FTD vs. ProFlowers
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Sher
New Member
lettrs
If we have a good letter and some idea of a cover letter to send with it and each of us sends it to every florist in our county.......hmmm ...do you think that would work? I for one stink at letters.....so something concise, understandable etc works for me and I wil send it out.....if nothing else, we certainly should be able to wake up a few that do not have a clue.What do you think.........now is the time to do something........if we do not we need to stop complaing.I await your letter...I have my stamps ready!!!!
Cathy, I agree with you on being able to come up with a catalog..but how do Art or and the the other marketing groups get it done? Maybe a second choice....not sure but I understand what you are saying.......just look here.....how often do we all agree but that is one of the things that make me nuts...."talk the talk but ya gotta be able to walk the walk"....so maybe we can get enough on board to start an effort....maybe Ryan could sponsor an effort........maybe some of the wholesalers, importers that Mark says have joined us will jump in an assist.....
On the hurricane...I think it might just be more annoying than devastating but these things are weird...nice one minute and monsters the next.We are on the dry side and the winds seem to be resaonable,but the rain is going to be horrundous...thanks for your kind thoughts.
If we have a good letter and some idea of a cover letter to send with it and each of us sends it to every florist in our county.......hmmm ...do you think that would work? I for one stink at letters.....so something concise, understandable etc works for me and I wil send it out.....if nothing else, we certainly should be able to wake up a few that do not have a clue.What do you think.........now is the time to do something........if we do not we need to stop complaing.I await your letter...I have my stamps ready!!!!
Cathy, I agree with you on being able to come up with a catalog..but how do Art or and the the other marketing groups get it done? Maybe a second choice....not sure but I understand what you are saying.......just look here.....how often do we all agree but that is one of the things that make me nuts...."talk the talk but ya gotta be able to walk the walk"....so maybe we can get enough on board to start an effort....maybe Ryan could sponsor an effort........maybe some of the wholesalers, importers that Mark says have joined us will jump in an assist.....
On the hurricane...I think it might just be more annoying than devastating but these things are weird...nice one minute and monsters the next.We are on the dry side and the winds seem to be resaonable,but the rain is going to be horrundous...thanks for your kind thoughts.
BOSS
FlowerChat Administrator
steve said:
Thanks Steve...but I can;t take the credit for FlowerShopMarketing in whole...Clay (his son, and another besides myself) has been the instremental one in this birth...
As far as being less splintered... I concur, hence my reference to RealFlorist.com...has a nice ring to it don;t ya think?
steve
Well-Known Member
Yes it has a great ring Boss but one of my points is that a lot of what we need is already in place by many small groups around the country We need to seriously look at merging all organized groups plus the serious real florist together as one group. I said serious real florist because in some cases no matter how right the idea is some florist are to dam cheap to spend a nickle on there future those florist are not serious.
And that is the truth. How much would anyone here be willing to commit to pay monthly or annually for dues for a North American coalition effort? Sounds like time for a poll.steve said:
Because it's a top-down profit-driven effort from the provider. Art is simply offering the products he's already developing for his store (website, print products, etc...) and making them available to others for a fee. It's not a group or collaborative effort. Anyone here could do the same if they had the staff, time and network of florists to tap into.sher said:
Two sound good. One for the local media and one for govenment officials. They could be similar but approach the story from different angles to appeal to each interest.hcflorist said:
I'd suggest you post them on other florist BB's as well. Your efforts would be a step in the right direction.
Sher
New Member
It's not a group or collaborative effort.
I spoke with Art yesterday.Apparently someone put me on his mailing list....too funny.So when we talked, this is how he explained it to me. It was his group...no doubt....he sells websites that come with a whole marketing package...this meeting was a brain stoming meeting and there was exchange of ideas...in addition he also does print out all sorts of marketing materials that his group can use...and it does cost but it is far less than WS stuff or anything I can do for myself.....and he does offer exclusivity to his folks...nothing wrong with that....but at the cost anyone should be able to utilize it. This would be a good model to work for....I have heard of another group....is it Midwest marketing....and I think they have a similiar concept.so why not a flowerchat group....one that has no particular agenda...just good prices and exclusive to this group. Does anybody think it would work or should we just continue to complain until we are all out of business.....
I spoke with Art yesterday.Apparently someone put me on his mailing list....too funny.So when we talked, this is how he explained it to me. It was his group...no doubt....he sells websites that come with a whole marketing package...this meeting was a brain stoming meeting and there was exchange of ideas...in addition he also does print out all sorts of marketing materials that his group can use...and it does cost but it is far less than WS stuff or anything I can do for myself.....and he does offer exclusivity to his folks...nothing wrong with that....but at the cost anyone should be able to utilize it. This would be a good model to work for....I have heard of another group....is it Midwest marketing....and I think they have a similiar concept.so why not a flowerchat group....one that has no particular agenda...just good prices and exclusive to this group. Does anybody think it would work or should we just continue to complain until we are all out of business.....
Sher,
Art takes feedback to develop new products for members of his marketing group. And then he sells them more products. Nothing wrong with that, but in the end it's his risk and his reward.
Although he's helping grow the business of those participating in his group, his primary motive - as a good capitalist - is to generate profits for his business. I doubt you'd see him posting his marketing materials on any site for the purpose of giving them free for use by any other florist.
It's a completely different model than the one that's been discussed here.
Any FC member that has websites, catalogs and postcards they want to sell is free to post them or create their own area-exclusive group.
Not arguing, just pointing out the difference between the two models.
Cathy
Art takes feedback to develop new products for members of his marketing group. And then he sells them more products. Nothing wrong with that, but in the end it's his risk and his reward.
Although he's helping grow the business of those participating in his group, his primary motive - as a good capitalist - is to generate profits for his business. I doubt you'd see him posting his marketing materials on any site for the purpose of giving them free for use by any other florist.
It's a completely different model than the one that's been discussed here.
Any FC member that has websites, catalogs and postcards they want to sell is free to post them or create their own area-exclusive group.
Not arguing, just pointing out the difference between the two models.
Cathy
Of all the weeks to pick...
Figures --
This FTD - Proflowers stuff breaks this week (and I have been >grrrrrr< studing deceptive and unfair trade acts for 10-15 years now)...
... and I am busier that a one-armed floral designer! Our Sunmmer Sizzler Weekend Convention is now 2 days away - as show chair - I am living, eating & sleeping this show!!
Funny though - I have emailed FTD's legal department with regards to some of their members and their transmitted orders that are gatherered under misleading and deceptive premises.... gotta get back on top of THAT ball - asking them to police their members a little more closely.
V
Figures --
This FTD - Proflowers stuff breaks this week (and I have been >grrrrrr< studing deceptive and unfair trade acts for 10-15 years now)...
... and I am busier that a one-armed floral designer! Our Sunmmer Sizzler Weekend Convention is now 2 days away - as show chair - I am living, eating & sleeping this show!!
Funny though - I have emailed FTD's legal department with regards to some of their members and their transmitted orders that are gatherered under misleading and deceptive premises.... gotta get back on top of THAT ball - asking them to police their members a little more closely.
V
Sher
New Member
Cathy
Yes I do get your point.....and I do understand what the concept of what this board is trying to do. My point is that with the number of florists on this board.....we have power to do something.......besides talking about what someone else does that we may not particularly agree with. Using Art was just a point....of what can be done.
I have hurricane stuff to do so am taking a break.....besides this talk just gives me a headache....similiar to spinning in the tea cups at Disney world....we just all go round and round.....
Yes I do get your point.....and I do understand what the concept of what this board is trying to do. My point is that with the number of florists on this board.....we have power to do something.......besides talking about what someone else does that we may not particularly agree with. Using Art was just a point....of what can be done.
I have hurricane stuff to do so am taking a break.....besides this talk just gives me a headache....similiar to spinning in the tea cups at Disney world....we just all go round and round.....
rokay
Active Member
- Feb 13, 2005
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Just sent an email to FCC. looking for elected offical email addresses as we speak. I have customers working on trying to get it to media outlets. no guarantees anywhere but it is at least a start.
Changing the industry...one cooler at a time!
Go wholesale or Go home!
Changing the industry...one cooler at a time!
Go wholesale or Go home!
"Completely Different Model"
What myself, Jared, Graphic Designer friend, Mark and some other REAL FLORISTS is wanting to provide a "completely different model" with FlowerShopMarketing.com than other marketing groups includeing Art's. I have respect for Art and his marketing Group as a whole, but with each member's minimum order of 30,000 (unless it has changed) our flower shop demographics are different. We are working with John Henry to get the a large order pricing with lower per shop minimums.
As Cathy said, try to get a group of florists to agree on any marketing piece might be easier said that done.
My goal (and I believe Mark and others also) is to offer REAL FLORISTS 1)A platform to share with other REAL FLORISTS (Memeber log in will be turned on soon) any marketing ideas and marketing pieces and 2)Provide low cost custom marketing template pieces (pdf or vector files) customized by to the florist's taste by a graphic desinger friend, 3)Attempt a "group" floral catalog with the best volume price. What I have to gain from the project is only help fellow florists share marketing ideas.....and hopefully pick up some ideas myself. I am covering the website set-up and hosting out of my pocket....I only look to recoup my cost on any custom design work that my graphic designer friend (he give me a 50% discount in rates) does on a project(s).
I am always looking for other florists thoughts and ideas on the FlowerShopMarketing.com project....good or bad.
CHR said:
What myself, Jared, Graphic Designer friend, Mark and some other REAL FLORISTS is wanting to provide a "completely different model" with FlowerShopMarketing.com than other marketing groups includeing Art's. I have respect for Art and his marketing Group as a whole, but with each member's minimum order of 30,000 (unless it has changed) our flower shop demographics are different. We are working with John Henry to get the a large order pricing with lower per shop minimums.
As Cathy said, try to get a group of florists to agree on any marketing piece might be easier said that done.
My goal (and I believe Mark and others also) is to offer REAL FLORISTS 1)A platform to share with other REAL FLORISTS (Memeber log in will be turned on soon) any marketing ideas and marketing pieces and 2)Provide low cost custom marketing template pieces (pdf or vector files) customized by to the florist's taste by a graphic desinger friend, 3)Attempt a "group" floral catalog with the best volume price. What I have to gain from the project is only help fellow florists share marketing ideas.....and hopefully pick up some ideas myself. I am covering the website set-up and hosting out of my pocket....I only look to recoup my cost on any custom design work that my graphic designer friend (he give me a 50% discount in rates) does on a project(s).
I am always looking for other florists thoughts and ideas on the FlowerShopMarketing.com project....good or bad.
BOSS
FlowerChat Administrator
The other side's story...sort of
Provide Commerce rejects suit's claim
By Jennifer Davies
UNION-TRIBUNE STAFF WRITER
August 25, 2005
A ProFlowers arrangement advertised to be shipped directly from the fields, with no middlemen involved.
Call it the war of the roses.
FTD Group yesterday filed suit against Provide Commerce, parent company of ProFlowers, accusing the San Diego company of false and misleading advertising.
The suit, filed in Chicago federal court, said that ProFlowers, an online florist, touts that its "flowers are picked the day before – or sometimes the day of – the order, and are shipped with no middlemen involved" and are "direct from the fields."
But, contrary to its claims, the company's flowers are often stored in its refrigerated warehouse in Miami as well as several third-party warehouses around the country, the lawsuit said.
Michael J. Soenen, president and chief executive of FTD, one of the country's largest flower delivery companies, said the Downers Grove, Ill., company had to defend its network of florists.
"We welcome competition, but it should be fair competition that does not mislead consumers through deceptive claims."
The suit requests that Provide Commerce stop making false claims, run ads setting the record straight as well as compensate FTD for its acts of unfair competition.
Provide Commerce said in a statement that the lawsuit was without merit and that it stands by its seven-day freshness guarantee.
"We remain focused on our customers and will vigorously defend our direct business model," said Bill Strauss, Provide Commerce's CEO.
Analysts appeared unfazed by the brewing legal battle.
Eric Beder, an analyst with Brean Murray, wrote in a report that the "lawsuit claims appear, at best, marginal."
"We think this suit is an almost total 'non-event' and highlights how badly FTD is losing in the competitive floral space," he said.
Craig Bibb, who covers Provide Commerce for WR Hambrecht & Co., said the suit was in many ways an exercise in semantics.
While FTD argues that the Miami distribution center and other third-party facilities constitute middlemen, Provide Commerce would probably counter that it owns the flower inventory so the facilities are merely service providers, Bibb said. Provide Commerce has reported the use of the Miami distribution center and the other facilities in its filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
"From our standpoint, the real issue is whether 'direct from the field' and similar phrases are false and misleading or acceptable advertising fluff," Bibb wrote in a research note.
As far as Bibb was concerned, the lawsuit represents just another salvo in the ongoing war between the florists.
"To us, this looks like ordinary competition between an entrenched, established business and an insurgent."
Before the Internet, flower delivery services relied on a complicated network of growers, wholesalers, florists and national flower chains. Often when a customer orders a bouquet from FTD or 1-800-Flowers.com, the order is filled by a local florist, who gets the flowers from a wholesaler.
ProFlowers helped change the industry by creating relationships with growers and shipping flowers that were fresh but not arranged. Now, FTD and 1-800-Flowers offer some fresh-cut flower options as well as the traditional arranged bouquets.
Provide Commerce has proved a formidable competitor to the more established florists such as FTD Group, whose operating subsidiary is 95-year-old FTD Inc. and whose name is synonymous with flower delivery. FTD, which went public in 2005, recorded a net loss of $22.6 million on revenue of $437.8 million for the fiscal year ended June 30. Yesterday, its stock rose 20 cents to close at $11.19.
Provide Commerce, which operates two other online direct delivery sites, Cherry Moon Farms, offering fresh fruit, and Uptown Prime, offering quality beef, went public in December 2003. For fiscal 2005, Provide Commerce had earnings of $8.9 million on sales of $177 million. Its shares fell 59 cents yesterday to close at $25.65.
Beder said that the suit was a commentary on FTD's weakening competitive position, saying that while FTD's growth rate has been in low single digits, Provide Commerce and 1-800-Flowers have been taking away market share.
"This lawsuit appears to be the only major response to what we think is a flawed business model for FTD," he wrote.
Bibb said Provide Commerce might file a countersuit and the media attention to highlight that its flowers tend to be fresher or it might settle the FTD suit to avoid an expensive legal battle.
"We guess Provide ends up altering its advertising to remove any impression that the guy in Colombia stands up, walks into the field, and cuts a dozen roses shortly after the consumer clicks 'confirm order,' " Bibb wrote.
Provide Commerce rejects suit's claim
By Jennifer Davies
UNION-TRIBUNE STAFF WRITER
August 25, 2005
A ProFlowers arrangement advertised to be shipped directly from the fields, with no middlemen involved.
Call it the war of the roses.
FTD Group yesterday filed suit against Provide Commerce, parent company of ProFlowers, accusing the San Diego company of false and misleading advertising.
The suit, filed in Chicago federal court, said that ProFlowers, an online florist, touts that its "flowers are picked the day before – or sometimes the day of – the order, and are shipped with no middlemen involved" and are "direct from the fields."
But, contrary to its claims, the company's flowers are often stored in its refrigerated warehouse in Miami as well as several third-party warehouses around the country, the lawsuit said.
Michael J. Soenen, president and chief executive of FTD, one of the country's largest flower delivery companies, said the Downers Grove, Ill., company had to defend its network of florists.
"We welcome competition, but it should be fair competition that does not mislead consumers through deceptive claims."
The suit requests that Provide Commerce stop making false claims, run ads setting the record straight as well as compensate FTD for its acts of unfair competition.
Provide Commerce said in a statement that the lawsuit was without merit and that it stands by its seven-day freshness guarantee.
"We remain focused on our customers and will vigorously defend our direct business model," said Bill Strauss, Provide Commerce's CEO.
Analysts appeared unfazed by the brewing legal battle.
Eric Beder, an analyst with Brean Murray, wrote in a report that the "lawsuit claims appear, at best, marginal."
"We think this suit is an almost total 'non-event' and highlights how badly FTD is losing in the competitive floral space," he said.
Craig Bibb, who covers Provide Commerce for WR Hambrecht & Co., said the suit was in many ways an exercise in semantics.
While FTD argues that the Miami distribution center and other third-party facilities constitute middlemen, Provide Commerce would probably counter that it owns the flower inventory so the facilities are merely service providers, Bibb said. Provide Commerce has reported the use of the Miami distribution center and the other facilities in its filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
"From our standpoint, the real issue is whether 'direct from the field' and similar phrases are false and misleading or acceptable advertising fluff," Bibb wrote in a research note.
As far as Bibb was concerned, the lawsuit represents just another salvo in the ongoing war between the florists.
"To us, this looks like ordinary competition between an entrenched, established business and an insurgent."
Before the Internet, flower delivery services relied on a complicated network of growers, wholesalers, florists and national flower chains. Often when a customer orders a bouquet from FTD or 1-800-Flowers.com, the order is filled by a local florist, who gets the flowers from a wholesaler.
ProFlowers helped change the industry by creating relationships with growers and shipping flowers that were fresh but not arranged. Now, FTD and 1-800-Flowers offer some fresh-cut flower options as well as the traditional arranged bouquets.
Provide Commerce has proved a formidable competitor to the more established florists such as FTD Group, whose operating subsidiary is 95-year-old FTD Inc. and whose name is synonymous with flower delivery. FTD, which went public in 2005, recorded a net loss of $22.6 million on revenue of $437.8 million for the fiscal year ended June 30. Yesterday, its stock rose 20 cents to close at $11.19.
Provide Commerce, which operates two other online direct delivery sites, Cherry Moon Farms, offering fresh fruit, and Uptown Prime, offering quality beef, went public in December 2003. For fiscal 2005, Provide Commerce had earnings of $8.9 million on sales of $177 million. Its shares fell 59 cents yesterday to close at $25.65.
Beder said that the suit was a commentary on FTD's weakening competitive position, saying that while FTD's growth rate has been in low single digits, Provide Commerce and 1-800-Flowers have been taking away market share.
"This lawsuit appears to be the only major response to what we think is a flawed business model for FTD," he wrote.
Bibb said Provide Commerce might file a countersuit and the media attention to highlight that its flowers tend to be fresher or it might settle the FTD suit to avoid an expensive legal battle.
"We guess Provide ends up altering its advertising to remove any impression that the guy in Colombia stands up, walks into the field, and cuts a dozen roses shortly after the consumer clicks 'confirm order,' " Bibb wrote.
12BucksFor2Dozon
New Member
I can't help but read this and say "see, I told ya"...they agree this lawsuit is petty, and that the probable outcome will just be "Provide ends up altering its advertising...", but let's have a little fun here...let's say, just for kicks, that FTD managed to put PF out of business with this little stunt!
How long, pray tell, do you think it would take FTD to come up with the exact same business model, selling the exact same product?? 2-3 weeks? Like the reporter says...
"This lawsuit appears to be the only major response to what we think is a flawed business model for FTD," he wrote.
Industry watchers seem to be convinced that direct sales is the future of this industry, and FTD is in deep doo-doo (how long that they continue to lose $23 mil/year?)...I can't sum it up any better than this...
"We think this suit is an almost total 'non-event' and highlights how badly FTD is losing in the competitive floral space," he said.
right.
How long, pray tell, do you think it would take FTD to come up with the exact same business model, selling the exact same product?? 2-3 weeks? Like the reporter says...
"This lawsuit appears to be the only major response to what we think is a flawed business model for FTD," he wrote.
Industry watchers seem to be convinced that direct sales is the future of this industry, and FTD is in deep doo-doo (how long that they continue to lose $23 mil/year?)...I can't sum it up any better than this...
"We think this suit is an almost total 'non-event' and highlights how badly FTD is losing in the competitive floral space," he said.
right.
Thanks Mark number 1 for that article and thanks Mark number 2 for "keeping it real".
Hey Charlie B, I am excited about your passion to get us florist all fired up to write letters and come together. Hey while we're at this, "keeping it real with the online floral industry who Sc*ews people over", lets write letters to all the FTD florists too and tell them the whole truth. Oh wait, that might hurt your bottom line? So if I read your posts right, let's keep it real, as long as it helps you. I love the Hypocrisy. Whatever happen to integrity? Oh yeah, it went out of business.
Charlie, you're a pretty smart guy, but I was taught if you are going to battle something, in this case, online floral fraud, you go 100%, not 60% you choose to acknowledge that will only help your business, since PF, is your biggest online competition for your FTD site. I think what you are doing is half way great, it'd be ALL great if you kept it real across the board.
The funniest thing I find about the FTD florists who are all happy about this is: FTD and PF are sc*wing over two types of people... PF is being untruthful to their customers and FTD is being untruthful to their florists. But which side do the florists take when this all hits the fan? *laughs* I don't understand this" abused woman syndrome" and I don't understand the bandwagon of florists who are buying into this. I'm sure all roads lead to $$.
Again, I don't fault florists with FTD/TF, I fault them if they don't have an exit plan. It's one thing to say.. hey I know I am supporting a corporation who competes against me and I don't like it and another to say Yeah, so they are aren't the best thing for our industry.. I'm making my $ and could care less about anyone else. I say that Charlie because, somewhere you said , you were for the little guy too... and I had to laugh.
Hey FTD florists, what if I were to say.... I wish I could fax every FTD florist and tell them about all the ways FTD competes against them... would you be mad at me for saying that or think it'd be a good idea. Your answer tells me a lot about what world you live in. Education is never the wrong answer.
PS - While you guys are writing these leters don't forget to turn in FTD too. Oh wait, why would you do that? You get a check from them each month. COME ON PEOPLE KEEP IT REAL.
Hey Charlie B, I am excited about your passion to get us florist all fired up to write letters and come together. Hey while we're at this, "keeping it real with the online floral industry who Sc*ews people over", lets write letters to all the FTD florists too and tell them the whole truth. Oh wait, that might hurt your bottom line? So if I read your posts right, let's keep it real, as long as it helps you. I love the Hypocrisy. Whatever happen to integrity? Oh yeah, it went out of business.
Charlie, you're a pretty smart guy, but I was taught if you are going to battle something, in this case, online floral fraud, you go 100%, not 60% you choose to acknowledge that will only help your business, since PF, is your biggest online competition for your FTD site. I think what you are doing is half way great, it'd be ALL great if you kept it real across the board.
The funniest thing I find about the FTD florists who are all happy about this is: FTD and PF are sc*wing over two types of people... PF is being untruthful to their customers and FTD is being untruthful to their florists. But which side do the florists take when this all hits the fan? *laughs* I don't understand this" abused woman syndrome" and I don't understand the bandwagon of florists who are buying into this. I'm sure all roads lead to $$.
Again, I don't fault florists with FTD/TF, I fault them if they don't have an exit plan. It's one thing to say.. hey I know I am supporting a corporation who competes against me and I don't like it and another to say Yeah, so they are aren't the best thing for our industry.. I'm making my $ and could care less about anyone else. I say that Charlie because, somewhere you said , you were for the little guy too... and I had to laugh.
Hey FTD florists, what if I were to say.... I wish I could fax every FTD florist and tell them about all the ways FTD competes against them... would you be mad at me for saying that or think it'd be a good idea. Your answer tells me a lot about what world you live in. Education is never the wrong answer.
PS - While you guys are writing these leters don't forget to turn in FTD too. Oh wait, why would you do that? You get a check from them each month. COME ON PEOPLE KEEP IT REAL.
Here's one more story...
but I just love the... "She Sues Me, She Sues Me Not'
FTD sues Provide Commerce over claims in its consumer-direct advertising.
http://msnbc.msn.com/id/9073604/
.
but I just love the... "She Sues Me, She Sues Me Not'
FTD sues Provide Commerce over claims in its consumer-direct advertising.
http://msnbc.msn.com/id/9073604/
.
PhillyPhlorist
Pro Member
- Feb 7, 2004
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GUFF said:
[LOL]!! Heck - we could PANEL our stores with all the FTD wood TOP XXX that we have collected over the 70-somtheing years.
SUPER BOWL PREDICTION: Steelers & Eagles...a PA Super Bowl this year...
YOU pick the winner - would be a Toss Up if all stay healthy.
- H 3rd.
PhillyPhlorist
Pro Member
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12BucksFor2Dozon said:
No prob - but tell the 'no such...' thang to any one of my 90 Merck customers who's bugets have been cut, heads on the choppin' block, fear for their jobs on a DAILY basis... Not to mention my Merck customer sales have tanked nearly 50% in a year...just no $ there...
No war here...just give you opinion without blasting the florists who rely on the wires to do biz. Hey man - we send WAAY too many orders out of town to go without one, and until the direct florist-to-florist tech comes along, with the quality florist coverage needed, we will USE the w/s until they fall by the way of the Do-Do (which WILL come - no doubt). And, we get lots on In's as well - and you know what??? I use my BEST form of advertising to MARKET to EVERY one of those orders...the designs my crew create. And to boot - EVERY wire in order (except sympathy pieces) get marketing cards.
- H.
Dazeal said:
1. I don't know of anything anyone could do to hurt FTD that would hurt MY bottom line. I don't depend on FTD for either outgoing nor incoming or much of anything else, that I know of. But I'm smart enough to be willing to take advantage of anything they do that is beneficial to me. I guess you're saying you aren't.
2. I think I said that at least 29,990 (and I increased it to 29,996 later) florists out of 30,000 would NEVER come together on ANYTHING. Even when they had the opportunity to do something for themselves, as they may have had with the FTD/Pro Flowers squabble. And it looks like I was RIGHT ON THE MONEY. Or I would be if I raised the number to 29,998.
3. You're wrong again. I don't have an FTD website. Therefore, Pro Flowers is NOT my "biggest online competitor for my FTD website". And, as I said, I SHOUDN'T give a big crap. How the Big Guns affect the dying Mom & Pop floral industry is not going to affect me. They almost certainly will affect you because you've demonstrated that you're too blind and arrogant to recognize them for the threat they are.
For a couple of hours, I did allow myself to be stupid enough to try to show those who are going to need some help, if they are to survive, that an opportunity to take a few effective shots at a big competitor at little or no cost had presented itself. After it became obvious that most, like you, didn't care and weren't willing to help themselves with this, just as I predicted when I started the effort, I went back to looking after MY operation, like I probably should have done all along.
4. As far as your efforts at slamming FTD . . . you're a bleaking AMATEUR who's still wet behind the ears and needs his diaper changed. As most any old time FTD boardie will tell you, I used to have Bob Norton's "hired spitwads" for breakfast every morning on the FTDI board. Matter of fact, I'm proud to say that my willingness to call FTD AND Bob Norton on the carpet on their own board about their load of crap was probably one of the reasons the gutless Mr. Norton chose to close the board. He couldn't stand the heat that only one or two of us had the nerve to give him. And I sure as h--- didn't see you on there. So go calm down until you know what you're talking about. If you haven't been around long enough to walk the walk with those that have been doing it for years, don't even try to talk the talk.
5. I don't know where you got that I ever said "I was for the little guy, too". I don't remember ever saying that. Why would I? I AM the little guy in this business. Just like MOST of us are if we run operations that cater to our local market areas and refrain from marketing for outgoing wire orders. I didn't say it. And that whole paragraph makes pretty much no sense nor does it have any credibility.
6. Who the heck do you think you're going to "educate" with the pitiful advertising campaign you can afford. Before you think that's a personal slam, the same can be said for all independent florists. We've got a small chance of educating our local customers with our local advertising campaigns for so long as we can hold on to them. Beyond that, what chance? NONE ! ! !
But, if you think that "education" is the all-saving answer, how come you're too d----- stupid to realize that you had the chance to use the FTD flap with Pro Flowers to get some free local publicity and provide some of that EDUCATION that you think is the answer to the people in your local news media's market FOR FREE ? ? ? I'd say you just proved that YOU are one who "talks the talk" but doesn't "walk the walk" ! ! !
You, like too many other short-sighted individuals in this industry or so hung up on the "ME" syndrome and your delusional battle with the wire services that you couldn't see this possibility of an opportunity when it HIT YOU IN THE FACE ! ! ! Who the heck do you think STARTED the battle with the wire services? I was kicking their butts on the boards and predicting their demise back when it WASN'T politically correct to do so and long before you ever even thought about making noise about them. Like I said, you're a rank amateur in that campaign.
YOU derisively turned your back on a perfect opportunity to take a free BIG SHOT at Pro Flowers in your area. And you could do it through the weapon of EDUCATION, that you claim will work. But YOU refused to USE IT. And you've got the gonads to call me a hypocrite ? ? ? Maybe you should use a little glass cleaner on your mirror.
And if you're questioning my integrity . . . as it sounds like you're doing in your somewhat irrational diatribe . . . we may get the opportunity to meet someday. And we'll definitely be talking about that then.
BOSS
FlowerChat Administrator
Ya know....Nah...never mind.....maybe Charlie's right, maybe you don;t get it...things like this have to happen in a planned, methodical order....Dazeal said:
Dazeal said:
I wouldn't care one way or the other. But I think that if you did it, you'd probably find that you'd destroyed any chance you had of achieving your "objective" after all those florists had considered the source.
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