publication and who should be eligible to buy promotional marketing material designed to support the accreditation program they developed? PBC support those who genuinely support them! Sounds fair to us! Don & Dolly Dixon CBAs Business of Balloons Sydney - AUSTRALIA Don's Web Site www.bizballoons.com Dolly's Web Site www.celebrating.com.au