Debbie Magill Interview 21/28th July

Started by Graham Lee, June 23, 2008, 01:07:37 PM

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Graham Lee

Debbie has kindly agreed to be interviewed from 21st to 28th July;
Her job description is UK Distrributor Sales Manager for Pioneer Europe (qualatex).
So if you fancy asking Debbie any latex related questions please do as the compiled list is not being used for this interview as Debbie is not a twister, well after a few drinks :D but then that's another story & you can see for yourself if attending The Millennium Jam in November.
Debbie sent over a list of things she does for the company but the main one which will be of interest to us all is;
Worked for Pioneer for 19 years, work with the UK Distributors and Wholesalers.
I'd just like to say that Debbie is a lovely lady that I get along so wonderfully well with & have the utmost respect for.
Very much looking forward to this interview as I think there will be some very interesting questions being asked.
So it's over to you ;)

Graham Lee
"Lets Improve Our Art"
Balloon Excellence 2012 Award Winner
For Services to the Balloon Community.
https://www.balloonartwholesale.co.uk
http://www.sempertexballoons.co.uk

Graham Lee

#1
Debbie,

1, When you started with the company what was your first job or did you go straight in at the top?

2, What do you most enjoy at a convention, apart from the drink :)

3, Is your position full time? & how many hours a week do you have to put in?

4, Do you find your job very stressful?
"Lets Improve Our Art"
Balloon Excellence 2012 Award Winner
For Services to the Balloon Community.
https://www.balloonartwholesale.co.uk
http://www.sempertexballoons.co.uk

coffee

#2
Hi Debbie,
Thanks very much for taking the time and trouble to be interviewed. A few varied questions follow!
What proportion of Qualatex's business is rounds for decorators and balloon releases etc and what proportion is modelling balloons?
I think I have mentioned this before but sometimes the alien face printing appears a little bit small, rather than covering the full balloon.  Is this just where the balloon hasn't been inflated quite enough before printing?
Am I right in saying that in the past there were different qualities available depending on the where the balloons were destined for - I remember hearing that the balloons from Texas were tougher for the hot climate there than the Canadian ones or have I got that all wrong!?
What are your favourite colours and/or types of balloons from the Qualatex range?
Would it be possible to have animal print balloons, eg tiger/zebra stripes, dalmation spots etc, as 260s?  Imagine how cute the most simple 1 balloon animal would look.
Yours
Coffee

Krazy Kev

#3
I like that idea coffee. I have been asked for a dalmation loads of times!
Kev

Stevie_Babe

#4
It must be the thing now. I got asked this weekend as well.

Smiggle

#5
Blame Twistina  :D  - there's a great Dalmation on her CD I've used it loads of times

It is a pain putting the spots on with a marker though
C\'mon Let\'s twist again...

cashmagic

#6
Hello

the 5 " face balloons comes in 2 prints and 2 colours so why dont they put 25 in each bag I think they might sell beter, and not only that could they be printed on a pale brown?
life is full of twist and turns i just twist it first !!!
http://www.twistandmake.co.uk

Graham Lee

#7
Hi Debbie,

How do you go about introducing a new colour? What is the thought process behind the decision.
Who decides on the colour? and how long does it take from making the decision on the new colour to have it in production & at the wholesalers.

and when are you taking me out to lunch :lol:
"Lets Improve Our Art"
Balloon Excellence 2012 Award Winner
For Services to the Balloon Community.
https://www.balloonartwholesale.co.uk
http://www.sempertexballoons.co.uk

clownjoey

#8
Can qualatex design and make an affordable strap-on waist 260q battery powered inflator? I mean one that has some serious blow-up power?

Danny the Idiot

#9
Hi Debbie
thanks for taking the time to answer our questions.

My questions are these:
I use lots of balloons in my work as an entertainer. What's the minimum amount I need to order if I do it directly from qualatex?
Where does qualatex get the latex for balloons from?
How long does it take a balloon to be made from the sap in the tree to in my hand?

that will do for now!!

thanks
Danny     :geek:
Danny Schlesinger
Balloon Excellence Award Winner
https://dannytheidiot.com
https://www.CircoRidiculoso.com
Follow me on Twitter at @danny_the_idiot

Graham Lee

#10
Quote from: "Danny the Idiot"What's the minimum amount I need to order if I do it directly from qualatex?

Danny, I dont have a minimum order  :D  :lol:
"Lets Improve Our Art"
Balloon Excellence 2012 Award Winner
For Services to the Balloon Community.
https://www.balloonartwholesale.co.uk
http://www.sempertexballoons.co.uk

Danny the Idiot

#11
Thanks Graham, but I'm not just thinking of modelling balloons - I need 3fts etc for my show.

 8-)

Danny
Danny Schlesinger
Balloon Excellence Award Winner
https://dannytheidiot.com
https://www.CircoRidiculoso.com
Follow me on Twitter at @danny_the_idiot

clownjoey

#12
I can answer your question about ordering from Qualatex direct. Simply put, they will charge you more per bag then you can purchase from one of their distributors around the country. The Qualatex Company is not interested in sales to individuals, but rather in quantity to distributors, which in a way is understandable from a business point of view. It's also better to buy by the box (50 bags), then do a mix or orders under 50 bags, that is if you want to make a savings and not bothered by buying mixed bags.

Graham Lee

#13
Quote from: "clownjoey"Simply put, they will charge you more per bag then you can purchase from one of their distributors around the country.

Well from my experience, although it was a few years ago now it was always cheaper to buy direct.
I'm sure Debbie will know more & put us all straight ;)
Have spoken with her today & she is hoping to get online tonight to answer some of the questions.
"Lets Improve Our Art"
Balloon Excellence 2012 Award Winner
For Services to the Balloon Community.
https://www.balloonartwholesale.co.uk
http://www.sempertexballoons.co.uk

clownjoey

#14
Well, I had 1 of their sales reps tell me that in so many words (4 years ago), and although I was buying a box or two at a time I found some qualatex distributors could undercut the price the actual qualatex company offered. I wanted to be a loyal costumer, so I called their rep. about my enquiry, and he told me their logic behind it, that individual sales are not so viable for them. Anyway, either way, I still use their balloons (due to nothing else available on the UK market). Besides, don't want to bite the hand that feeds me.