FTD National Affiliate Program

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Rhonda

Rhonda

Well-Known Member
Nov 1, 2002
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Millinocket
www.millinocketflorist.com
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Maine
Got mail from FTD stating something like
"AS a former user of the FTD Bulletin Board, we're pleased to welcome you to the FTD National Affiliate Program" ????
I'm a "premium" shop? Anyone else get this and what do you think it is for?
Got till early March to send in my resignation from FTD and am leaning very hard toward dropping out after 30 years.
Anything to get rid of their darned computer they soaked me into.
 
Pulling the plug

The hardest part leaving the WS's is having to tell yourself you just don't need that drug anymore.

After 40 years with the other guys were finding ourselves not missing one beat and as far as wiring out orders...it's not difficult at all going Direct. No more having to decode those statements looking for hidden charges and added charges.

As far as a selection guide? John Henry is a start along with our own digital photo album we have compiled.

With the savings you will receive by dropping out you can use that money on your own marketing and even to buy a digital camera or more direct mailing material.

Good luck with your decision and I'm sure you will make the right one for yourself!.
 
Rhonda, we also got the 3yr. lease/purchase of Wings. Do you realize that even if you get rid of FTD you are still obligated to keep on purchasing Wings? They offer three options/ I sure wish I had never done that either, they saw us (and you)coming. I wish I had known then what I know now. Famous last words!

Anyway, as I've said many times before, we left FTD after 23 years with the, It was a hard thing to do as we really liked the OLD FTD. That's the thing - it's like I was not seeing how much they had changed. Not saying TF is any better. I like Blue's way - go direct.

Like everything - for us anyway - it all takes time. I have to ease my mom into the changes. She's a healthy and active 80 year old but I don't want the constant changes I make to make her short circuit.

:cool:
 
Far as I know

The program involves somewhere around 350 florists... (could be wrong on the #)

The basis, is to allow for better communication between a variety of florists and FTD.

Selection criteria involves shops participation in various segments of FTD. Like say a shop that uses Mercury Technologies (Advantage and/or Mercury5), Marketplace, FAH, Cashflow and also send the majority of their orders FTD would have a higher ranking than a shop that only sends a high volume of orders but uses no other parts of FTD.

Don;t hold me to it, but close...

And it's still ringing in my ears..."FTD does'nt listen"... well O.KEE Dokee then...
 
As hard as we HAVE BEEN on FTD....

they ARE listening, and TF's ears have somehow fallen off..I'm very surprised.
I'm making a BOLD STATEMENT here, and now.....
FTD WILL overtake TF again, and not far off into the distance either.....FTD has ALWAYS been the "leader", the orgnization that many have come to "hate" and THE ORGANIZATION of the future!!
Yell at me if you wish...FTD made the "hard" choices, FTD made the "tough" mistakes, FTD made the FIRST foray into international competition, and IF you think back, FTD was the FIRST with any kind of technology for florists, STILL has the best, and most efficient electronic transfer system, FTD STILL continues to dominate the "online presence of flowers" with or without us, and FTD STILL leads the way with "listening" to florists.
You wanted fewer holiday containers, you got them, you wanted a more up to date directory of members, you got it, you wanted ONLINE presence (which FTD offered WAY before anyone else), you got it, FTD, STILL has to be open and transparent as a publicly traded company, FTD KNEW way before TF, that our business was rapidly changing, FTD KNEW, that it was likely to lose members that could not "make the change" and FTD is ABOUT TO OVERTAKE VIRTUALLY EVERYONE, in the flower marketing business, with or without our help.
FTD BUILT the florist highway....before TF even picked up a shovel!
Mike
 
Re: As hard as we HAVE BEEN on FTD....

Originally posted by Mikey the Flower Guy
they ARE listening, and TF's ears have somehow fallen off..I'm very surprised. Mike
Click to expand...

NOT ME !
 
I got the letter too...only myself and one other florist in the Pittsburgh area are National Accounts. My rep (who called me prior to me getting the letter) told me it does have to do with the bulletin board. We do use FAH and Marketplace, and send more FTD than TF, but have Daisy and use TF credit card processing. I'm not sure what all the "perks" are about.
 
Got it too. Anything that improves the lines of communication between us as retailers and FTD, I'm all for.

Frank
 
Before anyone starts cheering, ask yourselves these questions:

1) Could it be that the number of holiday containers was reduced because selling those florist-filled items makes them less money? Isn't their main goal with the dot to direct ship as much as possible because the margins are higher?

2) Does their website home page still feature more giftware and direct-ship items than florist-delivered product? http://www.ftd.com/

3) Are they or are they not still systematically withholding fleurins from each Interflora incoming order?

4) Have they done anything to use those Quality Assurance dollars to actually assure quality? Do you know of any poor-quality shops that have been removed because of testing?

5) Are they still signing up grocery stores and hosting booths at the largest supermarket floral shows? http://www.superfloralshow.com/

6) Are they still permitting OG's to use fake addresses with deceptive URL's and text, pretending to be in your town, to gain orders? http://www.dfwfloral.com/States/Tn/memphis_tn.htm

7) Is their new owner still shelling out $420 million? Where do you think the money to pay themselves back will come from since florist services still generate 80% of their income?

Sorry to be such a sceptic but it will take more than a new club and some press releases to make me change my mind about their intentions....but hope springs eternal in the floral community....
 
I don't know Mikey, the way FTD is losing members, I find it hard to believe that they are going to over take anything soon. As far as "listening to members"? Hmm, I had to stop choking on my soda before I could think of an answer to that one. Seems to me that the way the "listen" is very selective and from what I read about this new national affiliate program, that is just reinforced. Funny how they only want to "listen" to the ones the choose to listen to.

Jim
 
and florists "jump right up and do something"...

when a VERY IMPORTANT issue is brought forward???
Sorry boys and girls...I ALREADY "tested" the waters on this one!!
You see...I DIDN'T receive such a letter, I maybe pushed the "envelope" too much for FTD, however, it doesn't mean that I was incorrect in trying to look after my florist friends, raising hell, and telling the truth!
Many of you have very short memories, and THOSE of you that "choose" to think back...FTD has been FIRST in EVERYTHING FLORIST related in development. and deployment.
Think back...here's just ONE LITTLE ITEM...FTD CONTINUES to support EVERY florist related software there is.......continues to support that crappy old technology of Merc 2000/3000, when it should have been in the dumpster long ago, and it was FTD that PAID every time you called to complain that your old crap wasn't working, to ship you replacement stuff, and to PAY for shipping it back....how many florists REFUSED to get rid of stuff that was JUNK...but, EXPECTED FTD to continue paying for obsolete service and repair....jeez.
I LOVE this thread...it WILL bring out the best and worst of us....
Mike
 
Mikey I found out..

They have a clause in the Rules and those Rules do not even consider the PAYING member.

The Clause is they can terminate at anytime for any reason while expecting your MONEY for payment.

:> Free Baby!
 
Tis TRUE Mikey.....

so can your hydro, water, telephone, and internet provider, along with your insurance company, your credit card company and your mother-in-law.......
Mike
 
Rosiescenario, Who Are You?

Rosiescenario, I am tempted to answer your keenly worded questions but first,if you would be so kind, please tell me who are you? I have always enjoyed your "cutting edge" posts though have wondered who you are?

Frank
Golden Rose Florist
Rosemead, California
 
Re: Far as I know

Originally posted by BOSS
also send the majority of their orders FTD would have a higher ranking than a shop that only sends a high volume of orders but uses no other parts of FTD.
Click to expand...

Only thing I have an issue is with what's written above is that TF and FTD treat some members better than others. In my humble opinion they should be all treated equally. Around here members get treated equal, no matter if they are a single small shop or a shop with 5 locations or a shop who sends 5 orders a month or 300 orders a month. TF is the worst of the two when it comes to that issue.
 
You for got to add that FTD was first to screw thier members.

enough said,
Knife's Wife

Oh and about that freaking merc 2000 /3000 if they had't sold us junk in the first place we wouldn't have had to have it fixed a dozen times a year.

Oh and Peter about treating all customers the same... while every customer is important there will always be the customers that deserve a little something more even if it is just more respect.
I'd be a fool not to do the stop and drop for a loyal customer and fool to do it for the customer that only comes around when he can't find it at the grocery store.
Don't you enjoy the benefits of being a loyal customer at places you frequent and are loyal to???
 
Originally posted by flowerknife+us
You for got to add that FTD was first to screw thier members.

enough said,
Knife's Wife

Oh and about that freaking merc 2000 /3000 if they had't sold us junk in the first place we wouldn't have had to have it fixed a dozen times a year.

I'd be a fool not to do the stop and drop for a loyal customer and fool to do it for the customer that only comes around when he can't find it at the grocery store.
Don't you enjoy the benefits of being a loyal customer at places you frequent and are loyal to???
Click to expand...

I can understand that in your business, it makes sense to look after a loyal customer over a seldom shopper.

Around here we do our very best to treat every shop the same and with equal respect, every ORDER matters. I come from a time and a place when and if you seen a wire service rep every 5 years you were lucky. Mind you most of them weren't that bright anyway. (a couple of them were excellent, but they got fired for knowing too much and being good to the members in their areas)

I don't shop all that many places actually.
 
Re: Rosiescenario, Who Are You?

Originally posted by Frank
please tell me who are you?
Click to expand...

Ummmmm, Frank. I'm a florist, wife and Mom. Really.

All kidding aside, I have been very fortunate to have had some cool opportunities and met some very interesting and knowledgeable folks during my nearly 30 year career in the industry. (Gawd, I sound old.)

Since I only speak for myself and not my company, of which I have a partner (who doesn't necessarily agree with my views) it's definitely not a great idea to associate my business with my posts. Glad you find them of interest, however. (As I do yours and many others here.)

I try to add my .02 when I think it will help folks understand or clarify issues in the biz, having volunteered hundreds and hundreds of hours for different industry groups and causes...and continuing to do so today.

I am thankful Ryan has provided this forum for the collegial exchange of ideas and am happy he lets me comment here. (Otherwise I might explode 'cuz my staff is sick of hearing it.) :rolleyes:
 
Okay, now with all the aforesaid...I was one who *****ed high and mightily on the FTD board. Especially the "low sending fee" especially when I usually sent more than received, but because lower than 20/mo...I got charged. I have complained about being bullied into having a Wings computer because my 3000 was not going to be serviced (bull crap)....I was rooked into a machine I did not want nor needed but bullied into it...YES, no matter how you perceive it. They sold the lease to one company who sold it to another. AND, I signed for 3 years...was enacted for 5????
and not at the price I was quoted and have in writing.
My billing states for FTD Wings Computer. If I am no longer FTD, How can I legally have an FTD computer? Can't........
I don't see how this entitles me to a "direct line". Guess I'll wait to hear from the persons the letter tells me will call.
Will let you know if that happens.
Have a great weekend......finally getting some snow again (first storm since DEC) for the snowsledders who invade our little town.
 
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