Best place to buy gels

I need to completely replace all of the gels for a high school auditorium. THey are all in terrible condition, and every one needs to go. So i was wondering, where can i get gels in bulk for a cheap price?

Thanks in advance
Joseph
 
There isn't a local dealer. The school is located in Glenrock, WY, and the nearest dealer is either in Billings, MT, or Denver, CO.

Maybe instead of place, i should say 'internet site'.

You could PM members RonK of Production Advantage and BillESC, owner of Entertainment Systems Corp to see what they can do for you. Of course there are many, many other sources available to you and I'm not just promoting these fine companies because of their CB Membership.
 
I would suggest getting in touch with Barbizon in Denver. They are great people, and will be happy to work with you. You are probably also within one-day-ship range, which is a nice thing.

I know that Production Advantage give a quantity discount on gel, but I forget how much you have to order (I think it is like 25 sheets). BMI Supply also has good prices and nice people. They are some of the bigger national suppliers.
 
Last edited:
You could PM members RonK of Production Advantage and BillESC, owner of Entertainment Systems Corp to see what they can do for you. Of course there are many, many other sources available to you and I'm not just promoting these fine companies because of their CB Membership.
Agreed Lieper... but you forgot Keith!
If you want to purchase Apollo gel you can get it straight from the factory. Just send CB member Kelite a private message and he'll hook you up and get you some free gum too! They aren't the big guy on the block when it comes to gel but they make good stuff and have a wonderful gimmick called Perf Gel. At least send Kelite a PM to get a sample of perf gel.

I would suggest getting in touch with Barbizon in Denver. They are great people, and will be happy to work with you. You are probably also within one-day-ship range, which is a nice thing.

I sent you a private message with the contact info for my favorite sales guy at Barbizon... Icewolf likes him too!
 
Last edited:
IIRC Apollo doesn't sell direct to the public, you need to be a stocking dealer, but it couldn't hurt to ask.
 
IIRC Apollo doesn't sell direct to the public, you need to be a stocking dealer, but it couldn't hurt to ask.

Len is correct. As a manufacturer that works with authorized dealers, we team with many theatrical showrooms offering expendables for retail sales. The reputable online companies mentioned earlier in the thread are also Apollo dealers in good standing. :)

PerfGel is a unique product in that we perforate the order to your specifications at no charge. When the tube of gel arrives at your venue, merely fold and tear along the perforations.

Q) How fast can you re-gel 80 fixtures?

A) ALOT faster with PerfGel!
 
Joseph,

I'd be happy to work with you. And you'll still get the free gum! :)
 
Last edited:
In Denver:

Norcostco
Barbizon
Opera Shop
 
Len is correct. As a manufacturer that works with authorized dealers, we team with many theatrical showrooms offering expendables for retail sales. The reputable online companies mentioned earlier in the thread are also Apollo dealers in good standing. :)

PerfGel is a unique product in that we perforate the order to your specifications at no charge. When the tube of gel arrives at your venue, merely fold and tear along the perforations.

Opps. Guess I misunderstood the custom order nature of perfgel and thought that you will ship direct to customers. Apollo gum is AWESOME... tiny... but AWESOME. :mrgreen: If you do order any Apollo stuff make sure your dealer doesn't rip you off and keep all the gum for themselves. :mad:
 
Not to change the subject, but how much are yall paying for gel. Our lovely local vendor has gone up once again in price. I am now paying around 7 bucks a sheet. I asked them about perf gel, and they wanted to stick me with a shipping bill, and quoted me an even higher price. This company, anything that i have to get shipped that they do not have in stock they will stick you with the shipping bill and its not cheap. My biggest peave about them is that they say they are a highend authorized repair center, and their authrized repair is shipping your new product off to austin without telling you then sticking you with the shipping bill just because their repair guy cannot fix a moving light to save his life. (ok enough venting)
 
I asked them about perf gel, and they wanted to stick me with a shipping bill, and quoted me an even higher price. This company, anything that i have to get shipped that they do not have in stock they will stick you with the shipping bill and its not cheap.

I feel your pain Tim, as shipping costs lately have bounced more than a shop-aholic's checkbook. While stocking various colors and brands of gel is an absolute necessity (especially in the theater district), PerfGel is somewhat similar to a custom gobo: it's made to order. Granted, 4-5 sheets of gel don't take too long to cut for most PARs and ellipsoidals, but when a tour needs 35 sheets perfed for a variety of fixtures- PerfGel saves hours of labor. This is certainly worth ordering from your local (or other) expendable supplier.
Also, if you are being charged shipping costs that seem a little excessive- provide your UPS or FedEx account number for the gel shipment. You'll have total control over the colors, perfed sizes, and timeframe of your PerfGel order, allowing you to spend your time doing something more important. (Like figuring out which new ETC desk to demo...)
 
Tim, I think at the point that you're paying higher prices... AND paying for the shipping... they've cut out most of the benefit of using a local supplier. One of the national suppliers can probably cut you a better deal and provide quality customer service too... which doesn't sound like a strong suit for the local supply house. Now... picking up gel the same day if they had it in stock is nice... but I can often find someone within one or two day regular shipping that will get it to me cheaper than anyone local can.

The moving lights thing is obnoxious... Why don't you contact High End directly next time and see if you can get a better deal shipping that to them directly yourself too... if you're going to pay for that, plus a premium just to have the local shop rat box it up and label it?

Art Whaley
www.artwhaley.com
 
Have you looked at allprosound.com? They want $6.52 per sheet. (21"x24")

My local dealer charges $6 a sheet. If I'm buying a large quantity I can get a little knocked off that. Head on down to your local dealer (if you have one) is almost always the best way to go on expendables.
 

Users who are viewing this thread

Back