Phantom Fireworks of Seabrook / Boston

I come here every year, Great place to get ur fireworks everything from kids to adult fireworks and the have low, mid to high priced fireworks, love the buy 1 get 1 free and the free stuff they give u if you spend a certain amount.

As soon as you walk in the door, you are required to present ID and sign up to be a member. Even without intent to purchase, they need to log your visit.
It was very easy to tell that I was more enthusiastic about being in a fireworks store than the employees were. I understand it’s a retail position, but even a fake smile wouldn’t kill mine real one.
Everybody knows that Phantom has the highest priced fireworks on the market, but on top of that, they have also been watering down their products over the years; lower quality, more money. I have been keeping an eye on their prices since last year, and discovered small price increases on over a dozen items. For example, one of my favorite products Silversonic Warhead Première was $ 110 last year, now it’s $ 120. I’ve seen Critical Blast go from $ 90 to $ 110, Thunderhawk Assortment go from $ 400 to $ 450, and much more others I’d rather not list out here.
There is a common misconception that Phantom is a big name brand in the fireworks industry, and that all other fireworks are just «generic» brands. Phantom actually «rewraps» a lot of World Class products. Just take a look at Burst N Bloom and Fighting Fire With Fire. Two completely identical 500g repeaters with different graphics. The same similarity can be seen with Crazy Exciting and Powercell. They rewrapped Saturday Night Special from Brothers with their own label and called it New Yorker Salute Finale. I write this because there are a lot of unfortunate shoppers out there that are paying about $ 50 for these $ 25 cakes. Powercell is priced at $ 35 for 2 and I’ve bought Crazy Exciting — the same exact firework — for $ 9 right across the street. One of their biggest and most obvious price markups are the Excalibur shells, being priced at $ 90 when Atomic right down the street sells them for $ 60 — as most other stores do too.
Like most firework stores, they use the Buy 1 Get 1 Free with double prices system. However, they seem to be the only store that considers this pricing system to be a «sale» as to provide the illusion of benefit; a common marketing tactic that casual shoppers fall for. They do have video demos available, but only for half their inventory with VHS quality.
The «Première Bonus» is achieved when one spends more than $ 400 collectively at any Phantom location. The benefit is 50% off which does not stack with the B1G1 and only offers small rewards after spending even more. The coupons usually emulate the B1G2 sale on particular priced items. For example, a common one seen throughout the year is any $ 120 repeater for $ 40, or any $ 150 shell kit for $ 50 but it’s only ever Limit 1 Per Customer with coupon required. Therefore, it’s only convenient for locals who aren’t going to make a long trip. The gas coupon is available all year but with varying value. On average it’s $ 50 but sometimes it’s $ 70 or $ 80 and it’s basically there to compensate you for your long trip to the store. Fill up your tank within 24 hours bring gas receipt of over $ 25 and live 25+ miles from the store and they will give you a repeater based on Manager’s Choice, or a preselected one they have in stock for this particular coupon.
A few good things about Phantom Fireworks is their occasional Buy One Get TWO Free sale. This is the only time I ever shop here, along with many other hobbyists I know. Even with B1g2 some of their prices are still high, like the Lock and Load shells and the 9-​shot finale racks. Another cool thing about the «Phantom Nation» is that Phantom often recognizes loyal fans by showing off their stash everyday on Facebook, and by displaying Fan Videos on their website. It’s this kind of customer appreciation that earns them that one star (along with the rare b1g2 sale). For this particular location, I called ahead with a list of products to inquire about and it seemed that this Seabrook location was twice as stocked as the Derry location. Neither store had «God of Fire» but hopefully that changes in the future. The manager also fetched a very good «manager’s choice» for the Gas Coupon when I went, which I appreciate. No issues with coupons, text deals, gift cards/​certificates, IDs, membership, transaction, or anything like that. I hate to rip on Phantom like this, but people need to know about the other stores in the area, and the same products they’re selling for half the price. Even Rockingham Fireworks — just two minutes down the street — sells Phantom products cheaper than Phantom does.

Phantom carries good stuff, and have new clean stores in the three I’ve been into in NH over the past couple years. I’ve bought some stuff there in the past on good sales. But Unless they are having a big sale they are PRICEY. Go to Hooksett or Atomic because they carry good varieties and have WAY more competitive pricing. Hooksett has been rocking the prices so far in 2013 !

This place SUCKS! They won’t let you in until you give them a valid drivers license. I went in at 10 AM Monday ⁷⁄₃ with $ 2K in cash to spend for my neighborhood ⁷⁄₄ party we have every year near Boston. The girl stopped me at the counter and said I couldn’t get in unless I gave her my license. CRAZY. I told her NO WAY. I never give up this information especially since Fireworks are illegal in MA! I’m sure they will tell you they never give out the information, and probably don’t until they a subpenaed by the MA Courts! Stranger things have happened in NH like MA getting CC info from large electronic stores and going after MA shoppers who purchased big screen TVs in NH. MA wants their sales tax! It happened to me but I also have a home in NH so screw MA tax collectors. I just told them the TV went to my NH home. Anyway, don’t give these IDIOTS at PHANTOM any private information. I’m a privacy professional with a privacy certifications from the CIPP and this is very stupid to give these people your license or any other INFORMATION! There are 3 fireworks stores in a 200 yard radius altogether right off exit 4. If you got to PHANTOM, you passed the other 2 stores on the way. ALAMO has the best deals because its not a 2 for 1 scam of overpriced fireworks. You buy individual pieces at individual prices. The other store out on the main road, TNT Fireworks has had problems because their 2 for 1 deals end up charging some people 2 – 3 times what they say is a two for one. Coincidence? I think not. Many people cant or wont stop to re-​think the pricing on 2 or 3 for one deals. BE CAREFUL! It’s been so bad, while I was shopping at ALAMO today anotehr person told me that they now have 24 hr security in store because of all of the customer arguments they have had and had gotten out of hand. If you go there, watch your $$. Bring a calculator so any errors you can catch. OR save your money. Go to Alamo. In my opinion, they give the best deals, no shady and confusing 2 or 3 for one price deals that are overpriced and they, ALAMO, has better quality fireworks and way better customer service AND you don’t need to give up your drivers license and personal info to get in. They graciously accepted my $ 2k in cash this morning and even helped me load up my truck for a great block party on Wed/​Thur/​Fri/​Sat!
An to be sure I DO NOT WORK FOR ANY OF THESE OR ANY OTHER FIREWORKS COMPANY!

Like the first reviewer said, I’m one of those crazy Massholes that travels over the border just for fireworks! I took my first trip to Phantom for the last 4^th of July, and I swear, once you get off the exit, there are firework stores everywhere!
As soon as I pulled into the parking lot, I saw other people with cars from Massachusetts, there on the same mission. When you walk into the store, they check IDs and print you out a slip that you eventually bring to the register when you cash out. There are always tons of deals going on. This one time in particular, everything was buy one get one free. We definitely stocked up with things ranging from novolties, little sparklers, all the way up to the more expensive multiple shooters like the Brew Haha and the Rain of Fire [ super cool! My favorite ].
I felt like I was in a Cost Co or a BJ’s especially made for Fireworks: Firework heaven. They had isles of different things to blow up, and on the overhead TVs, there were demonstrations of certain fireworks in action.
I will definitely be back!

What are some of the things us Massholes travel over the border for? Cigarettes? Check. Cheap Booze? Check… Fireworks! Check! Its hilarious, I grew up in NH and I always thought fireworks «stores» were normal until I moved and never seen them again.
So you turn off I-​95 onto Rt 1-​ish and voila! Pyromaniac heaven. This store looks really new and, well, it looks like a store, like Petco or something! With actual aisles, its like stopping in for a loaf of flammable bread or a gallon of explosive milk. I love it. Enjoy my lovely tax free home state.