I told ya so...

[duanermb]

Just heard about a wholesaler who is now...

You guessed it! Filling for one of the wire services! Website and all!!!

Guess its not the "right" of the B&Ms to have the wire business orders after all.

That being said, fill or don't, do what is right for your business model. :thumbsup

I have warned all in the past that either wholesales or supermarkets will pick up the slack. This is the beginning of a trend and emotions won't change it. React with only your business in mind, nothing else.

There will always be SOMEONE to fill the order regardless of what we think here.

(and I have been labeled a supporter of all this shenanigans...) :wallhead:

I hope this post gets zero replies, but finds open minds to the reality. That is a starting point for change.

 

[anytimeflowers]

I hope this post gets zero replies, but finds open minds to the reality. That is a starting point for change.

​

Sorry to disappoint you, Duane. ​

But my only reply is to agree with you. ​

 

[CHR]

Which WS is the wholesaler filling for?

You're right - the orders will find ways to be filled - no matter what - but we need to know who is preaching love to florists and then sending them to "fillem'-and-hide" manufacturers. Do tell.

FYI - I spoke to at least a handful of folks in the last 3 days (new customers to us) swearing they would NEVER use 'flowers in a box' or 'national companies by name' services again. Handed out the names of local florists to at least as many people in the last three days, too. Flower lovers (the people who buy more than MD-VD) seem to have caught on the the scams.

 

[BOSS]

Like Cathy said, we too are hearing customer comments daily about the horror's they have had with "brand name" ""florists"". Most are so thankful for the honesty and information on our part.

As the model shifts again, perhaps to local wholesalers, they may find they made the wrong choice trying for short term profits over long haul work. Couple the decline in quality, with higher wholesale costs they may find the grass is not greener on the other side, and they are running the risk of alienating their florist customers (if the florists have the balls to cut the wholesaler off and leave them out in the cold with their deliveries for the BIG3 .coN's...

 

[dhamil6490]

If I knew which wholesalers were doing this, I'd drop them in a heartbeat. Is there any way to find out who is doing it?

 

[theRKF]

I'm guessing this could be a boon for FlowerBuyer.com - assuming they aren't the wholesaler in question.

It seems some florists have been held back from ordering on FB because they felt they were betraying their local wholesalers. FB and the other Miami options might just see a bump coming?

 

[duanermb]

Which WS is the wholesaler filling for?

You're right - the orders will find ways to be filled - no matter what - but we need to know who is preaching love to florists and then sending them to "fillem'-and-hide" manufacturers. Do tell.

FYI - I spoke to at least a handful of folks in the last 3 days (new customers to us) swearing they would NEVER use 'flowers in a box' or 'national companies by name' services again. Handed out the names of local florists to at least as many people in the last three days, too. Flower lovers (the people who buy more than MD-VD) seem to have caught on the the scams.

It doesn't matter who it is really. I am sure if one is doing it, they are all doing it.

The point is that our issue, and what we control is our flower pricing and that is what we should be focusing on. Many florists have changed the way they buy to move and react to the marketplace and continue to grow. I doubt that more profitable wire orders will help more than a few % of florists anyway. The reason the wholesale makes sense is because they can buy cheap and sell cheap on a commodity level, which is what wire business really is.

Others are able to buy at lower prices and succeed. I offer this, because it is this thinking that saved our business 2 years ago, and has made it successful. The web and new marketing has has been great, but our real success has come from finding cheaper sources for the core business we already had, and is where our focus will continue to be moving forward. It also makes the growth effort much more rewarding, when you make an extra 10 cents on every dollar you grow.

The SAF article was about emulating the leaders, it just happened to be focused on the internet.

 

[bootcampguy]

It doesn't matter who it is really. I am sure if one is doing it, they are all doing it.

In a thread a few weeks ago we talked about how wholesalers have a "bulls eye" on their back and they are the next group to fill the void. They in some cases are doing it to keep their doors open (I don't agree with it)...........but they made that decision. Marketing starts at the curb and walks it's way into your store and we ALL have to have a "great" business model to follow. I know I'm off thread a little, but every year I do an August campaign about "buying boxed flowers". I buy them, write about them and then show my customers local florist are "floral value providers" not "price floral providers"......big difference. So many thoughts last month that I've launched a new facebook page, "Boxed Flowers Suck"............by the way our campaign last month was titled "Your loved one deserves better than boxed flowers"..........Overwhelming support and response. A little old lady suggested the FB page after her son order a boxed arr. and sent it to the funeral home for her brothers funeral. When I spoke to her son, he said "I didn't know" I just clicked the banner..................and gave them my CC. The handling charge was $19.95. Duane is so right, no emotion, just facts and a plan. Success happens when planning and opportunity cross paths............................The paths are crossing...........education should be a part of the business MODEL

 

[anytimeflowers]

Okay, I just can't seem to help it, I DO have a longer reply.

I had a woman come in yesterday who bought one of my popular $20 fall arr. Can't call it a design, it's just a mish-mash of stuff. She said it was much nicer than what had been sent by another "florist" for her son-in-law's funeral earlier this week. She was out of town when she needed to order.

When she went to the funeral, she was embarrassed, her word was "mortified" to see what she had paid $64 for. When I asked who, she said "Just Flowers, and they charged $14 service, I didn't know there was a service fee. I would never have paid $14 for nothing."

I told her that the florist who filled it would have taken their delivery charge out of it, too. She remarked several times that is was NOT the dollar amount, it was the VALUE. She was shocked, and she was a "well to do" person. She is a business owner. Her experience is going to grow some legs, because she was mortified and embarrassed, and in order to make herself less embarrassed, she will proclaim to all about her experience. She can't do otherwise, or she will look like a cheapo.

My point is that anybody deciding to be fillers because they can do it profitably had best beware lest that goes to the wayside, too.

There are many who are learning all by themselves that a local florist is going to be their best value, that is true. However, an increasing number of those same people are also going to be heard by law-makers, and the deceit WILL come to a screaming halt.

When it does, I would not want to be counting on those businesses to stay in business myself.

 

[Sarah Jane]

The wholesalers can have those orders as far as I'm concerned. I don't want anything to do with any of it. I'm not surprised this is happening though. The local wholesaler in my town owns the florist that is less than a mile from me. Then they act surprised that I don't buy from them (except in rare occasions when I'm in a bind). But I would actually go out of my way to buy from out of town wholesalers than to buy from and support my competitor. The model is all screwed up now because the consumer wants cheaper stuff so people have to skip a level (The wholesaler or the florist) to get it. We just have to roll with it I guess. I just try to offer service and product that no wire service could compete with.

 

[duanermb]

If I knew which wholesalers were doing this, I'd drop them in a heartbeat. Is there any way to find out who is doing it?

I am sure it will come out, but I am not going to start the debacle that follows that. I would rather discuss what this new development means for our businesses. (When it does happen, someone please start a new thread for that part of the discussion)

We have been though a "wholesale boycott" here in Winnipeg, when Safeway announced their floral department upgrades and that one of the wholesales would be supplying the flowers. (Which they had already been doing for 20 years I might add) The result of the boycott was that florists were paying more because they had lost a supplier. The supplier moseyed on like nothing happened. Probably because there was plenty of talk and only minimal action, because the smart owners didn't boycott, because they knew that on certain weeks that wholesale would save them $xx on xx flowers.

I'm guessing this could be a boon for FlowerBuyer.com - assuming they aren't the wholesaler in question.

It seems some florists have been held back from ordering on FB because they felt they were betraying their local wholesalers. FB and the other Miami options might just see a bump coming?

It is just one local guy at this point. Who knows, they may have set up a separate retail operation to handle it. We will never have enough info to make a judgment on it, so we shouldn't try. But, the area in question, I the locals are asking their questions, I am sure.

As for holding back from FB and the other 100 ways to get flowers. We / They and everyone has a right to do what is right for our businesses. Times have changed for everyone, and if you can reduce your flower prices by 10% for the year...

Quick calc:

Flowers for the year: $100,000 from all sources.
Flowers for the year: $90,000 from all sources.

Nuff said on that.

I got blasted a while back because I said something about the wholesale selling the same vase (from the same reputable manufacturer that we all buy from in one way or another) as Dollaramma for 3x the price. They have a responsibility to provide value just like we do. Support them, yes, but let them control your business, not this guy.

What will happen in YOUR market and to your business if this happens? This is info at the start of a possible trend. Make plans for your business, because that is what you control.

 

[anytimeflowers]

The wholesaler that I buy most of my fresh product from has operated a retail shop for years. As a matter of fact, they started out as a retail florist that grew into a grower and wholesaler. Their shop is located on the same property as the wholesale, albiet separated by a parking lot.

They have always competed with me. I am still loyal to them. I have tried FB, and will purchase cases of foliage from them, and occasionally mini green hyd. For the most part, I won't buy anything from FB during the summer because at some point in the shipping, my product comes in cooked. I NEVER count on product from FB for an order, too risky.

I certainly will continue to be loyal to my wholesaler as long as they continue to offer quality product. I don't really care who else they sell to, they have supplied major grocery chains for years. I cannot buy the same products at the same price for the same day from FB, nor is there a salesperson walking through the cooler and picking out the best bunches for me. I got green millet, green wheat, chinese lanterns, a few bunches of this and that. Not something I'm going to find on FB.

I'm willing to pay for that service, even though they compete directly with me.

 

[Sarah Jane]

The wholesaler that I buy most of my fresh product from has operated a retail shop for years. As a matter of fact, they started out as a retail florist that grew into a grower and wholesaler. Their shop is located on the same property as the wholesale, albiet separated by a parking lot.

They have always competed with me. I am still loyal to them. I have tried FB, and will purchase cases of foliage from them, and occasionally mini green hyd. For the most part, I won't buy anything from FB during the summer because at some point in the shipping, my product comes in cooked. I NEVER count on product from FB for an order, too risky.

I certainly will continue to be loyal to my wholesaler as long as they continue to offer quality product. I don't really care who else they sell to, they have supplied major grocery chains for years. I cannot buy the same products at the same price for the same day from FB, nor is there a salesperson walking through the cooler and picking out the best bunches for me. I got green millet, green wheat, chinese lanterns, a few bunches of this and that. Not something I'm going to find on FB.

I'm willing to pay for that service, even though they compete directly with me.

I'm sorry, I just don't agree with wholesalers also having retail shops. I just don't like it. And there are lots of Miami-direct companies other than Flowerbuyer that I get awesome product from and great service. Besides, there is another wholesaler in town that I do buy from but I have to get a lot of my bulk stuff cheaper than they can offer it in order to compete with the florist who is also a wholesaler.

 

[anytimeflowers]

I'm sorry, I just don't agree with wholesalers also having retail shops. I just don't like it. And there are lots of Miami-direct companies other than Flowerbuyer that I get awesome product from and great service. Besides, there is another wholesaler in town that I do buy from but I have to get a lot of my bulk stuff cheaper than they can offer it in order to compete with the florist who is also a wholesaler.

And that is great, if it works for you. You possibly don't have the same shipping issues as we do, I don't know.

I DO know that everybody who is in business needs to stay competitive or go out of business, simple as that. Wholesalers who are not finding ways to augment those lost sales from people who have gone to direct buying are not going to be able to stay in business. The wholesale houses probably feel just as wronged by the growers who suddenly decided to bypass them and directly compete with them for our (the retailer) business.

It's a nasty circle and there is no telling where it's going to end as product becomes less and less available at the lower prices. This is just another example of change and moving along with it.

I won't villify anybody trying to stay in business as long as they do it honestly. As soon as they lie, I have a problem.

 

[Doug Munro]

I'm guessing this could be a boon for FlowerBuyer.com - assuming they aren't the wholesaler in question.

It seems some florists have been held back from ordering on FB because they felt they were betraying their local wholesalers. FB and the other Miami options might just see a bump coming?

lol..... Let me state this, as a former wholesaler (for 14 years).

One of the biggest frustrations I had as a local wholesaler was the number of retail florists that purchased the bulk of their product from sources other that the wholesalers in their region. Some shopped with wholesalers across the country, some purchased from directly from the growers, some directly from manufacturers. They always felt that they had good reason to do so, price, salesperson, selection, nice booth at the gift show, whatever. The bottom line was that in their opinion it was good business.

Now lets flip the coin, on occasion we would sell in bulk to legitimate businesses such as hotels, retaurants, etc. This would sometimes result in howls of protest from retail florists, often from the sames ones who never supported us.

For a number of years I sat as the wholesale representative on the board of our local florist association and each year as new board members were elected this issue would generally be brought up by a new member. The jist of their statements were always based on their opinion that we as a wholesaler had no right to sell to anyone other than florists. My response was always the same, we would have absolutely no problem with that if those same florists supported us, this generally brought the issue to a finish.

My point here is that wholesalers also have bills to pay, staff to maintain and are in business to profit just like retail flower shops.

 

[Doug Munro]

I'm sorry, I just don't agree with wholesalers also having retail shops. I just don't like it. And there are lots of Miami-direct companies other than Flowerbuyer that I get awesome product from and great service. Besides, there is another wholesaler in town that I do buy from but I have to get a lot of my bulk stuff cheaper than they can offer it in order to compete with the florist who is also a wholesaler.

Hmmmm?Just don't agree with wholesalers also having retail shops? Yet in the next sentence you state that there are lots of Miami-direct companies that you buy product from.

So it is ok for you as a retailer to bypass the wholesaler and go Miami direct, but wrong for the wholesaler to possibly by-pass you and go consumer direct (by operating a retail store).

I suggest that you fall into the category I described in my previous post on this thread.

 

[BOSS]

I'm guessing this could be a boon for FlowerBuyer.com - assuming they aren't the wholesaler in question.

It seems some florists have been held back from ordering on FB because they felt they were betraying their local wholesalers. FB and the other Miami options might just see a bump coming?

Perhaps oh Infinite One....but...

I'd caution each and every one of you to consider the potential outcome of the decisions you make when purchasing fresh product. Some of you have stated "I use a local wholesaler when I'm in a bind", and then complain that they are going around you selling their wares... do you expect them to stop and wait until you're in a bind? And before you condemn me for my stance, understand that I bought direct for years to save a few bucks, but am further ahead dealing with a local supplier that is willing work with me on price, and more importantly same day service needs.

I do not think anyone has the right to complain about what a wholesaler does, if they do not support that wholesaler themselves. And before you say they did it, trust me, they only did it to try and keep their doors open, just like we are.

Consider this... you all buy from FlowerBuyer, they give you fair deals, they give you 2-3 day service, and you have no hands on inspection of blooms prior to purchasing... your wholesaler is forced to close because of lack of sales (they are in worse shape than we are in many cases) and you're left with long distance purchasing. What are you going to do when that family comes in at 5pm on Thursday for a 2pm Friday funeral and you have no flowers they want?

I'm not saying buy everything local just because I do, but you may want to spread it about a little bit, help your local wholesaler help you and work to form a strong relationship so they are still there, not just when you're in a bind.

How well would you service a customer that you know buys from the local grocery every week, then one day they show up at your door at 5pm for a single rose... would you be great-full, or would you complain about them coming after your closing and that they shop elsewhere except when "they're in a bind"?

 

[Mikey the Flower Guy]

Perhaps oh Infinite One....but...

I'd caution each and every one of you to consider the potential outcome of the decisions you make when purchasing fresh product. Some of you have stated "I use a local wholesaler when I'm in a bind", and then complain that they are going around you selling their wares... do you expect them to stop and wait until you're in a bind? And before you condemn me for my stance, understand that I bought direct for years to save a few bucks, but am further ahead dealing with a local supplier that is willing work with me on price, and more importantly same day service needs.

I do not think anyone has the right to complain about what a wholesaler does, if they do not support that wholesaler themselves. And before you say they did it, trust me, they only did it to try and keep their doors open, just like we are.

Consider this... you all buy from FlowerBuyer, they give you fair deals, they give you 2-3 day service, and you have no hands on inspection of blooms prior to purchasing... your wholesaler is forced to close because of lack of sales (they are in worse shape than we are in many cases) and you're left with long distance purchasing. What are you going to do when that family comes in at 5pm on Thursday for a 2pm Friday funeral and you have no flowers they want?

I'm not saying buy everything local just because I do, but you may want to spread it about a little bit, help your local wholesaler help you and work to form a strong relationship so they are still there, not just when you're in a bind.

How well would you service a customer that you know buys from the local grocery every week, then one day they show up at your door at 5pm for a single rose... would you be great-full, or would you complain about them coming after your closing and that they shop elsewhere except when "they're in a bind"?

Quit clouding the issues with the facts please!!

 

[Sedona Floral]

This would not surprise me what so ever.the wholesalers have always wanted to have more of the business especially in arizona.they charge like more of a retailer than a wholesaler. I hope they all get burnt they deserve it. Susan-
sedona floral

 

[Sedona Floral]

I don't agree with you in the states it is different they would sell there mother if they could make money on it.we have been buying from the smae suppliers for 30 years and do you think they care.hah they just keep raising prices and wonder why the retailer doesn't buy from them anymore so they have to out source. We used to buy from other out source companies in other states and only had problems with them not giving credit or the flowers were worse than what we would get from the locals. I think the wholesalers should not sell to churches,resorts.they should sell only to real shops with real locations and not in there homes either.thats my opinon if it matters