FTD.COM's order volume decreases

Status
Not open for further replies.
Wow!!!

RC in Dayton and Cincinnati said:
For the First Quarter of Fiscal Year 2006 FTD.COM's specialty gift order volume, which include all orders delivered via common carrier increased by 76.5% while for the same period its florist delivered order volume decreased by 2.7%.
I’ll tell you what this shows me.

As FTD raises their fees to its membership, they are taking that money and pouring it into competing directly against florists.

Plain and simple FTD is killing the retail florist segment!! They are decreasing the amount of orders to florists, while increasing items directly shipped. And in huge numbers. It doesn’t take a math teacher to look at the numbers. 76.5% compared to 2.7%.

Gee at this rate, soon enough everything will be directly shipped by someone. Now is the time for retail florists to roll up markets. Join forces, consolidate and become stronger. The weak are just getting weaker!!!

It has NEVER been more important for florists to advertise in their own local markets. Not only advertising to those that are our customers. We have got to develop new people into customers FAST!!!!!

800flowers is now all over TV advertising birthday flowers. I am not surprised that they keep increasing in order volume. People buy products that are advertised. And they buy them from the companies that advertise them.

Anyone interested in consolidating?
 
They been playing this game for years; everyone with any sense knows it, yet most will do nothing about it. They seem unable to imagine LAW (life after wire). Some stay because they are big fillers and/or senders, and jealously lord over every penny made with FTD. Good luck to them, they'll need it over the coming years...
 
ROBSWF said:
Anyone interested in consolidating?

What, like an alliance or a **union**??

FTD's numbers will continue in this direction for the forseeable future...

Plain and simple, the florists are a pain in their asstes even while contributing the most....
 
BOSS said:
...Plain and simple, the florists are a pain in their asstes even while contributing the most....
...and don't forget all of the BRANDING that the zombies do for FTD. Any idea how much it would cost of have the "Mercury M$n" advertised in ALL those markets? <shivers> Not only is FTD sucking the zombies dry with fees, but is also getting all that free yellow page pub, billboard pub, and flyer pub.
 
and don't forget all of the BRANDING that the zombies do for FTD.
lol - In a way I feel sorry for FTD/TF florists. They aren't stuck, but to get out is like a camel walking through the eye of a needle. Then on the other hand the FTD/TF florists don't care because they make $ on the gig but ignore the ramifications of the future. Most are smart though... they'll pull out at the last second. But with all their nose cutting to spite thier face, they'll be left with no nose to smell their flowers. A sad catch 22? or A piggy with a long nose?

Amen Rob. It's a broken record a lot of us have preached over the years, but Amen.
 
12BucksFor2Dozon said:
...and don't forget all of the BRANDING that the zombies do for FTD.

No logo's here, on anything except for one little one on my site, and as soon as I have enuf of my images it too will be gone.

They can have all the groceries/big boxes they want...
 
Dazeal said:
lol - In a way I feel sorry for FTD/TF florists. They aren't stuck, but to get out is like a camel walking through the eye of a needle. Then on the other hand the FTD/TF florists don't care because they make $ on the gig but ignore the ramifications of the future. Most are smart though... they'll pull out at the last second. But with all their nose cutting to spite thier face, they'll be left with no nose to smell their flowers. A sad catch 22? or A piggy with a long nose?

Amen Rob. It's a broken record a lot of us have preached over the years, but Amen.

How do you transmit out of town orders? Call direct? Just wondering...

Oh, and don't feel sorry for FTD/TEL members. Those who watch their statements can easily see if the W/S is costing or making them money. Granted, there are those who don't and those won't be around too much longer. Those watching their statements see how much the services they use are costing, see if the service is doing the "job" needed, and if not, get rid of the service.

Currently, and I can't stess this word enough, FTD is needed by my shop to conduct business - no other viable solution thats cost effective. However, that doesn't mean I agree with the marketing stratagies of .COM, or FTD Top Brass. While the stats in the first post are alarming, they are not surprizing to me. It is no secret that direct ship items are more and more popular - that's what e-commerce is based on. .COM and all the other big OG's are putting more and more of this product on the sites. The industry is changing, and I believe that the florist who watches their $$$ and cents will be around for the long run - no matter if they USE a w/s or not. I will also state that these very same florists will be around LONGER than the w/s itself because in due time, there will be no need for a w/s and all the services they offer will be available at a much lower cost, and be universally available by other companies or organizations.

- H.
 
ROBSWF said:
I’ll tell you what this shows me.

As FTD raises their fees to its membership, they are taking that money and pouring it into competing directly against florists.

Plain and simple FTD is killing the retail florist segment!! They are decreasing the amount of orders to florists, while increasing items directly shipped. And in huge numbers. It doesn’t take a math teacher to look at the numbers. 76.5% compared to 2.7%.

Gee at this rate, soon enough everything will be directly shipped by someone. Now is the time for retail florists to roll up markets. Join forces, consolidate and become stronger. The weak are just getting weaker!!!

It has NEVER been more important for florists to advertise in their own local markets. Not only advertising to those that are our customers. We have got to develop new people into customers FAST!!!!!

800flowers is now all over TV advertising birthday flowers. I am not surprised that they keep increasing in order volume. People buy products that are advertised. And they buy them from the companies that advertise them.

Anyone interested in consolidating?
SURE! But....too many things that need to be done. Tech, C-card clearing, wire x-fer, list goes on...

Oh, and don't forget to lump TEL into the above mix as well...they are equally as guilty.

- H.
 
Dazeal said:
Amen Rob. It's a broken record a lot of us have preached over the years, but Amen.

Not a broken record....but I wonder how many are willing to put in enuf "sweat equity" and CASH to make something new happen??

I'm not throwing a stone at you Daz, but you have to realize not everyone has the realistic ability to do without some of the things WE USE the wire services for, until there is a VIABLE alternative to replace them with.
 
Notes from the Conference Call

I didn't get to listen to the entire call but want to highlight a few points:

- The discussion of growth in direct ship products was FTD's brightest highlight.

- Marketing Partners - No names were disclosed but expect at least a couple annoucements about new partnerships ala Wal-Mart. Soenen said deals have been signed but didn't name names.

- Discussion of florist services was limited to talk of eliminating the product wholesale division (Marketplace?) and other services that didn't make the company money (no other divisions or services were specifically mentioned).

- A questioner asked about gas price increases and its effect on FTD. Soenen said it didn't effect FTD because it was the florists' problem to work out. (In other words, your delivery cost inceases are your problem.)

Lost my connection during the feed but hope to catch the end of the call later on the recording.
 
Re: Yes, that's their BALL and CHAIN plan.

PhillyPhlorist said:
SURE! But....too many things that need to be done. Tech, C-card clearing, wire x-fer, list goes on... Oh, and don't forget to lump TEL into the above mix as well...they are equally as guilty.- H.

I remember when I was a member and during small bob's reign of pain, they tried desperately to LOCK MEE IN with their Technology too.

If it hadn't been for my very dear REAL FLORIST FRIEND, SFOX, we would've been snookered thus, A PRISONER.

Once I had figured out that, small bob's COMPANY VISION did not include US WEE BEES, it was time to plan my exit strategy which I began in January of 2002.

First to stop was being used as a FILLER for DOT.CON.

Second was to leave my very own FAH which I had suggested to the OLD FAMILY MEMBER OWNED and OPERATED back in 1985 which began in October of 1990 via Don Putro.

Third was to get MY CASH FLOW out from under them. That TOO was a smart suggestion to MEE by SFOX as he had heard all of those RUMORS regarding FWOC who failed to move their credit cards out from under the HAMMER, only to have all their money IMPOUNDED until they decided it was time to DEBIT those CREDITS for things that florist never had, never received, or never ordered.

And, last to go would've been DA MERC scheduled by me for dismissal right after Mother Day of 2002.

Back then, and with the THEIR BULLETIN BOARD up and running, I was posting to other members on the subject of HOW WEE WERE GETTING SCREWED by small bob.

Well, one of my posts indicated WE HAD HAD ENOUGH and WEE WERE LEAVING in direct response to HERO as he suggested that, we were not serious.

That's when small bob took it upon himself to CUT US OFF from the MERC, after which, he SHUT DOWN THE BULLETIN BOARD.

All history now, but that's what happens when you TELEGRAPH YOUR PUNCH, a lesson learned which I happily passed over to Mark.

Only goes to show all of us that, there is LIFE after EF-DT.

And, I must admit that, I felt really great when I took their 3 foot round medallion off the CORNER of our BUILDING, walked across the roof, and dropped it into the DUMPSTER which was right in the alley way of the driveway. That sucker dropped perfectly on my very first try!

The funny part of their DROP SHIP GIFTING PROGRAM with its amazing increases in SALES is that, I began asking for that feature for OUR MEMBERS way back in 1989 from our BOARD and BORDEN.

Then, and when we were forced to sell, I continue to ask from Dick Boyce, the first CEO, and from Meg Whitman, their second CEO, who said; Sorry John, but that's NOT on MY RADAR SCREEN right now. I guess EBAY was?

Eventually, we GOTS a NO NAME, NO BRAND, NO VALUE, line of JUNK which TAMYRA ZYGMUND developed in an effort to SHUT US UP. Of course, their FLUNKY LINE fell on its ARSE while they were sure to COUPLE UP with all of the NATIONALLY KNOWS BRANDS of GREAT GIFTS, FOOD ITEMS, and eventually moved into DROP SHIPPED FLOWERS TOO!

TAMYRA was promptly FIRED by small bob, which was the one thing, he seemed to be really good at in Downer's Grove other than, driving his HOG into work each day.

Florists will always do what they need to do, and if, after bending over and holding onto their ankles long enough, while CONTINUOUSLY FEELING THEIR PAIN and getting NO RELIEF, will finally VOTE WITH THEIR WALLETS.

I did what I thought was a lateral back then, and rejoined a less intrusive OTHER WIRE SERVICE and was welcomed back with open arms by their former CEO.

However, make no mistake that, my plans to MOVE ON are intact, as MIMICKING and MORPHING does not work FORE MEE!
 
Philly.. I am pretty new, so my shop has never relied on a WS to survive. We give our customers 2 choices. We can do it for them for a $7 service charge and we use our CC and the second choice, which is what 95% of them choose, is we teach them how to find a local flower shop on the net OR we look one up for them. This way, they talk to the florist, know exactly what they are getting (in general) and the florist gets to fill at %100, which strengthens our industry. Our VIP customers, I will call ahead and talk to the florist to feel them out before I recommend them to my customer.

The above, to me, is full customer service, which I sure less than %1 of florists do for their customers. There is this stigma in our society that dictates old WS rules.... (The fine print is always.. if we don't have it, we'll try our best to fill what you have asked for) And a lot of customers are ok with this, because they think that's just the way it is, but my florist tells the full truth. Customers aren't buying this find print now as much as they were a year ago. As soon as my webcam idea is implemented by whomever, then you can kiss WS and OGs bye bye. But technology and florists aren't ready for this quite yet. But 1800flowers has the capital that doesn't have to wait for florists to be ready, i.e. 800flower filling stations in big cities. FTD has the florists to do it, maybe this is how the evolution of the WS will go? I know FSI is interested and to of seen their jaw drop at their board meeting was priceless. ;) but JC agrees, it is ahead of its time.

Sure I lose the $10 on the wire out, but in 5-7 years there will be no WS and our grandchildren will laugh at the notion. And I will NOT DO business with a WS and justify the money when they compete against me.

BUT Philly... I try not to judge you guys though... you are all locked in and need the income to pay your employees, that is why I feel bad for you and shake my finger at the WS even more. I am almost 100% sure Philly that if you or any other veteran here locked in this WS catch 22 were just starting out in the floral industry and know what you know now, you would not buy into the WS business.


P.S. THANKS Cathy for the info!!!!
 
sfox

After looking over their numbers, one line struck me funny. The line was "customer deposits" and the amount was down. What that means is that FTD is losing florists since they require a deposit. From the size of the drop, it looks like quite a few florists said goodbye.

What further amazes me is that after reading their report, is that any florist still belongs. I've heard BIG Mike talk about how FTD is working for it's "members". The question is working on what? And better still is what excuse can a florist give for supporting a corporation whose only goal is to drive their "members" out of business.

No where in all their statements was there even the slightest mention of any kind of focus on the part of FTD to increase business for its "members"

I put the word members in parenthesis because what I really wanted to call them was SUCKERS.

Oh, by the way, the board probably voted on some more increased fees that will be announced during the month of December, while the members are busy playing in their own sandbox and won't reallize till the following July that fees were increased. How else will they be able to increase revenues on the florist segment of their business. And from the increase in profitability on the florist segment, it seems that FTD continues to charge more to their florists while giving less. Too bad FTD florists don't have a 25% profit on FTD orders!

But for all you FTD members, listen closely to BIG Mike, because he is going to tell you about all the new things they are working on for the future to make FTD even better for their members. He hope you are all bankrupt by the time he has to spend a nickel on florists.
 
OK - lets break this down since you brought this up:

Dazeal said:
Philly.. I am pretty new, so my shop has never relied on a WS to survive. We give our customers 2 choices. We can do it for them for a $7 service charge and we use our CC and the second choice, which is what 95% of them choose, is we teach them how to find a local flower shop on the net OR we look one up for them. This way, they talk to the florist, know exactly what they are getting (in general) and the florist gets to fill at %100, which strengthens our industry. Our VIP customers, I will call ahead and talk to the florist to feel them out before I recommend them to my customer.

Pretty new, huh? Well, we're not. And, NO I do NOT rely on a WS to survive. Call the orders out or re-key them on some web site, with a c-card? Hmm...sounds like a lot of time to me...
Tell me, exactly HOW many wire out orders a month do you do?
Well, let me tell you that when on a SLOW month you do 10 wire outs a day, we cannot afford to take the TIME to do all the work you do - not to mention lose the relay fee & 20 % commission. Ok, it's FINE for you to point the customer to the web - to give them the phone number of someother florist. Very grand of you! But what about the SERVICE some customers WANT? A lot of our clients WANT us to take care of the order, bill them and be done with it! Sure - they could go on-line - but...we've been here for nearly 100 years - they TRUST us to HANDLE their needs. If an issue arises, we take care of it. This part you do not understand. Oh, and for it "strengthening" our industry? NEWS FLASH! Florist sending other florists wire orders is NOT going to help! COME ON MAN! You know THIS one! Get rid of the OGs!
But - not gonna happen!!! Not right away...

Dazeal said:
The above, to me, is full customer service, which I sure less than %1 of florists do for their customers. There is this stigma in our society that dictates old WS rules.... (The fine print is always.. if we don't have it, we'll try our best to fill what you have asked for) And a lot of customers are ok with this, because they think that's just the way it is, but my florist tells the full truth. Customers aren't buying this find print now as much as they were a year ago.

What are you talking about??? LESS than 1% - are you NUTS???? BOY, if you REALLY believe this, then how can you refer ANY-BODY to ANY florist - ok, that's right, you "check them out first"... Oh, 'fine print'??? Huh??? Hey - you send me an order for a pink mini rose bush in a yellow ducky and GUESS WHAT??? I'll try to find that <gulp> BEAUTIFUL gift for you! If I can't, I'll be in touch with you RIGHT AWAY! You can then get in touch with the customer...........

Dazeal said:
As soon as my webcam idea is implemented by whomever, then you can kiss WS and OGs bye bye. But technology and florists aren't ready for this quite yet. But 1800flowers has the capital that doesn't have to wait for florists to be ready, i.e. 800flower filling stations in big cities. FTD has the florists to do it, maybe this is how the evolution of the WS will go? I know FSI is interested and to of seen their jaw drop at their board meeting was priceless. ;) but JC agrees, it is ahead of its time.

Yea, by 10~20 years... COME ON! You know as well as I that many florists are just NOW getting "computerized"! It's in many florists nature to NOT have systems - thankfully, THIS trend is changing. Oh, and FSI - I trust them about as far as I can throw them...webcam...

Dazeal said:
BUT Philly... I try not to judge you guys though... you are all locked in and need the income to pay your employees, that is why I feel bad for you and shake my finger at the WS even more. I am almost 100% sure Philly that if you or any other veteran here locked in this WS catch 22 were just starting out in the floral industry and know what you know now, you would not buy into the WS business.

Too late - you have already judged us...
Umm...no, my friend, I do not rely on the w/s to pay my employees, and no we are NOT locked in. IF I *REALLY* HAD TO, I could pull the plug on my FTD/TEL ties and be TOTALLY w/s free. But...at what cost?
The cost of sending the thousands of dollars of holiday orders through FTD and TEL for my customers. My Mother (the years b/f Advantage) would sit up in her office 'til 1am in the freakin' morning, calling and typing out Mother's Day orders...NO MORE. Yes, we still have the orders - and MORE of them, but fully automated wire order transmission thanks to WIRE SERVICE technology. Oh, and yea - if I were just starting out in the biz, I wouldn't have the type of biz I have now - some of my customers have been with us for 40 years. You cannot compare your biz to ours. No way.

Off soapbox....whew...where's the Tylenol...

- H
 
After I posted my message, I realized that I was really hard on FTD "members" with some of the post, but I guess I just was really mad that in this day and age florists just don't realize what is happening to them and their business.

I know I am hard on FTD and that Teleflora is following. But FTD is the lead horse in this race, just think of the message it would send throughout this industry if florists just quit FTD. No florists, no 42 million dollars this quarter and no revenue stream in which to continue to finance their consumer direct business.
 
The Call

I listened to the call and the most interesting thing I heard came from FTD’s CEO himself. The point he is sharing with his stockholders is in direct conflict to what they preach to their members, or should I say customers.

FTD is not interested in carrying products or providing any services of any kind that they do not make money on. He is only interested in items that provide FTD with the maximum margins.


Hmmmmmmmmmm ok, so why tell florists they should keep pushing for more deeply discounted orders? I guess that FTD’s senior management really does have a clue. The florists are stupid!!!

Rob
 
RC in Dayton and Cincinnati said:
For the First Quarter of Fiscal Year 2006 FTD.COM's specialty gift order volume, which include all orders delivered via common carrier increased by 76.5% while for the same period its florist delivered order volume decreased by 2.7%.

What are the hard numbers?

A 76.5 pct increase and a 2.7 pct decrease doesn't mean much.

Consider a 76.5 pct increase on 10,000 units. That equals a new total of 17,650 for the next year.

Now consider a 2.7 pct decrease on 1,000,000, that equals 973,000 units STILL sold.

Be carefull with the percentages.

With that said.....hmmmmm........hmmmmmm ....... aaaaaaaa......

oooooohhhh nm you all know which direction FTD is going...

Joe

BTW

One of my competitors just became a new FTD member. What does this tell you of her?
 
Wow. Philly not sure where that came from. I wasn't attacking you, but you took it personal. Let me try make my replies:

When I said I was new, that meant I don't get a lot of wire service business, hence if I didn't wire out business, It wouldn't sink me. Not sure why you went off, I guess you assumed. Wow.

Florists who offer their customers the option of either having the florist take care of the order or finding for them on a websites to give the number to their customer. yeah I’d say less than 1%, what % would you say? About %5 of my customers want me to take care of them, so we use an in-house CC. Not sure where you hostility is coming from. I wasn't suggesting I was right, but that this is how we do it. If I were a shop of a 100 years, yeah I'd be doing it your way.

I said florists sending florists orders will strengthen our industry? I thought I said allowing a florist to fill at %100 would do that. You ok man?

As for the nature of florist of not having systems and FSI, agree %110.

I wasn't comparing my biz to yours, but an established biz like yours to a newbie one like mine. I think you have been drinking.

As for you supporting FTD because of the money you need to help run your business, this is why I feel bad for florists like yours in this catch22 when FTD doesn't care about you.

This is an example of mis-reading Philly, get sober and take a chill pill man... I am on your side sheeeeesh.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.