Most of this industry is resellers buying from a handful of manufacturers. Knowing which you are talking to changes what the quote means.
Manufacturer, importer or broker?
Ask directly: do you make these, and where?
A manufacturer can answer questions about seams, materials and lift, and can give you a production date because they control the schedule. An importer quotes a container lead time and cannot shorten it. A broker forwards your question and waits.
We manufacture. Building polyurethane advertising blimps in Glendale, Arizona since 1979.
Is the quote blank or lettered?
The single most common reason two quotes look different when they are not.
A 13-foot blimp from us is $975 blank. Lettering for that size is $537, so $1,512 lettered. If a competing number sits between those two, ask which it is.
What material, and what does the warranty say?
PVC stiffens, keeps folding creases and goes brittle in sun. Polyurethane stays flexible and lighter, so it uses less helium. If a supplier will not name the material, assume the cheaper one.
On warranty, be suspicious of enthusiasm. No manufacturer covers a balloon lost to weather. Ours is narrow on purpose: wears out, send it back, we replace it.
When does the lead time start?
Almost always at artwork approval, not at order. Ours is three to seven days production from proof approval, then two to five business days shipping.
If someone promises a printed custom balloon in three days, ask where it is made.
Send us the other quote
Genuinely. If you are comparing suppliers, send us what you have and we will tell you what to check.
If theirs is the better deal for your situation, we will say so. We would rather be the people who told you the truth than the people who won a small order.
Ask for a quote. Call 1-800-791-1445 or email sales@arizonaballoon.com and tell us the size and whether you want it printed.
More at giantballoonsforsale.com.