KCFlorist / Katz - Time for our side of the story.

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carol said:
I don't care how you try to explain it.. 3 years of ever increasing FTD statements just doesn't make sense.
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It makes sense from FTD's perspective, if they have a willing *filler* for their dot.com orders, someone buying their codified containers, and their fresh flowers...paying them 7% of every order, clearing credit cards, and on and on...

It makes sense that is, until the *other shoe* dropped...the other shoe being Gregg's personal financial obligations, which ensnared FTD into the bankruptcy. Remember in bankruptcy, you can not, not select which folks you want to include....
 
Look...this is "simple".....

Gregg WILL NOT be the last florist to go broke, and declare bankruptcy, BUT, Gregg is ONE OF THE FEW florists that i know, that has this kind of passion for this business, that his personal circumstances did not devour his candor and zeal.
Looking from FTD's perspective, I would FAR RATHER deal with a florist like KC (Gregg) who OPENLY places his heart on his sleeve, than some of the sneaky, self serving florists that jump in and out of membership like it's some sort of game, or challenge of wits.
He continues to service his clients, and yours, and hopes that you'll do the same, and has put his credit card on the line....
 
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carol said:
Herb when you started this thread you said

They were suspended in June, and are STILL calling out FTD orders. One was called to us July 28th (of course, taken by our newest employee, who did not know that if it don't come up in the computer's directory, don't take it!). Tried to report it - REJECTED. Called FTD, they are putting us on the "list" of those who have been scammed - aparently this list is growing. The FTD rep on the other end, was like "oh yea, Katz's...". FTD legal is now involved."

So this code was not on your directory..your staff typed it in???
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Carol - When I started the thread, I believed his code was not listed by the system - however, it was. Upon talking with my sales girl, she said the code did come up and did not have to type in the data. Sorry, I never edited my post! :hammer:

I think the problem WAS on my end, though. I usually do not update my cache file when doing the internet update - only after CD updates. This COULD have been the problem, but I'm not sure... I now run the cache program after EVERY update...

Still, my views of print directorys are just the same...a waste of paper - power or no power. I do not feel there is a need for them to be so big, for them to CHARGE us for them, and for us to HAVE to have them. To us, they are a waste. If you want it - no problem here! You should be able to subscribe to it. I do not. In fact, I have a pile of them up at my camp site for the fire pit...they burn REAL good... When we had 2 stores, we HAD to purchase 2 directories...even though all wire outs were from one store...

Anyway, movin' on from this post...I'm going on VACATION tomorrow!!! YEA!

- H.

PS - I agree with you on your last paragraphs too!!!
 
Mikey the Flower Guy said:
He continues to service his clients, and yours, and hopes that you'll do the same, and has put his credit card on the line....
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Greg can ALWAYS call an order to us...direct or whatever. One thing I never mentioned was FTD's unwillingness to help ME recover the funds on the order. This is wrong. They should stand behind the system in which they run. We just subscribe to it...

- H.
 
Herb - the directories will never go away unless they become unprofitable. Think of all the revenues generated by the ads. They also allow WSs to lock in members who want to quit (at least temporarily) based on their publication schedules. If a directory was updated weekly, a shop could quit today and be done with dues in one or two weeks.
 
Mikey the Flower Guy said:
Looking from FTD's perspective, I would FAR RATHER deal with a florist like KC (Gregg) who OPENLY places his heart on his sleeve, than some of the sneaky, self serving florists that jump in and out of membership like it's some sort of game, or challenge of wits.
He continues to service his clients, and yours, and hopes that you'll do the same, and has put his credit card on the line....
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Sorry, Mickey, but for one reason or another, this industry loves the idea of crusifing someone in one instinct and then "kisses and hugs" the next. We have all run into financial problems in one time or another in this business. The point however is that if you want to continue to OG in the future, you have to confess your sins of the past. An OG can't "do their thing" without a the wire services and it is still questionable whether the ws can continue to function without hired OGs. It is truely a marriage in Hell! This individual was totally hung out to dry by this WS, but most likely will do anything and everything possible to get back in their good graces. Afterall, you can't continue to OG unless you have the support of the BOTH WS AND the willingness of florists to accept your future orders. Hense the confessions. Being politically correct these days in NOT just using the correct words, but saying them to the correct people.

Mikey, in one of your last lines you said, " he continues to service his clients and YOURS"... Excuse me if I don't want to embrace and hug anyone. You guys continue to hug anyone you want to.
 
kcflorist said:
What is different for me from a few months ago? I am no longer FTD (duh)
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Does FTD allow the use of their images by non-members? KCFlorist is still selling FTD arrangements on their website.

It would be interesting to see the third side of this coin.
 
Griff said:
Mikey, in one of your last lines you said, " he continues to service his clients and YOURS"... Excuse me if I don't want to embrace and hug anyone. You guys continue to hug anyone you want to.
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I had a long look at what I said.....and it was wrong of me to ambiguously allow the "perception" that I embrace what Gregg has done.....
Having said that, and knowing part of Gregg's past "history", it would be wrong of me NOT to condemn some of the "bones" that hang in his closet, and I agree, that FTD may be wise to steer clear of KC until it's clear which direction Gregg is going in, and certainly due it's diligence.
I CAN TELL YOU THOUGH, having almost crossed that bankruptcy line ourselves many years ago, that when you realize you are in too deep, you become beligerant and ignore common sense, when you've lost control over your destiny!!
 
Hi again:

First, thanks for the feedback. I think things were starting to get out of hand with regards to what was being said about us so I thought getting it all out in the open was the best way to do. Let me address some of the things people have brought up.

First, none of the vendors here in KC were impacted by the filing. Most of it was old debt from when my ex and I took over her family's business.

Second, I was not eager to get back in with FTD. They did something they probably would not do for many others, which was carry such a large debt of ours for so many years. Under the new bankruptcy laws you cannot pick and choose who you want to include. You must include everyone you owe and can then go back to those people after it has been discharged to make good on any debts if you want to. At least that is how it is under a chapter 7. What we were trying to do was find a way to stay FTD and work down the balance but they had their reasons for not wanting to do that and I have no problem with that decision. I told FTD of the bankruptcy before we even filed it. There was a time when I could candidly discuss the problems with certain FTD staffers but most of them left the company.

Third, flowerknife asked about our transactions after our notification from FTD that we were not members. That is just it…they never notified us. Not once did they contact us as to our status and one of the boardies here was told by FTD that we were suspended (not terminated) and again, I checked FTD.COM just now and a search in 64114 still brings us up.

Fourth, Carol brought up some things about our balance. Our balance went through the ceiling back in May of 2003 but FTD was always willing to look the other way as long as we made an attempt to bring the balance down, which we had. Even with our system suspended we were told to call the orders out. That is pretty much how we had been doing it for the past 2 years. I think you are under the impression that our balance kept increasing over and over but in actuality we had worked it down at one point. The sole purpose of the filing was to protect me from those with personal guarantees. The new store allows me to walk away from what I was handed back in 1997. Our new place is under my name only and there are no ties to me and my ex anymore. Well, there is still the house I live in (we are both on the mortgage) but that is being sold on 9/20 so that will be the final financial tie between us.

Fifth, Fairfield asked about us still selling FTD arrangements on our web site. FTD contacted my attorney and asked that the codified items be removed as well as us using the FTD retrans logo on our international section. We complied that day. The difference between the codifieds and the regular arrangements is that the codifieds have federal trademarks on them.

I hope this helps explain some things. In my original post I did not put every single detail in just to keep it from rambling on.
 
Gregg,
You are very brave and I wish you the best of luck. Now tell me how to avoid the tracks you went down. I am drowning in debt. Stephanie
 
CHR said:
Herb - the directories will never go away unless they become unprofitable. Think of all the revenues generated by the ads. They also allow WSs to lock in members who want to quit (at least temporarily) based on their publication schedules. If a directory was updated weekly, a shop could quit today and be done with dues in one or two weeks.
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Awe...I know Cath...heck, I remember the scam AFS pulled: inorder to have a listing in their "800 Directory", you had to have a listing in their "Regular Directory." I have as much told Tom Butler to his face that their directory scam was shameless at best...yes I did! I shared a limo back to O'Hare from FTD HQ...back in my MTC days years ago. He admited it was a way to generate revanue for the company...

Just dreamin'...

- H.
 
Gregg, even though what is going on in your world is none of our business thanks for the explanations. Sounds like you have had a rough time of it.
 
BOSS said:
We've all been there at one time or another....sounds like a good topic for another thread....I'm sure there are some here that could offer some assistance.....
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An excellent idea Mark. With all the years of combined varied experience on this board, it would be great to have an area where financial issues and questions could be addressed in a positive and educational manner.

I know Stephanie, you are not alone in your experience. I'm certainly not one to give advice, but have you spoken to anyone who is able to offer a plan or path to take?

V
 
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