FTD delivers quality?

[sfox]

bloomz

I see Fox - it's another Democrat vs Republican thing huh, all fillers are Republicans and all senders are Democrats?

Dude....

I think you're taking this political thing just a bit too serious.

By the way Fox, have I mentioned to you that I'm not a Democrat? Or did you miss it the other 50 times I told you that too?

Don't worry I'll tell you again next week too.

and as I often also state...........opinions vary, the truth doesn't. Except your perception of the truth leaves a lot to be questioned.

Like what politics has to do with Quality Control in FTD.

Oh but the comparison has everything to do with your FTD comments. You spend a lot of time with negative posts about the currect party in power and praise those outside looking in.

That comparison is just like your posts about these new charges FTD is putting in place. The higher up Dumb o crats are rich elitists who spend all their time talking about how they undertsand what the average American is facing. Ted Kennedy, Hillary Clinton, Obama, these are wealthy people. Please explain where they get all this knowledge about what problems average Americans are facing.

And you are a top 100 FTD sender. You go on the trips to far away places because filllers do their part in making your customers happy. And you from your senders prespective can tell fillers that these new fees are good for Florists. That reminds me of that millionare Obama standing in front of a group of unemployed workers in rural Pennsylvania stating he undertands what they are feeling.

opinions vary...........but the truth doesn't. That's my quote bloomz.

 

[CHR]

Politics aside, 3 questions about Mercury:

1) Can receiving florists block code numbers of anyone they don't wish to fill for?

2) Does the Merc disallow/block transmission of orders to shops below their published minimums for each product category? (Like the $19.99 Walmart deal FTD had during M Day.)

3) Does the Merc disallow/block transmission of orders for codified products to shops that aren't listed to carry them?

If the answer to any of the above questions is 'no', then the claim of 'improving quality' with this program is disingenuous at best and a cash grab at worst. Each and every one of the incidences above is totally do-able at the programming level.

How can Mercury automate the time-sensitive programming needed to add these new penalties, yet fail with the most basic features to prevent wasted time (and added cost) at the receiving end?

Please don't tell me it only takes a few minutes to FOR. The expense of those minutes is a real cost (without any benefit) to local florists. REJs have a real cost ($1.25) plus employee time.

 

[JCT]

CHR,

#3 has been the bain (bane?) of my existence for years. We never code for any FTD products, yet we continually receive these orders. I've asked my rep to fix this, I've ask .com to fix this, not sure if I've asked our regional rep. Will do that on Tues. So for me, the answer is no, the Merc does not block these orders.

 

[David]

1) Can receiving florists block code numbers of anyone they don't wish to fill for?

2) Does the Merc disallow/block transmission of orders to shops below their published minimums for each product category? (Like the $19.99 Walmart deal FTD had during M Day.)

3) Does the Merc disallow/block transmission of orders for codified products to shops that aren't listed to carry them?

No, No, NO - I agree they should be yes. This day in age all changes should be instantly visible to the network

I don't get orders for codified items that I don't carry from.com. If you do have a codified item and run out you can tell ftd.com to take away the codification. They will stop sending you.

 

[bloomz]

Oh but the comparison has everything to do with your FTD comments. You spend a lot of time with negative posts about the currect party in power and praise those outside looking in.

That comparison is just like your posts about these new charges FTD is putting in place. The higher up Dumb o crats are rich elitists who spend all their time talking about how they undertsand what the average American is facing. Ted Kennedy, Hillary Clinton, Obama, these are wealthy people. Please explain where they get all this knowledge about what problems average Americans are facing.

And you are a top 100 FTD sender. You go on the trips to far away places because filllers do their part in making your customers happy. And you from your senders prespective can tell fillers that these new fees are good for Florists. That reminds me of that millionare Obama standing in front of a group of unemployed workers in rural Pennsylvania stating he undertands what they are feeling.

opinions vary...........but the truth doesn't. That's my quote bloomz.

You post nothing but opinions, yet are somehow deluded into calling it "truth". They're quite far from truth or even often reality. They live in the realm of silly. You quite obviously wouldn't recognize truth if it bit you in the ass, migo - too blinded.

Your version of the "truth" varies Fox, seen from the persective of someone with political blinders on. It seems to depend upon Rush Limbaugh talking points from week to week. You're totally deluded into thinking I praise democrats, and you can't remember that I am not affiliated with them. Your selective reading confirmation bias is so strong you totally miss clearly stated things like that. And your obvious disdain for me colors your very thoughts - it's very transparent.

I love it! Yer a great shining example of republican mentality that makes me feel like a mental giant.

Thank you for that.


I'm just a rich elitist? - gosh I'll have to think about that one, but thanks again, I guess.

I bet my motorcycle accident had something to do with the democrats too. I'm trying but I'm at a loss for more ridiculous examples like that - sorry my mind just doesn't go there that readily.

So glad to be me, thanks again

bloomz

PS - opinions vary...

 

[bloomz]

Please don't tell me it only takes a few minutes to FOR. The expense of those minutes is a real cost (without any benefit) to local florists. REJs have a real cost ($1.25) plus employee time.

OK I won't tell you that - it takes me around 15-30 seconds.

 

[Doug Hatcher]

Can you still forward orders?

Can you still forward orders or do they have to be rejected?

Doug

 

[LJVF]

OK I won't tell you that - it takes me around 15-30 seconds.

I think I can beat that time, I'll race you. :tongue:

 

[bloomz]

actually, depending on how nice and verbose the message you put in, I think it could be 10 seconds.

With justflowers often I just put the word "nope" in it, and sometimes just a $ sign. Couple of times I've used LOL

They be queeeeekkk!

 

[BOSS]

With FTD.COM, you cannot forward the order. So, you are stuck paying the fee regardless if you fill the order.

- H.

ASK (P) MO$$, I usually ask for $100.00 and they always cancel...

Dang didn't you folks take any holiday? I come back to 886 posts...

Cathy, to answer your questions, Mercury does not allow you to block any sender, they can send any product and for any amount.

Actually, after thinking on this some (very little) this weekend, I kind of like this new SCAM... it's going to do more for getting folks out of FTD than anything I could ever come up with...

Oh and , Bloomz and sfox...keep the politics in the proper forum, or I'll begin removing messages...not only does CNN spend too much time on it, you guys are spewing it into every forum...

 

[prestonway]

Actually, after thinking on this some (very little) this weekend, I kind of like this new SCAM... it's going to do more for getting folks out of FTD than anything I could ever come up with...(emphasis mine)

Couldn't agree with you more, but I don't think it's a SCAM.

I think it's a well-thought out decision, with all (most) repercussions already considered by the powers that be.

Members that consistently "park" orders not only don't generate profits for FTD, but they cost more than their membership's worth.

These shops hurt future sales not only for FTD.com, but for the industry as a whole.

FTD wants them out.

Rather than incur the "tax", these members will leave "voluntarily".

Problem solved...and this "crucial" issue becomes no issue at all.

It'll be interesting to look back at this a year from now...

 

[Bigted]

Couldn't agree with you more, but I don't think it's a SCAM.

I think it's a well-thought out decision, with all (most) repercussions already considered by the powers that be.

Members that consistently "park" orders not only don't generate profits for FTD, but they cost more than their membership's worth.

These shops hurt future sales not only for FTD.com, but for the industry as a whole.

FTD wants them out.

Rather than incur the "tax", these members will leave "voluntarily".

Problem solved...and this "crucial" issue becomes no issue at all.

It'll be interesting to look back at this a year from now...

While I'm sure this was done to address a real problem, the solution is ill-conceived, heavy handed and one-sided. I absolutely agree that this will hasten the exit of a lot of shops--and not just the ones that are sitting on orders.

 

[sfox]

I hate to disagree

These shops hurt future sales not only for FTD.com, but for the industry as a whole.

FTD wants them out.

I hate to disagree but this move is being done soley for the benefit of FTD.COM. They are spending huge amounts of money to gather the customer and then they lose them in one stroke. Couple this with the mistakes FTD.COM has made in the past and you can see they are facing a situation where their costs of gathering the customer are spiking to ever higher and higher levels.

As far as what those florists are doing, I agree they are a blemish on the industry. But FTD has driven out huge numbers of good florists because of their high handed tactics and ever and ever higher costs of belonging to FTD. This has left them in the situation of having to rely on florist shops of decreasing levels of professionalism.

What will happen a year from now is that "real" florists will have coverage issues by belonging to FTD. FTD.COM only needs coverage in most major markets because that is where they usually concentrated their advertising in.

 

[CHR]

I think it's a well-thought out decision, with all (most) repercussions already considered by the powers that be.

I don't think they considered some very important ones.

Frank, what'cha gonna do if you get one of those 'free vase' orders from .CON? REF and pay them for deceptive marketing or fill and cave to their false advertising? They are trying to institute price controls through the back door.

What are you gonna do if you get one of those Wal-Martish $19.95 dozen rose orders? REJ and pay them for ignoring your minimums or fill and undermine your own local prices?

How many companies' orders are/were cloaked behind FTD.com?

These shops hurt future sales not only for FTD.com, but for the industry as a whole.

Do they hurt the industry 'as a whole' more than the very well documented skimmers and deceptive marketers in FTD's camp? More than the phony 'free delivery' OGs there? How about the bogus 'local florists' like this one who was back again during Mother's Day?

I realize you send more than you fill, and that the shops that play games or act irresponsibly with incomings should be stopped/punished.

I'm just saying that IMO the larger issue are the sellers 'playing games' with consumers and acting irresponsibly to flower buyers and local florists.

Rather than fining or punishing them, FTD just keeps writing rebate checks. The newest scheme is just a further escalation in their market distortion.

 

[Doug Hatcher]

To quote Christopher Walken

"WOW"


CHR you shred through their Corporate Brain Trust logic like it is a good thing. Rock on.:headbang:

 

[BOSS]

It'll be very interesting to see how long Teleflora and 800Flowers take to institute a similar program since it's "Good for the industry".

This is a blatant money grab, covered as another "we're doing this for your (industry) own good" scheme. Yes, there are problem shops, but they already know who those shops are, the reams of data that FTD.coN collects about their orders, as well as yours and mine is mind boggling...they know the industry very well...they even already have, a pretty close ballpark number as to how much money this will generate....they have worked the numbers already!

 

[PhillyPhlorist]

It'll be very interesting to see how long Teleflora and 800Flowers take to institute a similar program since it's "Good for the industry".

This is a blatant money grab, covered as another "we're doing this for your (industry) own good" scheme. Yes, there are problem shops, but they already know who those shops are, the reams of data that FTD.coN collects about their orders, as well as yours and mine is mind boggling...they know the industry very well...they even already have, a pretty close ballpark number as to how much money this will generate....they have worked the numbers already!

Monkey see, Monkey do!!!

RE: the revanue generated: for the sending shops, yes? So, .COM to make out like a bandit then!
Don't give them the satisfaction: Simply REMOVE yourself from their list - you don't have to accept the .COM order.
As for F2F orders, Not sure about that revanue, since many florists send the CORRECT FUNDS and INFO right away, thus eliminating "Delivery Issues."

BUT, I will go on record as saying if a shop holds onto one of my orders too long, then REJ's it with little time left to get someone else to fill it, then SHOW ME THE MONEY! That's not cool, and certainly not professional. But, all that goes without saying 'round these parts...

- H.

 

[bloomz]

BUT, I will go on record as saying if a shop holds onto one of my orders too long, then REJ's it with little time left to get someone else to fill it, then SHOW ME THE MONEY! That's not cool, and certainly not professional. But, all that goes without saying 'round these parts...

- H.

Ditto that one - it's gonna be good for the industry at large, bigger senders more than smaller senders.

So - they have more business - duh.

But if you have 10 orders a month or 10,000 - it's still gonna be good in relation to what you send.

I think the cruz of what many are griping about here is who's got the orders. They do, they spent more money, did more work, agressively marketed and got the orders.

I'm sure griping about that and pointing "who it's gonna benefit" is gonna change that?

I'm totally willing to play by these rules as a filler.

It may need some tweaks but it's a good effort.

I coulda used it more than twice this month, and will be calling for it next time some of the unprofessional crap I've seen happens.

yup show me the money too - I don't like losing customers because of another florist's lack of professionalism.

But Herb - it doesn't go without saying around here - it seems more are griping about it and that just makes me wonder why. Someone said it was gonna be a nightmare in fees and I say - WHY? You handle orders professionally, you got no problems. If you can't handle an order in a timely manner, it'd best for you not to be in the network I trust my customers orders to.

Anyone else hate losing customers?

I'm not worried about $19.95 orders or free vases or shipping or any of that stuff - I'm not gonna get them. Neither is Frank, cuz I know Frank, Frankly speaking.

What's the "worser" of 3 evils, cloaked orders or skimmed orders (on both ends) or non delivered orders?

I'm gonna go out on my usual limb here and say I'll take non-deliveries for $100, Alex.

 

[CHR]

Must be getting closer to the truth since this reply took longer. :>

What's worse, cloaked orders or skimmed orders (on both ends) or non delivered orders?

I'm gonna go out on my usual limb here and say I'll take non-deliveries for $100, Alex.

Guess you've never been on the receiving end of a complaint from filling for a skimmer or a cloaker. In our cases, non-delivery would have been far better.

Don't think you're the only florist with issues about having order filled on M Day. Our non-delivery rate by idiots during the holiday was near 10% including a REJ at 3 PM on the day of delivery (they received it the previous day), and deliveries being made 1-2-3 days past the date shown on the order. A couple florists were even closed on Mon. after the holiday so no resolution until Tues.

Still... the money in penalties extracted from these shops may well mean no apology deliveries or concessions or co-operation to get things fixed. Forget about future orders altogther. (Even the best of shops makes mistakes now and then.)

It would have been better to do it right the first time, but the threat of penalties, especially after the fact, won't improve cooperation.

I foresee a cut-throat time coming.

 

[bloomz]

Don't think you're the only florist with issues about having order filled on M Day. Our non-delivery rate by idiots during the holiday was near 10% including a REJ at 3 PM on the day of delivery (they received it the previous day), and deliveries being made 1-2-3 days past the date shown on the order. A couple florists were even closed on Mon. after the holiday so no resolution until Tues.

Still... the money in penalties extracted from these shops may well mean no apology deliveries or concessions or co-operation to get things fixed. Forget about future orders altogther. (Even the best of shops makes mistakes now and then.)

Sorry I've been at the movies (IronMan ROCKS! Love RD, Jr) and I didn't take a laptop:rofl:

Refunding the customers money AND sending a complimentary bouquet, whilst blaming it tactfully on the unprofessional filler would go a long way towards a good attempt at keeping the customer. I'd rather have that shot at keeping them than none at all, OR putting it on my dime. Hopefully they're not the only game in town.

Am I the only one who's heard "I know it's not your fault, but..."?