Frequently Asked Questions

Ordering Information
Do I have to be in business to purchase products from U.S. Balloon?
Is there a minimum order amount?
Did you receive my fax order?
Can I place an order on the web?
I just placed my order 5 minutes ago, can I add to it?

Delivery
How long will it take to receive my order?
How can I track my order once it ships?
Can I pick up my order?

Payment Information
What methods of payment do you accept?
How can I get a copy of my invoice?
Did you receive my payment?
Can I reserve merchandise to ship at a later date?

Custom Imprinting
Can I imprint my own text or image on a balloon?

Helium Usage
How much helium is needed to fill an 18" foil balloon?
How many 18" foil balloons will a standard helium tank fill?
For how long will an 18" foil balloon float?
How much helium is needed to fill an 11" latex balloon?
For how long will an 11" latex balloon float?
If I fill a mini foil (4-inch, 9-inch or 14-inch) will it float?

Product Recommendations
Do you have a start-up program for new balloon businesses?
Do you carry balloons that are individually packaged and can hang on a retail rack?





Placing Orders
Do I have to be in business to purchase products from U.S. Balloon?
Yes. U.S. Balloon is a Business-to-Business distributor. We do not sell to individuals, but would be happy to refer you to a retailer in your area.

If you are a New York State business, a NYS Resale Certificate must be filled out and received by fax or mail in order to purchase from U.S. Balloon. Download the NYS Resale Certificate.


Is there a minimum order amount?
Our minimum order is $150, including free freight.

We do accomodate orders below $150. There is a $7.50/box service charge for orders below $150.

Did you receive my fax order?
Call The Balloon People (TBP) at 800.285.4000. Please be prepared with your account# when you call. We'll let you know whether we've received your fax.

Can I place an order on the web?
Yes. Simply set up a U.S. Balloon Web Ordering account to view complete product and pricing information and order online. Click here for online ordering.

I just placed my order 5 minutes ago, can I add to it?
At the end of your order, your rep will review your order with you to ensure accuracy. Once an order is sent to processing it cannot be changed. Our order-filling process is designed for maximum efficiency and, therefore, cannot be interrupted.


Delivery
How long will it take to receive my order?
Our standard delivery time for orders placed by phone, fax, email, or web is just two business days. Orders must be complete and credit-cleared by 5:00 PM EST to ship same day. That means if you place an order on Thursday and it's complete and credit-cleared by 5 PM EST, you'll receive it on Monday.

Fax, email and web orders must be received by 1 PM EST as well as be complete and credit-cleared by 5 PM EST to ship the same day.

Some products are not included in standard two-day delivery and are indicated in the printed catalog as delivered in 3-5 days, 7-10 days, or 4 weeks.

How can I track my order once it ships?
Call The Balloon People (TBP) at 800.285.4000. Please be prepared with your account#, ship-to location (if you have more than one store) and your order# when you call. We'll provide you with your tracking#, as well as update you on the current location of your order.

Can I pick up my order?
We do not offer pick-up service. We do ship orders that are complete and credit-cleared by 5:00 PM EST the same day and deliver coast to coast within two business days. Next-day delivery service is available; additional charges will apply. If you need to obtain merchandise faster than that, call The Balloon People (TBP) at 800.285.4000 and we'll be happy to refer you to a retailer near you.



Payment Information
What methods of payment do you accept?
1. Net Terms. Apply for a credit limit by filling out the Credit Application. Our Credit Department will let you know in 24-48 hours, depending on your bank's and references' response time.

2. Credit Cards. Visa, MasterCard, American Express, Discover. Details...

3. Check by Phone. Just have your bank account#, routing#, bank address and a check# ready. For Details...

4. Auto-Pay. First, apply for a credit limit and then download and fill out the Auto-Pay form and we'll set you up to have your credit card or bank account automatically debited according to your billing terms. Details...


How can I get a copy of my invoice?
Call The Balloon People (TBP) at 800.285.4000. Please be prepared with your account# and your invoice# or P.O.# (if your store uses them) when you call. Your invoice# is the same as your order#. We'll email or fax a copy of your invoice to you.

Did you receive my payment?
Call The Balloon People (TBP) at 800.285.4000. Please be prepared with your account# when you call.


Can I reserve merchandise to ship at a later date?
Yes. When placing orders by phone, tell your Sales Representative when you'd like your order to arrive at your store, and we'll schedule it. For fax and email orders indicate your requested in-store arrival date on their respective order forms. You won't be billed until your merchandise ships.


Custom Imprinting
Can I imprint my own text or image on a balloon?
Yes. You can print on foil or latex. Check out our custom imprinting options. Also, see our Custom Imprint Made Simple balloons: GO TEAM! balloons in 18" rounds or football shapes (download the PDF order form) and Congrats Grad! Balloons (download the PDF order form).




Helium Usage
How much helium is needed to fill an 18" foil balloon?
An 18" foil balloon takes .45 cubic feet of helium.

How many 18" foil balloons will a standard helium tank fill?
A standard helium tank holds 291 cubic feet of helium and fills between 450 and 500 18" foil balloons.

For how long will an 18" foil balloon float?
Average float time for an 18" foil balloon is about a week.

How much helium is needed to fill an 11" latex balloon?
An 11" latex balloon takes .5 cubic feet of helium.

For how long will an 11" latex balloon float?
Average float time for an 11" latex balloon is 8-10 hours, unless treated with Super or Ultra HI-FLOAT®.

If I fill a mini foil (4-inch, 9-inch or 14-inch) will it float?
Nope. Foil balloons smaller than an 18-inch will not float. They are intended for air-inflation only and are generally sold at retail attached to cups and sticks.

You can purchase mini foils already inflated, or flat . If you purchase them flat, you'll need an air-inflator, heat-sealer and cups and sticks. If you purchase them inflated, the cups are attached and the sticks included.

Inflated mini foils are delivered in 5-7 days. Flat minis are included in our standard delivery of two business days from date of completed, credit-cleared order.


Product Recommendations
Do you have a start-up program for new balloon businesses?
Since balloons are a hands-on and creative product line carried by a range of business types, with different store layouts and staffing, a one-size-fits-all program just won't do! Call The Balloon People at 800.285.4000 and tell us about your business. We'll customize a program for your store.

Do you carry balloons that are individually packaged and can hang on a retail rack?
Yes. Throughout the catalog, balloons are indicated as sold either packaged or flat . Packaged balloons come in individual packs, ready to hang on a retail rack. Flat balloons come either rolled or folded--ready to inflate at your inflation station.