Big Ftd News Again!!.....

[Mikey the Flower Guy]

Effective immediately, FTD has removed Member #10-6336AA, Lovin' Blooms located in Macon Georgia, from FTD due to continuous violations of FTD Standards, including order curtailment and failure to comply with FTD's code of conduct. In addition, they have marketed their business under various names and Web sites, including:

• aflorist.net
• flowershope.com
• floristconnection.com
• lovinblooms.com
• flowers4canada.com
• floristseverywhere.com
• flowersunder50.com
• floralthoughts.com
• afloristusa.com

I want ONE OF YOU. to tell me that FTD isn't listening...go ahead...I'M LISTENING!!

 

[theRKF]

Had an interesting chat with an FTD VP today. I told him that FTD would have to be a lot more consistent in a direction if they wanted to rally florist support, instead of balancing a good move with a walmart, a Vancouver Flower Co with a Loblaws ...

This back and forth stuff just breeds apathy.

I AM very happy to see Lovin Blooms put to rest. Now, let's see if TF has the stones to do the same? Last time FTD laid the smack down on Lovin' Blooms TF picked them up the next day.

Ryan

 

[K A Hall]

Had an interesting chat with an FTD VP today. I told him that FTD would have to be a lot more consistent in a direction if they wanted to rally florist support, instead of balancing a good move with a walmart, a Vancouver Flower Co with a Loblaws ...

This back and forth stuff just breeds apathy.

I AM very happy to see Lovin Blooms put to rest. Now, let's see if TF has the stones to do the same? Last time FTD laid the smack down on Lovin' Blooms TF picked them up the next day.

Ryan

I just checked the directory. They are already members of TF. I knew that because every friken holiday this dude calls to see how much money he can skim off of an order before he sends it via the dove.

 

[Rhonda]

Still waiting on online Broadway Florists (whom I turned in over a month ago)

 

[theRKF]

Be patient - VFC took a year, Lovin Blooms has been on the hot seat for at least six months. It takes time to build a legit case against these companies.

You have to know, too, that after VFC was booted the FTD staff must have been flooded with emails suggesting who should be next. Give them time to sort out and deal with each one. The last thing I want to see is FTD being sued because they rushed things and have that law suit temper their enthusiasm for cleaning up the game.

Whatever the motives, I'm glad they are doing it.

Ryan

 

[BOSS]

It takes time to build a legit case against these companies.

Ryan

Yes indeed.... and good news too... these companies must follow a legal path to do what they are (starting) to do...

They are listening like Mikey said...and many items are forwarded thru channels weekly to the ones listening, and they move it up the ladder to those that can act...

Personally I would prefer a little more speed...but this is better than nothing.

 

[ROBSWF]

I want ONE OF YOU. to tell me that FTD isn't listening...go ahead...I'M LISTENING!![/size][/font]

Mikey,
I gotta tell you that I am impressed to see FTD taking a pro-active stand lately. I am sure that there may be more than one motive for this, but I will not discount that FTD’s decision to take action against these types of operations are beginning to restore credibility to the flowers by wire concept. There is much more work to be done. Hat’s off to FTD again. The way I see it, FTD 2, Teleflora 0.

 

[NPFloral]

Mikey,
I gotta tell you that I am impressed to see FTD taking a pro-active stand lately. I am sure that there may be more than one motive for this, but I will not discount that FTD’s decision to take action against these types of operations are beginning to restore credibility to the flowers by wire concept. There is much more work to be done. Hat’s off to FTD again. The way I see it, FTD 2, Teleflora 0.

I think FTD is offerring the Florists a little bone so we shut up about Walmart. I don't trust 'em.

Tim--North Port Floral

 

[BOSS]

I don't trust 'em.

Tim--North Port Floral

He he he... neither does anyone else Tim....not like we used to anyway!

 

[Mikey the Flower Guy]

Regardless.....

we "asked", then "begged" FTD and the "other" to take action against these member violators, as they "stained" the very fabric that makes up an important part of our industry, and ONLY FTD has stepped up to the plate, and hit TWO home runs in a very tough game!!
These actions have literally FORCED other OG's to look long and hard at their co-existance with FTD, and their arrogant behaviour, and disregard for CLEARLY STATED FTD rules, are NO LONGER being overlooked.
Mike Soenen was very clear in his messages so far, and along with people like Frank Stornelli, these "animals" (OG's) will either level the playing field, or be done, from FTD's standpoint, and it's dues paying members.
You noticed I've left out Teleflora....Teleflora is toast

 

[BOSS]

Devil's Advocate

CLEARLY STATED FTD rules, are NO LONGER being overlooked.

Question would be, "Why now?" and all of a sudden. Surely not from Real Florist pressure??

Just pok'n the bear Mikey...

 

[ROBSWF]

Question would be, "Why now?" and all of a sudden. Surely not from Real Florist pressure??

It is completely obvious…. FTD must show wall street a profit & expansion of market share at the same time. How will they do this? Stop paying rebates and use that money to buy those with volume. Then they own the orders. Right now with paying rebates, they only rent them.

Again, I don’t want anyone to think I am discounting the fact that they are cleaning up some acts, but this was long over due!!! There is always a method to the madness. Nothing a public company will ever do is strictly about the good for all. It will always be about obtaining a more favorable bottom line. PERIOD

 

[CHR]

These actions have literally FORCED other OG's to look long and hard at their co-existance with FTD, and their arrogant behaviour, and disregard for CLEARLY STATED FTD rules, are NO LONGER being overlooked.

Let's hope that's the case.

Lovin Blooms, et al has primarily featured TF products across their sites for quite a long time. (I noticed drop-ship boxed flowers on some of their home pages recently.) I believe the phone lines on the busiest sites are answered by the TF call center. IMO, they primarily just used the FTD logo to add credibility to the pages.

The Better Business Bureau Alert about Lovin Blooms says:

The company states that they are a participating member of FTD and Teleflora and must comply with those policies and procedures.

as if that's a good enough 'defense' for the repeated bad behavior. (I.e. If it's good enough for our wire services, then it should be good enough for consumers.) That statement alone should have sent shudders through Downers Grove and LA.

As a florist who has received a threat of a lawsuit and multiple harassing phone calls from Mr. Wells and all his girlie alter egos, I am delighted to see FTD's action. However, the real power to protect consumers and reign him in is in Los Angeles.

 

[theRKF]

... and ONLY FTD has stepped up to the plate, ...
You noticed I've left out Teleflora....Teleflora is toast

Um ... TF denied VFC membership in the first place. They refused to get into bed with Alif & crew. I applaud FTD for bouncing them, but they did get the benefit of those orders for a long time.

Ryan

 

[TommyD]

Complicated issue, to be sure...

FTD gets some credit for doing what they've done, but I have a very hard time believing that the timing is coincidental.

TF...Don't get me started...We are dropping them again after May. We will not re-join no matter WHAT the offer.

FTD's days with us are probably numbered too, we've dropped them before and did just fine (with TF) but I'm looking to be WS free in 2 years (Software - Hardware changes are necessary) for good.

Hal...I'll be calling you back shortly... :help:

:mobile: