Why was the Q24 discontinued?

[Merl]

The Q24 is no doubt a groundbreaking classic. We all know it's probably the biggest hit ever in loonerdom. So why was the line stopped? Can't believe it was due to low sales but if you say that's what it was, then that's what it was.

BTW, this is apocryphal:

Around the time the 24 was introduced, it was reported by someone on a forum that they saw video, or were present, when a sales exec brought a blown up Q24 on stage and was seated upon it to prove how tough it was. No idea if it really happened, but would like to think it did.

[EthylTheAardvark]

Re: Why was the Q24 discontinued?

I guess no one bought them. You never saw them anywhere there were balloons. Couldn't even find them in any party store I ever checked. My wife was amazed when I blew one up a few years back. She's not a looner and didn't even know such a large balloon existed.


Only way I ever found any was on amazon or via wholesale.

[Meililoon]

Re: Why was the Q24 discontinued?

It was probably too much of a niche product for them to justify making them anymore. 24" feels a bit awkward in that it's too big for normal decorations, but still too small for that real "wow!" factor that a 36"+ has. I also feel that from a purely decorative standpoint, the shape wasn't all that great.

[Danniballoon]

Re: Why was the Q24 discontinued?

It was probably too much of a niche product for them to justify making them anymore. 24" feels a bit awkward in that it's too big for normal decorations, but still too small for that real "wow!" factor that a 36"+ has. I also feel that from a purely decorative standpoint, the shape wasn't all that great.

Yup, balloon manufacturers cater mainly for the balloon decorator markets, as that's where all the profit is. Q24's were seldom used by the balloon decorators.

[Axle]

Re: Why was the Q24 discontinued?

one thing Q24s were often used for was gender reveal parties. because they're so thick the solid colour won't show what's inside even if there's a light behind it.

i suppose that is fairly niche. also they were pretty overengineered. which is why we looners love them but i'm sure that made them more expensive and intensive to make.

[Axle]

Re: Why was the Q24 discontinued?

well i also heard somewhere once that they were not pleased when they discovered how much of a hit it was with the fetish community *citation needed*

[Danniballoon]

Re: Why was the Q24 discontinued?

well i also heard somewhere once that they were not pleased when they discovered how much of a hit it was with the fetish community *citation needed*

You could be right, there. I seem to remember reading that Qualatex distanced themselves from the fetish community.

[FunLooner]

Re: Why was the Q24 discontinued?

I’m not sure why they discontinued but I’m happy I have my own secret stash of them amazing balloons 🎈

[Scooter]

Re: Why was the Q24 discontinued?

So to sum up, they were a balloon that was amazing for looners, but didn't fit in larger (and more profitable) markets, so the overall cost and effort of producing them became no longer worth it.

[BigBang123]

Re: Why was the Q24 discontinued?

I think they discontinued it because they wanted to get more profit from that kind of product. The product that supposedly replaced the Q24 was the “Deco Bubble” which was also a 24” balloon marketed to decorators, but importantly was more durable, come with more print options and a longer float time. On top of this, they also set up decoration instructions that included the use of 5” balloons are further decor for the bubble, so all in the decorator was going to have to spend a lot more on a single decor bubble plus 5” balloons plus weights. This all equals a high profit for Qualatex and the redundancy of the (much better IMO) Q24.

This is only a theory though. :P

[loonerlee]

Re: Why was the Q24 discontinued?

I think they discontinued it because they wanted to get more profit from that kind of product. The product that supposedly replaced the Q24 was the “Deco Bubble” which was also a 24” balloon marketed to decorators, but importantly was more durable, come with more print options and a longer float time. On top of this, they also set up decoration instructions that included the use of 5” balloons are further decor for the bubble, so all in the decorator was going to have to spend a lot more on a single decor bubble plus 5” balloons plus weights. This all equals a high profit for Qualatex and the redundancy of the (much better IMO) Q24.

This is only a theory though. :P

I also thinks this is true or at least has some part in the reason for it being discontinued.

[Casey88]

Re: Why was the Q24 discontinued?

Well I think they dont want the Q24 to be associated with looners.

Google Qualatex 24 and see what it comes up with.

[BigBang123]

Re: Why was the Q24 discontinued?

Yeah, I get why they don't want to be associated with looners but imagine how much more they could make if they embraced us and started making specialised balloons like Cattex does.

[Bubblyzzz]

Re: Why was the Q24 discontinued?

I asked my decorator friend about this. He says they stopped because decorators didn't use them much and this was before the explosion of the "organic" design phase, where more big balloons were used in designs. Apparently, decorators, just use 36" balloons, bot full size and underinflated for the organic big balloons.

So I hear, anyway

[scamper]

Re: Why was the Q24 discontinued?

I meant to bring this up but Qualatx is strictly business to business, decorators and event planners; they do not do retail.
Like the other person their knows some in the decorator business. What I heard the Q24 didn't fit in decorating scheme. One issue I heard is the Q24 is not round.