Buh Bye FTD !!!!!!!

[RWK]

Yeppers.....I got the word from our shop owner. As of the next issue of the FTD directory....We will not be listed....for we will be OUT.

Our local rep has tried everything song and dance spiel he can think of to stop us from going......including vehemently denying a portion of FTD's letter to the SEC and how they are going after the local florist customers and directing them to purchase directly from FTD.com website. A portion that the shop owner just cut and pasted and showed it to the rep. He still tried to deny that FTD is doing that.

And to add insult to injury......We switched from FTD handling our credit card processing to a local company shortly after the new owner took over....and saved us some huge processing fees btw. hrep tried to plead with us to go back to Them....even stating that they would have lowered the rate......IF we had only asked for it. We then asked why they did not lower the rate voluntarily....and he said that if people weren't paying enough attention to ask...then why should they.

so........BUH BYE and Good Riddance to Bad Rubbish to FTD. Once the florist's friend and now our enemy as far as I am concerned.

 

[Seasonals]

Ftd

Hope it all works out for you Rick.

I have a question about FTD you may be able to answer. If you go to www.ftdflorists.com and type in the city/state or the zip it is suppose to bring up the FTD florists in that area. We have two shops here who advertise that they are FTD but they don't show up. Is there somewhere else to find them?

 

[Rhonda]

you have to have a website with them to be listed in that particular site. Also on "find a florist" on their .com page. We were FTD members for over 30 years and ever since the inception of .com we were never listed. We did not have a site and if you searched for our zip code or town you got the message "There may be an FTD florist located in this town" but you had to place the order with them at .com to get your order sent. I believe now you can pay extra fees and have a link to your independant site, but I'm not 100% sure on that one as I never wanted to be listed there anyway.
Congrats Rick and your new boss. Good move. Make them call you with a credit card at 100% !!

 

[safeguy]

Yeppers.....I got the word from our shop owner. As of the next issue of the FTD directory....We will not be listed....for we will be OUT.

so........BUH BYE and Good Riddance to Bad Rubbish to FTD. Once the florist's friend and now our enemy as far as I am concerned.

As the owner of Mr. King's shop, I must emphatically state that Mr. King had no right to post this announcement, nor does he know all of the facts for the withdrawal from FTD. Last week, I discussed this matter with him in the event that someone asked a question about this issue. This announcement is a management decision - and the timing of the announcement should not be decided by an employee.

Now that the cat is out of the bag...I will disclose the reason for the voluntary withdrawal from FTD:
A disturbing FTD business trend has surfaced over the last several years, causing my company to reevaluate its continued business relationship with FTD.

While the FTD co-op was sold in the 1990’s, in the several years that followed the sale, FTD continued to promote retail florists and encouraged consumers to purchase flowers and gifts from their local florists. Those promotions have disappeared in the past several years and even the latest advertising budget for the retail florist segment of FTD was reduced 10% in the ’06-’07 financial year. Furthermore, the numerous industry promotions, trade shows and design schools are virtually non-existent. Now, it is quite obvious that FTD is competing directly against the local florists – the very businesses that are responsible for the success of FTD for almost 100 years! One needs to look no further than the local Yellow Pages or www.yellowpages.com to confirm this fact. Furthermore, FTD’s 2006 and 2007 Form 10-K Annual Reports state:

June 2006 and June 2007 Reports: “The consumer markets for flowers and specialty gifts are highly competitive and fragmented, and the products the Company offers can be purchased from numerous sources. In the Company’s consumer and international segments, the Company competes with traditional florists and gift retailers, as consumers choose whether to give their business to a traditional florist, specialty gift retailer or a direct marketer.” (Emphasis added)


June 2006 Report: “The Company plans to continue to direct consumers to the Company’s www.ftd.com Web site for their floral and specialty gift purchasing needs, as processing orders over the Internet is a profitable order generating vehicle for the Company and an efficient and convenient ordering method for the consumer.” (Emphasis added)

and:​

June 2007 Report: “The Company plans to continue to direct consumers to the Company’s www.ftd.com and www.interflora.co.uk Web sites for their floral and specialty gift purchasing needs, as processing orders over the Internet is a profitable order generating vehicle for the Company and an efficient and convenient ordering method for the consumer.” (Emphasis added)

Finally, both the 2006 and 2007 reports state:​

“Market competition among the Company’s existing and potential competitors could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.” (Emphasis added)

In simple terms, FTD is convinced that the local florist is a competitor and has also admitted that the company’s competitors could have an adverse effect on the company’s financial performance. Therefore, to satisfy investors, increase growth and improve the company’s bottom line, it is imperative that FTD do whatever is necessary to conquer their competition. It has been said “a rising tide lifts all ships” but not in this case – one of the ships is trying to sink the smaller ships.

This is a very disturbing trend as it appears that FTD has taken an adversarial role against my florist. While my 54-year old family business has supported FTD for almost 30 years, FTD’s obvious attempt to take away my retail customer has placed our relationship with FTD at a crossroad. Do I (1) continue to support FTD with the constant flow of monthly fees, only to have FTD take the profits and suck away the very lifeblood of my business or (2) take my business elsewhere and invest the FTD dollars into promoting my local business? I have questioned my local FTD representative about this issue and other members of my family have attempted to discuss this matter with other FTD personnel, only to be “pooh-poohed” by the FTD staff. The bottom line...Why should I support an organization that is one of my largest competitors?

It does not take a rocket scientist to arrive at the answer.

Let me firmly stress that the purpose of this message is not to encourage anyone to withdraw their membership from any specific wire service. Instead, with the changes in the wire services, I think that it is imperative that the traditional florists start a dialog about our rapidly changing industry. Hopefully, this message can serve as a catalyst for that dialog.

Rex D. Rish
President
Rish Florist
West Columbia, SC

 

[NPFloral]

Congratulations on ditching one the most notorious money pits our industry knows. As of October 15, we are now WS free and it is just such a relief to know that, once the final bills are paid to the 2 WS that we used, I will never have to write them another check, a check that they will cash and use the money to market against me! All my outgoing orders are called in to the receiving shop at 100%, I charge a service fee for my trouble and that is how I make a little $$ for myself. Just doing this for the last week or so makes me wonder why I was so stupid.

Anyway.. best of luck!!
Tim - North Port Floral

 

[TOTO]

Their CAT has been OUT FO THE BAG.............

As the owner of Mr. King's shop, I must emphatically state that Mr. King had no right to post this announcement, nor does he know all of the facts for the withdrawal from FTD. Last week, I discussed this matter with him in the event that someone asked a question about this issue. This announcement is a management decision - and the timing of the announcement should not be decided by an employee.

Now that the cat is out of the bag...I will disclose the reason for the voluntary withdrawal from FTD:
A disturbing FTD business trend has surfaced over the last several years, causing my company to reevaluate its continued business relationship with FTD.

While the FTD co-op was sold in the 1990’s, in the several years that followed the sale, FTD continued to promote retail florists and encouraged consumers to purchase flowers and gifts from their local florists. Those promotions have disappeared in the past several years and even the latest advertising budget for the retail florist segment of FTD was reduced 10% in the ’06-’07 financial year. Furthermore, the numerous industry promotions, trade shows and design schools are virtually non-existent. Now, it is quite obvious that FTD is competing directly against the local florists – the very businesses that are responsible for the success of FTD for almost 100 years! One needs to look no further than the local Yellow Pages or www.yellowpages.com to confirm this fact. Furthermore, FTD’s 2006 and 2007 Form 10-K Annual Reports state:

June 2006 and June 2007 Reports: “The consumer markets for flowers and specialty gifts are highly competitive and fragmented, and the products the Company offers can be purchased from numerous sources. In the Company’s consumer and international segments, the Company competes with traditional florists and gift retailers, as consumers choose whether to give their business to a traditional florist, specialty gift retailer or a direct marketer.” (Emphasis added)


June 2006 Report: “The Company plans to continue to direct consumers to the Company’s www.ftd.com Web site for their floral and specialty gift purchasing needs, as processing orders over the Internet is a profitable order generating vehicle for the Company and an efficient and convenient ordering method for the consumer.” (Emphasis added)

and:​

June 2007 Report: “The Company plans to continue to direct consumers to the Company’s www.ftd.com and www.interflora.co.uk Web sites for their floral and specialty gift purchasing needs, as processing orders over the Internet is a profitable order generating vehicle for the Company and an efficient and convenient ordering method for the consumer.” (Emphasis added)

Finally, both the 2006 and 2007 reports state:​

“Market competition among the Company’s existing and potential competitors could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.” (Emphasis added)

In simple terms, FTD is convinced that the local florist is a competitor and has also admitted that the company’s competitors could have an adverse effect on the company’s financial performance. Therefore, to satisfy investors, increase growth and improve the company’s bottom line, it is imperative that FTD do whatever is necessary to conquer their competition. It has been said “a rising tide lifts all ships” but not in this case – one of the ships is trying to sink the smaller ships.

This is a very disturbing trend as it appears that FTD has taken an adversarial role against my florist. While my 54-year old family business has supported FTD for almost 30 years, FTD’s obvious attempt to take away my retail customer has placed our relationship with FTD at a crossroad. Do I (1) continue to support FTD with the constant flow of monthly fees, only to have FTD take the profits and suck away the very lifeblood of my business or (2) take my business elsewhere and invest the FTD dollars into promoting my local business? I have questioned my local FTD representative about this issue and other members of my family have attempted to discuss this matter with other FTD personnel, only to be “pooh-poohed” by the FTD staff. The bottom line...Why should I support an organization that is one of my largest competitors?

It does not take a rocket scientist to arrive at the answer.

Let me firmly stress that the purpose of this message is not to encourage anyone to withdraw their membership from any specific wire service. Instead, with the changes in the wire services, I think that it is imperative that the traditional florists start a dialog about our rapidly changing industry. Hopefully, this message can serve as a catalyst for that dialog.

Rex D. Rish
President
Rish Florist
West Columbia, SC

Thanks Rex for posting the explanation of your recent BUSINESS decision to part ways with one of our biggest competitors.

Suffice it to say that, when we voted to SELL FTDA in November of 1994, we made that decision based on two factors.

The first was that, our OLD FTDA BOARD refused to give up the out of date GOVERNANCE which was driving FTDA into the poor house and possibly to the BIG CHAPTER 7 FIRE SALE some of the black hats had in mind.

The second was that, we were given false promises by the new owner suggesting a LONG TERM PARTNERSHIP, when in fact, his sole intention was to FLIP IT in 10 years or less.

Many of us struggled (from the heart) to try and continue with the NEW FORE PROFIT entity, only to arrive at the reality that, US WEE BEES had been EXCLUDED from any of the PROFITABILITY in their equation.

To be USED as just another passive stream of revenue for a company who intends to USE US at their SUBCONTRACTED FREE LABOR and FREE DELIVERY FORCE is unacceptable.

And so, KUDOS and ACCOLADES to you, your shop, and Rick, for making the right BUSINESS DECISION and for all of the RIGHT REASONS! Perhaps some fo the NEWBIES and HOLD OUTS will eventually learn from our experiences.

Their DEAD CAT has been OUT FOR OUR BAG since the days of SMALL bob's roadkill venture when he stated in Downer's Grove: " I'VE TRIED THE CARROT, AND NOW, I'M GOING TO USE THE STICK! "

 

[Rhonda]

Rex, after over 30 years, we decided to pull the plug also. It was determined not by $$ it was determined that FTD was working against the florist that had made them what they had become. Again as stated by Toto, the organization changed with the sell off. I hung in there saying to myself, this will turn around. FTD needs the little florists. They continued to make statements such as said above. They no longer need me, I no longer need them. They can drop ship...they can utilize supermarkets...they can call me direct with their credit card at 100% now to get quality floral designs delivered same day in my area.
You will find many other posts in this forum by other shops who have come to realize that they don't need a wire service that works against them.
Welcome to the membership!

 

[TOTO]

Way to go Tim!

Congratulations on ditching one the most notorious money pits our industry knows. As of October 15, we are now WS free and it is just such a relief to know that, once the final bills are paid to the 2 WS that we used, I will never have to write them another check, a check that they will cash and use the money to market against me! All my outgoing orders are called in to the receiving shop at 100%, I charge a service fee for my trouble and that is how I make a little $$ for myself. Just doing this for the last week or so makes me wonder why I was so stupid.

Anyway.. best of luck!!
Tim - North Port Floral

It's not that you (wee) were stupid Tim. It's just that, we kept HOLDING ON while they kept HOLDING OUT!

Sorry NO PROFITS FROM US FOR YOU WEE BEES, my mind continued to SCREAM AT MEE!

Anyway, check out www.myifa.org

It only cost ya $20 per month when you SEND OUT and take the 80% 20% commission structure using your company credit card, preferably the one which gives you the most points.

It's fairly simple once you get over the usual learning curve.

Just log into their website, click on ADD ORDER, select a florist, fill in the online screen entry form, and off it goes.

I like to call the florist I select first to give them the heads up and to make sure that, they have the product and deliver to the recipient's address.

 

[RWK]

......he know all of the facts for the withdrawal from FTD. Last week, I discussed this matter with him in the event that someone asked a question about this issue.......

Rex did explain this to me and I had been asked about this through PM. I chose to respond with one announcement.
As I also told the persons who asked via PM and replied PM....for further explanation...contact the shop owner.

 

[twiggy]

I'm a newbe and decided not to start with any WS.
My suspicions began before i found out about Flower Chat, as an employee at another shop I began noticing more and more products being offered to the average florist to easily be added on to the clearing house statement...that in it's self is a little thing but I thought to myself 'what's in it for them?' and as i looked closer, and watched i thought i saw a trend starting up excluding the florist. NO ONE wanted to talk about it when i asked other florists that i knew..(they still think i'm nuts)
however i've had plenty of call outs and not one problem.. and no fees!
just my experience as a newbie.

 

[Bigted]

I'm a newbe and decided not to start with any WS.
however i've had plenty of call outs and not one problem.. and no fees!
just my experience as a newbie.

With enough wire outs, the 20% plus rebates will outweigh the wire service fees. You will be in that rare category of a florist that makes money. You need to make your decisions based on what is best for your shop--and your family.

 

[Rock]

As the owner of Mr. King's shop, I must emphatically state that Mr. King had no right to post this announcement, nor does he know all of the facts for the withdrawal from FTD. Last week, I discussed this matter with him in the event that someone asked a question about this issue. This announcement is a management decision - and the timing of the announcement should not be decided by an employee.

Now that the cat is out of the bag...I will disclose the reason for the voluntary withdrawal from FTD:
A disturbing FTD business trend has surfaced over the last several years, causing my company to reevaluate its continued business relationship with FTD.

While the FTD co-op was sold in the 1990’s, in the several years that followed the sale, FTD continued to promote retail florists and encouraged consumers to purchase flowers and gifts from their local florists. Those promotions have disappeared in the past several years and even the latest advertising budget for the retail florist segment of FTD was reduced 10% in the ’06-’07 financial year. Furthermore, the numerous industry promotions, trade shows and design schools are virtually non-existent. Now, it is quite obvious that FTD is competing directly against the local florists – the very businesses that are responsible for the success of FTD for almost 100 years! One needs to look no further than the local Yellow Pages or www.yellowpages.com to confirm this fact. Furthermore, FTD’s 2006 and 2007 Form 10-K Annual Reports state:

June 2006 and June 2007 Reports: “The consumer markets for flowers and specialty gifts are highly competitive and fragmented, and the products the Company offers can be purchased from numerous sources. In the Company’s consumer and international segments, the Company competes with traditional florists and gift retailers, as consumers choose whether to give their business to a traditional florist, specialty gift retailer or a direct marketer.” (Emphasis added)


June 2006 Report: “The Company plans to continue to direct consumers to the Company’s www.ftd.com Web site for their floral and specialty gift purchasing needs, as processing orders over the Internet is a profitable order generating vehicle for the Company and an efficient and convenient ordering method for the consumer.” (Emphasis added)

and:​

June 2007 Report: “The Company plans to continue to direct consumers to the Company’s www.ftd.com and www.interflora.co.uk Web sites for their floral and specialty gift purchasing needs, as processing orders over the Internet is a profitable order generating vehicle for the Company and an efficient and convenient ordering method for the consumer.” (Emphasis added)

Finally, both the 2006 and 2007 reports state:​

“Market competition among the Company’s existing and potential competitors could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.” (Emphasis added)

In simple terms, FTD is convinced that the local florist is a competitor and has also admitted that the company’s competitors could have an adverse effect on the company’s financial performance. Therefore, to satisfy investors, increase growth and improve the company’s bottom line, it is imperative that FTD do whatever is necessary to conquer their competition. It has been said “a rising tide lifts all ships” but not in this case – one of the ships is trying to sink the smaller ships.

This is a very disturbing trend as it appears that FTD has taken an adversarial role against my florist. While my 54-year old family business has supported FTD for almost 30 years, FTD’s obvious attempt to take away my retail customer has placed our relationship with FTD at a crossroad. Do I (1) continue to support FTD with the constant flow of monthly fees, only to have FTD take the profits and suck away the very lifeblood of my business or (2) take my business elsewhere and invest the FTD dollars into promoting my local business? I have questioned my local FTD representative about this issue and other members of my family have attempted to discuss this matter with other FTD personnel, only to be “pooh-poohed” by the FTD staff. The bottom line...Why should I support an organization that is one of my largest competitors?

It does not take a rocket scientist to arrive at the answer.

Let me firmly stress that the purpose of this message is not to encourage anyone to withdraw their membership from any specific wire service. Instead, with the changes in the wire services, I think that it is imperative that the traditional florists start a dialog about our rapidly changing industry. Hopefully, this message can serve as a catalyst for that dialog.

Rex D. Rish
President
Rish Florist
West Columbia, SC

Congratulations Rex! We came to the same conclusions and quit FTD June 2005 for those reasons and the fact that 58% net on incoming was inadequate; haven't looked back since.
Incidently, I had a call from "Richard ???" at FTD only this morning offering me FREE membership til Feb, 60.00 per month til May then 99.00 a month after that. I wonder if the order we refused Friday had anything to do with that (sender called after). Or could it be one of the other refused orders (every few weeks).
Rock on.....................

 

[Joe Mioux]

to the owner of this shop.

Nothing you stated in your commentary comes as news here in a predominately flower shop owner forum.

Employees do need to know their place and it appears you smacked down Rick King, AIFD.. pretty good today.

keep it private.

joe

 

[TOTO]

If it were only that EASY Ted........

With enough wire outs, the 20% plus rebates will outweigh the wire service fees. You will be in that rare category of a florist that makes money. You need to make your decisions based on what is best for your shop--and your family.

There once was a time (pre 1984 skimmer) when that simple formula could justify all of the WS's DUES, FEES, and other ancillary optional add ons and hidden charges to include QUALITY ASSURANCE and UNEQUAL SENDING fines.

The 20% sending commision is MINE 'cause I earned it 'cause it be my customer, my hard work, and my advertising which helped ME capture their sale, as is my $ERVICE CHARGES and I no longer have any intention of using MY MONEY to OFFSET THEIR MONTHLY CHARGES.

As to the REBATES, well that's just another way for the SKIMMERS to try and BUY everyone's outgoing orders, albeit at the expense of DA FILLER FLORISTS who get CHUMP CHANGE on the WS WAMPUM NET DOLLARS when all their smoke clears.

Lastly, but most important to MEE, is in the fact that, I have no intention of sending any of them any of my money so that, they can then use it AGAINST ME in their efforts to try and steal my own customers out from under me via their DOT.CONS.

Call mee STUPID, but surely NOT AS STUPID as they count on MEE TO BEE for their future success rather than mine!