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.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%.
ROBSWF said:Anyone interested in consolidating?
...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.BOSS said:...Plain and simple, the florists are a pain in their asstes even while contributing the most....
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?and don't forget all of the BRANDING that the zombies do for FTD.
12BucksFor2Dozon said:...and don't forget all of the BRANDING that the zombies do for FTD.
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.
SURE! But....too many things that need to be done. Tech, C-card clearing, wire x-fer, list goes on...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?
Dazeal said:Amen Rob. It's a broken record a lot of us have preached over the years, but Amen.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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%.