This is the first I've seen happen in our area - let's hope it's the last...

http://www.scotsman.com/news/scottish-n ... -1-2586625

--Neil

The article states helium has gone up from £60 to £80 and a tank will fill 600 balloons, so from 10p to 13p per balloon.
That does not seem such a drastic rise to me, did I miss something?

Yes, one of the posters on the newspaper forum made that point too.  I suspect it's the availability of helium (or rather lack of) that is the bigger issue.

--Neil

so many stories about helium flying round... shortages and prices seem dependent on where you are based... In Essex supplies seem low but prices they pay also seem half what others of us pay!!

Tanks from BOC also seem to have changed in volume??
our price rose 20% april then 20% again in august - giving us a 40% higher charge.. but the volume of helium in the tank has according to BOC also risen from 220 11" balloons in a 't' tank to 315 according to paperwork - not actually noticed getting more from tanks, suppose to be honest I will notice over next few months bills...

If its true I am paying about the same price overall per balloon...

No new accounts are being opened by helium suppliers or wholesalers I believe.. We buy ours on an account direct from BOC and they are still supplying us as per pattern over the past 2 years.. so we have had to be realistic and refuse the large balloon release orders - which to be honest are the orders that give you the extra, but could not guarantee they would supply the extra if requested... rather than the everyday orders for parties and events..... Likewise we have always also offered air filled designs at events and in stores for longevity...

The biggest effect the helium shortage is having from where I am sitting is that MY CUSTOMERS believe it so dont ring and order and are looking elsewhere, so Yes I can see how the helium shortage is affecting balloon business's, especially if they rely on walk in everyday decorations and designs... because to be honest that side of our business is Flatter than it should be... and at a time when people want to pay less for entertainment as new people set up at crazy uncompatable rates that no one can run a business on...

Locally a lot of smaller companies bought their tanks from the wholesalers whilst picking up their balloon and gift/card orders.. I know one wholesaler has had no stock for over 3 months...

When we first started 16+ years ago, we offered a lot of different sorts of decorations to all parties and event and still do but I have noticed a lot of companies that have set up over the past 5/10 years by looking at their websites and price lists etc. that they have relied on the helium filled bouquet of foil or latex balloons and simple balloon arch as their balloon business and have not ventured into other designs and creations - In reality they have only been following the Big boys as that's all they have offered - cheap to learn and high profit margin is all the larger outlets are interested in...and that is what has caused the biggest problem with the helium shortage to those without knowledge...its even been affecting the big boys for the same reasons.... Which is a shame as even the first introduction course to balloon decoration has only 20% of it using helium decorations ( the stuff they make quickest) and 80% of the designs taught are Air filled... So everyone who has been on a course should have knowledge of other decorations they can offer!! maybe not at the same price but decorations to fulfill a requirement of their customers just the same...

Reading the story it reads to me that they have refused the balloon orders.... And they are not the only ones to go down this route, even on here we have had some high profile people come on and say they are stopping offering balloon decorations across the country

Do we expect to pay more for helium... YES... we expect the price rises will still continue but even then the cost per balloon will still only be in pence..

Off soap box now

Pam
xx

I found this articical which may help to clarify things.

//http://www.forbes.com/sites/timworstall/2012/08/27/what-great-helium-shortage/


And I still think using air is the way forward for deco. And those decorators that can twist will have an advantage over those who rely purely on filling balloons with helium.

There - I've said my two pennies worth!   :twisted:

Air filled decor has always been more profitable Danny..

BUT

It takes time and other talents than just filling a balloon with helium and putting it in place...

AND YES

Those that can twist have always had an advantage, because they can offer so much more... we where twisters first (22+ yrs now) .. when we started decorating it was 2 completely different industries, just both using the same manufacturers balloons..

These days decorators have found they can use modelling balloons to enhance and increase their designs and call themselves 'Deco-Twisters' as if its something new..we even teach twisting for decorators rather than entertainment... it probably is new to those in that side of the industry... I often wonder does that mean that those of us who twisted first should have a new name  'Twisting Decorators' perhaps as many of us have been around for a long time combining the 2 arts..

Only last week we supplied 3 superheros with standard balloon decor for a 40th birthday and the week before it was Alice in wonderland themed convention decor but with helium filled table decorations for the ball..

Pam
xx

A story from Dan Flynn, President of The Balloon Council and COO of Pioneer Balloon Company
 

http://edition.cnn.com/2013/03/02/opini ... index.html

Great update thank you.  

It's a tough one.  Should we charge the same for air filled designs as what we do for helium?  

In the meantime, People believe the only kind of balloon is one filled with helium, regardless of price

I find all of this very interesting.  Fortunately, I do not use a lot of helium as I am mainly a twister and not a busy professional like most of you.  I do keep a small tank on hand (purchased from our local WalMart) for times when I really do need it.  The media has caused this hype with scary stories about shortages, which may or may not be true.  I feel badly for the decorators who rely on helium but as has been said here, so much can be added with air-filled balloons at a cheaper price for the customer and the seller.  When I tried to open an account with the supplier of helium in this area, I did find they were taking on no new accounts.  Thinking on it now, I would rather stick with air filled and twisted balloons because that's what I'm more comfortable with.  Pam certainly has a good insight into all of this and I appreciate her comments.