Filling florist - what do you look for?

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Lady Biker Florist

Lady Biker Florist

Well-Known Member
Jan 12, 2003
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Hazel Park
www.daisypetal.com
State / Prov
Michigan
After sending wire outs for so long - I want to ask you all something. What exactly do you look for when deciding which florist to send to? It has come to my attention that florists are all over the board on this one.

Many have a system that decided for you. Is this true?

Do you look for florists who advertise so you know they actually WANT your wire in order?

Do you look for low prices or avoid low priced florists as this could imply they have no clue as to what they are doing?

Do you look specifically for close proximity to recipient?

Do you look for words like "We reciprocate" or "Your customer is our customer" or things like that.

Do you use the CD exclisively?

How many use the 100lb. book?

I sure would like to know this! Thanks in advance!
 
I look for family owned, long time in operation, having minimums filled in, and prices similar to ours. If a shop is codified for everything available, probably means they are a decent size - for whatever that is worth.

Ryan
 
Unless you want to spend an extraordinary amount of time on this, you have to go from past experience. I would pick someone in the neighborhood (by zip code) and then (if you want) call the sender and ask them if the recipient liked the flowers, or if they had any complaints. You can use flowerSoft's favorite florist setting to mark those who are good and the never use setting for those who are not.
It takes a while to build such a list but once you have it in place, you'll know that most of the time you will be choosing florists you can trust to do a good job for you and your customer.
 
Also, if you don't mind reciprocating, you can select those who have given you orders. WIth flowerSoft you can look on the right hand side of the list of florists displayed for that location and select one with a check mark under the R column. You can also tell who you have used before by the check mark under the S column.
 
I would look at those members who like to spend so much of their money using the red ink in the directory, Card ad's, codified for Lot's O product and list themselves in a bunch of Asb listings because after all.....They want Incoming!.

Just funning;)
 
I have Advantage & I mark florists I want my people to use and those I don't want my people to use.. If no florist is marked I look at zipcode and then qualifications listed and satisfaction guaranteed.. then I make sure to follow up and list them if I am satisfied with them.. I haven't opened the big book in years..
I also try to send only to those who want my orders.. If you don't want to fill my orders that's ok.. just don't expect me to fill yours (that is for the OG's)
Carol
 
I rarely use the book....
I look for zip code (maps in cities that have them) even though doesn't always work..other post...
Then for minimums ... and comparison, funeral vs arrangement
roses... I do NOT look for those who codify for every special wire service container (unless holiday and asked for) and I do prefer those who do list "family owned, serving the area for XXX years, Satisfaction Guaranteed, and/or Your Customer is Our Customer" because the last one should always be true.
I also appreciate those who deliver to hospitals and funeral homes free. We are small town and can take 6 pieces to the hospital at one time and not charge everyone $6 each (no flaming)...
All IMHO
 
I look for shops that ARE NOT closed Saturdays or half a day on Wednesday...no offense to any of you that might be.
This is just something that (to me) says...not professional.
 
We're an old established shop, so we have developed a working relationship with various shops. I almost never look at the shop ads in the book, especially now that we use both MercDirect and Dove.

Our preferred florists have several things in common; they have been around for a while, they guarantee their product and they carry a range of services. Proximity to an address is nice but I'll send to a shop that's further away if that's where the quality is.

Audra
 
We go with a established shop as much as we can. One we know the work they do. If that is not possible I go for Zip first then I look at minimums, and what they offer and go from there.
If I am not happy with them they go in the do not use pile again unless there is a valid reason.
Luc
 
I have used all of the reasons above...also I have asked my customer to get me feedback where possible on a shop I haven't used before. That has a dual purpose; it lets the customer know I am looking out for their best interest, and it helps me know who to call again out there. :) I have used the shops found here and made them preferred on the Merc.

V
 
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