Wow, thanks to both of you for your kind words and suggestions. I'll take both of them to heart.
Florists For Change
- Thread starter BOSS
- Start date
Need to think very carefully about the changes need in this industry. TF, FTD and others are necessary to some degree in the equation.
Plans should involve the profitability of all concerned going forward. Resentment should not play a part at all. The consumer is the one who provides all of us in this industry with a living. For too long a period of time we, as an industry, have neglected the wants and needs of the consumers. We have all tried to make a living off each other and thinking too much how we can do this and that in a way to provide profit.
With a unifed effort by all concerned, Florists, Growers and yes Wire Services we could and must focus our attention on the quickest way to make us all more profitable. Yes.... thats right sell more product. Change the system to reflect how we can best make the consumer screaming for more. There are ways, and they can all be thought of easily by anyone of us. The resentment must cease and the ability to see into the future and not let the past problems get the better of us is paramount.
Plans should involve the profitability of all concerned going forward. Resentment should not play a part at all. The consumer is the one who provides all of us in this industry with a living. For too long a period of time we, as an industry, have neglected the wants and needs of the consumers. We have all tried to make a living off each other and thinking too much how we can do this and that in a way to provide profit.
With a unifed effort by all concerned, Florists, Growers and yes Wire Services we could and must focus our attention on the quickest way to make us all more profitable. Yes.... thats right sell more product. Change the system to reflect how we can best make the consumer screaming for more. There are ways, and they can all be thought of easily by anyone of us. The resentment must cease and the ability to see into the future and not let the past problems get the better of us is paramount.
Mikey the Flower Guy
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steve
Well-Known Member
I honestly do not think this will get enough support across USA and Canada if the big 3 wire services are playing much of a roll. They have socked it to us everytime they could over the last 7 to 10 years and if we get a good head of steam on this we should not be letting them off the hook because once they get a chance to regroup they will revert to their ways.
Very nicely stated Bernie
Can I used some or all of your post elsewhere giving you credit of course?
Thanks,
Keith
Can I used some or all of your post elsewhere giving you credit of course?
Thanks,
Keith
Steve, we are looking at the WS like any other vendor, we will evaluate and use the one(s) we feel will allow us to make money and have a valued service. Nothing more. I look at WS's as a vendor of services just like my flower supplier, chocolate supplier, etc.
Keith
Keith
Sorry ment to say to Keith not Steve... That's the thinking. (not that there is anything wrong with Steve)
roysecityfloristand gifts
Well-Known Member
While I respect everyones opinions here (even the red dotter).
I have to say I agree with Steve (Chapells). Is anyone so nieve as to think that the WS's who basicly have it real cushy now, would truly be willing to give anything up, or should I say Give Back to the florist? I think not. How many times have they offered a florist a deal only to charge them more on the other end? I'm not a newbie, and not wearing rose colored glasses with regard to any of this discussion.
Also don't read this as WS bashing, I realize there are some of you, a real minority, that profit well from being a WS customer. The majority however does not and never will. (Please no red dots)
I simply think that it would be a waste of time, and a tipping of our hand to include the WS's at this point particularly. Florist, and only florist should gather and think about what florist can do to take their industry back.
With all the florist leaving WS's now, this is the perfect time to consider an alternate system for shops to relay orders themselves. EZFlowers has tried and shown that the work can and has been done. I know some will say why reinvent the wheel (WS's)? Well, the answer is the wheel is broken! How long has it been since any WS has SERVED US, it's customers the way it should? Make no mistake, we are NOT partners with them, we are CUSTOMERS. Customers who have been overcharged and abused, just like they have done the public.
We as a group mean nothing to them unless we are filling their pockets with membership fees and every other ridiculous fee they can think up. They exist on our backs. In the beginning they may have had some value, but with the Internet and shops being able to communicate quickly and freely, are THEY really a necessity now? I think that statement is the place to start this discussion.
My opinion, please respect it as I respect yours.
I have to say I agree with Steve (Chapells). Is anyone so nieve as to think that the WS's who basicly have it real cushy now, would truly be willing to give anything up, or should I say Give Back to the florist? I think not. How many times have they offered a florist a deal only to charge them more on the other end? I'm not a newbie, and not wearing rose colored glasses with regard to any of this discussion.
Also don't read this as WS bashing, I realize there are some of you, a real minority, that profit well from being a WS customer. The majority however does not and never will. (Please no red dots)
I simply think that it would be a waste of time, and a tipping of our hand to include the WS's at this point particularly. Florist, and only florist should gather and think about what florist can do to take their industry back.
With all the florist leaving WS's now, this is the perfect time to consider an alternate system for shops to relay orders themselves. EZFlowers has tried and shown that the work can and has been done. I know some will say why reinvent the wheel (WS's)? Well, the answer is the wheel is broken! How long has it been since any WS has SERVED US, it's customers the way it should? Make no mistake, we are NOT partners with them, we are CUSTOMERS. Customers who have been overcharged and abused, just like they have done the public.
We as a group mean nothing to them unless we are filling their pockets with membership fees and every other ridiculous fee they can think up. They exist on our backs. In the beginning they may have had some value, but with the Internet and shops being able to communicate quickly and freely, are THEY really a necessity now? I think that statement is the place to start this discussion.
My opinion, please respect it as I respect yours.
Am I a red Dot guy??? What is a red dot guy???? I would like to reply, but I am not sure if the reference is to me.
Bernie, I don't believe you're the red dot guy! If you don't know what it is....then you didn't do it! I believe she was referencing an earlier post that someone apparently didn't like.
I like your thinking....it's hard to move ahead when you are stuck looking backwards.
Thank You, what a relief. I would hate to be a red dot guy.
I would like to respond though. A service of some sort is needed. What form and shape needs to be discussed. Believing that all are emenies in the wire service business serves no purpose. They are business people, just like we are. We need to discuss what changes can and should be made to the current model to make it more benifical to all including the wire services. They,(the wire services) above all have the most to gain by this procedure and if they do not discuss change... they have the most too lose. And by default, without some cohesion in this industry so do all of us.
I would like to respond though. A service of some sort is needed. What form and shape needs to be discussed. Believing that all are emenies in the wire service business serves no purpose. They are business people, just like we are. We need to discuss what changes can and should be made to the current model to make it more benifical to all including the wire services. They,(the wire services) above all have the most to gain by this procedure and if they do not discuss change... they have the most too lose. And by default, without some cohesion in this industry so do all of us.
steve
Well-Known Member
Unfortunatly Bernie they torched way to many bridges with far to many florist for the trust factor to be there that is going to be the hurdle that can not be climbed. Or saaid another way it will be like trying to push a string in a stright line and this venture will be DOA.
Don't try to push the string, it will only go wonky.... Pull the string and it will follow. The benefits of trying to stream line a current situation is better than trying to re-invent the wheel.
Don't get me wrong Steve. I am not a big fan of the wire services in their current form. But with some hard work on everyones part we all can benefit from a better system already in place.
Don't get me wrong Steve. I am not a big fan of the wire services in their current form. But with some hard work on everyones part we all can benefit from a better system already in place.
anytimeflowers
Linda
Lizi
Well-Known Member
Frankly, I'll never trust a WS again, never be involved with a WS again. The WS keep saying they are partners with or are working with the florist. NOT! I along with everyone else agrees there are issues that need addressing and changing, but florist that have been burned will never trust WS again no matter what they agree to or promise us. JMO
bootcampguy
Well-Known Member
You are so right, that will be the hardest thing to do.