Excuses to buy balloons

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  • Ab6471
    Junior Member
    • Aug 2017
    • 10

    Excuses to buy balloons

    Hello
    I am wondering if anyone has any ideas for excuses for getting balloons. I may be too young for this but I am just going to say that I can't drive yet. There are not many places near that have balloons, and the only ones they do have are 12" and smaller. Are there any common stores (in the US) that sell balloons over 12", and are there any ideas on how to get them?
  • craggy2012
    Senior Member
    • Jan 2012
    • 824

    #2
    Re: Excuses to buy balloons

    If they're suddenly showing back in stock- that's enough for me lol!

    Comment

    • Fred
      Happy looner
      • Jul 2018
      • 74

      #3
      Re: Excuses to buy balloons

      I can't drive either so I feel your pain
      Luckily I have a store nearby that sells 91cm balloons (36 inch)
      There reeeeaaaallly expensive though $13 au ($9.50) each

      Comment

      • LoonerPlanet
        Senior Member
        • Nov 2018
        • 144

        #4
        Re: Excuses to buy balloons

        I am in rural New York and the only place that I know is Party City, which sells a very good 24" inch balloon in various colors, including clear. As to getting there, you could use a ride share service, like Lyft, if there is one in your area.

        The truth is that, even for those of who drive, it is difficult to find a store that sell large balloons. I buy most of my balloons online. If you can't have deliveries at home, get a post office box.

        Comment

        • craggy2012
          Senior Member
          • Jan 2012
          • 824

          #5
          Re: Excuses to buy balloons

          True.....

          That’s a good observation actually. Here in the UK there’s very little on the high street retail wise for purchasing balloons other than for foil types. Latex rubber balloons seem to have gone out of fashion in party, card and gift stores- you just don’t see them anymore since the likes of the Birthday’s chain of stores went under.

          For cheap big stuff just to pop I use online retailers like Amazon, for the branded coveted stuff though I’ll order from the specialist balloon retailers that cater for our needs. Not cheap especially when you include shipping n taxes but that’s all there is now unfortunately here.

          Comment

          • LoonerPlanet
            Senior Member
            • Nov 2018
            • 144

            #6
            Re: Excuses to buy balloons

            In my experience, independent businesses are those most likely to carry bigger balloons. I have some fond memories from my younger days. One exception was Woolworths at its peak would carry large balloons. Sadly, they are gone, too.

            Party City has driven many of the independent party places out of business. I suspect that the ones that are left in the US are mostly in and around large cities (I'm thinking of Balloon Saloon in New York, Red Balloon in Seattle, Balloon Lady in San Francisco--travel broadens the mind) or supply carnival type of equipment to the public (I used to frequent one outside of St Louis).

            I support the ones that I find, mostly by renting helium tanks. Most of the balloons that I own--and I own too many--are purchased online. You also have to support our fellow looners' businesses!

            Comment

            • EthylTheAardvark
              Senior Member
              • Nov 2016
              • 143

              #7
              Re: Excuses to buy balloons

              Are you old enough to get a job? Are there any businesses around where balloons are common? Inland, the only one I can think of might be Red Robin. Maybe some department stores if you have a mall nearby. Do they still have malls? I don't go out much heh heh. I had a job as a nighttime computer operator at a cruise company for a while, and they always had a ton of balloons around. Usually one of the ladies who worked in sales would pop most of them about the time I was arriving, but there were still usually a few escapees during my shift. I'm pretty sure I could have asked her to leave a few too, if I had been a bit bolder. But yeah, if you can find a fairly menial job at a place with balloons (maybe even a Party store,) you'd have plenty of excuses to be swimming in them.


              Another possibility would be to see if you can become an Amazon affiliate. Set up a relationship with a balloon wholesaler, buy balloons wholesale and sell them on amazon at enough of a markup to cover your shipping costs and make a small profit. Some of the balloon prices on amazon are ridiculous -- I've seen some larger ones at a dollar or so PER BALLOON more than I can get them for at my friendly regional Qualatex wholesaler. You'd eventually want to incorporate if it's profitable enough, and might want to get into reselling other stuff. I've actually considered reselling inflatableworld.de toys at a markup that I think people would pay to avoid the month-long shipping from Germany, but I don't really have the storage space to do that. I've also thought about forming a direct relationship with a Chinese inflatable toy company on Alibaba, but definitely don't have the storage space to do that.


              Once you get your own place, of course, you don't need a freaking excuse.

              Comment

              • ThatOneLooner
                Senior Member
                • Mar 2016
                • 294

                #8
                Re: Excuses to buy balloons

                If you live near a Walmart that has an in store pickup tower thing, order them online and when it gets there, you scan the barcode and it gives you your order like a vending machine. In an inconspicuous box.

                Comment

                • BalloonBoyUK
                  Banned
                  • Dec 2018
                  • 500

                  #9
                  Re: Excuses to buy balloons

                  I'd also recommend people try local florists! You'd be surprised what size balloons some florists will have (or can get). If they ask why you need X kind/size of balloon, all you need say is that it's for a birthday/wedding/date/anniversary gift. But I doubt they'll ask in the first place...

                  ...Unless you start going-in regularly, of course!

                  Comment

                  • Pacifism
                    Junior Member
                    • Dec 2018
                    • 4

                    #10
                    Re: Excuses to buy balloons

                    I don't think you need an excuse, really. They want to sell people balloons and you want to buy them, it's a good deal! That said, it can be awkward when you go in more often. I haven't used this excuse for purchasing, but I've been caught with a balloon room before... When asked what that was all about, I said I had been getting into balloon decorating (as amateur, of course) and I'm not sure if it was totally convincing but it worked, heh.
                    As for where to buy them in the US, I really wouldn't know unfortunately. But best of luck, I hear there's some good ones out there.

                    Comment

                    • SlightlyDeflated
                      Junior Member
                      • Nov 2016
                      • 24

                      #11
                      Re: Excuses to buy balloons

                      New Years Eve sounds like a great reason to buy a ton of balloons to me.

                      Comment

                      • LoonerMyName
                        Member
                        • Sep 2018
                        • 79

                        #12
                        Re: Excuses to buy balloons

                        Does anyone have any new suggestions?

                        Comment

                        • palloncino90
                          Senior Member
                          • Jan 2018
                          • 391

                          #13
                          Re: Excuses to buy balloons

                          Now I purchase balloons online only but when I looked for balloons in my city, example many years ago one supermarket sold some unbranded 17" balloons and I went to buy them several times, without thinking, I don't have to give any reason/excuses. One day I went to a party store and asked about balloons over 16" and they asked me why I need those, I just replied I need them for a party, stop. I really don't care about people, balloons are a item like any other. Who cares if the balloons are an item for children? I can buy for several reasons so they just have to do their job, selling them to me. Trust me, don't overthinking, who are they? Just workers.
                          Last edited by palloncino90; 05-02-2019, 10:07. Reason: Mistakes
                          I want to live surrounded of big and colorful balloons

                          Comment

                          • marja

                            #14
                            Re: Excuses to buy balloons

                            I fully agree with palloncino. Those workers in the shop want to sell their products to you. The reason to ask why you need it, is to sell more (balloons or something else).

                            But I can imagine you feel more safe if you have an answer to the question "where do you want to use them for?"
                            I have given the following answers:
                            - for a party.
                            - the party is in a large room, so I need bigger balloons.
                            - Bigger balloons stand out
                            - I need them for a photography project

                            I have considered giving the real answer, but if I would do that, I wouldn't dare to come back to that store. So I never did.
                            In general with "for a party" and "in a big room" you cover most questions. Unless you want to tell more yourself!

                            Comment

                            • BalloonBoyUK
                              Banned
                              • Dec 2018
                              • 500

                              #15
                              Re: Excuses to buy balloons

                              Palloncino and Marja are correct. Most store staff aren't asking what you want the balloons for, out of being nosey - or, at least, they shouldn't be doing that - but more to make sure you are buying the right ones, and so they can sell you more/related items (e.g. ribbon).

                              Generally-speaking, it's always good to have a reason to hand, and be prepared to use it. Don't appear flustered, or if you struggle with telling "little white lies", then practice the lie, before you make the purchase.

                              As has been stated, the stock responses of "It's for a party", "They're for an art project", or "We need them for a special event" will usually stop most staff asking you anything further.

                              Never feel like you have to tell them the real-reasons why you buy them. It's probably a good idea, to never tell them the real-reasons!

                              Comment

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