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Frequently Asked Questions about Inflatables and Blimps
Helium Materials
I was told that anything besides nylon is what garbage bags are made of:
Be careful, some companies use 3.5 mill polyurethane and yes that is what Heavy Duty trash bags (click here to see) are made of. Often these people will not sell the color black because it falls apart from the sun’s heat. Do not confuse that with 18 mill PVC which is a perfect material for helium blimps, spheres and custom shapes that are designed to be used occasionally. PVC keeps the cost down on these products and is perfect for their desired use. For commercial (used often) applications, we recommend nylon.
Avoid claims that a blimp can withstand excessive winds. Correct wind speeds for correctly engineered blimps are as follows: 13 ft (indoor only), 15 to 17 feet ( up to 18 mph), 20 ft (up to 23 mph), 24 ft (up to 27 mph), 30 ft (up to 30 mph). These are maximum wind speeds and know that the wind blows 5 mph faster at 100 feet up. Blimps fly between 100 and 200 feet because the air current is steady. Air current is turbulent below 100 feet due to buildings and obstructions. Stay below 200 feet or you will be in FAA airspace. Never fly within 5 miles of an airport per the FAA and make sure your city will allow you to use it.
Cold Air Materials
We use 08 oz vinyl (2 year outdoor life-span)
The weight of the material has a direct effect on the total cost. Often 500 lb denier is overkill and the price can outweigh the value of the promotional display to be purchased. Other times, 500 lb denier is the best material for the job. We offer both manufacturing processes and we will advise you of the pros and cons and make a recommendation as to what material suits your needs based on design, use, length of use and budget.
2 year Warranties - Some real - Some not
Someone offered me a 2 year warranty on the entire unit.
Be careful. This is a red flag. careful that the warranty does not exceed the lifespan of the materials used. If in doubt, call us to review. It’s a classic sales tactic. There are people in this industry who have operated under various names, each with a bad rap sheet with the Better Business Bureau. Anyone can act like your friend when they’re trying to sell you something, but companies that offer a warranty that exceeds the daily usage life span of the material used in production are often the same characters that will refuse repair work and or are just plain impossible to get help from when something goes wrong. Ask for references of people that have had repairs or problems, that is always a good way to see if a company stands behind what they sell. Remember, a warranty is only as good as the owner of a company’s integrity to his customers.
Factories vs. Resellers
I was told that I should only deal directly with a factory:
Factory is a very loose term. There are some genuine factories and there are others that claim to be factories that are in fact just reselling, while still others who merely have an in house art department that paints other companies products from many origins. It all comes down to quality of material, workmanship, references and performance. With resellers, again you have to look to see that their people are knowledgeable, honest and have a track record of taking care of, not advantage of their customers. Some resellers have strong relationships with factories in many states and countries that each, specialize in a particular product or method of production. It is a well connected and knowledgeable reseller that will act as a broker to get you the best price after carefully evaluating your needs and suggest a product configuration and manufacturing process that is a balance of the products’ use, purpose and the customers’ budget.
Who to do business with
I am confused more than ever:
Ask for references. Specifically, references of people who may have encountered a problem. See how the company handled it. Get a couple regular references and be sure to actually call them. Beware of people who want to fax you reference letters. These are often un-dated, from businesses that no longer exist or are simply made up or obtained by the seller in return for a discount. Sad, but true.
Also, examine their web site. Look for photos of their products. If the photos show what appears to be a cheap looking product, only imagine how bad it looks in person. A company’s web site is a direct reflection of the company itself.
Summary
As a rule, never buy from people that try to pressure you to buy. Also avoid people that say “Tell you what I’m going to do... and then make up some story about what a great deal you are getting. Instead, gather information, judge character and use common sense. Just because something is expensive does not necessarily mean high quality. The same is true in reverse. If something is dramatically less money than other similar products, something isn’t right.
Outdoor inflatables work wonders for increasing visibility, but buy one that fits your needs from a company that stands behind the products they sell.
GET REFERENCES AND DON’T BE PRESSURED INTO BUYING ANYTHING.
THAT GREAT DEAL WILL ALWAYS BE THERE TOMORROW
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