FTD's look toward the future

[sfox]

Ftd's Ceo Doesn't Get It

Ftd's CEO is the person who doesn't get it. When he says that the public wants lower price points, HE'S RIGHT. But when he says florists don't get that fact HE'S WRONG.

Oh, in my market, I see that fact. And we are giving the consumer what they are asking for. But the only consumer I can give that lower price points to are the full paying customers, not discounted wire orders.

As CEO of FTD, he has raised the level of fees and dues and other assorted charges to levels where filling lower price point wire orders would be committing financial suicide for any florist.

And while he preaches to supermarkets about lower price points, he is hoping that the supermarkets will sell lower price items and pay his fees. He wants them to think that they should subsidize the flower section with profits from other parts of their business.

My personal opinion is that every florist should offer low price point selections to their customers. The wire services can't compete. Also, every florist should leave FTD since FTD is gouging them, that is all florists except MAS users, who are hopelessly tied to FTD by technology that can only send orders by one party. They have to stay and pay whatever FTD says. The last part was written just for bloomz and boss. Sorry guys, just couldn't help myself.

 

[BOSS]

Ftd's CEO is the person who doesn't get it. When he says that the public wants lower price points, HE'S RIGHT. But when he says florists don't get that fact HE'S WRONG.

I concur...

the only consumer I can give that lower price points to are the full paying customers, not discounted wire orders.

Again, I concur...

My personal opinion is that every florist should offer low price point selections to their customers.

And again...

Also, every florist should leave FTD since FTD is gouging them, that is all florists except MAS users, who are hopelessly tied to FTD by technology that can only send orders by one party.

Aw...shoot, and we were doing so well too...I'm not tied to FTD, remember I don;t use Advantage anymore. MAS on the other hand, sends, MASdirect, FTD, FSI, and soon BloomLink, as well as Florist to Florist (yes they have to have MAS direct) so you see, the only thing I can;t do is send Dove...but then again why would I want to..and thats Telefloras issue...

 

[CHR]

every florist should leave FTD since FTD is gouging them, that is all florists except MAS users, who are hopelessly tied to FTD by technology that can only send orders by one party. They have to stay and pay whatever FTD says. The last part was written just for bloomz and boss. Sorry guys, just couldn't help myself.

Sfox,

We are a MAS user and are not a member of FTD. And I know of at least one MAS user that's completely wire service free, BTW. We selected the platform for its ability to easily communicate with our customers. Since being able to send e-receipts and delivery confirmations, we have seen some of the best feedback we've ever had. And now our customers are advertising for us - including forwarding links to our website on to their friends and colleagues. Not to be rah-rah - but the platform is designed first and foremost to help sell more flowers.

I absoluteley agree with your other statements. No one can offer low prices and personal service paying 30%+ marketing fees.

 

[ROBSWF]

that is all florists except MAS users, who are hopelessly tied to FTD by technology that can only send orders by one party. They have to stay and pay whatever FTD says. The last part was written just for bloomz and boss. Sorry guys, just couldn't help myself.

Just to let you know, we are MAS and we are not members of FTD. The MAS system DOES NOT lock you to FTD, only the owner of the shop can get locked in!!

Rob

 

[bloomz]

Also, every florist should leave FTD since FTD is gouging them, that is all florists except MAS users, who are hopelessly tied to FTD by technology that can only send orders by one party. They have to stay and pay whatever FTD says. The last part was written just for bloomz and boss. Sorry guys, just couldn't help myself.

BUZZ!!! wrong! that was written for da fox
sorry couldn't help myself *wink*

ps - have I mentioned that I have been running my MAS box via satellite from 10,000 miles from home on the other side of the world?

We selected the platform for its ability to easily communicate with our customers.

Imagine that, selecting technology to better service your customers? Why, it's, it's, it's - revolutionary!

 

[12BucksFor2Dozon]

...
Time for EVERY florist to see this, time to react. I for one with be VERY selective during the holidays with regards to filling orders. Funny, just a year or two ago I would not have thought this! I have seen the light of the REAL use for wire services - have you?

So the "real light" is to basically become an OG? Right no doubt sending orders is FAR more profitable then filling, which is why everyone and his/her dog is taking orders. Hell, there is even a friggin' Chinese restaurant in Orlando that takes flower orders at standard FTD prices...why not?

No doubt your 18 orders created a nice healthy profit for you, but in a way you are contributing the the whole WS game plan. As much as many of you here would like to believe, you can't be "a little" bit pregnant. If you are sleeping with the wires you will wake up with them too.

Its a shame that florist don't take a page from the Open Source Software community and come up with a free, open "peer-to-peer" system like LimeWire where we could just load an order on system and the first florist to agree to fill it would get it...hell you could even auction the order! Let capitalism and open systems do their magic.

Now THAT would be something to get excited about, not the realization that sending is better then receiving. I would have thought that was figured out years ago...

And to be totally off subject here, I just downloaded and am listening to a soundboard rip of a Who concert from 2002 in Columbus Ohio and it is simply UNBELIEVABLY great. What a GREAT band the Who was...they might have been the best ever, IMHO....

 

[theRKF]

And to be totally off subject here, I just downloaded and am listening to a soundboard rip of a Who concert from 2002 in Columbus Ohio and it is simply UNBELIEVABLY great. What a GREAT band the Who was...they might have been the best ever, IMHO....

That I can agree with!! My old band was patterned after The Who - big chords, mod clothing and lots of stage presence. Those were the days ...:musical:

 

[BOSS]

What a GREAT band the Who was...they might have been the best ever, IMHO....

Agreed!!!!!

As to "open source" order transfer...whos going to spend the time developing a floral-specific platform? I know I don;t have the time.... Heck I'm having a hard time convincing florists that there is a need for a national "umbrella" organization...involving education, testing, more, and a comitment to certain standards.

 

[theRKF]

I'd consider it if I thought more than 20 people might actually get involved. For now, it's not worth the hours of programming, or the costs involved.

Ryan

 

[CHR]

How many more than 20 would you consider 'enough'?

 

[BOSS]

For now, it's not worth the hours of programming, or the costs involved.

Ryan

Too bad folks just won't take advantage of MASdirect, already to go, cost effective, Real Time connectivity, customer service beyond compare...

I guess it's because...

 

[theRKF]

It's a cost / benefit & supply / demand thing. There is a viable order transfer system that operates outside the WS and is very cost effective. Perhaps with a Laszlo-type interface and as a stand-alone option it would be useful.

Developing another option could be counterproductive. With solid committment from a couple hundred shops, this idea could have merit - realistically, it would have to be XML based, so it could be made compatible with the existing system. Interoperability is key (just ask MSN & Yahoo).