Florists For Change

Right now this is all about who has most toys. Obviously that is the WS's.

They got those extra toys from the florist who were mislead when the WS's stated that "they would DRIVE customers into your shop", (jeez I hate that line!) only to find out it wasn't true.

Well I want my toys back!

Bernie with all due respect, as you say it would take everyone to agree to change the current broken system. That is precisely why it won't work. There are two pretty distinct sides to this issue, and I just don't think the WS's will ever give anything up, why should they? Would you in their place? I would not in their shoes.

THEY think they don't need us, hence the drop shipping angle. They have seen such drastic drops in membership that THEY went to a drop ship solution INSTEAD of coming to us to talk. Think about it, have they dropped membership charges or any of the many fees, have they done anything to offer an olive branch?

Bernie, about red dots, you'll know it if it happens to ya. LOL Their aggravating when done anonomously, but they don't hurt. In the olders days they flew like birds around here.

Cheers to ya Steve!
 
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We need to be the dog that is wagging the tail vs being the tail anything less and we will have failed. For this to work it has to be all enclusive Meaning rather you are a big florist or a small florist in the mtns of VT or remote part of TX its has to work for the majority or you are not going to have enough shops on board.
 
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Ok we've got readers but no chatters so I'll reply to Steves post. Don't be shy, jump in we need and want all opinions.

I think what your saying Steve is that we as an Industry need to go in as the powerful people we are, not as beaten puppies begging for a few more crums from the table of the WS's.


Yes, all shops small and remote or big and well known have a vested interest in taking our business, our orders, our profit back from the WS's that took it from us.

If this focus group and florists could create our own program, I for one would fully and financially support it's administration. You know this is what we have all been saying and not doing till now. So lets do it!
 
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Is there a consensus on any of the existing services besides the big 3 that offers a valid and acceptable alternative? If that was already available to us we could all just get behind that and help build a new network, in order for it to succeed it needs lots of members. I am limited in my ability to make decisions as lead designer but I can certainly help to encourage our management to participate in a more favorable alterative, since they don't keep up with what is going on in the floral industry.
 
FTD used to be Florist owned... It went the way of the dodo bird...
Forsight was needed when the vote to sell it came about... Didn't happen.
New wire service.... Not really necessary. Drag the wire services kicking and screaming into the new realty is an absolute necessity.
Under the terms of their customers, not their terms, ensuring however there vaibility as an asset to our business. Both as an asset to each other businesss. Impossible you say.... necessity is the Mother of invention for all concerned.
 
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Perhaps you could convince a second rate ws like FSI to change, but it's highly unlikely even there. They all have their stables of OG's they are afraid to give up no matter what anyone says.

IMO a better plan would be to forfeit rebates, work florist to florist at 90/10 and without a ws.

The technology already exists.

In light of the ongoing debates within the industry, I would recommend that no one sign up fir a ws website, ws POS or anything... Free yourself from the burden... Be agile and able to move....

BWTHDIK....
 
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Glad you mention technology Mark The platforms must be open I will not be tied to a wire service via ball and chain any longer. But I think looking at the couple small second tier services makes the most sense. although I saw something mention on face book this morning by I believe Keiths wife hope I got that right. she mention what if our web sites were set up with a F2F key of some sort were we paid via credit card when we sent and order if that is possible that would be very cool.
 
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BWTHDIK...Mark your funny. Your our source of knowledge, and you think like I do.

Ditch the WS's and 90/10 Direct. We've been doing that for some years now, and contrary to the scarey stories, I haven't run into a dishonest shop yet.
In fact I prefer calling the shop chatting and checking their reviews online and it doesn't take that long to do. I can take a customers order, be friendly and professional and be off the phone in two minutes. I don't think a WS POS can beat that.

There is the knowledge within our group to teach creating your own website or have one built, then we could share some of our best designs to create a universal design album for use by all shops. We could control the containers used and the flowers necessary and the prices. Maybe even create periodic specials doable by everyone. Someone give us an email site and we could all send our shop names addresses, phones etc and start a members list. Mark you have something like that already started don't you. Also that RealFlorist.com domain is golden! But alas it is yours.

What do you think about the relay fee, whether it's 7.50 like we get or whatever? With 10% averaging 6.00, that would allow the sending shop about $13.50 with only $6.00 of it coming out of the flower money. With that they could cover their in shop cost and contribute toward the administrative cost of the new program.

Come on guys I'm throwing it out there, opinions please.
 
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I am all for it but you are getting the cart ahead of the horse, we do not have an organization to even explore that yet. Lets stay focused on our goal of a group of florists coming together first, when we have the numbers we can explore all the options and let all have give their input.

I love your passion, it is exactly what we need in Vegas, do not lose it.

Cheers,
Keith
 
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You know, sometimes we (spouses) have to stand back and say "That was a good idea" I am exploring how to make it happen. It seems that many retail sites have a wholesale side if you have a valid login. Why not florists?

By the way, we refer to her as Sheri, not Keith's wife :kuddle:

Keith
 
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20 pages.....guess that means there will be FC pizza for everybody
 
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I really like Sheri's idea, I had concerns about it as far as allowing entrance like that. Now that you put it that way Keith, it makes perfect sense. Every florist could have their own "menu" to choose from, and their own price points. And their website would process the sale. It's easy enough to spell it out clearly. The only sticking problem could be sales tax but that should not matter either.

If you want a $50 design, select that button but it will actually charge your card $45 plus full delivery on a separate line.

I know mine would offer the different color palettes and style and prices and occasionally my own specials so the florist could easily select one of those if the price and look match what their customer wants.

I'm LOVING the idea now. Give Sheri a kiss for me, Keith. Whether or not this moves forward, I'm going to do it on my website anyway! This could work in fabulously with our beginning efforts at rebranding the industry.

Yep, loving it.
 
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I go away for 2.5 weeks and look what happens! A fascinating development showing energy, purpose and some interesting ideas. The initiators are to be heartily congratulated: often, the first step is the hardest.

As the initial meeting intent, if I understand correctly, is to assess the current, general, circumstances for florists, in good part vis-a-vis the WS, and listen to suggestions and have discussions about those felt pertinent. Incidentally, I thought the earlier classification of a WS as a vendor to the florist was very good and concise one on so many levels.

I have considered attending in Vegas and, as I am due to be WS (TF) free in 8 days, I have decided I will not attend. I will though watch for developments and see where this leads, open at this juncture to hearing the ideas et cetera that arise.

Good luck to all attendees.
 
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Linda, this has so much potential it is amazing. The sales tax issue is the same is if you are buying anything wholesale. you have a tax thingy (not sure what it is as Oregon doesn't have sales tax) that you would need.

The only thing that may be hard is to automate it at holiday time. But as wire orders shrink to nil it will be a simple solution.

Keith
 
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Linda, Sheri & Keith,

It's already underway ... in a much bigger way than you're proposing, too :)

Some people at SAF in Dallas got a sneak preview. I might show some folks in Vegas, if they ask nicely ;)
 
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The only thing we really need is a list of florists and the zip codes they deliver to. Then we need a ranking/review system with how many orders they have filled/sent. The listing can give the users an eBay type rating. It will be COMPLETELY unbiased. Review EVERY order sent through the listing. "No news is good news," "Customer was so happy she bought me a new Yugo," "Customer said it looked like a Mack truck hit two parrots making love" etc etc. If you send 1000 orders and do not review them then the filling shops will realize that you don't care and send a stem of daisies for $49.99.

Once that is in place FORCE your POS provider to include this new system into your software (you DO pay them BTW)

NOW train your customers to be realistic about expectations. Send ONLY "designer's choice" with general instructions, vased arrangment, loves purple, she likes lilies, etc etc or classic designs such as dozen roses. ANY SPECIAL REQUESTS call the @@@@ shop and talk to someone. This is real customer service, and it is the sending shop's responsibility to make sure it is fulfilled.

FOCUS ON THE FACT THAT EVERY SHOP IS UNIQUE (this is our strength over the OG) AND STRESS TO YOUR CUSTOMER THAT THE SHOP HANDLING THEIR ORDER IN XYZ TOWN IS IN TUNE WITH WHAT THE PEOPLE IN XYZ LIKE.

The filling shop should set the discount required for them to fill an order and have that in their listing. They should also list their delivery fee. Then the sending shop can decide who gets the order based on reviews, discount and delivery fee.

Believe it or not, this website would not cost much to maintain because no SEO would be required, and the nominal fee charged could easily cover the server fees.
 
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