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. |
