Instead of complaining. Why can't we beat the wire services with our own C0-Op. If we had all the florist that belonged to TF-FTD-FSI and treated them with care. I know the original idea was right by FTD to privide a service that was membership owned not owned by the people that are taking our money today. i know that sometimes it is easy to just stay in the same old routine but, I think we could change that.. All i think about is $$$$$$$$$$$$$$. All florists need each other if we are a dieing breed!!! Why kill the rest of the florist.
Co-op Flowers By Wire
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I wish it were that easy, because I agree with you 1000000%. Sorry to be the wet blanket. 
Why won't this happen? I'll tell you. Less than 1% of all florists read this forum. Most of the people here are locked into their WS because they have invested too much money and time in the POS/technology/Website, etc.... AND most florists don't understand. Understand what you might ask? I don't have time to explain this in full, but I think you get the gist.
Assume there is florist A and florist B in FloristTown and they both have FTD. Florist A gets rid of FTD, do you think that hurts FTD? No, they now send their orders to Florist B and now your competition has just taken a share of your market. The above, is just in general or how most florists feel. You might think, but why can’t florist A and florist B agree to get rid of FTD together. If you believe florists can agree on one thing, I have a bridge to sell you.
Wire Services are a necessary vice for a lot of florists to stay alive, but whose interests are about the bottom line, as should yours. Business is business and capitalism is kill or be killed game. Florists find out real quick if they are in business to be a florist or someone who thinks it would be fun.
Why won't this happen? I'll tell you. Less than 1% of all florists read this forum. Most of the people here are locked into their WS because they have invested too much money and time in the POS/technology/Website, etc.... AND most florists don't understand. Understand what you might ask? I don't have time to explain this in full, but I think you get the gist.
Assume there is florist A and florist B in FloristTown and they both have FTD. Florist A gets rid of FTD, do you think that hurts FTD? No, they now send their orders to Florist B and now your competition has just taken a share of your market. The above, is just in general or how most florists feel. You might think, but why can’t florist A and florist B agree to get rid of FTD together. If you believe florists can agree on one thing, I have a bridge to sell you.
Wire Services are a necessary vice for a lot of florists to stay alive, but whose interests are about the bottom line, as should yours. Business is business and capitalism is kill or be killed game. Florists find out real quick if they are in business to be a florist or someone who thinks it would be fun.
BOSS
FlowerChat Administrator
True to a point...but there are alternatives and cost effective ones at that...Dazeal said:
Some of us use independant technology and independant websites and work outside of the "wire-services" every day...we do not need them to transfer orders...we do not need them for web sites...while we may still be members, it has little to do with the two items mentioned above...
Our network is growing, slowly yes, but growing non-the-less...and in time it will grow to a point to be reckoned with...
BOSS said:True to a point...but there are alternatives and cost effective ones at that...
Some of us use independant technology and independant websites and work outside of the "wire-services" every day...we do not need them to transfer orders...we do not need them for web sites...while we may still be members, it has little to do with the two items mentioned above...
Our network is growing, slowly yes, but growing non-the-less...and in time it will grow to a point to be reckoned with...
We were suckered in to the techno and web by TF and with that we have recently changed our Web to media99 and are very pleased. We are working on the techno. All services have fees. But as you know some of the smaller florist can not make it without a wire service and be able to offer a wire service. Some do not want to change either, so for those florist not willing to change with the times i guess they will be left behind. Thanks for your replie to my post first post of flower chat. Great site and informative.
Mikey the Flower Guy
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I'm GUILTY.....
of ALL the things you said!!
We have not ever used WS "sponsored" technology for order processing, and POS, BUT, am/are MORE than guilty about making the transition to wire service free, and NOT everything has to do with the transfer of orders!!
THE best CHOICES, are those florists that have been stung hard & fast by the existing wire services, and I/WE for one, still get a bang for our buck with FTD, though the "margin" of perishability is narrowing!!
Many florist owners on this board have made the jump to wire service free, and though they report a great happiness, and calming in doing so, have HAD to have in place a way to either TRANSFER orders, or forget about it completely!!
We continue to do a 10-12% balance of business in wire transfer, and the magic number is still showing us a profit, though it diminshes each time a WS boosts it's "cost per order" ( my way of determing a reason for retaining membership), and is dangerously close to "not worthwhile belonging"!!
Soon, I'm sure, I'll ALSO be making the jump, to new techno, that eliminates the WS from our expense sheet, once it becomes a negative on our spreadsheet!!
No use trying a co-op...too much indifference shown by too many florists/owners
of ALL the things you said!!
We have not ever used WS "sponsored" technology for order processing, and POS, BUT, am/are MORE than guilty about making the transition to wire service free, and NOT everything has to do with the transfer of orders!!
THE best CHOICES, are those florists that have been stung hard & fast by the existing wire services, and I/WE for one, still get a bang for our buck with FTD, though the "margin" of perishability is narrowing!!
Many florist owners on this board have made the jump to wire service free, and though they report a great happiness, and calming in doing so, have HAD to have in place a way to either TRANSFER orders, or forget about it completely!!
We continue to do a 10-12% balance of business in wire transfer, and the magic number is still showing us a profit, though it diminshes each time a WS boosts it's "cost per order" ( my way of determing a reason for retaining membership), and is dangerously close to "not worthwhile belonging"!!
Soon, I'm sure, I'll ALSO be making the jump, to new techno, that eliminates the WS from our expense sheet, once it becomes a negative on our spreadsheet!!
No use trying a co-op...too much indifference shown by too many florists/owners
Something to remember.
Just one thing to remember about florist A(wire free) and florist B(WS), is florist A's outgoing business will increase with promotion, 100% outs with a fee. Florist B's outgoing decreases in a small community. The ratio of incoming to outgoing for florist B becomes unmanagable. Florist A can manage their own specials, and what flowers to buy. Florist B is still stuck with someone else running their business, for the incoming side.
This will become a death, maybe a slow death, but never the less, death.
Thats just one thing that happens, there are many more advantages not to be tied to any system, or co-op.
I agree Branden, no one could agree on anything. As long as the greed for the 80-20-rebates are in the equation. When you think about how simple it was for the founding fathers to set up the first WS years ago, to the complicated web of mess today trying to satisfy everyone. I'll stay simple for now.
Dazeal said:I wish it were that easy, because I agree with you 1000000%. Sorry to be the wet blanket.
Why won't this happen? I'll tell you. Less than 1% of all florists read this forum. Most of the people here are locked into their WS because they have invested too much money and time in the POS/technology/Website, etc.... AND most florists don't understand. Understand what you might ask? I don't have time to explain this in full, but I think you get the gist.
Assume there is florist A and florist B in FloristTown and they both have FTD. Florist A gets rid of FTD, do you think that hurts FTD? No, they now send their orders to Florist B and now your competition has just taken a share of your market. The above, is just in general or how most florists feel. You might think, but why can’t florist A and florist B agree to get rid of FTD together. If you believe florists can agree on one thing, I have a bridge to sell you.
Wire Services are a necessary vice for a lot of florists to stay alive, but whose interests are about the bottom line, as should yours. Business is business and capitalism is kill or be killed game. Florists find out real quick if they are in business to be a florist or someone who thinks it would be fun.
Just one thing to remember about florist A(wire free) and florist B(WS), is florist A's outgoing business will increase with promotion, 100% outs with a fee. Florist B's outgoing decreases in a small community. The ratio of incoming to outgoing for florist B becomes unmanagable. Florist A can manage their own specials, and what flowers to buy. Florist B is still stuck with someone else running their business, for the incoming side.
This will become a death, maybe a slow death, but never the less, death.
Thats just one thing that happens, there are many more advantages not to be tied to any system, or co-op.
I agree Branden, no one could agree on anything. As long as the greed for the 80-20-rebates are in the equation. When you think about how simple it was for the founding fathers to set up the first WS years ago, to the complicated web of mess today trying to satisfy everyone. I'll stay simple for now.
Rhonda
Well-Known Member
although I didn't vote
I'll express myself here.
My accountant has loved that I have shown a negative number in the wire service accountings every year. Hmmm........
Teleflora free this year...thinking very much toward complete ws free in the new year (if I stay in this business).
Used to be...remembering the good days of FTD....we were rewarded? or at least recognized for being a quality, longevity member of FTD. Now it is being berated by MY representative to the "company" that I must toe the mark or give it up.
I'm not sure I would support any co-op. It can be done plainly by credit card, each shop/florist charging their own service charge $8.99-12.99 depending on who shows up first in internet listings...
Such as is the real world. I'll continue to give MY customers, phone numbers (even 800#'s) so they can speak with a REAL Florist to place their order.
I'll express myself here.
My accountant has loved that I have shown a negative number in the wire service accountings every year. Hmmm........
Teleflora free this year...thinking very much toward complete ws free in the new year (if I stay in this business).
Used to be...remembering the good days of FTD....we were rewarded? or at least recognized for being a quality, longevity member of FTD. Now it is being berated by MY representative to the "company" that I must toe the mark or give it up.
I'm not sure I would support any co-op. It can be done plainly by credit card, each shop/florist charging their own service charge $8.99-12.99 depending on who shows up first in internet listings...
Such as is the real world. I'll continue to give MY customers, phone numbers (even 800#'s) so they can speak with a REAL Florist to place their order.
BOSS
FlowerChat Administrator
Not necessarily...as in my case, the wires have little to no affect on my operation. Yes, I still fill for Real Florists, but not one "company order" since Feb 12th of this year, and have been pleased with both the decreased work load, as well as the increase in NET.Jerry said:
And having bought no container specials, I too manage my own "specials" in house while sending generic out of town.
No one other than me is running the show, even on the incoming side as I screen EVERY order that does find it's way to my PCs.
NPFloral
New Member
Florida shops are big incomming shops. As I have said before, if you get great prices on your perishables, the margin's not that bad if you do volume. And, you northerners sure do send us Florida shops the orders because everyone's mother lives here! (To the tune of 10K moving here per year) However I have NONE of the WS technologies (except Dove) MY cc's are processed by the bank, I don't have a POS, and my website is independent, created and maintained by little old Moi. So.. I think (for us in FL) the WS are a necessary evil. You just have to watch your COG's
Tim - North Port Floral
Tim - North Port Floral
Mikey the Flower Guy
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you're NOT alone Tim.....
my little Town of DUNDAS likely boasts the heaviest concentration of seniors, retirement, and old age homes per capita than almost anywhere else, and hardly a day goes by when there are NOT incoming for one of our seniors.
We get incoming from some of the darndest places on this earth...even I didn't grasp how far away many Dundasians have moved!!
I've gone to great lengths to refine our purchasing skillset, and keep our COG's in check!!
my little Town of DUNDAS likely boasts the heaviest concentration of seniors, retirement, and old age homes per capita than almost anywhere else, and hardly a day goes by when there are NOT incoming for one of our seniors.
We get incoming from some of the darndest places on this earth...even I didn't grasp how far away many Dundasians have moved!!
I've gone to great lengths to refine our purchasing skillset, and keep our COG's in check!!
12BucksFor2Dozon
New Member
I don't see why, in this day and age, a simple alternative to the TFTD couldn't be created, refined, and implemented, using perhaps PayPal as the exchange medium, with a auction-type system (if time allows) and 100% to the filler and a sending fee for the seller.
What would be the big deal to get something like this started?
What would be the big deal to get something like this started?
Mikey the Flower Guy
It's a GREAT DAY to live, and love!
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MAS Direct
Lets talk more about MAS Direct after Christmas... Would like to know how many would really switch and be WS free or have the choice of not having to use WS for transfering order ? Either use it or not... We now have CC alternatives that match and in some cases is better than the "0" ws offers. They dont belong to MAS just will recommend them... There still is no reason in my mind why you need more than 1 WS... For those that don't know what MAS Direct is.. Its more than just a transmission network.. You have 100% live accountabilty of your order while at other shop, so you can give your customer 150% service. Just by typing one simple key !!!! Again, Happy Holidays Go make money lets talk after Christmas...
Hal
Lets talk more about MAS Direct after Christmas... Would like to know how many would really switch and be WS free or have the choice of not having to use WS for transfering order ? Either use it or not... We now have CC alternatives that match and in some cases is better than the "0" ws offers. They dont belong to MAS just will recommend them... There still is no reason in my mind why you need more than 1 WS... For those that don't know what MAS Direct is.. Its more than just a transmission network.. You have 100% live accountabilty of your order while at other shop, so you can give your customer 150% service. Just by typing one simple key !!!! Again, Happy Holidays Go make money lets talk after Christmas...
Hal
BOSS
FlowerChat Administrator
Mark, it's already here!!!12BucksFor2Dozon said:
Like Hal said...after Christmas...17 days my friend...17 days!
Now go MAKE MONEY!
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