My shop is very small. I can't handle 12 of ea. condified product. Valentines Day was less than expected and now I'm stuck with vases. Has anyone ever sent vases back to TF? If so, how were you recieved when you asked for a return? The same thing happened at Christmas. I'm about ready to throw the towel in on wire services. My town is small. I'm the 2nd largest florist here. I am the only one who has the TF POS and TF also processes my credit cards. I recieved several eflorist orders for VDay. I had no wire outs and one wire in. Don't know what to do. Any suggestions?
codified TF hardgoods
- Thread starter yellowroses
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Rhonda
Well-Known Member
small town here also. When they would call to sell the vases, we would tell them we didn't want so many. At times they would break the case number. Considering they sold in 24's or 48's and came in 2 or 4 seperate cartons of 12, seemed they could sell them by 12's....and they would from time to time.
We just stopped buying them and getting some from friends who had some to sell to us by the 4's or 6's.
We have split with another florist in another town that doesn't compete in our area also.
To buy in 24's and 48's is a waste for a small town. You'll be trying to get rid of them for years....
We just stopped buying them and getting some from friends who had some to sell to us by the 4's or 6's.
We have split with another florist in another town that doesn't compete in our area also.
To buy in 24's and 48's is a waste for a small town. You'll be trying to get rid of them for years....
Flowerchatter03
Co-Owner and Floral Composer
As a business decision, I have stopped purchasing wire service containers unless
1. I know I'll have customers asking for them (like TK Christmas)
2. I really, really like it, it is a good price, AND if I don't sell it for that holiday, I can use it for another.
I do purchase some from 800flowers. Great prices on the clearance items.
I have never tried to send them back but I'd do whatever I could to get rid of them. In reality, they are not worth the money once you add in the shipping charges which TF will never tell you what they are. At least on the 800 flower containers, it will tell you exactly what they are prior to purchasing and the quanity is much lower.
1. I know I'll have customers asking for them (like TK Christmas)
2. I really, really like it, it is a good price, AND if I don't sell it for that holiday, I can use it for another.
I do purchase some from 800flowers. Great prices on the clearance items.
I have never tried to send them back but I'd do whatever I could to get rid of them. In reality, they are not worth the money once you add in the shipping charges which TF will never tell you what they are. At least on the 800 flower containers, it will tell you exactly what they are prior to purchasing and the quanity is much lower.
I only ordered 12's. Still can't sell them when you don't get in orders. We used what we could for general orders.
For a complete box, I think you can send it back but you have to pay re-stocking fee. Haven't done it before, but inquired about it. We've learned our lesson and now avoid buying codified containers unless, it can be used for everyday arrangements.
Chezbloom
Well-Known Member
Make your own unique designs in those containers and move em out da door!
TOTO
New Member
Time to say GOOD NIGHT GRACEY!
When you can't sell em, STOP BUYING EM!
As far as I can remember, you would have to pay the freight to ship em back and deal with their 20% re-stocking charge. Doesn't pay, so just try to use em up where ever and when ever you can.
Then, make a decision on whether or not, you can afford a WS anymore.
Your problem is in the fact that, you have a WS POS system.
Like having a ball and chain on your ankle, which is what all of them like to do to their members.
Is it PAID FOR, or are you still stuck with a long contract?
Moving the credit cards out from under them isn't a problem and you can join IFA for only $20 per month to send out your orders.
However, let the numbers help you make the right decision for your own shop, and if they are not contributing to your bottom line profitability, you simply can't afford their losses anymore.
When you can't sell em, STOP BUYING EM!
As far as I can remember, you would have to pay the freight to ship em back and deal with their 20% re-stocking charge. Doesn't pay, so just try to use em up where ever and when ever you can.
Then, make a decision on whether or not, you can afford a WS anymore.
Your problem is in the fact that, you have a WS POS system.
Like having a ball and chain on your ankle, which is what all of them like to do to their members.
Is it PAID FOR, or are you still stuck with a long contract?
Moving the credit cards out from under them isn't a problem and you can join IFA for only $20 per month to send out your orders.
However, let the numbers help you make the right decision for your own shop, and if they are not contributing to your bottom line profitability, you simply can't afford their losses anymore.
Johan
New Member
- Oct 20, 2008
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- West Yorkshire
Can't you substitute like you can in the UK. I am a member of TF and I tell them I will have to substitute container. If they don't like it tuff. I'm in business for myself not a relay company. I buy what I want/like and normally have something similar in the shop. I'm like you small shop not much storage and not loads of eflorist sales. Why waste your hard earned cash on cr@p.
No, it's not paid for. I fell for the "you'll be prefered in your city because blah, blah, blah. I'm not a dumb person. I thought about it for a long time and jumped on board when there were alot of freebies. It's just been the last 2 Holidays that have really s#**ed. People just aren't spending money. We'll see what happens with Mother's Day. Easter is never a good wire Holiday. Marginal to say the least. I know for sure that I won't codify for anything anymore, cause it sure couldn't get any worse. Thanks for the advise.
LOTAKIDS
Well-Known Member
I feel for you as we have cleared containers from two years ago, valentines just this valentine day. Did not codify....Yeah Me!!! I have learned the hard way.
I will only codify for Kincades at Christmas as they are the only thing that sells out period!!! No waste.
I think it is ridiculous that they can't sell them in packs of 12 for us smaller shops. Their restocking fee is 40%, quite high and the cost of shipping. Most companys restocking fee is 20%.
I hate wire service containers.... it seams you never get orders for them and customers would prefer to send on flowers and use lesser expensive vases.
I will only codify for Kincades at Christmas as they are the only thing that sells out period!!! No waste.
I think it is ridiculous that they can't sell them in packs of 12 for us smaller shops. Their restocking fee is 40%, quite high and the cost of shipping. Most companys restocking fee is 20%.
I hate wire service containers.... it seams you never get orders for them and customers would prefer to send on flowers and use lesser expensive vases.
A very common theme one sees in buying failed flower shop inventories - is cases of unopened TFTD holiday product.
TOTO
New Member
So, what's your thoughts on that JB?
Think maybe those shops got caught up in the WS CHACHKA FEVER only to find out that, there is no market for small overpriced non profitable KEEPSAKES anymore?
After which, the WS who sold it to them, couldn't even sell it themselves at their DOT.CON sites.
Adding insult to injury, those failed flower shops with unopened TFTD branded and holiday branded containers, gave it another last ditch effort to try and create more business after their WS partners told them that, if they bought the stuff, they would the PREFERRED FLORIST in that market on that holiday!
I can only say this because, EYE TOO got caught up in the frenzy (pre 2004) only to set em up, fill em up, put em out, and watch as their stuff no longer sold at our shop or through their DOT.CONS. A time which has come and gone, much like Franklin Mint.
In fact, it took me over 10 years to finally use most of it up as we would drag it up from the basement, year after year, and force ourselves to move it out the door.
One case I still have in our basement which has no hope. It's the White Seal on a White plastic base, circa 1998, I think.
A florist friend of mine tried to market it on Valentine's Day, 1999 by renaming it, SEALED with A KISS! It was still a TURKEY!
In fact, I'm gonna chuck it in the dumpster tomorrow, as it is nothing more than a bad memory of bad chachka.
lol
Think maybe those shops got caught up in the WS CHACHKA FEVER only to find out that, there is no market for small overpriced non profitable KEEPSAKES anymore?
After which, the WS who sold it to them, couldn't even sell it themselves at their DOT.CON sites.
Adding insult to injury, those failed flower shops with unopened TFTD branded and holiday branded containers, gave it another last ditch effort to try and create more business after their WS partners told them that, if they bought the stuff, they would the PREFERRED FLORIST in that market on that holiday!
I can only say this because, EYE TOO got caught up in the frenzy (pre 2004) only to set em up, fill em up, put em out, and watch as their stuff no longer sold at our shop or through their DOT.CONS. A time which has come and gone, much like Franklin Mint.
In fact, it took me over 10 years to finally use most of it up as we would drag it up from the basement, year after year, and force ourselves to move it out the door.
One case I still have in our basement which has no hope. It's the White Seal on a White plastic base, circa 1998, I think.
A florist friend of mine tried to market it on Valentine's Day, 1999 by renaming it, SEALED with A KISS! It was still a TURKEY!
In fact, I'm gonna chuck it in the dumpster tomorrow, as it is nothing more than a bad memory of bad chachka.
lol
I think you should have followed the red highlighted area with "on stupid crap"...
I TRULY believe that the modern American flower consumer couldn't give a poo about stupid containers made for/by wire services. or at least VERY few of them... and they are a dying breed.
It's not like the olden days anymore.
does anyone remember a container from about 1995 for secretaries day (when they were still called secretaries) that horrible pink plastic container that had the pink post it notes with it? If you sent that out now... oh man the complaints would fly!!!
I have seen a trend all over where people just don't want cutesy anymore, and they don't see the value in a keepsake vase.
Bloomz is gonna love this-----> They'd rather have the Flowers...
So my suggestion is this, stop buying those silly containers.
the thing about those arrangements in those containers is the arrangement isn't bad, but the everyday consumer doesn't get why a TF vase is so much more than a syndicate or a brody vase... (yes I know they are one and the same now).
NO NO NO!!! send it to Good Will or Salvation army. One mans trash is another mans treasure.
and you get the tax deduction!
Joe Mioux
Well-Known Member
The days of WS holiday-branded specific containers is fast coming to an end.
The only item a buy in mass is the TF's Kincaid cottage. We have regular customers - collectors.
The only time I buy holiday product is when I can use it up in everyday work.
Example, TF's Easter Tulip vase.
For mother's day, I will only buy the main item - maybe the second item but that is it.
For all other holidays, I don't buy unless I can sell them through the season, i.e. fall, winter, spring and summer.
also, split cases with neighboring shops.
Vday vases, no
Easter no
Thanksgiving, no
Mothers Day yes, one item, maybe two
Christmas yes, one item
Bosses day, no
Fathers day, no
Secretary Day, sometimes, if i can sell the remainder in a timely manner.
joe
The only item a buy in mass is the TF's Kincaid cottage. We have regular customers - collectors.
The only time I buy holiday product is when I can use it up in everyday work.
Example, TF's Easter Tulip vase.
For mother's day, I will only buy the main item - maybe the second item but that is it.
For all other holidays, I don't buy unless I can sell them through the season, i.e. fall, winter, spring and summer.
also, split cases with neighboring shops.
Vday vases, no
Easter no
Thanksgiving, no
Mothers Day yes, one item, maybe two
Christmas yes, one item
Bosses day, no
Fathers day, no
Secretary Day, sometimes, if i can sell the remainder in a timely manner.
joe
Had a shop around here that went out of business and they had and auction some gal was buying up the TFTD containers thinking she could sell them on Ebay. Often wonder how that went? Other florists who were there were laughing under and talking to each othersaying they won't sell.
WS Closeouts
A very large independent grocer headquartered in our city invited me to attend a "Close Out" show as he has seen dated WS containers there at rediculous prices.
That tells you something.
We do not stock them, explaining to the customer that the containers are expensive and most of our customers want the value of the order in flowers, not in a container that ultimately sits on a shelf waiting for the next garage sale.
We do not stock WS containers, nor do any other florists in town.
A very large independent grocer headquartered in our city invited me to attend a "Close Out" show as he has seen dated WS containers there at rediculous prices.
That tells you something.
We do not stock them, explaining to the customer that the containers are expensive and most of our customers want the value of the order in flowers, not in a container that ultimately sits on a shelf waiting for the next garage sale.
We do not stock WS containers, nor do any other florists in town.
We are not big city or small town and we can't use all of the minimums TF would like us to order. Solved the problem by co-op buying with 6-8 other florists in city and towns near us. A pain getting everyone's orders and codifying everyone but it works well. We know who may have extra if one of us run out. Doing this we can get quantity discounts on popular items and only have to get 2 or 3 of less popular ones. A few of us discuss which items we want or don't want. Mother's Day 2009 we have decided we don't like any of the containers and felt they were way overpriced (especially in our Canadian dollars) so for the first time in my memory, none of us will be carrying TF Mother's Day containers. DON'T BE AFRAID TO SAY NO!
santosdesigns
New Member
The last time I order from TF was for christmas, and I told them I would just take the min. After a VERY low order on codified product from TF. I have decided to not oe=rder from them. I was very happy because for VD I did not get one single order for their products. I would suggest to everyone to STOP buying from them they are a waste of money. As for my credit card processing I use Heartland which I get my money the next day and the processing fee is min compare to TF.
Joe Mioux
Well-Known Member
I bought the inventory of a shop years ago. I paid about a $1 a piece for hundreds of WS product. sold all of that stuff AND made money.
joe
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