My FTD FBC was in today....

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Mikey the Flower Guy

Mikey the Flower Guy

It's a GREAT DAY to live, and love!
Nov 10, 2002
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Dundas, Ontario, Canada
www.hamiltonflorists.com
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Ontario
He says he feels at home, in a place that is TRUE FTD!!
I let him KNOW, that not everyone feels as I do, about FTD for sure, and we discussed many issues regarding wire services, and he said THAT IS WHY, FTD is asking members DIRECTLY for their input into the FTD of the future!!
Strong FTD supporters, BIG and small, are randomly "invited" to participate in round table discussions, as to the "fabric" that will hold this industry together, into the near and far.
I think a couple of FlowerChat "boardies" have participated already, if I'm NOT mistaken.....
At LEAST, FTD asks our opinions and for our directives!!
Mike
 
Mikey,

You should have asked him when FTD is reopening their office in Canada.. Oh well it's nice Teleflora and Blossoms Network believes in Canadian flowershops. :) Plus here at BN we listen to what Florists say EVERYDAY.
 
Peter...

I ALREADY KNEW that....actually looked at your package again....I WILL surprise you ONE DAY....
Mike
 
Hey Peter...

Like the new Avatar...I kept watching for Max Headroom to pop out...:(
 
Re: Hey Peter...

Originally posted by BOSS
Like the new Avatar...I kept watching for Max Headroom to pop out...:(
Click to expand...

Yes, I thought it was different too, there's a couple of more new ones I found one night while surfing the great wide web world. I must look around for a Max Headroom version or a Floyd the Florist.
 
Re: Peter...

Originally posted by Mikey the Flower Guy
I ALREADY KNEW that....actually looked at your package again....I WILL surprise you ONE DAY....
Mike
Click to expand...

Great Mike. We're working on a nifty contest for the most Refferals. For the Shop who refers the most shops that successfully sign up, there will be some prizes, and also for the 2nd or 3rd ,4th place shops, once a shop refers a new shop and that shop is signed up, that new shop can start referring more shops.
 
Back to the FTD Business Rep:
Hmm, haven't heard of any round table discussions in my neck of the woods. The only thing they have done for us was sponsor a luncheon at our Spring Design Show. Didn't even have a booth to show their wonderous Mercury Machines (I chaired the trade fair). Their rep was there for a couple of hours and then left. No FTD presence except for notation of free lunch. I can't get straight answers from either Headquarters or FSR to get rid of this ****ed computer lease. Glad your reps are going the extra for you cause they surely aren't here. And that darned ornament looks like crap in the picture I saw along with the oversized ribbon or maybe the undersized design. Patience is waning thin with FTD's "lack of fillers concerns"
My Humble Opinion
(and I am also PO'd at comments concerning my Canadian friends on their message board but not surprised at who made the comment)
 
Please

Originally posted by Rhonda
(and I am also PO'd at comments concerning my Canadian friends on their message board but not surprised at who made the comment)
Click to expand...

Please, Please, Please do not lump us all in with that ONE who inserts both feet, and then tries to speak...cuz he sure don;t speak for ME !

Also, Rhonda...look for a renewed effort on the part of the FBC's..there be a new boss in their town, a very good friend of mine that will in short order get thing fixed...he's one helluva good guy, and on the stick...

Also, the main reason FTD has not been showing new tech stuff, is because there is a new product coming (I have a conference call on it today) called Mercury 5.0 that will solve many problems for smaller volume shops...I'll see what I can do for you...
 
The interesting thing about Merc 5.0 is...

it's likely the answer to what MOST florists have been asking for!! The interface may not be all that different from MD 4.0, BUT, THIS platform launchs us into "software solutions" era, as opposed to "forcing" FTD florists to adopt FTD's Merc and in house hardware!!
In other words, FINALLY, FTD has gone the NEXT STEP, and is gradually going to provide us with the "SOFTWARE" we need to get the job done, instead of bullying shop owners into buying Wings or Advantage.
It's a GREAT IDEA...a little late, BUT...better late than never!!
Mike
 
I would settle for our FTD rep to phone and or show up as promised...I'm not calling anymore...
 
You said it, V. They were going to send someone for our 100th. They were going to come in for an article on the shop. Blah blah blah. We were told at the CGTA show that we'd see someone within a month.

I'll believe FTD when they walk through the door.

Audra
 
You'll probably pass out with the shock!!
 
Those FTD reps are from the association days. I always saw mine very regularly. In fact I used to think they came too much. After the association ceased to exist our district meetings went out the window and our rep must have went with them.

I loved those round table discussions, I learned lots from them.

Miss the meetings too.
 
Originally posted by Mikey the Flower Guy
He says he feels at home, in a place that is TRUE FTD!!
I let him KNOW, that not everyone feels as I do, about FTD for sure, and we discussed many issues regarding wire services, and he said THAT IS WHY, FTD is asking members DIRECTLY for their input into the FTD of the future!!
Strong FTD supporters, BIG and small, are randomly "invited" to participate in round table discussions, as to the "fabric" that will hold this industry together, into the near and far.
I think a couple of FlowerChat "boardies" have participated already, if I'm NOT mistaken.....
At LEAST, FTD asks our opinions and for our directives!!
Mike
Click to expand...

I can comment on some of this.
Yes they are inviting members once a month about 13 or so at a time for a round table discussion. Actually it is a big Square table. I just returned from our trip an hour or so ago. I have to admit it was a very impressive day and a half of meetings with the top people of each department.
We used to be a big FTD sender/receiver but went almost exclusively with TF about 5 yrs ago. Now keep in mind I am not the owner and I can not speak for him, but I left with the impression that they (FTD) are serious about doing things right and are going to listen to what the florists have to say. They have a lot of cool, new innovative ideas that can help all of us.
We are going to be making some changes involving FTD soon in our shop I am sure.
You need to get to one of these discussions as soon as you can if you are down on FTD and want some answers.
Oh yeah, its not just supporters they are inviting to these meetings. We were far from what you would call FTD supporters. Just members.
 
Actions speak louder than words, so we'll see what FTD actually DOES. I hear a lot more complaints than support for FTD on these boards and I read e-v-e-r-y-t-h-i-n-g. We supported FTD for 23 years and as of April 30th will be FTD free. I guess those of us that remember the good old days of FTD being member owned and the association were spoiled by it.

Like many folks on these boards have said, time to move on to 100% orders and let go of the wire service habit. Staying TF to send and will fill as they come in, but not hanging on my seat anymore holding my breath for the almighty wire in order to print on the printer. I changed my minimums in TF starting in May, so no more $30, $35, and $40 "showy" funeral arr.'s and that includes delivery. I'd rather them pass me by and send to the next filling fool on the list who has minimums of $25.00 listed for an arrangement or $15.00 for a blooming plant. It's beyond me what they are thinking. I guess maybe they're not.

I don't mind filling for florists that send you enough money to make it worth your time, even though in the long run you don't get paid for your time when you consider the 27% discount and the fees on top of that.

Got off the subject for a minute (gee, I've never done that before). It just feels really good to be leaving FTD finally after this long "less than love" affair. If it had not been for these boards I don't know if I would have ever realized the severe addiction I had to FTD. It was aven a stronger addiction for my mom. She went to everything there was to go to, she was on our district committee, she went to those container testing sessions, etc. The first time I brought up thinking about leaving FTD (it started many years ago) she almost fainted. She just could not even conceive of it. I am proud of her, she's not even suffering any withdrawl symptoms.

I'm not anti FTD, I know many of your are strong FTD shops and that's fine. I am just feeling so unburdened and free these days. A small shop like us has to pick and choose our burdens carefully.


:cool:
 
Don't believe everything ya read...

Hey Patty....

I would be the first to agree, that FTD is not for everyone, just like TF is not...there are many shops that probably do not have enough volume to justify the cost, and could go direct, but there are also many shops that have too much volume to call out each order...it's simply unrealistic...

Regarding comment on "the boards"..similar to customers of ours, happy customers may tell 1 to none of their experience, but piss someone off and they'll tell the world...

It amazes me, that as a few folks attempt to go direct, that membership in both companies continues to increase to levels higher than those in recent memory...

And I concur...LOUD Pipes Save Lives !!:cool:
 
You said it, V. They were going to send someone for our 100th. They were going to come in for an article on the shop. Blah blah blah. We were told at the CGTA show that we'd see someone within a month.

I'll believe FTD when they walk through the door.

Audra

I think Audra, FTD Had plan to go in June for your Wedding, and that was their gift to you. I was also said that they where paying for the drinks that night...with all the cheesecake we can eat....
Have a good one today!!!!:D
 
Luc....I LOVE the way you think. :)

Enjoy the day...the sun is blazing, the trees are straightening, birds are singing...

V:D
 
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