BBJ I feel your pain. I can't tell you how many times FTD.com sent me that arrangement for an AM funeral and when I CALLED (not merc'd) them and ask them to call the customer and ask for just an all white arrange, or pink lilies for a lady's service they just canceled instead of making the phone call. I also know that after they canceled with me they sent to another shop in town who just fills anything anyhow and fights the complaints. It is so frustrating to sit and watch a customer getting ripped off.
I have a grocery store 1 block away from my store. You can look out my showroom window and see their sign. I disagree that the customer does not care. They do care, they just don't know their is a difference because you don't TELL THEM. At V-Day this year I bought 500 40cm red roses and split them into C&C dozens, nothing but leather and roses in a celo funnel. I sold those for $25 and 60cm wrapped in paper with greens and wax for $50 a dozen. I had 2 dozen cheap roses left after V-day. I only bought the 40s to justify my C&C rose banner outside the store. I expected to sell out on the first day. I outsold the cheap roses with premium wraps by a mile. Customers want value. Price is secondary.
When someone comes in and says they can get a dozen roses for $15 at the Bi-Lo, I tell them that they can't get THESE roses. Then I tell them that Bi-Lo sells their flowers so cheap because their guy comes in to buy all the crap leftover after "my guy" has bought all the good stuff. (that may be what really happens
) The customer is in my store, so they want flowers. I usually make the sale
I wish that people were lined out my door all day, but they are not. I don't think they are lining up to buy flowers at the Bi-Lo either though because I actually shop there and don't see much inventory moving in the floral dept. Most of my business is delivery. My non-holiday walk-in business is icing on the cake. Bi-Lo is just not what I worry about right now.
FYI Bi-Lo bought 4 stalls at our last bridal show. They had some decent designs in their catalogue and a nice looking booth, but it was all manned by 50 year old men who were grocery store managers in their Bi-Lo shirts and ties. I'm just not worried.
I have a grocery store 1 block away from my store. You can look out my showroom window and see their sign. I disagree that the customer does not care. They do care, they just don't know their is a difference because you don't TELL THEM. At V-Day this year I bought 500 40cm red roses and split them into C&C dozens, nothing but leather and roses in a celo funnel. I sold those for $25 and 60cm wrapped in paper with greens and wax for $50 a dozen. I had 2 dozen cheap roses left after V-day. I only bought the 40s to justify my C&C rose banner outside the store. I expected to sell out on the first day. I outsold the cheap roses with premium wraps by a mile. Customers want value. Price is secondary.
When someone comes in and says they can get a dozen roses for $15 at the Bi-Lo, I tell them that they can't get THESE roses. Then I tell them that Bi-Lo sells their flowers so cheap because their guy comes in to buy all the crap leftover after "my guy" has bought all the good stuff. (that may be what really happens
) The customer is in my store, so they want flowers. I usually make the saleI wish that people were lined out my door all day, but they are not. I don't think they are lining up to buy flowers at the Bi-Lo either though because I actually shop there and don't see much inventory moving in the floral dept. Most of my business is delivery. My non-holiday walk-in business is icing on the cake. Bi-Lo is just not what I worry about right now.
FYI Bi-Lo bought 4 stalls at our last bridal show. They had some decent designs in their catalogue and a nice looking booth, but it was all manned by 50 year old men who were grocery store managers in their Bi-Lo shirts and ties. I'm just not worried.
