Since your site is serving 3 zip codes, currently, how does this site differ from anyother typical OG site?
respectfully,
Joe
Joe,
It's not problem asking questions, the more the merrier.
I did not mean to imply we only service 3 zip codes. We currently only have 3 member florists. I simply gave out one zip code from each. The full service zip codes are as follows:
"Especially for You Florist" in Hammond LA covers the following zips: 70454, 70401,70402,70402,70403,70404,70711,70446,70451,70455,70466,39713
"The Flower Loft" in Salem Ohio covers the following zips: 44401, 44406, 44408, 44411, 44422, 44423, 44431, 44432, 44460, 44449, 44490, 44601, 44609, 44619, 44634, 44672
"Weathers Flower Market" in Slidell, LA covers the following zips: 70458, 70459, 70460, 70461, 70448, 70470, 70471, 70433, 70434, 70435, 70452, 70445
As for how we are different from other typical OG sites.... First let me confess I only have knowledge of the major sites like FTD, Teleflora, 1800Flowers. But here is what I feel is unique about our system.
1. Our system is designed to integrate with the kiosks that are placed in hospitals, malls, office buildings, airports etc. Today this does not mean much since we only have 3 kiosks out there, but our hope is to have many of them out there in the future. No other web site out there is tied to an actual retail point of sale.
2. We don’t want to be an order gatherer. When someone goes to any of our customers web sites (or our main house web site) and types in the delivering zip code we show them right then who the delivering florist is going to be including full direct contact info with that florist. The customer sees this even before selecting an item to purchase. Our intent here is to show that we are truly trying to connect the customer with the florist and not to us as an order gatherer. The customer is free to contact the florist directly and bypass our system entirely at this point if they like. This is especially useful if the customer has pre-order questions or a special request.
3. Another difference is the way our system easily allows the local florist to customize their database. For example you could have items for sale that reflect local sports teams, local universities etc. When someone from across the U.S. goes to any of our member web sites or even a physical kiosk location across the country and indicates they want to deliver to one of your zip codes they will instantly see the unique offerings you have for your delivery area. This is a very unique feature that I think over the long haul will keep customers coming back since they will be able to have a much more "non generic" selection of products to choose from. This feature is also useful if you don’t want to offer certain types of items at certain times of the year due to weather considerations.
4. Another difference is the way money is split on wire orders. Orders placed at your web site or at one of your kiosks for delivery in your area net you 100% of the sale price and $10 order delivery fee that is charged to the customer. Orders placed at other member florists web sites or at other member florists kiosks for delivery in your service area are divided as follows: You would get 80% of the items sale price (again, the price YOU set as the price YOU want to sell that item for) and the referring florist would keep 20% for getting the customer for you. There is also the flat $10 delivery fee always charged to the customer. The referring florist keeps $6 of the $10 and the house (our company) keeps $4 of the $10 fee for transmitting the order and processing the money between the two florists.
5. Another difference is the way the money is deposited to you. On our system the money is deposited to your account electronically within 2 business days of the delivery being made on each and every order. We don't hold your money and give it to you later in a lump.
Darren
