From: Laurensurp@aol.com
Date: Mon, 17 Apr 2000 19:23:08 EDT
Subject: Children and Balloons
To: balloon@balloonhq.com

People can be foolish and as the saying goes: "never under-estimate the power 
of stupid people in large groups".  I am much more willing to hand out a 
warning card and give it to the parent - with witnesses around - than to have 
one loud mouthed whiney parent bad mouthing us throughout my client's 
business.  It's a risk they feel they are willing to accept and as a 
subcontractor for my clients, it's one I have to let them take.

Parents often display the "give my child what that child has" obsession.  
Unfortunately, when you are paid by a company (as opposed to tips) you must 
be much more conscientious about not ticking off their customers.  

So with that in mind, I practice the great approach Bruce Kalver offered at 
T&S2K - "I am giving YOU this balloon, not your child" plus hand out the 
warning card - another tip from his book (yup, another well deserved plug for 
Professional Portfolio for Balloon Artists)  make up business cards with the 
specific warning.  Bruce lists four different warning wordings from "Soft 
note" to "Even Stronger".

The bottom line is cover your butt - especially liability insurance - and 
make that customer happy - because otherwise you'll have BOTH the parent AND 
child whining to you  :)

Lauren Surprenant
www.KidsTimeToGo.com