How to Get The Best Bang for Your Buck with Fireworks!

Saving money on fireworks is not impossible. We asked a stand owner for her tips and she shared them with us!

I love fireworks. There’s just something magical about watching your money blow up in the sky for seven seconds. I really do love them, but isn’t that what it feels like sometimes? You buy this huge, $75.00 finale firework, and it lasts maybe ten seconds, and you’re left going, “That was it?”

I’ve been working in the fireworks business for twelve years now, and I am going to share some secret tips with you to help you save money and get the biggest show this year!

1. Price Match

Did you know that if you find fireworks cheaper somewhere else, most places will price match! I’m not saying, go ask for money back after you’ve purchased, and then found cheaper fireworks elsewhere, I’m saying check prices before you buy!

2. Use Coupons

Lots of stands will either have coupons available, or will put coupons in your local paper as an incentive to get you in the door. These often are great deals! Multiple places I have worked with have also price matched another store’s coupon, if you have it with you. It never hurts to ask!

3. Visit a locally owned stand, not the big chain stores

You will, guaranteed, save more money working with a smaller, locally owned stand, than shopping with big box stores. It seems like they would have the better deals, but they won’t. Some smaller stands can be a rip off too, so make sure you check around before just shopping at the first stand you see.

4. Skip the finale firework

I know. The cardinal sin. I’m letting you in on something crucial here, so listen to this…or read it, rather. “Finale” fireworks, or 500 grams as we in the industry know them, are mostly a waste of money. 500 grams is the legal limit of fire powder you can have in one residential firework. ALL of the big fireworks that are typically, $40+ are 500 grams. Even the ones that say they have more than other fireworks that size, just have 500 grams.

That being said, buy 200 gram fireworks. You’ll see these as the ones that are $8-$20 each. They’re smaller, but you’ll notice they’re heavier when you pick them up. The tighter the firework is packed, the bigger the boom and higher the burst. So those big tubes on the 500 grams? To be truthful, that actually makes them more lame.

When you’re buying reloadable, or artillery shells, also pick up the box and go with the ones that feel heavier as well. The same rule applies to them too! If this is all overwhelming, ask questions, and the stand attendants should be able to help you!

5. Military Discount

If you’re in the military, or were in the military, first off, thank you. You and your fellow soldiers are the reason we can keep celebrating this holiday year after year! Make sure you show your military ID, and ask for a discount. Most places will give you at least 10% off your purchases, even if it’s not advertised. Again, it doesn’t hurt to ask.

6. Bundling

Buying package deals, or going in with friends to save some money is a great idea. Please understand as well, that most firework stands get every other person asking for a discount or a deal if they, “buy a lot.” Your definition of, “a lot” and our definition of, “a lot” are two completely different things.

If you’re only planning on spending a couple hundred dollars on fireworks, don’t ask for a discount. Tons and tons of people walk through our doors and spend hundreds of dollars without blinking. Make sure you offer reasonable amounts, and understand what it is to be a “big buyer” in this business when you aim to barter. We love to barter, but don’t plan to barter with us if you only want to spend a hundred bucks!