Bloomnet ?

[theRKF]

As good as it sounds, they are in the business to make money. 800flowers makes money from customer purchases. Bloomnet makes money from the florist.

Hmm... I think the phone co. is in business to make $$ too, and they make money off florists (and bakers, delis, hardware stores, convenience stores ... and any other bricks n' mortar mom n' pop outfit).

Wait ... most florists are in business to make money, too. And they make money of the sick, the dying and the elderly. What's the difference? (insert debate here )

Are we more noble because we provide an emotional service? It would be hard to provide that service without the phone & gas companies. It would more expensive to provide our service without the services provided by wire services.

I remember working for a local startup ISP. They didn't have any qualms about using Bell for their telephone service, just because Bell also sells internet access.

Maybe the difference is that florists prefer to undervalue themselves, give away their work for less than its worth, then pat themselves on the back or have a group hug while talking about what martyrs they are. Bell or Bloomnet would never be so silly

Ryan

 

[Dazeal]

Ryan, there are WS that don't compete against the florist. Others from FTD have changed and some are in the process of leaving FTD because of their business practices.

Wait ... most florists are in business to make money, too.

Correct, and some of have chosen to make money with ethical business parteners and FTD isn't one of them in my opinion.

I hope you are working on an exit strategy and kudos to you if you are.

 

[theRKF]

If FTD is not an ethical business partner because some facets of their business complete with clients, you need to carefully examine ALL the businesses you deal with.

As above, who do you get your internet access from? Your phone service? Telcos compete with their customers.

Do you have any clients in other gifting businesses or retail stores? You compete with them for retail business and the customer's disposable income.

Do you think insurance companies don't deal with banks that sell insurance? I mean, they could try to avoid using banks by dealing only in cash, or using Money Mart to cash cheques. If anyone did that you'd think they were crazy - and probably wouldn't do business with someone so horribly inefficient.

Intel sells hardware and software - do they restrict their business to pure non-competitors?

This is life with big business - and it's a fact that you often need to deal with big business to survive as a little business. Of the options available, FTD's services that we subscribe to are lower-cost than alternatives. I'll take that saved money and put it into my marketing budget to build our business.

Ryan

 

[David L.]

Huh???

I agree that 800Flowers is somewhat of an OG, however they do not claim to be someone or some place they are not

$1,000 per month ad in my yellow pages that says that "We're your neighborhood florist...". They are not a florist and not in my neighborhood.

So I DO beg to differ my friend. They in fact are one of the original OG.
Oh - sure there are worse OGS - oder gathering scum like Flowers sent today whose $1,000 per month ad is right below the 1-800 ad.

Oh did I forget to mention, both of these ads are the first listed and on a separate page from the REAL freaking florists who have real stores in my city.

Dittos on the if you get a check you lose - if you send a check you win.

Cheers,
David L.

 

[Eric S]

Tracy you figured it out. Good for you. Now get out there and keep promoting your business.

 

[flowerknife+us]

The Spider is weaving an even larger Web. Catching all the Flies it can. Fat Happy Spider.

 

[goldfish]

If FTD is not an ethical business partner because some facets of their business complete with clients, you need to carefully examine ALL the businesses you deal with.

FTD (and TF) are doing what any other companies are doing, i.e., trying to maximize their profits, only their profits. There's nothing unethical about it. After all, that's what we all do.

But I do think that FTD/TF are making efforts to sustain the illusion still harbored by some florists, who naively expect FTD/TF to be "on their side." History of FTD being a member-owned coop probably has something to do with why this illusion still exists.

Forgive me to be a little semantic... You know what bothers me most? FTD always says "Thank you for supporting FTD." This bothers me.

Well, I don't "support" FTD, I'm just paying their fees, just like I do for all other telcom companies. My internet provider, Bridgecom, never said "Thank you for supporting Bridgecom." They say "thank you for your payment."

This seemingly deliberate obfuscation of the true realtionship between florists and WS company... that's what bothers me. This is nothing illegal, but it does smell like a deception intended to keep naive florists forever naive.

 

[BOSS]

Well, I don't "support" FTD, I'm just paying their fees, just like I do for all other telcom companies. My internet provider, Bridgecom, never said "Thank you for supporting Bridgecom." They say "thank you for your payment."

Now there's a fresh look from a new direction....

Comparing a WS to a telecommunication provider....should I boycott my Cable Co because they run PROf ads, or the Neal Bortz Show cuz he does too....

"Fish" thanks fo saying it this way... I do think it will inflame the debate a bit more, but thats ok. It's pretty accurate, the WS's are "service" providers as long as you do not buy their junk, when you do that they become "suppliers", and yes all the while they are competitors.

However, using them while at the same time limiting their intrusion into your business is for many, the only current viable option...but that will change....competition is a good thing....we just need a new competitor

 

[PhillyPhlorist]

I was told up front, I could sign up for Florist to Florist ONLY and bypass their company orders with no questions asked...time will tell....

Really?!!?? Hmmm... Well, I have a great BRIDGE for ya' if you're interested!

- H

[I'm still reading this thread...will post more...]

 

[PhillyPhlorist]

OK...had to respond...

Boss, is that something they offer to only higher volume shops - the florist to florist thing, with no 1800 arr's? This rep didn't tell me anything like that ... I dread the 29.99 orders that always show up to us when the holiday is hot and heavy, and no one else will take them.(which we promptly ask for $ increase or cancel)

I asked him at what point they think there is enough representation in any given town. He said there is no set formula, he just didn't want to have too many so that the incoming orders were too spread out. Also said they are at about 10,000 members, with a cap of 12,000, they don't want an FTD/Teleflora type situation. Think that's true?

I would never have considered them, but maybe ..... :dunno:

WHAT A LOAD! Hey guys and gals, we were top 25 with Bloomnet/800 in the beginning. Was one of the first on the thing on the East coast.
Let me learn you all on a few things:
-Bloomnet IS 1-800-Flowers
-You MAY be told you can send only F2F, BUT you will be HOUNDED to fill for -800...AND if you weaken and DO, you will be "asked as one of our PARTNERS" to BUY ALL (not just some) but ALL their codified crap. (the Piggy Bank new baby bouquet was just horrible...have nightmares about that thing)
- 'cap of 12k' WRONG! I was told they want a MIN of 3 to 5 shops PER TOWN to meet 'commitment to coverage'
- Fees ARE the best in the w/s game, hands down...but didn't they just go UP again???
- you HAVE to do the Del Confirmations DAILY by 10am the next day OR you are charged $.75 per ORDER.
- 'too many florists so the orders are not too spread out'....TOO LATE...

I can go on...
let me read more first...

- H

 

[PhillyPhlorist]

So say what you will, I get a check EVERY month from them not like most shops having to write a check to the wire company.

That simply means you are getting more than sending. You are losing money unless you are filling enough volume to account for the % that goes to Bloomnet. Hopefully, you are doing this.

If you are writing a check every month, then you are making money. 20% comm plus rebates. You are simply paying what you owe to the other florist.

- H.

 

[PhillyPhlorist]

Daz-baby...

I hope you are working on an exit strategy and kudos to you if you are.

You bet... You know my issues...time, in due time.

- H

PS - Macs rule (just for you Daz! Had to do it! You do VERY nice web sites BTW!)

 

[PhillyPhlorist]

OK, WHEW! Got done reading...

We left 800/Bloomlink as of Jan 1st this year. A year too LATE IMHO.
More stuff to learn ya' on...
- shops in MAJOR markets and high-volume areas WILL be asked to fill for 800...and asked many times.
- still getting Bloomnet notices, propaganda, etc. in the mail and via e-mail
- The Bloomnet rep in this area, Murray Dickman, shall we say, has a HISTORY with wire services....ummm, let's see: STARTED with AFS, then to TEL, then to FTD, then to FloralSource, then to Bloomlink. (in between there somewhere he open and closed a Deli)
- Said Bloomnet rep STILL thinks we are with them and STILL uses us a reference saying "yea, they like it and are doing well with it."

And finally, got NO response to our certified resignation letter, and ONLY got a call from our "Bloomlink Business Consultant" when I shut the dang computer down and wasn't downloading my orders.

You choose to deal with them. BOSS - meet with your friend, he IS a good guy, and you are RIGHT to sit and talk (yum - free lunch!). However, he works for 1-800-flowers. They are NOT florist friendly. No spin there...
I have nearly 10 years of experience backing me up on my opinions.

Now, off to makey lots of $$$ for Mom's Day! YOU ALL TOO!

- Herb

PS - BOSS, I responded to your poll...

 

[AKIKO'S]

Don't See My Previous Post - 2nd Try

A former friend came to visit us and was quite persuasive. They were going to have the computer system up and running in 2 weeks, we could list all the areas we serve, no problem listing delivery charges, yada, yada, yada, ect. We wrote the check. 3 weeks later, nobody in 800 hq knew who we were so we sent cert mail demanding a refund. 1st phone call: contract says non refundable, we asked what contract, we haven't received anything! Very quickly got a package with a contract saying:
HAVE TO ACCEPT ALL ORDERS
CAN NOT ASK FOR ADDITIONAL DELIVERY CHARGES
MUST BE OPEN TO RECEIVE ORDERS AND DELIVER ON SUNDAY
MUST CARRY ALL CODIFIED PRODUCT
AND MORE I CAN'T REMEMBER!
But still no computer hook-up. Called again and wrote another letter demanding a refund based on their non performance. We still didn't even have a code #.
3 way conference call, sales rep, some regional vp or something and us. Sales rep insisted he never said the things he said, his boss said non-refundable was in the contract, and we said they never performed, we still didn't have a code # or computer hook-up. Sales rep said that was because he was on vacation and nobody else could work on the application. They would ship the stuff immediately. We said it would be refused if it arrived at our door. Fineally got our check refunded: shortly thereafter got an 800 directory, looked, and LO AND BEHOLD WE WERE LISTED IN IT.

They keep calling us, we keep telling them we will only fill orders we receive through technology because too many people know how to call up and give 800 orders in a reasonable format, but we can never identify the sender or the order number to get paid! Crooks have learned that they don't need to steal anybody's identity to get flowers any more!

Had a regular customer come in 5 minutes after closing today saying he was on the road and couldn't remember our # so he called 800 flowers paid them $80 for a doz roses to be delivered by 5 today, they never were, he called up and complained & they told him that there were no shops able to deliver his order! Paid us 47.86 and walked out happy with our card in his wallet!

 

[BOSS]

HAVE TO ACCEPT ALL ORDERS
CAN NOT ASK FOR ADDITIONAL DELIVERY CHARGES
MUST BE OPEN TO RECEIVE ORDERS AND DELIVER ON SUNDAY
MUST CARRY ALL CODIFIED PRODUCT

NOT in MY lifetime!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Like Herb said... I'll meet with my friend....he is your's too I know.....

And I already have a handy-dandy computer network...no need for their toys....but you know that already...

 

[PhillyPhlorist]

Update:::

shortly thereafter got an 800 directory, looked, and LO AND BEHOLD WE WERE LISTED IN IT.

Hmmm. After a hunch, given we were just sent a NEW Bloomnet Directory, I just looked to see if we were still listed...YUP - both shops. Funny thing is we got the very first BMT directory in Nov of last year, but that was it. Now ALL OF A SUDDEN, we get a new one...seems to me we MISSED two directories...

Anyway, called the number on the front cover to say 'HEY - we no longer belong' - got a voice mail...no call back yet...
Don't matter. Just going to use the directory as a fire starter when I go campin after Mom's day! (burn REAL good they do!)

- H.

 

[hcflorist]

WHAT A LOAD! Hey guys and gals, we were top 25 with Bloomnet/800 in the beginning. Was one of the first on the thing on the East coast.
Let me learn you all on a few things:
-Bloomnet IS 1-800-Flowers
-You MAY be told you can send only F2F, BUT you will be HOUNDED to fill for -800...AND if you weaken and DO, you will be "asked as one of our PARTNERS" to BUY ALL (not just some) but ALL their codified crap. (the Piggy Bank new baby bouquet was just horrible...have nightmares about that thing)
- 'cap of 12k' WRONG! I was told they want a MIN of 3 to 5 shops PER TOWN to meet 'commitment to coverage'
- Fees ARE the best in the w/s game, hands down...but didn't they just go UP again???
- you HAVE to do the Del Confirmations DAILY by 10am the next day OR you are charged $.75 per ORDER.
- 'too many florists so the orders are not too spread out'....TOO LATE...

I can go on...
let me read more first...

- H

Our experience was similar. And our latest info from the ex-FTD (now 800-Flowers) rep who has been hounding us to sign back up and pay to work for our biggest competitor pretty much verifies what you're saying.

Don't know what part of "NO" she doesn't understand. Even if they weren't a competitor, it's just too much hassle for too little profit. We proved that when we were the ONLY member in the area. Now they're trying to sign everybody. So I see no way it could work for us now.

 

[evergreen12377]

Surely, there's a better way to do "florist to florist" business.

Use a crdit card and call the florist you want to use. I get great service that way and have interesting talks.
Addictions are hard to break. They sort of quietly call to you.

Judy