dorofino Intro

[dorofino]

What is your website address? I suppose it would be ftdi.com

How long have you been in business? While it may not be directly answering the intent of this question, I have been working full time at FTD for 2 years. I worked as an intern at FTD for two years prior to that. I spent my childhood working in my parent's flower shop in Zanesville, OH.

Do you have any formal floral education? No, my Degree is in information technology

How were you referred to FlowerChat? I've been aware of floral chat for some time. Ryan's linkedin invite triggered me to register.

What do you hope to gain from membership? I hope to learn about the concerns of the floral industry.

What do you feel you can contribute to the community? I hope to provide input where warranted and requested, I have a s

 

[dorofino]

It seems the intro from my registration was truncated.

so...
About Me: I am a support manager at FTD and the son of a florist. My background is in information techonology. I like to think that this give me a somewhat unquie view of the floral industry.

Thanks for your consideration and time.

 

[Rhonda]

What do you honestly believe you can offer to this forum (setting all WS verbage aside). We have had multiple applicants from FTD as well as the others come here and ask for membership and never hear from most of them again (although some do lurk).
Just wish an honest answer if you feel you can add to our group.
(geez, that first sentence sounds harsh - didn't mean it that way - read it softly please)

 

[dorofino]

I am sure that there are negative threads about FTD and I will be honest, I don't really plan to comment there. I sincerely doubt that anything I could say would change the minds of many people and would likely cause greater disruption.

Also, if no one sees the complaint how can it be addressed?

However, I'm also sure that the majority of posts (or at least hope) aren't of this nature and feel that I could provide good input there.

Most florists that know me, and to be honest I don't know if they frequent these boards or not, will tell you that I am a straight shooter. I merely ask for the opportunity to provide input, if you don't like me or think I don't contribute feel free to delete my account.

Finally, I see there is some way to groan at me, can we get all of those out of the way at the start? Just pile them all on this post

 

[dorofino]

(geez, that first sentence sounds harsh - didn't mean it that way - read it softly please)

When I wrote the reply I didn't see the little edit there. Honestly, I would have been surprised had the members of this board allowed my application go by without some level of consternation.

I'd be lying if I said I wan't refreshing the page frantically waiting for the first reply anyway

 

[wildflowerschicago]

I have a question for you. As an employee of FTD, do you have to sign any type of gag order, or promise not to discuss? The reason I ask is that I have seen many members (from both major wire services) post new member introduction threads, but none of them ever post, even after they are approved for membership. This is a 2 way street, there is SO much to be learned from both sides of the wire service. Unfortunately, none of the FTD members ever share.

If this is a comapny policy (read only, not participate), please be open about it...I'd like to know prior to voting in any more B&M readers. Sorry if that sounds harsh.

 

[dorofino]

I don't believe I've signed anything that says I can't reply, however I honestly do have to maintain a certain level of constraint in posting. While I can say that I don't directly represent FTD, my comments here are in writing and can simply be copy/pasted into an email to my boss or anyone else at FTD.

This obviously means that I have to think a bit about my posts before making them. However, I think the more prudent approach would be to actually ask me a question that you think I could answer.

As I've stated above, I don't plan to get involved in a mud flinging competition (and this game is decidedly missing from the arcade) about FTD. Ask a question, if I know the answer I will give an answer, if I don't know the answer I can try and get it for you. However, asking me a loaded question probably won't garner any reply at all.

I think the real question here is, if I answer will you believe me?

 

[wildflowerschicago]

If you promise to participate, I promise to believe what you say.

I genuinely do hope you become the exception rather than the wire service rule.

I have no personal stake here, I am not a member of FTD.

 

[TGDragonfly]

Well I have a question: What is FTD? I've never heard of it. Is it some sort of cult I should be aware of?

 

[dorofino]

Indeed. You should clearly join, all I need is a blood sample and a lock of hair. Did I mention our new member promotion, for only... just kidding!

 

[TGDragonfly]

Good, thick skinned and a sense of humor PLUS he grew up in a flower shop. Maybe this boy will stick around. You have my vote! Welcome.

 

[BOSS]

asking me a loaded question probably won't garner any reply at all.

I think the real question here is, if I answer will you believe me?

Excellent point.

You have to excuse the skeptical outlook, we have many wire service employee members here, they usually choose not to respond, and yes, perhaps that is brought on by direct attacks on the person, rather than the company they work for.

In many cases, there is no defense for some of the things the wire services allow, things the printed rules forbid in many cases. So it goes...

Welcome to FlowerChat, I for one am glad to have you here, the more wire service managers and employees hear from florists the better IMO, I'm sure there will be some things that open your eyes, and you might even have a thing or two that would go the other way.

Enjoy~!

 

[Missy]

We really are a friendly bunch! Membership needs to remember that there are many shops represented in this forum and some are not only using, but are happy with their wire service.

Welcome to Flowerchat, I am sure you can already tell we are a lively bunch, with many different points of view. I think your current occupation and your history in the floral industry will be a great asset to the group, welcome!

 

[Luc]

No matter if he is from FTD or Teleflora or Timbucktoo! If he qualifies to be here, he should have all the rights as any other members.

So to get my vote, I request $1,000.00 casino cash and you are in!
Luc

 

[Rhonda]

Just for the record (and I've said this before)
I don't mind WS personages signing up here...we know they lurk but they never address important posts regarding such things as OG's skimming orders, tech problems, etc.

Never once have I seen a post regarding a problem that was fixed or addressed "off the board" by a member who posted the problem.

IT is certainly different than what a WS customer service rep would address but there have been IT problems discussed here. If such a thing was addressed here and it was taken care of "off the board" by an IT specialist who was apprised of the situation by reading here, certainly kudos should be given by the original poster regarding the problem being addressed.
I have never seen this (except when we got Urban Floral kicked out of FTD a few years ago and FTD's Canadian honchos and our District overseer took care of it and were credited for listening).
Welcome aboard, read, post, and take back constructive criticism to your division. You may learn what goes on in the regular florist shop world.
Thanks for being frank and open. (and yeah, I might believe most of what you speak - but I was FTD for 30+ years)

 

[Queen of Weddings]

Now I hate to say this, but I agree, The person has a job in the industry, and has a job, What does it really matter, I guess, that I am a little strange on this issue, for those that want to belong to the WS then don't and if you do and aren't happy with it, then get out, and for those, who do and are OK with it, then ok , we have all made our choices on what is right for out business, now let it go....Oh by the way welcome..

 

[theRKF]

Welcome to FlowerChat! I'm glad you made it, and even happier that you've come in with a sense of humour

Ryan

 

[David]

Welcome to flower chat. The posts at times tend to pile up and I missed your intro.