My Helium Tank Hunt Begins
So last weekend my kid’s birthday party almost got ruined because those stupid balloons wouldn’t float. I’m at Party City sweating bullets while they charge me $3 per balloon to fill! I’m standing there holding deflated unicorn balloons thinking – screw this, I’m buying my own damn helium tank.
Shocking Price Tags Everywhere
First I hit Amazon thinking it’ll be cheap. Almost choked seeing these prices:
- Tiny 8.9cu/ft tanks: $60 but only fills like 10 balloons? That’s robbery
- “Party size” 14.9cu/ft: $90 plus shipping? Get outta here
- Big boy 55cu/ft: $250?! I ain’t starting a balloon factory!
Then I check Walmart – same junk. Smaller tanks cost more per balloon than Party City’s ripoff prices! What’s the point of owning one then? Felt like everyone was playing games with these numbers.
The Refill Surprise
Almost bought this shiny $120 tank until I noticed the tiny print: “Disposable tank – cannot be refilled”. Like what kind of scam is this? Pay over $100 for something you throw away after one use? No way. Started checking welding supply shops and found the real deal – refillable aluminum tanks. But even there…
- New 20cu/ft tank: $130 blank
- Fill it just ONCE: $45 extra
- Actual helium cost? Like $2 maybe! Rest is all “hazmat fee” nonsense
What I Finally Did
Went to Airgas near the highway after three failed trips. Got their smallest aluminum cylinder with handle – paid $165 with first fill included. Ugly as sin with all their safety stickers, but here’s why it worked:
- Refills cost $35 instead of $45 everywhere else
- No “hidden tank inspection” fees like other places tried
- They actually showed me how to screw on the stupid nozzle right
Took me a whole week and six store visits to figure this out. Moral of the story? Never buy disposable tanks – total money trap. And call ahead to ask refill prices because everyone lies about helium costs. Now my garage smells like a chemical plant but hey, next birthday’s balloons will float!