Sounds great. What about a conference call with all the (potential) committee heads? Need a vision and mission statement? Keeping in mind Time Zones....
From the Wire service who won't compete with us..they said so!
- Thread starter Sher
- Start date
- Status
My bad...I am so po'd that I know I left some good folks out and I apologise..it wasn't a full list either so to you guys..Sorry if I left you out.
Hre is the thing tho...so much complaining and yet if each of us was honest..how many actulay did a catalog for christmas...I didn't..I was afraid of pricing that far ahead and the economy sucking but I should have and yet I am here complaining..seem like all we ever do is beatch about them but truthfully...how many times do we actually accomplish anything...as a FlowerChat community...yes we have the Florist Detective and it has brought forth a lot of info..but this is about marketing..you have to ask....
what have we done in the past five years that has had an impact on our business by joining as a group nationwide, across the pond or to the moon...we talk a lot..we complain a lot...and I am not pointing fingers....I do it also..but this is a critical time for all of us..what are we going to do this coming year to survive...
How many of you still have a Wire service website..why not a media99([email protected]) or one from RFA...([email protected]) ..from Media 99, and RFA ...and Ryan's here at Strider..check out the others....I only know Media99...... you don't have to have just ws images..you can load your own..they have features that are just amazing..and it is reasonably priced and if I can accomplish what I have with the my new site...then certainly you can to...why are you continuing to support the ws's with a website template that looks like everyone else...have you added up the cost for it...have you compared..I only have media99 to compare but it sure as heck is waay less expensive...when I finish there will not be one TF OR FTD code on any of the items..I will not advertise for them...yes I will use their images but I am not advertising for them
How many of you have listed your company with a floral directory...especially if you have a website and ARE NOT a Member of a wire service? How do think I am going to get my order to you in your town at 100% if you are not listed...can you really get your site to rank as high as a directory does..the cost to join all three of the best ones is less than 1000 a year and they will charge you monthly...your first order can cover that monthly cost...ilocalflorist.com localflowershop.com and locateaflowershop.com
I can't afford advertising in my local paper..a 5x5 ad is over 500 bucks in black and white...but I am ready to email the heck out of my customers. And I am kicking myself for not getting a catalog...that was a poor call on my part....again benevaenterprises.com, AMK [email protected] AND Sunflower Technology [email protected] all do catalogs and postcards...these are all REAL FLORISTS in business..why aren't we supporting them as a group with an order for a catalog. And if you want your own catalog..call Shawn Therrian at San Antonio press.. her prices rock! .([email protected])
And every one who gets a delivery will now be getting a gift card...yep...they have to come in to redeem it or call but that is one way to grab back a WS recipient...and we will include one for their sender...call compuformsinc.net and speak to Joe..he can give you the skinny on gift cards..... [email protected]
Art Conforti did a utube about marketing and the newest 800 catalog..he brought out some very good issues..take a look at it.http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SGs-D6RRHqA
You really have to ask yourself what are you doing to promote your store..and as a group we have so much talent, so much experience, so much to offer, so much POWER and all we do is worry about freaking red dots and politics...this energy IMHO could be making our industry rock..what is it going to take...more talking..or can we
actually get our act together and 'get it done" ?
I hope I have not offended you , this is my opiniion...if my links help
you...then Great..if not just ignore me but I am going to take some of my own advice and do things differently ...I need to survive
Sher
Chezbloom
Well-Known Member
I respecfully disagree with you Manorville. Why would established B&M customers move away from us? Are the supermarkets really going to kill us? I believe if we provide a good, creative, affordable product with excellent customer service, they will keep coming.
At least via the internet!
I've created a new group on Facebook...called Real Florists Network. It is a closed/secret group (so that no one but members can see what's up). You must be invited to join, so if you're not on facebook yet please sign up. Add me Dorothy Zunti-Cole and I will invite you to join. Great place to keep it all together!
You mean like this idea from 2007 no one did anything with?
http://www.flowerchat.com/forums/showthread.php?t=9905
I like the idea of us doing something but watch this thread get 548349 pages long with no one agreeing.
BTW, I don't know what I can do to help but I would like to!
BTW, I don't know what I can do to help but I would like to!
MANORVILLE
New Member
- Oct 2, 2006
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That's Cool
The other day I noted that we had conducted a survey here regarding the new and improved FTD website.
It was wasn't the first time we've done it, whether in house or out.
In fact I've been doing it for several years and have covered almost every consumer related aspect of the biz.
Lots of great ideas came from those Real surveys.
Among my findings there has been a growing concern amongst consumers regarding the differences in pricing over the internet as opposed to florist purchased. As the economy slides even further consumers will become more frugal and seek out the best deals. This is why the WS and dOG's are so devastatingly successful.
Add in the supermarkets, gas stations, convenience stores and roadside stands and there does exist a problem.
It's true, lots of people swear by us, and real florists, as we all work hard to provide superior quality & customer service but when there is no money & the thought is still there, wifey is gonna appreciate the crappy dozen roses from the corner for $7.99 and hubby is gonna love the fact that he didn't have to pay $50- 75 per dozen.
I like everyone have some very dedicated and long established customers and accounts yet realize the possibility that my exceptional product and designs may not win out over impulse value, cheap flower deals and boxes when the going gets really tough.
I'm just trying to be realistic.
PS Ya don't have to be respectful ! LOL
BOSS
FlowerChat Administrator
I respectfully DISagree....
The wire services are ONLY successful because Real Florists continue to
enable them in perpetrating the fraud by filling their gathered orders.<period!
Chezbloom
Well-Known Member
I agree with Boss. The WS and Og's are NOT repeat NOT cheaper than calling most independant florists. Go to one of thier sites and try to place and order-dont complete it or add any cc info-although you may not get an accurate total until you do so. You will find that they are very expensive even with the bait and switch $19.95 arrangements. So, IMHO, we can afford to price our arrangements more afffordably if we stop supporting the bloodsucking leaches we call the WS. Now, I am off to ride my Unicorn to Narnia, see ya'll tomorrow.
Gotta agree Boss,....but how many shops out there are surviving solely on the WS? They don't have there own customers and/or don't know how to get them. (may not be around much longer, but- we're off the topic (again). I have mentioned this before & talked to Kevin about it this AM. I still think that Sher has it right, but let's take it further. Why can't we do TV commercials promoting the floral industry? The Dairy, meat & produce industries do it all the time. Let them know how much more they get from using their local professional florist. Hell, we pay local taxes, donate to every local school, FD, Girl Scouts & whoever else needs our help to make their event successful. Maybe if we keep reminding them that we're their neighbors, they just might take the time to look us up instead of using the big guys that really don't give a crrap about our towns.
Sorry for the rant, but that actually felt good!
terri
Sorry for the rant, but that actually felt good!
terri
cherrie
New Member
I have a question.
I saw the discounts on the TF site today.
Are they trying to make us fill the orders at at 10 - 30% discount, or are they eating the discount?
FYI, I have rejected more orders than I accepted today. What's with the rectangular glass vase arrangement at $41.95? Give me a break!
I spent about an hour lowering my delivery charges on my system today, but, I am not giving it away to TF. I have no codified containers this year. I've rejected a zillion pitcher orders.(maybe really 10 or so) I asked my girlfriend how much they cost and she told me $7.82 with shipping. So, 73% of $45.00 is about $33.00ttl to be delivered. Not doing it, sorry folks. I'm over it. My friend is subbing the rectangular vase for a square cube. I don't think that's right. Deceptive to the customer. The wire services force us to stoop and deceive by the ridiculous low dollar amounts they give to fill their orders. It's sad.
Now, back to my current rant. I appreciate that you all are trying to make a move in the right direction to breaking away from the big three, but, the first direction you all should be taking is to get rid of your stinkin wire services web sites.
Think of this way FREEDOM!
I saw the discounts on the TF site today.
Are they trying to make us fill the orders at at 10 - 30% discount, or are they eating the discount?
FYI, I have rejected more orders than I accepted today. What's with the rectangular glass vase arrangement at $41.95? Give me a break!
I spent about an hour lowering my delivery charges on my system today, but, I am not giving it away to TF. I have no codified containers this year. I've rejected a zillion pitcher orders.(maybe really 10 or so) I asked my girlfriend how much they cost and she told me $7.82 with shipping. So, 73% of $45.00 is about $33.00ttl to be delivered. Not doing it, sorry folks. I'm over it. My friend is subbing the rectangular vase for a square cube. I don't think that's right. Deceptive to the customer. The wire services force us to stoop and deceive by the ridiculous low dollar amounts they give to fill their orders. It's sad.
Now, back to my current rant. I appreciate that you all are trying to make a move in the right direction to breaking away from the big three, but, the first direction you all should be taking is to get rid of your stinkin wire services web sites.
Think of this way FREEDOM!
What happened to the Buzz???? Everything's set up, just need PEOPLE!! Come on over.... Facebook, search Dorothy Zunti-Cole...then I'll invite you to join Real Florists Network. Let's keep it all in one place!
MANORVILLE
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I'm not disagreeing about enabling them at all folks, but scores of shops are very reliant, and apprehensive about leaving.
Fortunate ones are/were making money. The very fortunate will do better as more and more shops fold. It's a simple scenario. Sucks for some though.
There has to be an alternative to the less fortunate other than quit the WS and risk their business. I find that people just can't fathom surviving without them for one reason or another. Some have no clue as to the alternatives that are available. Some don't have the time, or money to adequately promote their businesses, yet they try.
For the most part these shops have no where to turn.
Each of us has our own business model, and we know what we need to do to survive, whether it be with them or without. I want out and have for quite some time but the timing has to be right for me. Heck I may be outa one of em right now and don't even know it yet, but I can say that if my printer doesn't hit the magic number on the overnight I'm done, and it'll be the fastest separation in the history of the WS. Bank on that folks !
I guess overall I've just realized that I am part of the problem, but for now, until I can change it, it will remain that way, and I have no guilt whatsoever. Why should I .
Are they bloodsucking leeches , yes, but those that have chosen to be with them aren't bad people because of that decision.
Chez , Boss and Terri have made good points and I completely understand their opinions. Sher too has many great ideas, as do many other FC members.
For me at this point I think new directions are in order as I believe my instinct's for our biz to be 100% on the money.
As far as WS sites, gimmicks, gizmos and gadgets, bait and switch and screwjobs, my real concern lies with the consumer that has landed on their pages, and although they'll get hit with the charges, they may just stay.
As always, opinions vary !
Fortunate ones are/were making money. The very fortunate will do better as more and more shops fold. It's a simple scenario. Sucks for some though.
There has to be an alternative to the less fortunate other than quit the WS and risk their business. I find that people just can't fathom surviving without them for one reason or another. Some have no clue as to the alternatives that are available. Some don't have the time, or money to adequately promote their businesses, yet they try.
For the most part these shops have no where to turn.
Each of us has our own business model, and we know what we need to do to survive, whether it be with them or without. I want out and have for quite some time but the timing has to be right for me. Heck I may be outa one of em right now and don't even know it yet, but I can say that if my printer doesn't hit the magic number on the overnight I'm done, and it'll be the fastest separation in the history of the WS. Bank on that folks !
I guess overall I've just realized that I am part of the problem, but for now, until I can change it, it will remain that way, and I have no guilt whatsoever. Why should I .
Are they bloodsucking leeches , yes, but those that have chosen to be with them aren't bad people because of that decision.
Chez , Boss and Terri have made good points and I completely understand their opinions. Sher too has many great ideas, as do many other FC members.
For me at this point I think new directions are in order as I believe my instinct's for our biz to be 100% on the money.
As far as WS sites, gimmicks, gizmos and gadgets, bait and switch and screwjobs, my real concern lies with the consumer that has landed on their pages, and although they'll get hit with the charges, they may just stay.
As always, opinions vary !
FTD's little trick
Well I can't seem to upload the image but they are offering an email for a centerpiece...ugly as hell for 19.99...Grateful Gatherings which is 39.99 but this is their discount..shipped..yep..shipped out of Miami...
So not only do they by-pass us but this is the ugliest design..cant really call it that...but this is what they sell to the public..it isn;t cookie cutter..it is just plain ugly. So what does this do to the consumers opinion of flowers..can they possible think it is attractive...ruins it for everyone.And don't think it does not impact yur business just because it is ugly...they are selling them...and they are selling them to your consumers...
Maybe we should become a major ordergather..different but an og and grab all the orders for Flowerchatters thru some kind of web site...we certainly have the talent here to do that...think of it..grabbing consumers and by-passing the WS...IT HAS SUCH A NICE RING TO IT...
So maybe the best start is to have a 'downage" during a busy time..could we manage that or are we brave enough to just take orders from other florists....turn off the machines or something...the only way we can get their attention is thru their pockets..they sure dont mind hurting ours....any ideas or is this just a pipe dream and we will all be talking next year how it was to "be a real florist back in the day"?
Sher
Well I can't seem to upload the image but they are offering an email for a centerpiece...ugly as hell for 19.99...Grateful Gatherings which is 39.99 but this is their discount..shipped..yep..shipped out of Miami...
So not only do they by-pass us but this is the ugliest design..cant really call it that...but this is what they sell to the public..it isn;t cookie cutter..it is just plain ugly. So what does this do to the consumers opinion of flowers..can they possible think it is attractive...ruins it for everyone.And don't think it does not impact yur business just because it is ugly...they are selling them...and they are selling them to your consumers...
Maybe we should become a major ordergather..different but an og and grab all the orders for Flowerchatters thru some kind of web site...we certainly have the talent here to do that...think of it..grabbing consumers and by-passing the WS...IT HAS SUCH A NICE RING TO IT...
So maybe the best start is to have a 'downage" during a busy time..could we manage that or are we brave enough to just take orders from other florists....turn off the machines or something...the only way we can get their attention is thru their pockets..they sure dont mind hurting ours....any ideas or is this just a pipe dream and we will all be talking next year how it was to "be a real florist back in the day"?
Sher
Who cares? Why are youo trying to save everyone else? Save yourself, let the others take care of themselves. Or not. It's up to them. Maybe they are making money--you don't know until you see the balance sheet.
Rhonda
Well-Known Member
Okay, I bought one of these dropped shipped babys last year and it was pathetic. They had to credit my visa card and I'm sure a bunch of others if they complained due to the abnormal freezing temps in the NE. Well, it's gonna be moderate Tues - Weds here dang it...but the breakage on the thing was substantial. I did post pics here.
I had to put up with months of weekly - no triweekly - email spam until finally got them to stop. They certainly won't gain any points that way unless they've improved the delivery stability which I hardly figure they can.
MANORVILLE
New Member
- Oct 2, 2006
- 1,607
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- NEW YORK
I'm with you Sher.
Got a strong kick in the arse from a southern lady late this afternoon on the phone and my perspective is on the move.
As far as next year talking about the same thing, it won't be me.
Whether I make a move alone or with 10 or 50 or 1,000, it really isn't relevant anymore, cause each day we lose ground and I'm tired of seeing it coming. Just reading back through the years makes me nuts.
I'm sure many will disagree with proactive & aggressive moves at this point and many more will cite what has been unable to be accomplished in the past, but that's OK.
I need to make moves based on intelligent decisions which will make or break my business and I have no intentions of sitting back losing any more ground while the WS and dOG's whittle away any more of pie.
Whether I keep one for sending and reap the rewards or I fly free, only time will tell.
If I fight and lose, well that's another story, but fight I will. Either way I now see the direction I must go in.
My buddy is here with me that does recon all over the tri state area. He buys test flowers from wholesalers , shops, and other venues, and runs tests for me and a few other owners
. His wife loves it cause she's always got flowers at home. I love it cause I get to see what's out there.
Every now and then Chris shows up with a great catch. Tonight he decided that I need to unwind and brought me the devils water, which I've stayed away from for quite a while. ( Haven't opened it yet though )
Getting to the point :
How many florists buy their roses from xxxx-xxxx or the equivalent ?
For those that don't know, xxxx-xxxx provides roses to street corner vendors, temp shops, gas stations etc....
You wouldn't believe how many shops are buying this stuff for their customers.
Why do they do it................Cheap !!!!!!!!!!!
Now take me. I buy quality and I'm not afraid to spend for it. Never was and will get out before I change that policy. Why would I buy .05 cent roses with no longevity, jeopardize our reputations and high standards, and thus damage the industry further for my colleagues in the business.
People are doing it folks. Doesn't that suck !
Why are they doing it............because they can........and they do not uphold the standards that many of us live by, the same standards that keep our customers coming back to Real Florists.
3 Truck wholesalers this year...........thrown out of here. Started with good product then filtered in the old stuff. Got sucked in at least two or three times with each before they got kicked to the curb.
If I can't provide florist quality, then I'm outa here.
Stories.....regarding box deliveries abound. Do you ever hear that uninformed people assume that they're FLORIST DELIVERED ? We do and have heard it many times.
What sucks is that they tell people the florist delivered it !
How many think that 800, TF, FTD, Pro, etc....are florists ? Too @@@@ many !
How many think the internet is fair..............and contain honest portrayals of businesses with integrity ?
How many Real Florists are making 30 % plus the equivalent of a hefty surcharge on every order, while milking out a few extra bucks where ever they can ?
Regrouping :
What Teleflora has done today, that many of us saw coming for a long time exhibited a blatant disregard for their members, proved beyond a shadow of a doubt that they don't have to hide their intentions any longer, and that they are NOT the shining star amongst the WS. Why don't they care...............because they need to stay in the game and know full well that they have the power over a huge percentage of their membership, which won't change.
Some of us pay these people, and we allow them to direct market the very business designed to sustain us, away from us, to pad their pockets, on the same sites and publications that we fund.
Yes people............we are the stoooooopid ones, cause if we're not amongst the big senders, we are in fact wasting our money, and our lives, in pursuit of a dream that does not exist.
None of the big corps are going under, nor will they, because they will continue to chop away at us, until there's nothing left, and more will join them as the prey becomes easier to attack.
Build your businesses, no matter what, what ever it takes, and do it soon !
As always, opinions vary
OK I'm done random ranting............
Got a strong kick in the arse from a southern lady late this afternoon on the phone and my perspective is on the move.
As far as next year talking about the same thing, it won't be me.
Whether I make a move alone or with 10 or 50 or 1,000, it really isn't relevant anymore, cause each day we lose ground and I'm tired of seeing it coming. Just reading back through the years makes me nuts.
I'm sure many will disagree with proactive & aggressive moves at this point and many more will cite what has been unable to be accomplished in the past, but that's OK.
I need to make moves based on intelligent decisions which will make or break my business and I have no intentions of sitting back losing any more ground while the WS and dOG's whittle away any more of pie.
Whether I keep one for sending and reap the rewards or I fly free, only time will tell.
If I fight and lose, well that's another story, but fight I will. Either way I now see the direction I must go in.
My buddy is here with me that does recon all over the tri state area. He buys test flowers from wholesalers , shops, and other venues, and runs tests for me and a few other owners
. His wife loves it cause she's always got flowers at home. I love it cause I get to see what's out there.
Every now and then Chris shows up with a great catch. Tonight he decided that I need to unwind and brought me the devils water, which I've stayed away from for quite a while. ( Haven't opened it yet though )
Getting to the point :
How many florists buy their roses from xxxx-xxxx or the equivalent ?
For those that don't know, xxxx-xxxx provides roses to street corner vendors, temp shops, gas stations etc....
You wouldn't believe how many shops are buying this stuff for their customers.
Why do they do it................Cheap !!!!!!!!!!!
Now take me. I buy quality and I'm not afraid to spend for it. Never was and will get out before I change that policy. Why would I buy .05 cent roses with no longevity, jeopardize our reputations and high standards, and thus damage the industry further for my colleagues in the business.
People are doing it folks. Doesn't that suck !
Why are they doing it............because they can........and they do not uphold the standards that many of us live by, the same standards that keep our customers coming back to Real Florists.
3 Truck wholesalers this year...........thrown out of here. Started with good product then filtered in the old stuff. Got sucked in at least two or three times with each before they got kicked to the curb.
If I can't provide florist quality, then I'm outa here.
Stories.....regarding box deliveries abound. Do you ever hear that uninformed people assume that they're FLORIST DELIVERED ? We do and have heard it many times.
What sucks is that they tell people the florist delivered it !
How many think that 800, TF, FTD, Pro, etc....are florists ? Too @@@@ many !
How many think the internet is fair..............and contain honest portrayals of businesses with integrity ?
How many Real Florists are making 30 % plus the equivalent of a hefty surcharge on every order, while milking out a few extra bucks where ever they can ?
Regrouping :
What Teleflora has done today, that many of us saw coming for a long time exhibited a blatant disregard for their members, proved beyond a shadow of a doubt that they don't have to hide their intentions any longer, and that they are NOT the shining star amongst the WS. Why don't they care...............because they need to stay in the game and know full well that they have the power over a huge percentage of their membership, which won't change.
Some of us pay these people, and we allow them to direct market the very business designed to sustain us, away from us, to pad their pockets, on the same sites and publications that we fund.
Yes people............we are the stoooooopid ones, cause if we're not amongst the big senders, we are in fact wasting our money, and our lives, in pursuit of a dream that does not exist.
None of the big corps are going under, nor will they, because they will continue to chop away at us, until there's nothing left, and more will join them as the prey becomes easier to attack.
Build your businesses, no matter what, what ever it takes, and do it soon !
As always, opinions vary
OK I'm done random ranting............
MANORVILLE
New Member
- Oct 2, 2006
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- State / Prov
- NEW YORK
Who cares ........
If "who cares" is the case then why are a lot of us here ?
Maybe I'm the mistaken one today, but I was under the impression that this was a community of professional florists that actually cared about others in the business.
Let it be me, the one that addresses this, to someone I have the utmost respect for :
That was the wrong thing to say in a community of over 3,000 and in the company you're in.
My goal in business is to excel and earn an honest living. My choice is to learn and do my best to support anyone that asks for help, and I will go out of my way to offer whatever I can, because I do care, and I do it all day long, no matter what it takes from me, and yeah, I still make money.
No regrets ............
I started this with 50.00 bucks and not a single customer, and ya know what...............PAY IT FORWARD !
If "who cares" is the case then why are a lot of us here ?
Maybe I'm the mistaken one today, but I was under the impression that this was a community of professional florists that actually cared about others in the business.
Let it be me, the one that addresses this, to someone I have the utmost respect for :
That was the wrong thing to say in a community of over 3,000 and in the company you're in.
My goal in business is to excel and earn an honest living. My choice is to learn and do my best to support anyone that asks for help, and I will go out of my way to offer whatever I can, because I do care, and I do it all day long, no matter what it takes from me, and yeah, I still make money.
No regrets ............
I started this with 50.00 bucks and not a single customer, and ya know what...............PAY IT FORWARD !
Kevin, please join us over in Facebook...Real Florists Network...you must be invited so please request me as a friend (Dorothy Zunti-Cole) and I'll hook you up. We already have a name, logo and website domain...NEED more members!
Everyone, please help to make this HAPPEN! Sharing ideas is a great place to start....
Everyone, please help to make this HAPPEN! Sharing ideas is a great place to start....
roysecityfloristand gifts
Well-Known Member
Sher, I tried to GREEN DOT you for your post #34, proposing a "downage"
as you called it.
Everyone shut the printers off for just one hour or one day. And don't just turn it back on and fill those missed orders. Make the WS's hurt, make them hunt for a shop to fill those orders, maybe when they can't they will start to get the message.
It's a great idea. I will say it clearly, how many of you have the ba**s to do that????? How many are afraid to miss a few orders?? How many of you want to be around a year from now? The WS's will lead you around by your noses as long as you let them, and whose fault is that.
I promise you I do not miss them, I clear more $ with less strife now.
Green Dot Keeper, why wouldn't you let me give Sher her Greenie???
Sher, if I had not gotten out of all of them in early 08' I'd be there with you on this idea.
as you called it.
Everyone shut the printers off for just one hour or one day. And don't just turn it back on and fill those missed orders. Make the WS's hurt, make them hunt for a shop to fill those orders, maybe when they can't they will start to get the message.
It's a great idea. I will say it clearly, how many of you have the ba**s to do that????? How many are afraid to miss a few orders?? How many of you want to be around a year from now? The WS's will lead you around by your noses as long as you let them, and whose fault is that.
I promise you I do not miss them, I clear more $ with less strife now.
Green Dot Keeper, why wouldn't you let me give Sher her Greenie???
Sher, if I had not gotten out of all of them in early 08' I'd be there with you on this idea.
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