Which WS do you despise the most...
OK... on this one you can let both barrels loose if you wish.
OK... on this one you can let both barrels loose if you wish.
Despise'd Wire Service!
- Thread starter BOSS
- Start date
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While I certainly despise some things (ok a lot of things) done by some people working for the wire services, I can't say that I despise any of them.
The internet has forever changed the way we all do business. I've got a feeling we're not in Kansas anymore...
The internet has forever changed the way we all do business. I've got a feeling we're not in Kansas anymore...
Joe Mioux
Well-Known Member
Mark, I don't think Despise is the right word.
To me your question is trying to elicit an emotion.
I don't despise one WS more than the other. I am just trying to stay as profitable as I can and if that mean getting rid of one or adding one to enhance my net profit, then I will belong to two or belong to one or belong to none.
What is right for my business might not be right for yours or someone else's business.
joe
To me your question is trying to elicit an emotion.
I don't despise one WS more than the other. I am just trying to stay as profitable as I can and if that mean getting rid of one or adding one to enhance my net profit, then I will belong to two or belong to one or belong to none.
What is right for my business might not be right for yours or someone else's business.
joe
Eric S
Demoted Webmaster
I will have to say Bloomnet. And the only reason why would be the way they screwed over the members two weeks before Valentines in 2004 and say that they decided to give their customers 20% off for ordering early and we would have to eat the 10%. Of course they tried to make it look good by saying that "They" have always done this and have never asked their members before to cover the discount.
Man those where some dark days here!
Man those where some dark days here!
All the smart people in this chat I know can work out an answer to this. I have been hearing florist fussing about wire services from the first meeting I attended (5 years ago) up to today. Taking a stand for what doesn't work does make a difference. Do you think having your own networking would work?
Don't cry about it -- If it's so bad, Fix it. JMO......
Don't cry about it -- If it's so bad, Fix it. JMO......
flowerknife+us
New Member
Connie
New Member
This was a very difficult choice because I sorta dispise all of them, eventhough we recently, temporarily, rejoined TF.
Who here can whip together some fun graphics for the winners and losers?
Biggest vote getter - Most Disgusting WS 2007
#2 - Disgusting WS But Not The Worst in 2007
#3 - Least Disgusting WS (but nothing to brag about)
:>
Biggest vote getter - Most Disgusting WS 2007
#2 - Disgusting WS But Not The Worst in 2007
#3 - Least Disgusting WS (but nothing to brag about)
:>
felicityflowers
New Member
Audra
New Member
Teleflora, no doubt about it. Rotten service, annoying HQ masked orders, moronic operators who couldn't find their ass with both hands, a road map, flashlight and flares. A rep who didn't want to hear complaints or even deal with them, corporate spyware/audits on my pc and HQ/call center calls asking me if I'll take a cheque...
Despise is a such a hard term for it, more like distain and the kick to the curb resolved that issue.
Despise is a such a hard term for it, more like distain and the kick to the curb resolved that issue.
You said a cute graphic Cathy.....
While it is not a hand-made graphic......As soon as I read your post about a graphic for the award of despised wire service....I remembered something that a friend of mine sent me that I thought it hilarious.
It is a Japanese charm that can go on your cell phone.
It is called the ..... "Golden Poop"
I could not think of anything more appropriate than the Golden Poop Award.
While it is not a hand-made graphic......As soon as I read your post about a graphic for the award of despised wire service....I remembered something that a friend of mine sent me that I thought it hilarious.
It is a Japanese charm that can go on your cell phone.
It is called the ..... "Golden Poop"
I could not think of anything more appropriate than the Golden Poop Award.
Attachments
Rick...did your friend get that pic at FTD HQ?
Last I heard there was a bunch of Asian folks roaming around taking pictures...
Last I heard there was a bunch of Asian folks roaming around taking pictures...
virginia_Bob
New Member
Voted for FTD but it is really a close tie between them and Bloomnet. Now mind you I have never been a member of Bloomnet but the fact that we REAL Florist let the first and biggest order gatherer of them all con us into supporting them really bakes my cookies. Having said that I guess I can't blame them for us being Dumb enough to let it happen.
TF is also in the running but I am getting ready to wave bye bye to them as well.
Bob
TF is also in the running but I am getting ready to wave bye bye to them as well.
Bob
Like I said in the other wire service thread about preferred wire service......In today's marketplace......especially with the ease of internet access and the proliferation of both personal and corporate credit cards.......You can go on the net....find a florist in most any city....call them on the phone.....and give them the order directly. Whether or not they give the traditional 20 percent discount is not important. What is important is that the role of the wire service is now quite obsolete.
Perhaps the only legitamate service that a wire service gives anymore that a shop might find useful....and this is pushing it......is ease of setting up a POS system and International orders.
Perhaps the only legitamate service that a wire service gives anymore that a shop might find useful....and this is pushing it......is ease of setting up a POS system and International orders.
First of all - I will look on the AIFD website or in the Directory to see if the customers town is listed and if there is a member there I can call. If not, then I will use an online directory.......like TF's findashop or something similar......or the directory on here for instance to look and see who is listed and where. Then after two or three possible choices are selected....I'll call them and talk to them......Talk to the designer and try to describe the design the customer is wanting......After a few moments of conversation.....For the most part it will become readily obvious if they are a shop with talent or not. If the customer is sending within the same state....I'll choose a member of my State association if I can.
My point is this........Even with the WS, you will get some duds....some shops who have no clue and no skills and no talent.....So, My best answer is that we rely on our instincts, trained listening ears, be conversant in design styles and terminology, and keep a little hope for the best.
My point is this........Even with the WS, you will get some duds....some shops who have no clue and no skills and no talent.....So, My best answer is that we rely on our instincts, trained listening ears, be conversant in design styles and terminology, and keep a little hope for the best.
Yep. And you've got just as much of a chance (and probably even more, according to our experience) of finding a crappy florist in the wire service books and on their directories. Sometimes they're good and sometimes they're not. If ya know 'em, fine. If ya don't, it's a crap shoot whether they're a wire florist or an independent. Cause no matter what you'd like to believe, NO WIRE SERVICE has anything resembling quality control of florists any more. Given a choice, I'll take my chances with a full independent who is making it on their own as opposed to the pitiful creature on the road to banktuptcy who is depending on wire orders for survival any time.
That's why we like calling, talking, and getting a handle on the situation for our customers. As opposed to punching a few keys and playing the order like it's a crap shoot. We figure the customer has paid us for that extra effort and knowledge and they're entitled to it.
Personally, I figure (and experience to date backs up my theory) my customers have a better chance of getting what they're paying for from somebody who's been smart enough to change with the times and do an effective job of promoting their business in their local market on the internet. As opposed to the florist whose main focus is advertising for and filling wire orders. And one of those WS websites doesn't count AT ALL in my selection process if the florist hasn't been savvy enough to fine tune it to his or her local prices and market once it's up.
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