THE REVERE ADVOCATE – FRIDAY, JUNE 23, 2023 Page 11 BBB Tip: How to choose a party rental company I f you’re hosting a party for an anniversary, baby shower, corporate event or wedding, you’ll need a lot of things to make your guests comfortable. Buying items like bouncy houses, tables, linens, tents and dance fl oors outright isn’t usually the most practical option. This is why most consumers turn to party rental vendors. How can you choose a vendor that will make sure your event goes off without a hitch? The Better Business Bureau (BBB) recommends the following tips. Considerations when hiring a party rental vendor • Think about what you’ll need with your event in mind. Are you planning a kids’ party with bouncy houses and obstacle courses – or are you hosting an intimate wedding reception and envisioning fancy fl atware and a statement bar? A good fi rst step is to consider the look and feel you want at your party, who your guests are and how many will be attending. From there, you might fi nd a rental vendor specializing in your kind of event. • Consider buying select items. In some cases, it may be worthwhile to buy some items; for example, do you host a large Christmas party at your home each year? It might be worth investing in that holiday-themed dinnerware you’ve had your eye on if you have the space to store it. Brides.com says the bottom line is if you will use items multiple times, pass them down and have somewhere to keep them, consider buying instead of renting. • If you’ve rented a venue, fi nd out what they off er. Sometimes rented party venues include common rental items like tables, chairs and decorations in the venue’s price; or they may off er rental items as a separate service. If the venue has off erings that will work for your party, consider taking advantage. Having rentals handled by the venue can reduce time spent planning logistics and be a real time (and stress) saver. • Research local party rental vendors. If you’re outsourcing your rental items, research before contacting a company. Ensure they have a professional website, working contact information and a good online reputation. You can look up reviews and business ratings on third-party websites, such as BBB.org. You can also look up companies at RentalHQ.com, a website run by the American Rental Association. • Speak to event planners. They are usually familiar with rental vendors in your local area, so it might be worthwhile to reach out to one to see whom they recommend. • Ask plenty of questions. Every rental company is different, so Bridal Guide recommends asking plenty of questions about how the business works. Are they licensed and insured? Can you contact someone if you need assistance on the day of the event? Are there extra fees for delivery, setup or broken items? How are the items delivered and picked up? When will items be delivered, and how should items be prepared for pickup? What is the company’s policy for cancellations and refunds? When will you need to make a deposit and the fi nal payment? The answers to these questions can help you make a good decision on whom to hire. • Look for quality rentals. Not all rentals were created equal. Ensure you can view a company’s rental items before agreeing to pay for them. Quality can BBB Tip: Need help planning a trip? How to find a good travel agent Consumers spend billions of dollars each year traveling. With the convenience of the internet, sometimes it’s diffi - cult to fi nd a trustworthy thirdparty travel service. Sometimes well-recognized names are spoofed or scammers trick users into thinking they’re dealing with the hotel or airline directly. Recognizing a good travel agent: • Takes the time to learn your travel needs, preferences, tastes, budget and personal limitations, such as medical Revere Beach Pride Schedule for Sunday, June 25 REVERE BEACH, MA – Next Stop Revere is excited to announce schedule of Revere Beach Pride for this weekend on Sunday, June 25th, 2023. Festivities begin at 2 P.M. at Waterfront Square with a pridethemed photo booth, local vendors, and music the entire time from DJ Giller. There will be two groups performing Drag Shows beginning at 3:30 P.M. and 5:20 P.M. Our emcee for the evening is Lady German. Schedule and line-up of Drag Entertainers: Group 1 at 3:30 P.M. Ms Kris Kenevel Tee Sparks Marilyn Malibu Honoring Ever Vega and Jasmine Sky Group 2 at 5:20 P.M. Hazel Afrodite Mizery Izzy Ready Gia D-Witshes After the show, the event ends at 6 P.M. but activities will continue into the night with an after-party at Dryft, Fine Line, and Mission Beach House. For more information, visit www.nextstoprevere.com/ event/2nd-annual-reverebeach-pride/. ABOUT NEXT STOP REVERE Next Stop Revere is the City of Revere’s offi cial tourism offi ce. Weather by land, sea, of “T” make your Next Stop Revere. THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS P conditions or phobias • Does comparison shopping to fi nd the transportation, accommodations, attractions and services that will give you the greatest satisfaction at the best price • Keeps abreast of new developments in the travel industry that could benefi t you, such as price cuts and special deals on TRAVEL | SEE Page 16 GAMING DISTRICT MALDEN GAMING DISTRICT check us out at www.MaldenGamingDistrict.com Questing, Billiards, Bouldering, e-Sports, VR, Room Escapes, Karaoke and Magic, plus many great restaurants, shops, and breweries all in Malden Center! vary greatly from one business to the next. • Understand your responsibilities. Will you need to wash dinnerware before returning it? Should you fold the chairs before they’re picked up? Find out your responsibilities when renting from a company – especially if you are hoping for a handsoff experience. • Stick to your budget. According to Bridal Musings, most rental companies have worked with various budgets. Don’t be afraid to ask them for budget-friendly options. They will likely have plenty of tips to help you get the most bang for your buck. • Watch out for scams. Party rental scams are common, so stay alert to potential cons. Be wary of people who contact you out of the blue or make you rent off ers that sound too good to be true. And never entrust your money or personal information to a company that doesn’t have a reputation for being trustworthy. For more information: Get BBB tips on planning a wedding (https://www.bbb.org/ all/wedding) or renting a venue for your next party (https:// www.bbb.org/article/newsreleases/26819-bbb-tip-finding-an-event-venue-foryour-next-party). You can also read up on hiring a photographer (https://www.bbb.org/ article/tips/18116-bbb-tip-hiring-a-photographer) and a DJ (https://www.bbb.org/article/ news-releases/26631-bbb-tiphow-to-hire-a-dj-for-your-nextevent) for your event. Always look for businesses that follow BBB Accreditation Standards and BBB Standards for Trust.
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