Does Walmart Fill Helium Balloons? (Yes, Here’s the Cost & Policy)

On this information I provides you with the true deal on Walmart’s balloon coverage, the associated fee, the principles, and some professional tricks to make all of it go easily.

By the way in which, Walmart is only one of many nice choices. For a full comparability of costs and insurance policies in any respect the foremost shops, make sure you try my foremost information on where to get balloons filled.

Name Your Native Walmart First

Earlier than you collect up your balloons and head to the automotive, you completely should name your native Walmart retailer.

Right here’s the factor…

Not each single Walmart retailer fills balloons.

It’s normally solely provided on the greater Walmart Supercenters which have a devoted Celebration Provide or Floral division with a helium tank on-site. Lots of the smaller shops and Neighborhood Markets don’t provide this service in any respect.

A fast, 10-second cellphone name will prevent from a totally wasted journey.

Simply use this straightforward script:

“Hello, I’ve a fast query. Do you provide a helium balloon inflation service at your retailer?”

That’s it!

They’ll offer you a sure or no reply immediately.

Walmart’s Helium Coverage: What You Have to Know

So, assuming your native retailer does provide the service, you’ll have to know the specifics.

Right here’s a fast breakdown of the associated fee, what forms of balloons they’ll fill, and what to anticipate.

Can You Deliver Your Personal Balloons?

Sure, normally, Walmart will fill balloons that you’ve bought someplace else. That is nice when you purchased customized or themed balloons on-line. Simply bear in mind that the worth for filling balloons you usher in is normally totally different from the worth of filling balloons you purchase instantly within the retailer.

How A lot Does It Price to Fill Balloons at Walmart?

The fee is likely one of the greatest components, it’s very inexpensive.

Whereas costs can differ barely by location, here’s what you possibly can usually count on:

• Foil/Mylar Balloons (purchased at Walmart): Round $1.50 – $3.00 per balloon.
• Foil/Mylar Balloons (introduced from dwelling): Round $2.00 – $4.00 per balloon.
• Latex Balloons (purchased at Walmart): Round $0.50 per balloon.
• Latex Balloons (introduced from dwelling): Round $0.75 – $1.00 per balloon.

What Form of Balloons Do They Fill?

Walmart’s get together part is provided to deal with the 2 commonest forms of get together balloons.

They may usually fill each customary latex balloons and the shiny foil (or mylar) balloons.

How Lengthy Do Helium Balloons from Walmart Keep Inflated?

It is a tremendous necessary query for get together planning! How lengthy they final relies upon solely on the kind of balloon.

• Foil/Mylar Balloons: These are the champions. A foil balloon full of helium can final wherever from a number of days to every week and even longer.
• Latex Balloons: These have a a lot shorter lifespan as a result of latex is porous and helium molecules are tiny sufficient to flee. You may usually count on an ordinary latex balloon to remain afloat for about 8 to 12 hours. This implies it’s best to all the time plan to get your latex balloons crammed on the identical day as your get together.

Professional Tip: Some Walmart shops provide a remedy referred to as “Hello-Float” for latex balloons, which coats the within and might prolong the float time to a full day or extra. It prices a little bit additional, however it’s completely value asking about when you want your balloons to last more.

Find out how to Get Balloons Crammed: A Fast Information & Professional Suggestions

When you’ve confirmed your native Walmart provides the service, the method is fairly simple, however understanding the place to go and what to do can prevent a number of time.

Right here’s a fast information and some of my favourite insider ideas.

1. Step 1: Go to the Proper Division. That is the step most individuals get unsuitable. Don’t go to the Buyer Service desk on the entrance of the shop. As an alternative, go on to the Celebration Provide aisle or the Floral/Greeting Card part. That is the place the helium tank and balloon counter are situated.
2. Step 2: Discover the Proper Affiliate. Not each worker is skilled to make use of the helium tank. You’ll want to search out an affiliate who works in that particular division. If nobody is round, you should use a retailer cellphone or press the in-aisle “help” button to have somebody paged to the balloon counter. Be ready for a possible wait, as this isn’t all the time their main job.

My Professional Tip: One of the best time to go is on a weekday morning. The shop is quieter, and the associates are much less rushed. If you happen to attempt to go at 3 PM on a Saturday, you’re going to be ready in line behind everybody else planning a celebration. Keep away from Saturday afternoons when you’re in a rush!

Bonus Tip: Earlier than you stroll away, give your balloons a fast high quality test. For latex balloons, politely ask the worker to not overfill them, as this will make them pop simply. For foil balloons, simply give the seams a fast once-over to verify they’re sealed correctly. Slightly test proper there on the counter is a lot better than discovering a leak in your method dwelling.

Is Shopping for a Helium Tank at Walmart a Higher Deal?

As you’re standing within the get together aisle, you’ll in all probability see the DIY helium tank kits on the market and surprise if it’s simply cheaper to do it your self.

That is the following logical query, and the reply actually is determined by what number of balloons you want.

Right here’s the breakdown:

A regular helium tank package from Walmart usually prices round $30 to $50 and might fill about 30-50 customary latex balloons.

This breaks right down to roughly $1 per balloon, which is dearer than having the shop fill them for you.

• Professionals of a DIY Tank: The largest benefit is comfort. You may fill the balloons at dwelling, proper earlier than your get together, and it’s an awesome choice you probably have a really massive variety of balloons to inflate.
• Cons of a DIY Tank: It’s nearly all the time a better price per balloon. Moreover, the helium in these disposable tanks is usually not 100% pure, which may typically lead to a barely shorter float time in comparison with the skilled tanks utilized by the shop.

The underside line: If you happen to solely want a handful of balloons, having Walmart fill them is the cheaper and simpler choice. If you should fill 50+ balloons for a giant occasion, shopping for your individual tank may be value the additional price for the comfort.

High Alternate options to Walmart for Helium Balloons

Whereas Walmart is a good, low-cost choice, it’s not the one recreation on the town.

In case your native retailer doesn’t provide the service otherwise you’re in search of one thing totally different, these are your different greatest bets.

Greenback Tree

Greenback Tree is legendary for its unbeatable worth.

You should buy an enormous number of foil balloons there for simply $1.25, and they’re going to fill them with helium without spending a dime proper on the checkout.

The key catch is that, in accordance with their official coverage, they are going to solely fill foil balloons which can be bought at their retailer. They won’t fill latex balloons or any balloons you usher in from the skin.

For a extra detailed look, see my information on the Dollar Tree balloon policy.

Celebration Metropolis

That is the “skilled” selection. Celebration Metropolis has the biggest collection of balloons wherever, and their employees is totally skilled in every little thing helium-related (together with particular remedies like Hello-Float).

It’s nearly all the time dearer than Walmart, however you’re paying for a wider choice and assured service.

It’s the most suitable choice when you want a selected, customized balloon bouquet.

Your Native Grocery Retailer

Don’t overlook this one! Many bigger grocery retailer chains like Kroger, Safeway, and Publix have a devoted floral or get together division that additionally provides helium balloon providers.

The costs are normally aggressive with Walmart, making it a unbelievable and handy backup plan, particularly when you’re already there choosing up the cake and ice cream.

The Backside Line

So, what’s the ultimate verdict?

Is Walmart the proper place to get your balloons crammed?

Completely.

It’s a unbelievable, low-cost, and tremendous handy choice, particularly since you will get your get together provides, decorations, and balloons all dealt with in a single simple journey, which is considered one of my favourite Walmart savings hacks.

Simply do not forget that the service isn’t accessible at each retailer. So make certain to name your native Walmart retailer first to verify. You’ll save your self a number of time and problem.

So, the following time you’re planning a celebration and questioning does Walmart fill balloons, the reply is a strong sure, so long as you name forward!