Cost vs. Quality for Inflatable Play Sets
Inflatable obstacle courses, slides, moonwalks and other kids'
recreational equipment seem to vary in price and quality. Any
experienced parent will tell you that quality DOES matter when
it comes to getting a kid proof product. Like with any product
line these days there are the "cheap" items and the "quality"
items. If you are going to purchase an inflatable anything for
your kids or for rental purposes it is much better to pay a
little more for a quality product that will last instead of
paying less and having it break within a very short time. I have
searched all over the internet and locally to find some
inflatable products for my daughter's upcoming birthday party
and learned a lot about them.
Well, first I looked locally at the large department stores and
warehouses and found a few that cost about $500 to $1000 and
they were mediocre at best. The quality of materials used to
make the lower priced items was not very good. In fact, a
neighbor bought one of the inflatable obstacle courses locally
and it was great for about 2 months until it started tearing at
the seams. He finally got it replaced but not without a hassle.
If you are in the market for a cheaper inflatable just make sure
it has quality seams and tie downs. Do not over stress the
weight restrictions because there is not much room for error
when buying a plastic inflatable.
The better quality products started at $2000 and up which is not
bad considering the enjoyment it will bring over many years of
service. The biggest difference between the cheaper models and
the quality models seems to be the materials, construction,
reinforcements, tie downs, stitching and design. Instead of
plastic, the quality products use vortex and heavy duty vinyl.
There is an industry standard that most companies comply with
but try to use a company that exceeds the standard but for
basically the same price. Ultimately relying on the warranty and
customer service of the company you choose will provide you with
the peace of mind you need when making your decision. Try to get
a two year warranty instead of the normal one year warranty.
Make sure you can reach a customer service representative and
not an automated support system.