I told ya so...

[Sarah Jane]

I don't even have the energy to pull all the quotes that were directed at me but the bottom line is that I won't be loyal to a wholesaler that is my direct competitor with a retail shop (actually they own 2 shops in the area but one of them is right near me). Sorry. That's ridiculous. I will buy from them "when I'm in a bind". And I would be thrilled with any customer showing up at my shop at any hour for a single rose even if they normally buy from the grocery store. If the grocery store is more convenient for them then I wouldn't expect them to shop with me. People shop with me because my service is better and my product is better and if I could say that about my local wholesaler then I would shop exclusively with them anyway. But I don't believe you are entitled to customers just because you are local. You still have to offer something better than the other option IMO. If my customers could get the same (or better) product, with the same (or better) service, at the same (or better) price at another place, then I would think they were crazy to shop with me.

 

[anytimeflowers]

And I would be thrilled with any customer showing up at my shop at any hour for a single rose even if they normally buy from the grocery store.

I caught that too, Sarah Jane. 100% agreed!

Don't feel that things are being directed at you, this is our way of working through crap, it is not personal and should not be taken thus. None of us agree on every last little detail.

 

[FANCIES]

Just as a side point, & hopefully not too far off of the topic. In this tread some of you mentioned if we don't fill the wire service orders someone will. One & only One positive is that while I was reading all of this a lady called on the phone & said she had gotten an arrangement from us & it was beautiful. She quickly told me who here son was & than said, "Now I know where to buy my flowers". I looked up the order & low & behold it was from a 1-800-flowers order! So just when you think it's not worth it you get a call. I am quiting TF but I am going to keep Bloom for awhile. Big decisions. It all affects your bottom line.