Need Help Want To Be Ftd Free!

[Rosebud06]

I have no idea how to start a post in the marketing thread but i will try

 

[Lady Biker Florist]

Wow! Guys!

We are WS free, unless you count IFA as a wire service. We usually use them for all of our wire-outs, and we get a few incoming from them. We also phone out orders (using information from ilocalflorist and locateaflowershop). We also kept our old TF and FTD books, but don't really use them very often.

We do offer the 80-20 split, but if we're offered the 100%, we take it. We ask for the 80-20 split also, but if we're refused, we give the 100%. The important thing to us is getting the order filled properly.

Wire-ins are certainly not a major part of our business. We've not seen any decrease in business since we dropped the WS. Our bottom line is actually blacker than ever.

Call me an OG if you like. God knows I've been called worse. After all, I was a middle school teacher in a verrrrrry rough school for most of my former career.

To each his own. If you disagree with me, so be it. I'm not going to call you any bad names or think less of you because you are running your business in the way that you know is best for your business. And I don't think any less of you for doing business as you see best.

IMHO. My .02.

I could not have said this any better. Only difference is we joined a different small wire service to make the whole wire out thing smooth. I will not name the small wire service we joined here as that is not what this is about. PM me if you want to know. We quit FTD - our last day was Jan 31st. We had FTD since the early 80's and only quit once a few years ago for a year, but got sucked back in with lower fees. We are way too small to have TFTD. We get a few ins which helps the bill be a bit lower, but we always pay and that's a good thing. I scrutinize every wire in and decide order by order if it will be profitable.

 

[TOTO]

Thanks for the Qualifier Ryan!

Is that "have" or "had?" Or do you have 3 grocery chains across the street from your house? Correct me if I'm wrong, but didn't you close your retail location months ago?
We've had plenty of basement bettys on FC, and they are welcome - but does your advice on combating grocery chains involve selling from your garage?
Just need to be clear on where this advice is coming from.
Thanks, Ryan

Well then, there ya go Ryan!

If it didn't cost me $100K a year (without labor) just to stick a key in my Brick and Mortar Store, I guess we could afford to pick and choose orders and clients as well.

My basement and garage are looking better everyday! "]

 

[12BucksFor2Dozon]

...
My basement and garage are looking better everyday! "]

Boy oh boy they sure are...I wonder if I move the 3 computers, drums, amp stacks etc etc if I can wedge a cooler in their, too!

Introducing...12buck's Recording and Floral Studio! Catchy.

 

[David L.]

if you do out of state orders florist to florist no wire service........how do you pay them?

You give the other florist a credit card number. But you need to be clear.
If you are or are not not taking a split you need to make sure they understand.

Example:

I am giving you an order including delivery of $57 and you (the other florist) get 100%. They bill your credit card for $57.

If you discuss a split, make sure they understand how much you expect will be billed to the CC. I.E. you asked if they would give you 20% and they accept. Assume their del charge is 7. They would fill to value of $50 and bill your CC for $57 * .8 or $45.60.

cheers.

 

[MANORVILLE]

You give the other florist a credit card number. But you need to be clear.
If you are or are not not taking a split you need to make sure they understand.

Example:

I am giving you an order including delivery of $57 and you (the other florist) get 100%. They bill your credit card for $57.

If you discuss a split, make sure they understand how much you expect will be billed to the CC. I.E. you asked if they would give you 20% and they accept. Assume their del charge is 7. They would fill to value of $50 and bill your CC for $57 * .8 or $45.60.

cheers.

57.00 minus 7.00 delivery minus 2% credit card fee minus NYS Sales Tax minus the senders commission of 20% is why I won't do it that way.

 

[TOTO]

Re: No Sales Tax on those orders!

57.00 minus 7.00 delivery minus 2% credit card fee minus NYS Sales Tax minus the senders commission of 20% is why I won't do it that way.

Orders from other REAL FLORISTS are NON SALES TAXABLE SALES.

Facts are that, the SENDING FLORIST already collected the sales tax at their point of sale, and so, the STATES can't DOUBLE DIP, although they would like to.

Just keep a seperate cell in your spreadsheet called NON TAXABLE SALES and be sure to record those credit card transactions there or in a seperate ledger.

If you're skeptical, just ask the sending florist for their shop's STATE SALES TAX NUMBER and record that as well.

I'll take 80% NET TO FLORIST anyday of the week over the WS version of 71% NET TO FLORIST (less another (-10%) when factoring in their ANNUAL DUES and FEES.

 

[12BucksFor2Dozon]

...

I'll take 80% NET TO FLORIST anyday of the week over the WS version of 71% NET TO FLORIST (less another (-10%) when factoring in their ANNUAL DUES and FEES.

And don't forget the amortization cost of waiting 30-45 days to get paid...