Pros and Cons of anyone that is using this service. The website has a joining fee of $299. They also have websites available for additional $300 and no other fees according to the sales rep. Anyway, I would like opions.
Flowershopnetwork.com
- Thread starter Ken
- Start date
- Status
Tracy D'Amico
Well-Known Member
I continued the membership started by the previous owners, but will probably skip after this year is up - we rarely receive orders directly from them, which is fine. And I know of two customers who said they found us on that site over the past year - and we ask EVERYONE how they got our name. I don't know if online directories are really beneficial ... but this one has done very little for us.
Funny though, I checked my membership and it's $199. I don't know if they had an increase, or your membership has some other perks we don't? Might be worth asking about, or negotiating anyway.
tracy
Funny though, I checked my membership and it's $199. I don't know if they had an increase, or your membership has some other perks we don't? Might be worth asking about, or negotiating anyway.
tracy
Fsn
They have a email notification with the visitor's IP address....check them out, alot of them are spider bots.
They called me a couple of days ago to renew at $249. I checked on my website stats....I only had 23 referals in 2005 from them. Even I gave them the benefit of the doubt and say that I converted 5 of those reverals to orders (20% conversion is doubtful), that would mean that I just spent $50 on each order to get them.
Their Google position has gotten worst over a period of time.....they are not even the first 3 pages of Florist My Town.
They have a email notification with the visitor's IP address....check them out, alot of them are spider bots.
They called me a couple of days ago to renew at $249. I checked on my website stats....I only had 23 referals in 2005 from them. Even I gave them the benefit of the doubt and say that I converted 5 of those reverals to orders (20% conversion is doubtful), that would mean that I just spent $50 on each order to get them.
Their Google position has gotten worst over a period of time.....they are not even the first 3 pages of Florist My Town.
Clay, do you mind if I ask a question or two as you have some experience with these people.
If this directory was originally established for the consumer to contact the florist directly, how come the florists that seem to be members are stating that all contacts and payments come from a third party and not the consumer. Even the ones that have FSN websites and shopping carts never have direct initial contact with the consumer. They all state it is 100% orders, but all payments are by checks when the consumer obviously paid by CC. Why would any florist be willing to share customer information with anyone once they paid the fees to be listed??
The information on their site also indicates that they also offer a F2F program in conjunction with the membership. But what florist that is no longer with a WS be willing to attempt sending orders through this program when it is another 20-80 and the sender also has to pay $3.99 or $4.99 to send out the order. Why wouldn't the sending florist just call out the order directly to other florists in the directory pool and save themselves $3.99?
Just curious.
If this directory was originally established for the consumer to contact the florist directly, how come the florists that seem to be members are stating that all contacts and payments come from a third party and not the consumer. Even the ones that have FSN websites and shopping carts never have direct initial contact with the consumer. They all state it is 100% orders, but all payments are by checks when the consumer obviously paid by CC. Why would any florist be willing to share customer information with anyone once they paid the fees to be listed??
The information on their site also indicates that they also offer a F2F program in conjunction with the membership. But what florist that is no longer with a WS be willing to attempt sending orders through this program when it is another 20-80 and the sender also has to pay $3.99 or $4.99 to send out the order. Why wouldn't the sending florist just call out the order directly to other florists in the directory pool and save themselves $3.99?
Just curious.
Fsn
"Ann" with FSN called today to remind me they have a booth at the Texas State Floral Convention this weekend at the San Antonio River Walk. She also "reminded" me that I had recieved 29 FSN flower shop orders (like that was a good thing) where they pay direct. Honesly, when I got involved with them they were not into this game and only a Florist Directory..... thus I am not up to speed on the "split" (like I should be, but I am going to look into my past accounting with them after the TSFA convention). When I told her they were not even listed on the first 3 pages with Google by a search for "Florist Victoria TX", she said they were on the first page of "flower shop" (but not "florist" I see). I told her I was only concerned with a search in my town, then she said nothing. Sorry I am not much help on this.
Griff said:
"Ann" with FSN called today to remind me they have a booth at the Texas State Floral Convention this weekend at the San Antonio River Walk. She also "reminded" me that I had recieved 29 FSN flower shop orders (like that was a good thing) where they pay direct. Honesly, when I got involved with them they were not into this game and only a Florist Directory..... thus I am not up to speed on the "split" (like I should be, but I am going to look into my past accounting with them after the TSFA convention). When I told her they were not even listed on the first 3 pages with Google by a search for "Florist Victoria TX", she said they were on the first page of "flower shop" (but not "florist" I see). I told her I was only concerned with a search in my town, then she said nothing. Sorry I am not much help on this.
BOSS
FlowerChat Administrator
And dang if it's not a darn good question too!!!Griff said:
I'm outa here, Chitown here I come (and NOT for FTD either...Gift Show)...you kids play nice now ya hear...c-yall next week!
Thanks, Clay. Appreciate the candor.
I've never looked very closely at these people because I just was never interested. However as I was going through various towns in Ill, I happen to run across someone that was a member and I hadn't talked to them for a couple of years. I gave them a buzz just to see how they're doing and how this program was working for them. Said they are listed in their town and maybe 7 others around them. They thought they paid $199.95 and maybe have been in the program for 9-11 months <just not sure>. This is just for a listing and no website. Their listing has both their 800 number and their local number. I checked that out and they are correct.They think they have received 7 or possibly 8 orders so far. But here's the point that blew me away. From their memory, they think every order has been a 20-80. They have been receiving payment by check as the program promises, but all checks have the 20% deduction. As I thought this was primarily a directory for consumers to find THEM, I asked if they thought that was strange. They had no opinion. I asked if they have ever sent any orders through the system. Answer was nope. Asked if any customers have called them and said they saw them listed on this site. Same answer, nope.
This flower shop dropped the WS about 2 yrs ago. They're both good people and I wasn't going to point out to them that even with 8 orders as versus the annual cost meant the all those orders were probably discounted as much as 50% which means they make nothing, but if you also gave up 20% on each order, what could possibly be so great about any program like this one. The actual discount rate is 70% or greater!!!
I've never looked very closely at these people because I just was never interested. However as I was going through various towns in Ill, I happen to run across someone that was a member and I hadn't talked to them for a couple of years. I gave them a buzz just to see how they're doing and how this program was working for them. Said they are listed in their town and maybe 7 others around them. They thought they paid $199.95 and maybe have been in the program for 9-11 months <just not sure>. This is just for a listing and no website. Their listing has both their 800 number and their local number. I checked that out and they are correct.They think they have received 7 or possibly 8 orders so far. But here's the point that blew me away. From their memory, they think every order has been a 20-80. They have been receiving payment by check as the program promises, but all checks have the 20% deduction. As I thought this was primarily a directory for consumers to find THEM, I asked if they thought that was strange. They had no opinion. I asked if they have ever sent any orders through the system. Answer was nope. Asked if any customers have called them and said they saw them listed on this site. Same answer, nope.
This flower shop dropped the WS about 2 yrs ago. They're both good people and I wasn't going to point out to them that even with 8 orders as versus the annual cost meant the all those orders were probably discounted as much as 50% which means they make nothing, but if you also gave up 20% on each order, what could possibly be so great about any program like this one. The actual discount rate is 70% or greater!!!
Tracy D'Amico
Well-Known Member
This group has two premises - one is that it is an online consumer directory. For this purpose, you can have a basic listing, or one of their sites set up. We have had people tell us they call us from the site, and other florists .... but not often enough to warrent the cost. And I have no idea how they stumble upon the site, in light of what Clay posted about their ranking. I just had a call the other day from a very bubbly admin assistant who swears she uses the site to call florists country wide for her boss. She was the second person, possibly third, that told us they found us on FSN.
The other premise is that of an "alternative" to the wire service. Their selling point was that it cost a lot less to pay their yearly fee, than the monthly 1800tftd fees. There also was no add'l cost to list in nearby towns, if I remember correctly. I don't know how the sending thing worked - when they told me I could send for roughly $5 per order, it didn't seem worth it to me. I believe you could send it to them, they'd charge you $5, farm it out, and take an add'l 20%, but I may be wrong with that. In two years, I've received 9 orders from them directly. My understanding was that those orders originated from other shops using the system to send their orders, though the contact info was always FSN, not another florist.
Though you didn't tell your friends your thoughts, I'm sure your questions planted a seed. Sometimes that's all it takes to look at your business practices from a fresh perspective.
tracy
The other premise is that of an "alternative" to the wire service. Their selling point was that it cost a lot less to pay their yearly fee, than the monthly 1800tftd fees. There also was no add'l cost to list in nearby towns, if I remember correctly. I don't know how the sending thing worked - when they told me I could send for roughly $5 per order, it didn't seem worth it to me. I believe you could send it to them, they'd charge you $5, farm it out, and take an add'l 20%, but I may be wrong with that. In two years, I've received 9 orders from them directly. My understanding was that those orders originated from other shops using the system to send their orders, though the contact info was always FSN, not another florist.
Though you didn't tell your friends your thoughts, I'm sure your questions planted a seed. Sometimes that's all it takes to look at your business practices from a fresh perspective.
tracy
Clay,
FSN doesn't appear on the first page when I search "flowers (or florist) Victoria TX", but ilocalflorist does. The results are reverse when I search Eugene OR. I think it has a lot to do with the region you're in.
Griff,
FSN started as an online directory. We signed on to be in the directory for $199 per year. The price has risen. So have their service offerings. They now offer hosted websites with shopping carts. I don't know the scoop on these as we do not use this service. I does cost extra. They also introduced an 80/20 F2F program. The cost of using this program is $3.99 for web submission or $6.99 for phone submission (how you give them the order to relay). They bill your credit/debit card (on file) 80%+$3.99 or $6.99 and relay your order to the receiving florist. The receiving florist gets paid 80% via check sent every week.
I can tell you, Griff, that it has worked perfect in the 6 months we have used it. We still offer our customers toll free phone numbers, but need a sending network for those who want us to handle it. I stopped phoning directly to florists because I ran into so many problems with stupid florists not taking a direct order. I still phone direct to florists' I have used in the past that accept direct orders. AND, I must say the 20% does not hurt my feelings when I send.
FSN doesn't appear on the first page when I search "flowers (or florist) Victoria TX", but ilocalflorist does. The results are reverse when I search Eugene OR. I think it has a lot to do with the region you're in.
Griff,
FSN started as an online directory. We signed on to be in the directory for $199 per year. The price has risen. So have their service offerings. They now offer hosted websites with shopping carts. I don't know the scoop on these as we do not use this service. I does cost extra. They also introduced an 80/20 F2F program. The cost of using this program is $3.99 for web submission or $6.99 for phone submission (how you give them the order to relay). They bill your credit/debit card (on file) 80%+$3.99 or $6.99 and relay your order to the receiving florist. The receiving florist gets paid 80% via check sent every week.
I can tell you, Griff, that it has worked perfect in the 6 months we have used it. We still offer our customers toll free phone numbers, but need a sending network for those who want us to handle it. I stopped phoning directly to florists because I ran into so many problems with stupid florists not taking a direct order. I still phone direct to florists' I have used in the past that accept direct orders. AND, I must say the 20% does not hurt my feelings when I send.
Connie
New Member
We were members of FSN a few years ago. It was a complete waste of money. I do not recall how much it cost to be a member, but we only received one order & check from them. That came after we refused to continue our membership, and the sales rep promised that we were going to get an order very soon. That one and only order came the day after that phone call. The sales rep was very high pressured, almost to the point of rudeness. We would never recommend them to anyone.
theflowersmith
Well-Known Member
- Dec 13, 2003
- 596
- 339
- 63
- 124
- State / Prov
- PA
Sue
We have their website and are very pleased with the response. Orders are relayed to us via fax including all contact info on the customer--even email addresses.
Generic containers, nice arrangements and you get your check every week. Have a look: http://www.theflowersmith.net/
We have their website and are very pleased with the response. Orders are relayed to us via fax including all contact info on the customer--even email addresses.
Generic containers, nice arrangements and you get your check every week. Have a look: http://www.theflowersmith.net/
theflowersmith said:
Hello TheFlowerSmith-
Just wondering what percentage amount of the website order do you recieve from FSn in the check?
Thanks.
Connie said:
I wonder if this could have anything to do with the fact that there are 14 listings for Piedmont, SC? It would probably work well if there were only a couple others.
theflowersmith
Well-Known Member
- Dec 13, 2003
- 596
- 339
- 63
- 124
- State / Prov
- PA
I have had this service since 2000, and it is great for me!
I do not have the website with them and never get F2F orders, do get the 80-20 from the main office not a lot but that's not what I am on the service for.
Every time a consumer goes into my website, I get an email. Every email I get there is a direct order that comes by phone or off my shopping cart.
So basically everyday if I have 3-4 emails, I can depend on 3-4 credit cards orders coming that day or the next.
I have my website that they put on the FSN site instead of theirs for me.
It depends on what you are really wanting out of this service. (me ;credit card sales)
They are able to tell you how many hits you got on your site and how many of those hits went into website for orders, this is what I like and did a tally myself in 2004, to verify what I was being told at renewal time, the orders I received for that year was 436, the hits on the home page of my website was 28,000. In 2005 incoming credit card orders 682, hits on website 45,000.
I will tell you this that I found out, when you put in a keyword or location depending on region and search engine you will find them on the top 3 or 3rd page as number 18 and so on. But what does it matter if the consumer finds you and calls you direct giving you a credit card? I have found that a lot of my direct orders from consumers are from California, Nevada, and north eastern states, wanting something delivered in my area. That is telling me FSN is high ranked on whatever search engine is used those places mostly.
To me this is added incoming sales and $199 a year is very cheap when you consider the cost per hits at 40,000 or all the sponsor fees on the Internet.
Hope this helps,
Cyndi
I do not have the website with them and never get F2F orders, do get the 80-20 from the main office not a lot but that's not what I am on the service for.
Every time a consumer goes into my website, I get an email. Every email I get there is a direct order that comes by phone or off my shopping cart.
So basically everyday if I have 3-4 emails, I can depend on 3-4 credit cards orders coming that day or the next.
I have my website that they put on the FSN site instead of theirs for me.
It depends on what you are really wanting out of this service. (me ;credit card sales)
They are able to tell you how many hits you got on your site and how many of those hits went into website for orders, this is what I like and did a tally myself in 2004, to verify what I was being told at renewal time, the orders I received for that year was 436, the hits on the home page of my website was 28,000. In 2005 incoming credit card orders 682, hits on website 45,000.
I will tell you this that I found out, when you put in a keyword or location depending on region and search engine you will find them on the top 3 or 3rd page as number 18 and so on. But what does it matter if the consumer finds you and calls you direct giving you a credit card? I have found that a lot of my direct orders from consumers are from California, Nevada, and north eastern states, wanting something delivered in my area. That is telling me FSN is high ranked on whatever search engine is used those places mostly.
To me this is added incoming sales and $199 a year is very cheap when you consider the cost per hits at 40,000 or all the sponsor fees on the Internet.
Hope this helps,
Cyndi
Eric S
Demoted Webmaster
When I first signed up with Flower Shop Network their directory was right up there with locate a flower shop. I can't remember the last time I saw a referal from the directory this year and it seems to me that since they began to market them selves as a alternitive to being a wire service the directory has disappeared at least in our search area.
Eric S said:
I think, Eric, you have just gotten to the heart of the issue. The original concept of a directory was that the more florists that join a directory, the higher the ranking when consumers do the search. However, if I do a search on Tustin, Ca for FLORIST, FLOWERS, FLOWER SHOP, flowershopnetwork doesn't show up anyplace on the first two pages. I don't believe that consumers today have the patience to go through page after page on the internet looking for florists. Just my opinion, but if they can't find you one the first page or maybe half way down the second, they're done looking.
I don't have anything against this directory, but on one of the other boards, they spoke of OG's listed within this data base. I too have found some unusally listings. Aside from Wesley Berry all around Detroit, I also ran across an interesting one in Palatine, Il. Again, just my opinion, but personnally don't like the idea of receiving any 20-80 orders from anonamous senders as this system does.
Griff said:
Please tell me that you are not going to fall victim to gossip. Or do you believe everything an anonymous poster says? Why don't you call FSN and get the scoop for yourself? Ask them for their opinion on OG activities and whether or not they support or foster those activities.
Wesley Berry does operate a real florist shop last I knew. Maybe I am wrong. As for Palatine, Il, I didn't see anything alarming. Maybe you could post the suspect shop.
If you don't like their 20/80 F2F program then you don't have to participate. It appears that some shops don't benefit from their directory listings as much as others, so maybe your shop will not benefit at all from FSN.
Opinion is one thing, rumors are another...
- Status
