Vendor Review: First Class Balloons http://www.firstclassballoons.com Not necessarily wedding but party related if you are looking for any ballon decor, stay far away!! I decided to do something really big and special for my sons first birthday party. I emailed First Class Balloons on to request a quote for a 8 x 8 balloon arch & 2 columns that would be useful for a minimum of 4hrs outdoors. I did my research and even reached out to other companies who advised their work was not guaranteed for outdoor conditions. First class advised they could do it, provided pricing, and I completed payment over the phone. I confirmed twice via email that this was for a 4 hr outdoor event. On the event date during the set up the gentleman who put everything together left without advising that the work was even completed. Within 10 minutes of his departure the entire bottom sections of the arch were popped and that's when I noticed that this arch that was intended for outdoor use had no structure. It was a string held down by 2 cardboard boxes with bricks inside. I immediately called and text the only number I had available for First Class Balloons SEVERAL times. No answer, no return call. I worked with them previously, and I know they answer calls on the weekends and have access to the business line. I was ignored. The balloons were the decor for the party. It was the statement piece. I spent $440 on ballon decor that was on the ground before my guest even arrived. (One of the selling points was that they will be set up and out of the way an hr ahead of time so in all it was about an hr before the arch was on the ground) I hired a ballon company to be the expert on balloons. You can purchase a ballon column kit from Amazon for $20 and it would have provided structure so that with every wind the pieces were not hitting the ground and popping more. It's obvious these pieces were made for indoor use as it only relied on the helium to keep it standing. A basic google search lets you know helium balloons and heat don't mesh well and it was 90+ degrees and as we all know it was HOT on Sunday. At the end of the day I did not get what I paid for. I sent a lengthy email detailing how upset i was with the quality and all I was told was they events for Capital One and other big name companies and have no problem. I told them I was an event planner on the side and i was asked "why didn't you do The balloons yourself?" Rude, unprofessional, and unworthy of a dime. I'm waiting on a call back from the owner now. I requested 1/2 of my money back but at this point I think i'm entitled to it all. read more

I live in Maryland but had a friend in the hospital in Richmond. He thought he was getting out but they decided to keep him so I needed a gift last minute late on a Sunday morning. I called First Class Balloons, spoke to a very nice gentleman, who was very knowledgeable of the hospital's location & policies. After placing my order, my friend had a great bouquet in his room in less than an hour. I was very pleased with my experience! read more

A First Class Balloons - Balloon Services Near Me - Richmond, Virginia

I had the wild idea to send my fiancé a singing telegram on Valentine's Day. He hates to be the center of attention and i love to embarrass him. But I was sure there was no such service in RVA. A quick google search proved me wrong. I set this up the day before, quickly and efficiently over the phone. The gentleman I spoke to could not have been nicer. The surprise worked exactly as I hoped in the window of time I specified. I couldn't be happier with this service. Highly recommend. read more

My workplace purchased the services of this company to assist in decorating for a year end function. The company representative called my workplace with a very hostile tone telling me that he was leaving and they weren't going to do the job because they had been waiting outside our secure facility and they were too busy to wait. At no point had they called to let us know they were there nor had they called the cell phone of their point of contact that they were specifically instructed to contact upon arrival. I offered to put them in contact with him, they hung up on me, called him and within 10 minutes of their initial call they left without providing us the balloons that we had already paid for. The person representing their company was rude and unprofessional on the phone and now we have twenty very disappointed four year olds and their parents. I would strongly advise against doing business with this company unless you are interested in horrible service and not getting what you pay for from a company that can't follow the most basic instructions. read more

I ordered a singing telegram form here and although they did a nice job of the presentation, they missed the mark by delivering it on the wrong day. When I tried contacting them to express my displeasure, all I ever was able to do was to leave voicemail messages, that were never returned, as no one ever answered directly. I contacted my credit card company and explained the situation to which they told me that I could dispute the charge done what I got was not what I had expected. Long story short, that action did elicit a response from the owner berating me for daring to take such an action. He also called my friend, the recipient of the delivery and threatened her with legal action as well. Not very professional in my opinion. All I really wanted was an apology or better still a discount but since Ken, the owner, had so upset my friend, I rescinded the disputed charge. The best I can do is to hope that someone reading this will take their business elsewhere because this place has someone really nasty dealing with their customers. A prick shouldn't be selling balloons. read more

It was my grandson's 2nd Birthday and here I am 2,900 miles away. What to do? I decided to call Ken at First Class Balloons and a beautiful and bouquet of blue and green balloons came the next day. The little guy was thrilled!! Thank you! read more

I had an agreement with this company for a large helium tank rental for my daughters Sweet 16. The tank was to be used to blow up approx 300 balloons. It was originally agreed upon that the tank would be picked up on 8/12 by 6:30 but when the delivery guy came he realized that I needed better quality balloons if I wanted them to last for the entire party. He said that he would allow me to keep the tank until 8/13 and would pick it up by noon...so I could go purchase the right balloons. I was very appreciative that he was going to allow this to happen and went out and purchased better quality balloons. It was too late to blow up the balloons the night of 8/11 after returning from purchasing the the balloons I needed and since there was a new agreement in place regarding pickup of the tank, we held off blowing them up until 8/12. On 8/12 while in the process of blowing up the balloons, the delivery guy returns for the tank. I had only 40-50 of the balloons blown. The same guy that made the new arrangement, somehow forgot about our whole conversation. Im all about a persons word and will not do business with this conpany again because I didnt get to fully utilize the large tank that I had to pay for. read more

This is a wonderful company. I had a last minute plan to suprise my boyfriend (at the time, now fiance) for his 33rd birthday. I wanted something unexpected and silly. When I contacted First Class, they returned my call promptley. It was simple, freindly and felt as though I was speaking with a friend, to make a memorable moment happen. They were respectful and effecient, the business part was trustworthy ( HUGE!) and easy. I highly recomend them for your fun, unexpected suprises in the future. I am sure I will be a repeat custmer. Lisa Marie E.... Thank you First Class! ( The pink Gorrilla was a huge hit) read more