Paul,
What you just said is what many, many professional florists are thinking. Many of the rewards in this industry are being directed to operations (can't call them florists even though some are) that sell 'By Any Means Necessary.'
Over-promised?... keyword loaded?... deceptive? (as to actual business location and name, 'free' delivery, etc...) ... then you can get a $6 USD or more rebate!
The funny thing is, most of these companies don't buy containers, don't advertise in the co-ops or directory, don't use many of the other services offered by clearing houses...
If you opened a second shop, you'd have to pay an additional membership fee to the wire services. If you have 20 URL's (unique-named web sites) selling flowers, you'd still only pay your regular fee (for 1 shop.) Does this seem fair?
Mass marketers now sell 1/2 of all cut flowers in the U.S.. (which is not the wire service's fault.) OG's (I like to call the Order Brokers) sell a large chunk, too. No wonder many of us feel as you do, Paul, that we are working harder for less and aren't getting the kind of help we need from the companies that have traditionally been helpful to our businesses.
Let me add that I am not without hope that the current reward system will change. The path we're currently on leads to lots of senders and few fillers. There will be more and more 'Luc's' out there that can control distribution in their market areas.
Let's hope changes come sooner than later.
What you just said is what many, many professional florists are thinking. Many of the rewards in this industry are being directed to operations (can't call them florists even though some are) that sell 'By Any Means Necessary.'
Over-promised?... keyword loaded?... deceptive? (as to actual business location and name, 'free' delivery, etc...) ... then you can get a $6 USD or more rebate!
The funny thing is, most of these companies don't buy containers, don't advertise in the co-ops or directory, don't use many of the other services offered by clearing houses...
If you opened a second shop, you'd have to pay an additional membership fee to the wire services. If you have 20 URL's (unique-named web sites) selling flowers, you'd still only pay your regular fee (for 1 shop.) Does this seem fair?
Mass marketers now sell 1/2 of all cut flowers in the U.S.. (which is not the wire service's fault.) OG's (I like to call the Order Brokers) sell a large chunk, too. No wonder many of us feel as you do, Paul, that we are working harder for less and aren't getting the kind of help we need from the companies that have traditionally been helpful to our businesses.
Let me add that I am not without hope that the current reward system will change. The path we're currently on leads to lots of senders and few fillers. There will be more and more 'Luc's' out there that can control distribution in their market areas.
Let's hope changes come sooner than later.
