decline in flower quality

[dolores dinyon]

Has anyone else bem noticing a decline in flower quality over the past few months? We buy from two wholesalers, one large and one small. we take at least 2 deliveries from each of them every week. Not a week has gone by since January that we haven't received poor quality packs of something frm each of the two wholesalers. I am convinced that someone is holding the stems longer. I don't know if it's at the grower level or the wholesaler, but I see it as a problem with no end in sight.

Anyone else have any coments?

As an aside, can someone recommend a red rose that is of consistently good quality? We've used Esmaralda Opiums for years but gave them due to delivery issues. Our customers hate the Freedom roses with the dark edges and scars on the petals. We've tried at least 6 to 8 different growers but can't seem to get what we're looking for. Price is the not the driver.

 

[Seasonals]

We saw a slight decline, but we were credited for them. Everything seems fine now.

Go with Eufloria on the roses. They're the best.

 

[boots12313]

We have had consistant quality problems since the first of the year...yes I always get credit...but it is a real pain...we also buy from 2 suppliers and I have been looking for someone else...Becky

 

[herndonflorist]

Quality has been a problem, even with the best of our suppliers. the delph and snaps are not anywhere close to the quality they used to be., especially for the money being charged. My sales people are wonderful about handling problems, but it does not take away the fact that everywhere along the care and handling line, flowers are being cut sooner and held longer as the economy slows down. Local summer suppliers should kick in soon...that should help!

 

[Dee Dee]

Yes, I would have to say there has been a small decline that has cause more credit backs, and made us move our buying.

Go for the Eufloria your customers will not be dissapointed.

 

[BOSS]

Quality has been a issue going back 6-8 months depending on the grower and the item.

I think to some extent that growers and shippers/wholesalers think that we retailer don't know old stuff when we see it. They must forget we see it at a different stage than they do, and we CAN tell when something comes in that's not necessarily fresh.

It has caused me to switch from some long standing orders, to new farms/varieties. Quality is key here, price is secondary.

I echo the comments on the Eufloria roses... Check this thread These roses are still on my counter 18 days after delivery, and while they are not "sellable" I'm confident, from customer comments that anyone receiving them would be pleased with the quality.

 

[sandytf]

Lately we have had some black edges on the red roses coming out of SA, but that happens a couple times a year for a very limited time.

Other than that, I have been happy with the quality we recieve. Our wholesalers own trucks pick up our stuff in Miami which is packed specifically for us for the most part. Same with our stuff that comes from Cali.

We have another wholesaler we use for more novelty, unusual stuff and the quality is a crapshoot.

I have to say, those Eufloria roses sure look tempting.....