is 1800-flowers in trouble?

[Bigted]

No one has any effective strategy to compete with ProFlowers. Problem is that, time and again, most consumers do not see much value in design work. This lack of perceived value in design work is most evident in mono floral arrangements.
Why do we keep doing this losing strategy?

Goldie, I think it's simpler than that. It's price, it's internet, it's easy. It fits in perfectly with the new generation of shoppers. They are used to high shipping charges and getting things in boxes. Unfortunately, it takes all the emotion out of the purchase, so the next step is just to order something else. Not good for us.

This is why we so desperately need to support programs like flowers for kids. Those programs WILL payoff in the long run by showing them why to buy from us.

 

[Bigted]

Staggering numbers, mlou. It does appear to be all about price.

Seriously mind-boggling performance.

 

[bloomz]

Staggering numbers, mlou. It does appear to be all about price.

Even tho their quoted and advertised prices are VERY deceptive.

 

[steve]

I agree with you R C about developing a loyal following. But remember that about 20% of our customers either mover or die during a typical year we must be farming new customers as well. Those big order gatherers are marketing machines and as an independant you do marketing better then anyone I have seen!

The marketing machines create an illusion but normally once you have added on all their various charges there prices are not that dramticly less and in many cases they may be more. But the public perception is they are the best buy and its that public perception we need to overcome.

 

[Tuberose]

How long do you think it's going to take for it to hit Proflowers when enough people are tired of boxed stuff, high shipping charges, frozen stuff and quit buying from them? Will they ever run out of gullible people?

Trish

 

[avenuegardensflorist]

....


.... a friend works at an operations center for a fairly large bank. They get ALL the mail for every branch and bank dept in town. EVERY ups or fedex shipment goes to this operation center for distribution to the recipients...inc every proflower box delivered v-day.

The operations center bank employees are used to distributing letters and some bigger paper type packages, not boxes....however they get ALL the proflowers boxes left with them.

So what does this distribution center have to do? They have to look up the name on the box and call every recipient and tell them they have a box from Proflowers at the operation center and the recipient HAS to go and pick the box up ...at the operation center.

The bank policy from own is no more personal package deliveries for employees. One up for us florists.

Oh yea, the last proflower box from v-day was picked up by a bank employee on wednesday 2-18. Bet those flowers were nice to put together.

...but people still buy? I just do not get it. Has to be price and the 'in your face' marketing.

 

[goldfish]

How long do you think it's going to take for it to hit Proflowers when enough people are tired of boxed stuff, high shipping charges, frozen stuff and quit buying from them?

It's not going to happen, as long as the alternative is worse.

In other words, unless independent florists start offering the same product at a cheaper price or better product at the same price, ProFlowers are here to stay.

 

[Bigted]

How long do you think it's going to take for it to hit Proflowers when enough people are tired of boxed stuff, high shipping charges, frozen stuff and quit buying from them? Will they ever run out of gullible people?

Trish

Sorry, the genie is out of the bottle--or is it the cat's out of the bag?

This model is very popular and isn't going away. The best we can hope for is that the growth slows and that is bad for big companies. However, looking at the latest numbers, it doesn't appear to be happening yet.

 

[BOSS]

How long do you think it's going to take for it to hit Proflowers when enough people are tired of boxed stuff, high shipping charges, frozen stuff and quit buying from them? Will they ever run out of gullible people?

Trish

P.T. Barnum comes to mind....

There's a sucker born every minute....

They can burn through one a minute, there's always another sucker down the line....

 

[Rock]

How long do you think it's going to take for it to hit Proflowers when enough people are tired of boxed stuff, high shipping charges, frozen stuff and quit buying from them? Will they ever run out of gullible people?

Trish

Won't be soon!

 

[Tuberose]

UGH, you guys didn't give me the answer I was hoping for, but thanks for answering, guess we put up with them awhile longer. :hammer:

Trish

 

[rgourdmayesh]

Do you really need the wire service ?

tf ftd 1800 flowers are nothing but losers in the floral indusry. Are they really helping you the florists?. I really don't think so. they are the ones laughing when they deposit all their money in the bank. and you the florsit are the ones supporting that.If you where to market your own website why would you need to rely on the wire service?. You the floist should ban together work together as a team and not fill those orders. who will fill those orders? i know the gready florist will. If every florist rejected there orders they wouldn't get filled.I know thats been thought about before.In reality it could work don't you think? i would love to see each florist succeed in buisness .I do not like the fact that flower shops are closing. i have had relations with florists for the past 23 years.
70 30 split who is making the money?
35.00 sending order you the florist get 20% of order 7 to 10 relay charge ok so you just made 14.00 to 20.00
recieving florist gets
24.50 no del fee
cost of goods 8.00
16.50 proffit? i don't think so
des water card cardette rent wire service dues how much do you really make?
now if you worked together. sending florist could make relay charge 7.00 to 10.00 and recieving florist gets 100% of order thats how would like to see the floral buisness move ahead. I'm just a wholesaler who loves selling flowers to you the florists..website is the key to your buisness. not the wire services.. Just remember your own website is your customer base . If you use the wire services website they have all your customer information

 

[Scott Hoots]

They probally just cut their work force.

We just didn't hear about it.

Wasn't there already a post about this in mid January? 18F did a workforce reduction back then.