Interresting Turn Of Events

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Luc

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Nov 1, 2002
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THe other flower shop has been sold to a NEWBIE. THe current owner agreed to stay on 3 to 6 months until the new owner goes to school ( 2 week course in June) to get her papers in designing. I don't know much more at the moment but from what I am hearing it will be a very interesting fall/christmas season.
I hope that when she applies to Teleflora she gets "Quality Assured" properly.

I may be wrong but I see the ball in my court in many different ways.

LET'S PLAY BALL....

I'M LOVING IT....

Like watching a movie, so many scenario, you don't know the ending.....

Luc
 
You're right Luc; the balls in your court. Do an assessment of their present weaknesses and exploit them! Don't mention "them" or seem to acknowledge that they exist - if you're not too obvious then they may not even realize you're doing it, which is best - "let sleeping dogs lie" syndrome. When the newbie gets their certificate keep a discrete eye on them, re-assess and continue to exploit their weaknesses. AFTER the present owner leaves start to mention your shops experience.
Have fun buddy!
PS Don't fall for the "gotta match the newbies price".
 
Take a STEP BACK..big boys.....

don't count "newbies" out just because it makes you self assured, or proves ANY point!!
I KNOW of several "newbies" who came with NO baggage, NO experience, and ONE in particular, who took an ordinary 200-225k "flower shop" and turned it into a 500-600k destination shop in 3 years, and CONTINUES to grow at THAT RATE!
I wouldn't be sitting on my "fanny" at this point...and I CERTAINLY wouldn't be "gloating" over the "possibilities".........
 
yep

Mikey the Flower Guy said:
don't count "newbies" out just because it makes you self assured, or proves ANY point!!
I KNOW of several "newbies" who came with NO baggage, NO experience, and ONE in particular, who took an ordinary 200-225k "flower shop" and turned it into a 500-600k destination shop in 3 years, and CONTINUES to grow at THAT RATE!
I wouldn't be sitting on my "fanny" at this point...and I CERTAINLY wouldn't be "gloating" over the "possibilities".........
Click to expand...

Seen that happen a few times, you better be prepaired for the unexpected!!!
 
I was at a J Schwanke show once, and he asked how many old florists in the room, then how many new ones, 3 years or less. He said to the older ones "See those new florists, be very afraid of them."

I got the point. I was one of the new ones.

Don't underestimate enthusiasm that many older florists have lost.
 
I never underestimate any new shop or shop with a new owner. I kind of had to laugh at a brand new shop in my "also served by" area. The owner is already signed with FTD, Telelflora and 1-800, BBB (the scamiest of the scammers, IMO), Chamber of Commerce (a good choice) and a couple of other internet OG's. She did all this in her 1st 2 weeks in business. I'm waiting for a sign in her window "FOR LEASE", BUT ya never know.
 
sweetscented said:
I never underestimate any new shop or shop with a new owner. I kind of had to laugh at a brand new shop in my "also served by" area. The owner is already signed with FTD, Telelflora and 1-800, BBB (the scamiest of the scammers, IMO), Chamber of Commerce (a good choice) and a couple of other internet OG's. She did all this in her 1st 2 weeks in business. I'm waiting for a sign in her window "FOR LEASE", BUT ya never know.
Click to expand...

Wow Sweet! Essentially, she is working for them and not for herself. :( That is a true shame. Perhaps some new owners feel like that is the only way they will get orders and don't understand the ROI. I am unsure of the size of your town, but my guess is her 1st year profits will be deceptive with all those wires, especially if she is accepting OG orders. If there are not a lot of other florists in your town, she could stay alive being one of the only that accepts the OG's, but I can't see her 1st year profits being very impressive.
 
I agree with Sweet scented and Bloomz.

You talk about exploiting their greatest weakness and you have shown us yours... over confidence.

Never under-estimate the passion of youth. Many times it has happen to me and my wicked smile lights the flames in my eyes to out think anyone. You know how many times I was told I could not do my FFtF project? Tell me something I can not do, then blink thrice and behold your empty assumptions.

The way you write about exploiting this new business Rock, makes me cringe a little. I'm guessing you are from the old school.

Call me a naive, bleeding heart, weak, Kume by Ya loving hippie.... or call me confident, but in my opinion, Luc should go over, introduce himself and offer any help he might have. (Not saying give her your wholesale lists) There is always enough niche and money for all of us. We fight amongst each other as online corps and grocery stores grow. Luc, the better that store does, the better you will do. Luc you are such a cool guy, don't lower yourself. Do what you do best Luc and will grow. Malicious sabotage only brings to you misfortune.

I know I am a piss ant on this floral mountain of wisdom, but if you know in your heart your business will do well with or without this other florist in town, then be confident about that fact. When you play games with them, it shows insecurity of what you feel your shop is.
 
bloomz said:
Don't underestimate enthusiasm that many older florists have lost.
Click to expand...

Nor the "Old Timers" with RE-newed PASSION and direction...they tend to have the killer instinct...

Fact is, there are no "new tricks", just new ways of looking at and implementing them!
 
Good luck, Luc! I'd say the ball is definitely in your court! It never hurts to extent a helping hand to another florist, while also looking out for your own backside! Keep your eyes and mind open!
 
To underestimate is folly. Besides, everyone has to start somewhere... we weren't born knowing what to do and how to do it.

Luc, you do have the heads up here and I know you'll be very aware of what's going on.

V
 
I don't wish her any harm,

The ball is in my court for order gatherer etc.
She does not have the experience or enough knowledge on what can happen during a major holiday. The old owner is and was very frugal. THe size of the shop is maybe 500 sq feet, so they can't bring lots of product etc.
I Know that she may come from behinf me and bite me in the as*s, I know I did it to another shop and they closed. Anytime I had a show in Sudbury I always invited her to come and she never did come or even say, thanks for inviting me Luc, but I can't go...When I approached her a few years back to work with her at Valentine prices, she declined because she wanted to sell her roses lower than what I sold them from ( Me= $4.50 her $4.00) I had suggested to her at least come up to my range to double your paying price especially when she was paying over $2.00 a rose. I did help her out a few times for product when she needed it but how can you help people who don't want to be helped. I plan to meet this new owner and go from there. I will continue to do my business the way I do it and let her do what she thinks she should do. I will send her information about floristdetectives.com and hope she understand what is happening i this industry.
Cocky I am when the ball falls in my court with order gatheres and mother's day will be a hard one for them to get others filled at my place.
Decent guy I am and will be always courteous unless you do something bad to me.
Time will tell what happens, but so far I have been pretty much on the money with my predictions or assumptions.
Working hard on those 100% orders.
Luc
By the way, Thanks for all your advice on this thread, I always consider what you guys tell me.
 
You got hand

As Seinfeld would say , Luc , you got hand , use it wisely to give the competition a good hard slap, you never know how long you'll have it.
 
Dazeal,
Why do you equate "exploit their weaknesses" with over confidence and under estimating any competitor? Maybe you should read your paragraph after the one where you declared that I was over confident!!!
I guess I am from "the old school" since my original two schools were 1. replaced and 2. burnt and replaced! :>
At what point is someone over confident? Since I've done the "floral" DOO for 20 years successfully is the bottom line still that I'm over confident? If so, does that net out as good; or in spite of success is it a bad thing? I guess the answer is obviously a good balance; somewhere between none and blind confidence. I've been in sales for 30 years (+ really) and management almost as long, taught by my Father who ran an import/wholesale for 50 years and many Guerilla type marketing ideas since as well as many florists here on Ryan's and Brian's boards. I rarely under estimate any competition (but like anyone else have made my share of mistakes along the way) so I guess the old school is thankfully ingrained.
I find that the 10 shops that opened and closed since we opened 20 years ago only served to keep us on the top of our game. You know, almost always, Newbies resorted to price cutting and they did serve a useful purpose in helping us convince consumers, over and over, that you can't get our quality for less.
Luc, I wouldn't change anything I already said; I don't think you're over confident and none of us should be or we will eventually pay for it but you must have a certain level of confidence to be successful and only experince will let you know if you've overstepped the line.
My philosophy, I guess, is essentially, "kick their ass" with better quality product and service; always promise no more than you can and will do and be sure you do what you promise. I believe that going to a newly opened competitor and offering them my assistance to take away ANY of my revenue borders on insane! Bloomz is quite right, don't dismiss the unknown!!!
 
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