I have had a great revelation over this Mother's Day holiday.
My shop is located in a pretty large suburb of Denver.
I have had my shop for a long time. I know the ropes.
I try very hard to go above and beyond expectations, but we all know
that imperfections and accidents occur. Drivers break flowers, water gets spilled in the delivery vehicles (even thought I send everyone out with a gallon of water), flowers get sent out that are not in perfect condition. When such a volume leaves the shop during a holiday, it happens. It used to be that when the phone starts ringing at 1 or so, I take a deep breath and pick it up. I, of course, honor each and every complaint.
Not anymore - why? Because, I don't get them. NO COMPLAINTS. It's been a few holidays, where there haven't been complaints. I think I had two, a few days after valentine's this year. None so far for mom's day, none for Xmas. Why???????
I think I figured it out yesterday. It's because recipients have been burned by 800, pf, and the other order gatherer providers. When the delivery person gets to the door (contract drivers), people will ask them where the flowers are coming from. When they tell them Cherry Blossoms, the recipients get excited and tell them how much they enjoy our flowers. It used to be that I would get a complaint if a stem of pixis carns had broken. Not anymore-I don't usually use pixis much - but still, I'm sure flowers get broken during transport.
The other guys have made my product look great. People accept the mess ups that occur because our flowers are still so much better.
I think it is a hoot.
In response to another thread, yes, I did turn off my machines on
Friday night. Kept the off until today. I was sick and tired of getting orders for $39.99. Everytime, I would have to turn it on, a slew of $39.99 (my listed minimum)orders popped up. At a 39 percent discount (all fees accounted for) $39.99 equals $24.39, take off $5.00 for the fee I give the contract drivers, what does that leave? Not enough to make it worth my while.
Probably not enough to cover cog and overhead.
I apologize to the real florists out there. But, I can't do this anymore.
The numbers do not ad up.
I am sick and tired of rejecting order, after order, after order. Sick of it. Some other florist can have this business. I don't want it anymore.
I want to give my real clients good value and good service. Not a order from the easiest click on google.
Teleflora is getting as bad as the others. Their $39.99 web specials are insane. The "enchanted evening" - with two blooms of white stargazers. 3 white roses, and white alstro, ti leaf - for $39.99 delivered? How about the lavender vase with 3 lavender roses and the florigene minis for $44.99? I would like to know who can do this arrangement, with the florigene minis and even break even?? Not me. Is Stems and Bunches selling Florigene product cheap? If so, sign me up. Is Stems and Bunches still around?
And the $7.00 they give us for delivery = $4.27 after the 39% taken off.
Can anyone out there do a delivery for $4.27 - I can't.
Four years ago, I did a press release for Environmental Colorado about raising gas costs affecting florists. I calculated the exact cost for my to do a delivery - it was $7.95 - that was when gas was hovering around $2.00 per gallon.
I have quit FTD. Have to stay around until August, until I'm out of their directory. I have dropped my FTD web site and my Teleflora site(as of May 01). I will no longer carry any kind of codified container. Does anyone need any crappy pink vases?
It's sad, because the wire services have turned us against each other. I really don't want wire in orders anymore. I'm tired of working so hard, with not enough return.
I will no longer rant, I will take action.
My shop is located in a pretty large suburb of Denver.
I have had my shop for a long time. I know the ropes.
I try very hard to go above and beyond expectations, but we all know
that imperfections and accidents occur. Drivers break flowers, water gets spilled in the delivery vehicles (even thought I send everyone out with a gallon of water), flowers get sent out that are not in perfect condition. When such a volume leaves the shop during a holiday, it happens. It used to be that when the phone starts ringing at 1 or so, I take a deep breath and pick it up. I, of course, honor each and every complaint.
Not anymore - why? Because, I don't get them. NO COMPLAINTS. It's been a few holidays, where there haven't been complaints. I think I had two, a few days after valentine's this year. None so far for mom's day, none for Xmas. Why???????
I think I figured it out yesterday. It's because recipients have been burned by 800, pf, and the other order gatherer providers. When the delivery person gets to the door (contract drivers), people will ask them where the flowers are coming from. When they tell them Cherry Blossoms, the recipients get excited and tell them how much they enjoy our flowers. It used to be that I would get a complaint if a stem of pixis carns had broken. Not anymore-I don't usually use pixis much - but still, I'm sure flowers get broken during transport.
The other guys have made my product look great. People accept the mess ups that occur because our flowers are still so much better.
I think it is a hoot.
In response to another thread, yes, I did turn off my machines on
Friday night. Kept the off until today. I was sick and tired of getting orders for $39.99. Everytime, I would have to turn it on, a slew of $39.99 (my listed minimum)orders popped up. At a 39 percent discount (all fees accounted for) $39.99 equals $24.39, take off $5.00 for the fee I give the contract drivers, what does that leave? Not enough to make it worth my while.
Probably not enough to cover cog and overhead.
I apologize to the real florists out there. But, I can't do this anymore.
The numbers do not ad up.
I am sick and tired of rejecting order, after order, after order. Sick of it. Some other florist can have this business. I don't want it anymore.
I want to give my real clients good value and good service. Not a order from the easiest click on google.
Teleflora is getting as bad as the others. Their $39.99 web specials are insane. The "enchanted evening" - with two blooms of white stargazers. 3 white roses, and white alstro, ti leaf - for $39.99 delivered? How about the lavender vase with 3 lavender roses and the florigene minis for $44.99? I would like to know who can do this arrangement, with the florigene minis and even break even?? Not me. Is Stems and Bunches selling Florigene product cheap? If so, sign me up. Is Stems and Bunches still around?
And the $7.00 they give us for delivery = $4.27 after the 39% taken off.
Can anyone out there do a delivery for $4.27 - I can't.
Four years ago, I did a press release for Environmental Colorado about raising gas costs affecting florists. I calculated the exact cost for my to do a delivery - it was $7.95 - that was when gas was hovering around $2.00 per gallon.
I have quit FTD. Have to stay around until August, until I'm out of their directory. I have dropped my FTD web site and my Teleflora site(as of May 01). I will no longer carry any kind of codified container. Does anyone need any crappy pink vases?
It's sad, because the wire services have turned us against each other. I really don't want wire in orders anymore. I'm tired of working so hard, with not enough return.
I will no longer rant, I will take action.
