Alright so last weekend my kid’s birthday party was coming up and obviously I needed helium for balloons. I remembered Party City rents tanks but honestly I wasn’t sure how it actually worked. Figured I’d just share my whole annoying process step by step.
Step 1: Trying to Figure Out the Damn Website
First thing I did was open my laptop and search for Party City helium rentals. Their website popped up fast enough. Clicked around looking for balloon stuff. Saw a section for “Balloon Gas” or something like that. Honestly, the prices weren’t just right there smacking me in the face. Had to dig a little. Found a product page finally, showed some tanks sizes. Prices looked decent? Maybe $40-ish for a smaller tank? But I needed to know if it was actually available near me.
Step 2: Calling My Local Store Like a Caveman
Okay, next move. Google the number for my closest Party City. Got through after like five minutes of holding. Asked the guy straight up: “Hey, you guys rent helium tanks today? Small one?” He said yeah, they had ’em. Asked about the price to confirm what I saw online – he said basically the same, around forty bucks for the small one. Also mentioned you gotta pay a deposit on top, like maybe $75 more? Kinda forgot exactly, but it was more than the rental fee. Then he said I had to bring it back to the same store, which makes sense.
Step 3: Getting There and Actually Doing It
Jumped in my car later that afternoon. Store wasn’t too packed, thank god. Walked straight to the counter near the back where the balloons usually are. Told the lady I wanted to rent the small helium tank. She grabbed this form. Had to fill out some stuff right there:
- My name and phone number
- Had to show my driver’s license
- Paying the rental fee plus the big ol’ deposit
- Signing something saying I’d bring it back within, I think, 24 or 48 hours?
She swiped my card, handed over a paper receipt, and the tank itself. Tank wasn’t huge, like maybe taller than a basketball? She quickly showed me how the valve thing works. Looked easy: screw the nozzle onto the balloon, push down. Yeah, whatever.
Step 4: Using the Thing and the Return Circus
Got home, filled the balloons without blowing myself up. Nice! Party went great, balloons floated. Next morning, hauling the tank back to the store. Dragged it back to the counter. Showed them the receipt I kept. The guy checked the tank real quick, looked fine. Asked for my name to look up the rental. Then he did the refund for the deposit back onto my card. Took a few minutes just sitting there waiting. Finally got the refund slip.
Final Things I Wish I Knew Before
So yeah, renting the tank itself wasn’t rocket science. But some stuff I only realized doing it:
- Calling First is KEY: Don’t just show up. Website stock might be wrong.
- Deposit is Real Money: Budget for that $75+ deposit on top of the rental fee.
- Bring ID and Your Wallet: Gotta prove it’s you paying.
- Know Your Store: Pick the one you wanna deal with cause you gotta return it there.
- Keep That Receipt! No paper trail? Good luck getting your deposit back smoothly.
Overall, it worked fine. Was it the absolute cheapest ever? Probably not, but it was convenient enough for a last-minute party panic. Just be ready for the deposit dance.