Can Someone Reinvent the Bud Vase

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No I don't think you are a dick, I think you think like a business man. nothing wrong with that at all.

I think it's a GREAT idea to have people price out anything they see on flowerchat, that way they'll know what the prices are all over the country.

For example RC prices are going to be WAY under mine.
That's why I say it doesn't matter!

There's only one person I would say in FC that may have a few dicky qualities, but hero I don't think it's you. :)
 
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Here are a few of my decorated bud vases. Ignore the flowers, I just plopped them in for illustration. We did these a few weeks ago not sure why the images aren't rotated but, you get the idea :) I sell them like this both with and without flowers as art pieces.
 

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Here are two more. Took me about thirty seconds to make. Just spray on, wipe off. Gives an "antiqued" look and you can do it with one color, or layer.
 

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felicityflowers said:
Here are a few of my decorated bud vases. Ignore the flowers, I just plopped them in for illustration. We did these a few weeks ago not sure why the images aren't rotated but, you get the idea :) I sell them like this both with and without flowers as art pieces.
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Your vases are gravitationally challenged.

joe
 
I think it's valuable to look at cost of these bud vases. And it got me thinking about options at the $35 price point.

Thinking as a flower consumer (which is what I am these days), I like the option of an upscale $35 bud vase. Given the choice of one of Shannon's bud vases, vs. the ugly TF Fragrance Vase, for example, I would opt for the upscale bud vase every time!

What I like about them is that they're NOT AVAILABLE at the grocery store. I mean, you can go there for a plain Jane 3-rose or 3-carn bud vase. Bleeeccchhhh! Where else but at a REAL florist shop can you find protea, amaranth, peonies? You gotta go to the florist to get awesome things like that!

And if it's for a desk at work, like lots of orders are, a bud vase with awesome flowers, not the usual ho-hum, is what I'd want.
 
Bear in mind that each shop is different. I am in a town of 1500 with 18,000 being in the county & you have to go 30 miles in any direction to get to another town. I am also in one of the 3 poorest counties in Missouri. I have the best location in town with a lot of walk in traffic.
We keep at least 10 bud vases in the cooler at all times & sell several a day. Most are cash & carry. The most popular lately have been with a stem of stargazers & bear grass. The look sells it. We don't make typical bud vase bows anymore. Invested in a lot of fancy #9 ribbon. we make a loop with the two tails. We have people remark all the time about the fancy ribbon. It sets us apart from our competitor.
Alstromeria has started to replace carnations in bv. I have a friend who can't remember the name but she calls I says, I want one of those things that lasts a long time. My employees know she means alstro.
This week we have red,white & blue carn with sparkly do dads.
If you are in a more affluent area do lilies, mixed, use your imagination. just because you don't like them don't write them off. Keep several different ones in the cooler, if in a few months you find they don't sell, drop them. I know I am bad about thinking because I don't like something my customers won't. Some of the things we sell the most of I think are tacky, but they pay the bills. I have been in business for 33 years & consider myself a success. Had some lean years when I was learning hard, expensive lessons--boy did I do some doozies--but for the last 20 or so have made a profit percentage I am proud of. Always striving for more.
 
Yeah,
This is my favorite thread ever!

You guys are so sweet!! hugs and kisses to you all, even Hero and Bloomz!!!!
 
I guess I don't know about the "get into it post by studioflora" and Robin is my friend so I know she would not mean anything mean behind it.

I just want to say this:
I think my replies may come across as though I have my hand on my hip, snapping my fingers and saying "oh no you didnt" But really it's not that way. I actually think it's good for questions to be asked.. How else do we learn?? Bloomz loves to mess with me, and really I would say Bloomz and I are friends too. He likes to "challenge" me much the way Joe does. (secretly I love it) Just gives me another opportunity to say"yep, I do know what I'm doing"

So those of you who stuck up for me or liked my bud vases, thanks!
And those of you who challenge me, thank you too, seriously. It really helps me to be a better communicator when I have to spell everything out. And I'm not being sarcastic, I'm truly sincere. I sometimes do get into that "well because I said so" mode and it does even help me to stop and think why I do things the way I do. It's good to know there is a method behind my madness!!
 
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I think this is a fabulous thread. It's stimulating both the creative and the business juices.

We're heading into the summer doldrums. Our shop still gets foot traffic, but I've noticed a number of customers who walk in, look in the cooler and leave again. Yes, we engage them but they beat a hasty retreat. That, combined with this thread, makes me think that we need to offer less expensive arrangements, and we need to keep our edge by offering better and more creative things than the supermarket next door. Voilà -- the re-invented bud vase!

I printed the thread and discussed it with the other designers. First reaction -- blech! bud vases. Second reaction -- ooh, well maybe ... hey, I think I have an idea! Third reaction -- who forgot to order the bud vases!

So, as soon as the vases come in, we're going to put on our creative hats, with enthusiasm, and get some into the cooler. Three criteria: Must have wow factor, must be fast to produce, and must sell for $40 or less. Hopefully, the enthusiasm will be communicated to the customers, and the boss will see some decent sales.

:thumbsup for the thread!
 
shannonlovesflowers said:
I guess I don't know about the "get into it post by studioflora" and Robin is my friend so I know she would not mean anything mean behind it.
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You're right, & I think you rock. :headbang:

Note to self: Don't delete posts because the moderators will bring it up in the thread and make everyone wonder.

My exact post was
"there's something missing shannon!" (meaning labor) - then it turns out you put it in the flowers, which is interesting.
 
Was out of this thread ... but they keep pulling me back in !

studioflora said:
You're right, & I think you rock. :headbang:

Note to self: Don't delete posts because the moderators will bring it up in the thread and make everyone wonder.

My exact post was
"there's something missing shannon!" (meaning labor) - then it turns out you put it in the flowers, which is interesting.
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Godfather reference.

I was just saying. Good banter leads to thought and I thought your post might drive thought.

I also include labor in my flower cost. Mine works as well as Shannon's, however do let me say, it isn't perfect. It is rounding at its finest, with hopefully overage so you are covered more than the math. However, it isn't right, its easy. That why we do it. For the time savings.

Now I will have to say all specials & holiday items are priced out to menu. However I give my designers " liscence " to design for that is what they do best for everyday. Keeps it fresh.

As for the studio flora, why not question it. Me and bloomz go WAAYY back, had some good knock down drag outs. But we could always call each other and put it behind us. He calls me up and say " Hey dick " and I say " He douchebag " and its over. I know he's a liberal idiot and I'm a Neocon. Now that we have that settled were good.

Try it, you may like it.

*** Also I don't have spell check on this computer, so get over the spellings. ***
 
HERO said:
Godfather reference.

I was just saying. Good banter leads to thought and I thought your post might drive thought.

I also include labor in my flower cost. Mine works as well as Shannon's, however do let me say, it isn't perfect. It is rounding at its finest, with hopefully overage so you are covered more than the math. However, it isn't right, its easy. That why we do it. For the time savings.

Now I will have to say all specials & holiday items are priced out to menu. However I give my designers " liscence " to design for that is what they do best for everyday. Keeps it fresh.

As for the studio flora, why not question it. Me and bloomz go WAAYY back, had some good knock down drag outs. But we could always call each other and put it behind us. He calls me up and say " Hey dick " and I say " He douchebag " and its over. I know he's a liberal idiot and I'm a Neocon. Now that we have that settled were good.

Try it, you may like it.

*** Also I don't have spell check on this computer, so get over the spellings. ***
Click to expand...

No it's all good, I had to bite back but I am not holding grudges. :thumbsup I am all for banter and friendly disagreement, etc.
 
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