I have just quit Teleflorist

[Palms]

Well, I have done it now. I only tried it out for a year and thought that I could maybe gain some new customers and that it would still make me money. For my shop it just did not work. I know other people have said this before but i like to try things out for myself.

I have just spent the last hour number crunching and seriously it has cost me over the year. I noticed my cash flow was just not as it was this time last year. Sales are up and the biggest variable was Teleflorist membership. (Did any of you that quit relay have this problem before you quit?)

Now, I must stress that I am not saying that i dont think it will work for other shops, I dont send many orders and I think this is probably a large bit of it, but regardless, I am out.

I have had to give 3 months notice, now i am trying to figure out a way to save money now rather than spend more in the next three months. Shall i just stop accepting orders?

Any suggestions?

 

[Joe Mioux]

I have had to give 3 months notice, now i am trying to figure out a way to save money now rather than spend more in the next three months. Shall i just stop accepting orders?

Any suggestions?

No don't stop filling those orders, as long as you cover the cost of your flowers and delivery (if applicable). Any revenue earned over and above your Variable Costs of an order, will contribute positively to your fixed expenses of membership.

You are going to pay that member fee with or with out incoming orders, so that shouldn't enter into whether you accept or decline orders for the next 3 months.

joe

 

[Johan]

I found being just a sending member was much more profitable than being a full executing member. After you break everything down it's amazing you can actually make anything. I am still thinking about just becoming a sending member again but I haven't worked out how many orders I need to make a decent profit.

 

[alisonm1215]

No don't stop filling those orders, as long as you cover the cost of your flowers and delivery (if applicable). Any revenue earned over and above your Variable Costs of an order, will contribute positively to your fixed expenses of membership.

You are going to pay that member fee with or with out incoming orders, so that shouldn't enter into whether you accept or decline orders for the next 3 months.

joe

Joe is right. Now that you have given your notice, keep filling as long as the order is profitable. You will probably notice some larger orders coming in as well. This may just be a fluke, but when I left TF, I got more orders and they were more profitable. I also got more phone calls about staying on board for free.
Basically, If you are going to be paying them anyway, you might as well try to recoup as much money as you can.
Also, make sure you read and follow all of the rules for leaving TF. It is probably different in the UK than here in the states. I had to send a certified return receipt letter. Mine did get lost the first time.
Just follow the rules and you can get out easily enough.