Balloon shipping to Aus and local balloon shopping

[TheGrimLooner]

It's been a long time since I ordered branded balloons (Qualatex, bel-bal, etc) from an international source to Australia. Does anyone know which place has the best prices on shipping to Aus? Would it be better to buy from the US or from Europe?

Problem is shipping costs pretty much the same as the balloons, and I've been happy with some of the non brand balloons I can get locally. Anyone remember those 16 inch (I think) China balloons you could get off Kaboom balloons? Thin latex, crystal colours, nice necks, and how easy they popped was really variable. And they were cheap as. An asian milkbar nearby sold ones just like those. Big W also sold some good clear 16" loons too.

Anyone remember the old Woolies balloons?
Also Woolworths used to have the best balloons ever for popping, and from memory when you looked at where they were made in, I think it was Mexico, and Unique was the supplier? This was some time around 2010ish. I want to know because I want to order whatever brand it was. All I remember is that I recognised it as something you could get (but larger versions) from kaboom balloon (or similar online store).
Now they have different ones that aren't as good, crappy stiff balloons. Any Aussies remember? Coles also has meh balloons.

[Seidenki]

Re: Balloon shipping to Aus and local balloon shopping

I don't buy balloons that often but I seem to recall that shipping from Europe is a little better than from the US. Though if you can find what you want in SE Asia, the shipping is much better again.

Woolies had a big revamp of their party products a few years ago. They ditched almost all the Alpen stuff and now seem to only have a Chinese brand. Target did too. They ditched all their local products (Pioneer? Premier? I can't remember) for some Chinese-made stuff. To be honest, I've never seem 16" balloons in any of Woolies, BigW or Target.

[9/11 did Bush]

Re: Balloon shipping to Aus and local balloon shopping

I have the honour of getting to know a few Qualatex retailers around my area, because the business I work at did logistics for Qualatex at one point. Stock the entire range, heaps of Q16's, 36's and sometimes the BSA 17" balloons too. Made a huge purchase of around 30 Q24's the other day, basically clearing out the stock in a shop up in northern Sydney.

I've made Balloons United purchases at times before, shipping is a bit of a premium, but I make huge orders so I'm getting good value out of it. Also I tend to buy some of the huge Chinese paddle balloons that are absolutely awesome.

If you want to go physical, I'd suggest going to specialist party retailers rather than big box chains like Woolworths and Big W which sell small and unreliable Chinese shit. Many of the ones I know of sell those Amscan 24" balloons that are honestly pretty solid balloons, many of them sell Qualatex, but only the 12" and 36" sizes. Beware the prices with these are hit and miss, some overcharge like crazy for larger balloons, others you can get a solid deal. A $2 shop I've hopped into sold Unique 16's at one point for some seriously good prices.

[TheGrimLooner]

Re: Balloon shipping to Aus and local balloon shopping

I've never seem 16" balloons in any of Woolies, BigW or Target.

Big W near us had a massive party section (massive compared to a regular Big W) and they sold individual balloons of different colours. But haven't been there in a while. Here is what they sell amscam on their website: https://www.bigw.com.au/product/clea...pack/p/546945/ but I'mm not sure if it's the same one. I do plan to try those out though.

[TheGrimLooner]

Re: Balloon shipping to Aus and local balloon shopping

I have the honour of getting to know a few Qualatex retailers around my area, because the business I work at did logistics for Qualatex at one point. Stock the entire range, heaps of Q16's, 36's and sometimes the BSA 17" balloons too. Made a huge purchase of around 30 Q24's the other day, basically clearing out the stock in a shop up in northern Sydney.

I've made Balloons United purchases at times before, shipping is a bit of a premium, but I make huge orders so I'm getting good value out of it. Also I tend to buy some of the huge Chinese paddle balloons that are absolutely awesome.

If you want to go physical, I'd suggest going to specialist party retailers rather than big box chains like Woolworths and Big W which sell small and unreliable Chinese shit. Many of the ones I know of sell those Amscan 24" balloons that are honestly pretty solid balloons, many of them sell Qualatex, but only the 12" and 36" sizes. Beware the prices with these are hit and miss, some overcharge like crazy for larger balloons, others you can get a solid deal. A $2 shop I've hopped into sold Unique 16's at one point for some seriously good prices.

Yeah, that's how I did it, just sucked it up and made a big order, especially when the AUD was doing well (or was the USD doing poor?). I'll probably end up comparing prices of each place, then look at shipping costs.

I've looked at websites for some party stores - they seem to just sell one brand, but I'm still looking - anyone got some Melbourne recommendations?. But at this stage it's easier to go to the Big W party department.

[benjballoon]

Re: Balloon shipping to Aus and local balloon shopping

If you're happy with qualatex, I use a shop based in Sydney that's targeted towards the entertainers and decorators in the industry. So his prices aren't far from wholesale price.

http://www.balloonguy.com.au/shop

Very easy to deal with. Have used him a couple of times so far. Just a pity he doesn't really do any other brand (like Unique, Tuftex etc.)