[Kevin Armstrong]

in reply to: Is anyone else struggling to find good 500g cakes after the America 250 sellouts? #5905

From the retail side of things — yeah we sold out of most of our good 500g cakes by like June 20 this year. The America 250 demand was nuts. We had people driving from like 3 states away lol. The warehouses are pretty picked clean right now but most suppliers are gonna restock around late August for fall season. If you can wait a month you’ll have way more options. Otherwise check the smaller mom-and-pop stands that might not have cleared out as fast — they sometimes have stock the big chains don’t.

[Kevin Armstrong]

in reply to: Post-4th clearance deals ? what’s everyone finding? #5763

As someone who runs a stand, let me tell you – the best deals are the week AFTER the 4th when everyone else is done. I stock up for next year starting mid-July. The big chains like TNT and Phantom have to clear inventory so their discounts get crazy – like 60-75% off in some cases.

But here’s the pro tip: go to the smaller independent stands that didn’t sell out. They’re more motivated to negotiate. I’ve walked in on July 8th with cash and walked out with 2x the product for the same money. One guy practically gave me his remaining inventory just so he didn’t have to pack it up.

Also check Facebook Marketplace – after July 4th, tons of people sell leftover stuff from their backyard shows cheap. Got 3 unopened cases of 200g cakes for total last year.

[Kevin Armstrong]

in reply to: How do you store your fireworks between shows? #5762

Man I sell these things every day at my stand and people are always asking me this. For the money, the Excalibur Platinum is still the crowd favorite – consistent, loud breaks, good color. But honestly the Chinese imports have been killing it this year. I got a case of these Blue Thunder 500g cakes through a wholesaler and they’re legit – 36 shots, great blue/green effects, crackling finale. Half the price of the big US brands and the quality’s there.

If you want something that’ll really wake up the neighbors though, find a 500g with salute inserts. Those things slap. Just make sure your local laws allow it – I’m in Texas so we’re pretty free here lol.

[Kevin Armstrong]

in reply to: Be honest – how many of y’all have bought stuff that technically wasn’t “consumer legal”? #5787

I run a small retail stand in Texas and I see this from the other side. Customers come in asking for the “good stuff” – meaning the stuff we legally CAN’T sell. They’ll straight up ask if we have M-80s or “the loud ones” and when I say no they give me this look like I’m holding out on them.

A couple times guys have offered to “hook me up” with stuff they got from Oklahoma or wherever. I always turn it down cuz its my business license on the line, not theirs. But the demand is REAL. Especially the younger guys 18-25, they don’t care about the pretty colors, they just want concussions.

Funny thing is, some of the legal stuff IS getting louder every year. The manufacturers know what people want. It’s like an arms race but with cardboard tubes.

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