From: WynnLindyB@aol.com
Date: Sat, 14 Apr 2001 04:09:34 EDT
Subject: Re: Helium balloons
To: balloondeco@balloonhq.com


 Hi Picasso,
 
 We gave up trying to sell helium balloons at street fairs, etc., years ago.  
 All it takes is one jeweler giving away balloons and there go your sales.  I 
 would suggest that if you must try to sell helium balloons, get something 
 that is different.  That way you would have a product with a percieved value 
 greater than the giveaway balloons.  If you could find some of those long, 
 rippled balloons that we used to get at the carnival and circus, they would 
 be good.  Something that you can make several C-shells per balloon.
 
 For practical reasons, I would stay away from mylar/foil (electrically 
 conductive) balloons.  If they get loose, as they will, there can be real 
 problems with electrical wires.
 
 This is a time to be inventive with your product line.  If you are doing a 
 lot of twisting, also, you may want something that is easy and quick to 
 inflate.  Or you may want to preinflate.  Remember, though, that helium does 
 not stay in latex balloons very long.  Yes, the balloon will float 8-10 hrs 
 without too much trouble.  But after just a couple hours, they do go down 
 enough to show that they are loosing their helium.  Larger balloons will 
 retain helium better.  If you have a 291cu ft helium tank, you will be able 
 to get enough balloons out of one tank to keep you busy for awhile.  We 
 normally get about 350 - 400 11" or 150 - 175 16" balloons from such a tank. 
 
 In theory, you should get more, but reality has always been different for 
us. 
  Whatever balloons you decide on, ask the distributor how many cubic feet of 
 helium the balloon takes.  This will give you some idea of the supply you 
 will need.
 
 Good luck, and have fun...  
 
 Wynn
 Wynn and Lindy Bell, cba's
 Final Touch - Balloons and Event Decor
 Portland Or USA
 503 579 9499
 www.finaltouchballoons.com
 "Save a tree...Buy a balloon"