We use Fun Service in Illinois and they are great!
We use them for both our fun fair and our santa shop - we never had any problems with them. They bring the games, have colorful booths, set up & take down the games/booths. You can give out prizes at the game or give out tokens to redeem for prizes at a redemption table (you will get a much better assortment & make more money because kids want enough tokens to get the big prizes).
All in all -I would use them every time. Being franchises you can always find a stinker - so check 'em out. Good Luck!
Our PTA looked into using Fun Services as a vendor for both the christmas store and the spring carnival. We found that although their services were VERY convenient, there was a charge for every little thing. We were able to locate everything we needed at about 1/2 their cost through other vendors.
Mind you, I'm in NE OH, and we have tons to choose from. We made the games (ordered the crucial components, built the rest), bought the prizes from local novelty wholesalers, and rented the popcorn, hot dog and cotton candy machines locally. (food supplies were much higher through F.S.).
We discovered late that Wal-mart could supply you with cotton candy, popcorn and balloons cheaper than renting the equipment (talk to the store mgr.).
If you have the volunteer and vendor support, you could do it cheaper yourselves; if you're short on volunteers and local suppliers then it may be the best way to go. Just remember that their rates are negotiable the more you spend.
Also, if you schedule a fundraiser or santa shop with them they should supply a full carnival with games, equipment rentals, possibly a bounce ride for free; you pay only for prizes and food supplies.
Fun Services is a franchised company. What this means? Each region is somewhat like an independent business. Because -- like with any business -- the actual management and people in a particular franchise make such a big difference, bizzimom is probably best off getting references from folks who've worked with her franchisee.
I'm not 100% positive (although maybe 99%) that Fun Services was the worst fundraiser we ever did. The president at that time wanted to use them because they promised to supply prizes for our Spring Carnival, and they did, but when I took over fundraising the next year I was told to find ANY company other than theirs to deal with. We haven't used them since.
hi..we have our holiday shop through Fun services out of Syracuse, NY. We have always beeen extremely happy with the service and product as well.I know it's part of a franchise but from whta we have had we are very pleased!
"When you stop learning you stop growing."
