Advice for an International Wire Service

[warpet]

Hello
Petals Network is a wire service based in Australia. However, we run our own florist networks in Australia, New Zealand and Great Britain with an around-the-clock operation.
We trade with 70 other countries via reciprocal arrangements with wire services in those countries.
We have orders for delivery in the US and Canada and are tentatively thinking of developing a network of florists in both countries to supply these orders on our behalf.
Before we go any further, we thought we might run our business model past the members of the FlowerChat community for a bit of a reality check on its appropriateness in North America.

If you have a moment to provide us with some critical feedback, we have prepared a little web survey along with more information on us. Visit http://www.petals-exchange.com/na/ to pass on your advice. Please give us your frank opinions.

May I thank you in advance for any help you can give us to design a system that would suit florists in North America who might supply our orders if we go ahead.
Scott Williams Chief Executive

 

[CHR]

A very interesting business model with zero monthly fees.

The un-registered member option would enable US and Canadian florists to send to the UK, Australia and New Zealand for only a $10 service/delivery fee.

I've seen a number of your Australian affiliate sites (some from real florists and some from what we would term 'order gatherers') but have never noticed any UK versions. Are you operating under the Petals name there or are you partnered with FlowerGram or another UK relay organisation?

Didn't have time to take the survey tonight but will try to return in the next day or so.

 

[warpet]

We have observed the debate about 'order gathers' on this Board. It doesn't rage as strongly in other countries and is only a small part of our volume. We seek the opinion of our florists each month on our general direction and, over the years, their attitude has consistantly been 'if some florist is going to get the orders it may as well be me' - providing they get a decent payment for the work. We are always guided by the member florists as they are the main determinant of our success.

Secondly, we do operate under the name Petals in the UK and NZ. We have traded / do trade with other relay services but only for the overflow from our own network of florists who get preference.

Thanks for offering to provide feedbak via the survey.
Scott