Make A Choice

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Seasonals

Seasonals

Well-Known Member
Oct 21, 2004
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Winnemucca
www.secondstreetseasonals.com
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NV
I've read, reread, and read again. I have decided that I do want a ws affiliation, but deciding which one is really hard. Been on the phone for the last 3 days with both FTD and TF. FTD does cost more than TF once you have to start paying and the freebies are over. Since the difference isn't that much I would like your opinion of which one you feel is the best to be affiliated with.

I know many of you don't want either and I can appreciate that, but I also know that many of you are affliliated and will continue to be. So for those of you who have a preference I'd like to hear your reasoning. I'd also like to know your thoughts on having both.

TIA for not making this a WS bashing thread, but genuine honesty on your reasoning for either company.
 
plain and simple.......been in this since '74..
to date. Teleflora doesn't work against you for orders, they have no "stake" other than monthly fees (do not purchase anything other than their service, stay basic if possible in your area) So far.................IMHO
FTD since 1972.......Teleflora off and on since 1974.........
 
Seasonals,

What was the determining factor in your decision to go with a WS? Your answer may give a more pointed recommendation as to which might better serve your needs.

Rhonda,

Does Teleflora make any money from the sale of flowers on teleflora.com or flowerclub.com? I think they do. If a shop wants to utilize a wire service, that shop has to accept the fact that the wire service (1800, FTD, and Teleflora only) will be competing with them on the same level. FSI and FloristInterlink are two that don't compete with the florist.
 
**IF** I could

I'd be Teleflora, as they are the least intrusive as far as I can tell.

Sadly TF is technologically challenged, and has a mindset that they know best.
 
When I belonged to both Teleflora(resigned Aug05) and FTD(resigned Oct 06), I found Teleflora to be more expensive, because of the dedicated phone line, and continued bumping of charges. Dove more then doubled, The membership increased substantially after the buyout of Florafax and AFS, practically every charge doubled in the four year period. TF was constantly calling trying to get you to buy containers, co-ops advertising, their magazines, etc. I had to haggle every month over low sending fees and reciprocity charges. So be careful.
 
Fairfield, The reason I feel I need a WS is that we are in a community that is fairly rural. Having been in the gift business for many years I know that many people send flowers to family & friends for Special Occassions as it's easier. Also we do not have a hospital that does major surgeries. Most have to travel 200 miles for this so another reason.

I need dependability on the other end so I have satisifed customers on this end.
 
I think if your a small shop and you tend to send out to a lot of the same places, like the big hospital etc..Maybe you could build a list of shops and use a your company credit card to send orders.
 
Hi Seasonal:
One of the other posters above is exactly correct -- IFA, etc is a less costly way of sending orders out of town (IFA is $25.00/mo when you send, I believe).

That being said, the first thing I looked at was the following when we decided to drop from 2 WS to 1 WS:
1. Coverage --
when I need to send flowers to Timbucktoo in the USA, who has the larger network of florists that I can transmit to quickly & efficiently? Sadly, today, that is TF. TF has about 30,000 florists ....FTD # is unknown, but we hear it is under 15,000.

2. International Coverage --
we have a number of local international companies that need to send stuff overseas on a regualr basis.... TF had this ability, as well as TF, so I wasn't losing this ability if I dropped one. (I am not sure if IFA can do this or not......and sending direct overseas, using a credit card scares the H*** out of me!)

3. Education & Networking opportunities with other florists --
some would say that this is a "warm & fuzzy". Yes, it is. However, in our area, TF districts are still offering local seminars that are less costly to attend if you are a member. FTD no longer offers any such education, and the others never did. This is a way, for me as a shop owner, to provide educational opportunities to my employees at a reasonable cost to my shop.

4. Grocery store competition --
While there are a number of Kroger grocery stores in Ohio (I think) that are TF, there are not as many grocery, Walmart, etc stores that are TF members as there are in FTD. I feel that there is at least a minimal amount of real flower shop experience with TF, and sadly, not with FTD any more.
for me, this was important . I do not want to fill already discounted Walmart & Kmart taken orders!!

5. Average order $$--
when looking at our total incoming average order $$ value, we found that we generally were given a higher $$ amount from a TF shop or TF Hquarters that we got from an FTD order. TF Hquarters was also more often willing to give us extra $$ needed for increased cost of delivery, etc over FTD.

6. Technology --
we are also TF Daisy technology users....which we have been very happy with this system for over 10 years. The cost of changing technology, at this point, was cost prohibitive.....maybe some day soon, but not today!

7. Drop shipping directly to the consumer --
TF, as of right now, does not do this. FTD does....this for me was a Biggie! Yes, TF.com is selling directly to the consumer....but they have to come thru a florist to get it filled....at least today! In our changing world, this may change tommorrow, and then I will have another decision to make!

-----------------------
We watch our costs with TF constantly. Question every charge that we do not understand. We buy little to no holiday containers (We do shop the bargain basement sales occasionally). We do not participate in any holiday advertising, and we no longer have a TF website (We got a different webmaster 18 months ago.).

I have chosen to use TF as a tool........just like I use my insurance company, bank or wholesale house. If I become very unhappy with what they are doing, I will find another tool.

Good luch with your decision makeing process. If you are initially signing up for either one, try to get as much free as you can, for as long as you can.
Good Luck!!

PS.....You did not mention Bloomnet in your beginning post...have you alerady ruled them out?

Cheryl
 
Anoter wire service option

I haven't heard this one mentioned on here much, but for the last few months I've been using Flower Shop Network. I found out about them because they actually called me several months ago to fill an order. I accepted the order and had my check in the mail for 80% of that order within just a few days.
I like them because the whole thing is cut and dried from beginning to end.
I also live in a very rural area and I mostly SEND orders so this gives me an option if I don't have a regular florist in that area.

The fee is $200 per year. No additional monthly fees. You pay $3.99 per order sent. When you send the order, your credit card is charged 80% of the order plus the $3.99 on that day and it's over and done with.
If you recieve an order your card is credited 80% of the total and it's over and done with.
No monthly statements, no hidden fees, no nickle and dime-ing. This is why "I" like them. It's simple.
They also have a website that people can order off of, but it doesn't require any special containers, your shop name is listed in the area so people can actually call you direct if they wish and I've had at least half a dozen people mention to me since I joined that they found me on Flower Shop Network. When they call you direct to order, you get 100% of the order.

Again, I haven't heard them mentioned much on here but I think it's a really simple solution to having a wire service. Hope I haven't overlooked some "hidden evil" about them. ha ha..

Kim
 
Seasonals said:
I've read, reread, and read again. I have decided that I do want a ws affiliation, but deciding which one is really hard. Been on the phone for the last 3 days with both FTD and TF. FTD does cost more than TF once you have to start paying and the freebies are over. Since the difference isn't that much I would like your opinion of which one you feel is the best to be affiliated with.

I know many of you don't want either and I can appreciate that, but I also know that many of you are affliliated and will continue to be. So for those of you who have a preference I'd like to hear your reasoning. I'd also like to know your thoughts on having both.

TIA for not making this a WS bashing thread, but genuine honesty on your reasoning for either company.
Click to expand...
I'm sure everyone has thier reasons for keeping specific wire service but overall I've found that Flowershopnetwork is the best choice for my shop. If your mostly looking for an easy way to send orders FSN is worth considering. What you pay TF or FTD in just a short time will cover your cost of FSN for a whole year. I have found their network to be far less infected with dOG's vs. the other two. In fact they promote and even have educational links on their site so that comsumers can avoid fake local florists. You don't need to buy or have any hardware or software installed. Everything is web-based. You don't need a 2nd phone line like TF. Even though I have broadband for other reasons, a cheap dial-up connection is sufficient. Their system is easy to understand. You can understand your statments and they don't sit on your money for a several weeks before you get it. You get an honest 20-80 split on outgoings! (don't plan on getting a lot of incommings though). For your outgoing's, you can either select the filling florist yourself or let FSN find the florist for you. If you choose to use their website they have generic containers that releive you from buying a bunch of strange overprice junk and having to be codified for certain products just so you can recieve orders. I got rid of 1800 over a year ago and dropped FTD last year and in Jan. I dropped TF. This is the most profitable I've ever been! I've pasted some details from their site below.

Flower Shop Network offers an affordable, efficient way to send orders outside your delivery area... with NO monthly fees.
Online access for efficient order transmission and tracking.
Pay only when you send. $3.99 per order*, plus 80% value of the order, you keep 20%.
$50.00 order value.
You pay $40.00 (80%) plus the $3.99 order transmission fee, for a total of $43.99.
You keep $10.00 (20%).
Flower Shop Network pays the filling florist the full 80%, not 70% or 73% like traditional wire services, and pays every 7 days for orders filled.
Flower Shop Network pays every 7 days for orders filled, no wire service holding your money.
Professional Flower Shop Network operators personally place your order with the receiving florist.
Your orders will receive the highest level of personal service available in the industry.
More service for less money.
Visit www.fsnf2f.com for a demo.
 
reply to Chezbloom

Hi:
Yes, it does bother me that TF has a doorway page & we are not getting orders thru the "find a florist" program since I pulled my website from TF. We are still fighting about that.

However, in the last 2 years that my webiste was hosted by TF, our order volume thru my tf website had decreased substantially. (We had our website hosted by TF for about 6 years). So, we do not feel that we are being hurt so badly as we once could have been..Infact, thru our own web efforts, our order volume has more than doubled each month on our independent site. And my knowledge about websites and internet shoppers continues to increase each day!

I forgot about the Flower shop network. A fellow florist here in Pittsburgh belongs to this network, and it works very well for her. However, I believe she receives more than she sends. You can go into their network and check for coverage in various cities. This also might be a way to go, for a smaller rural shop. Fees certainly are cheaper!


Another alternative is FSI (Floral Source). A different friend uses them (for the last 3 years, and has not had any problems quality wise. He has had some issues at holidays getting orders filled.

Regards,
Cheryl
 
Seasonals said:
Fairfield, The reason I feel I need a WS is that we are in a community that is fairly rural. Having been in the gift business for many years I know that many people send flowers to family & friends for Special Occassions as it's easier. Also we do not have a hospital that does major surgeries. Most have to travel 200 miles for this so another reason.

I need dependability on the other end so I have satisifed customers on this end.
Click to expand...

Are you going after incoming orders or is sending your priority? It looks like TF and FTD have coverage in the area. What about Bloomnet?
 
fairfield said:
It looks like TF and FTD have coverage in the area. What about Bloomnet?
Click to expand...
Based on my experience over the last 6 months, I have not found a location that does not have a Bloomlink member shop, and in fact most of them are either FTD or TF as well.

I even sent orders today to Puerto Rico via Bloomlink.
 
The Better question is WHY?

The question which must be asked and answered is: " Why do you want a wire service and what do you expect it to do for you?

If your answer is: For more incoming (highly discounted) orders, that would be the wrong reason. The annual costs to you for a bare bones membership is now over $2,200.00 and can go as high as $5,000.00 depending upon the bells and whistles you choose.

Also, you must take into consideration, the reality that there is a downward trend in the amount of incoming orders you are going to get, which is the direct result of the Internet.

Since that pie is shrinking rapidly and the pieces are getting less and less and smaller and smaller, your incoming wire order acquisition costs get higher and higher. Add those costs to the costs of your annual membership, and you will find yourself in a negative (-10%) return which you can't afford.

You might consider the Independent Florist's Association if your goal is to send out orders and it only costs you $20 per month when you use it. www.myifa.org

Lastly, it is critical that you have your own website and one which is independent of all wire services.
 
CHERYL BAKIN said:
Hi:
Yes, it does bother me that TF has a doorway page & we are not getting orders thru the "find a florist" program since I pulled my website from TF. We are still fighting about that.
Click to expand...

I simply called and insisted it be removed immediately and it was done - poof. I will not let anyone advertise my name with their phone number or web address.

Get forceful - go girl
 
bloomz said:
I simply called and insisted it be removed immediately and it was done - poof. I will not let anyone advertise my name with their phone number or web address.

Get forceful - go girl
Click to expand...

I sent an email and within 2 days mine was also gone with a return email from Teleflora advising me it had been removed.
 
In a perfect world .........none of them, however FTD is not even a consideration as it seems, as they have proven to us that they no longer have an interest in the smaller yet solid filling shops.
I like Teleflora, a lot, but for us they have, as I've said in other posts, NEVER
supported us. It's been a one way money pit for both services.
800 starting out giving us a whole lot of work but we are watching them very carefully. Valentine's Day was a disappointment and this holiday is below expectations. Time will tell !

Florist to florist has been good as mentioned in another thread and we're glad people now realize we're here and serving such a large area. It's helping with the WS losses this week.

Be careful with any decisions.
Pay close attention to Cheryl, Mark & CHR as they, among others here at FC have the knowledge, commitment and desire to help.

Best of luck in whatever decisions you make.


ManorMan in the Mud !
 
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