New Bloomnet Design Book?
- Thread starter ctherose
- Start date
- Status
Julz
Active Member
UPS came this morning with mine. I refused it, told him to send it back. E-mailed my rep last night and told him I was gonna refuse it and that I would be terminating my relationship with Bloomlink. Haven't heard from him yet.
Julz
Julz
I love how everybody gets in a tizzy every time a wire service sends out their new selection guide. Happens every single time even though selection guides have been a part of the biz for generations.
I welcome our new selection guide, I can't think of one we didn't make money using. Much easier upselling to that $90 dish garden or $200 spray when they can see what they are getting.
I welcome our new selection guide, I can't think of one we didn't make money using. Much easier upselling to that $90 dish garden or $200 spray when they can see what they are getting.
specialoccasion
New Member
The problem with sending the guide for me is the sneaky way they do it. I believe the response would be much more accepted if they sent you a notice well in advance to these books coming out and gave you a choice of if you wanted to purchase the book or not.
Why in the world would you need that book when you can go into your admin and print off the picture and/or menu for any design they offer at anytime you wish. (We save them in a binder, therefore creating our own guide). Generally orders recvd are for the same 5-10 designs anyway?
If it works for you great... but for many of us it is just an added wire charge we can do without.
Why in the world would you need that book when you can go into your admin and print off the picture and/or menu for any design they offer at anytime you wish. (We save them in a binder, therefore creating our own guide). Generally orders recvd are for the same 5-10 designs anyway?
If it works for you great... but for many of us it is just an added wire charge we can do without.
specialoccasion
New Member
addition to above: I need to add that we have a high quality color printer and use very good quality, glossy photo paper to print on. The design guide we use for our customers to view is very professional looking and incorporates pictures of our custom designs as well and 8x's out of 10 they usually end up selecting one of our designs if being delivered locally. The book clearly indicates which arrangements are available for nationwide delivery and which are not as to not confuse the customer. All price points are also in the book.
David
Well-Known Member
I try to never show the book. I have a PC at the counter that we show our walk in customers. no price sheets for store employees either, they are told small, med and large price points ( thanks Tim) and further prices can be found on my web site.
Eric S
Demoted Webmaster
I have been holding back for a while (Issues with WS) I can't take it anymore.
They own you. You are 1800flowers store. You are no longer (Your Shop Name in LALA Land).
What do expect from "Another Wire Service".
Come on there is nothing new here.
They own you. You are 1800flowers store. You are no longer (Your Shop Name in LALA Land).
What do expect from "Another Wire Service".
Come on there is nothing new here.
specialoccasion
New Member
BOSS
FlowerChat Administrator
Me too... kind of...
My association with wire services is a one way street...nothing coming in except other Real Florist orders to help them survive. They have no control on the way I do business.
And it has a very short lifespan that will end in the very near future, once a couple things fall into place.
Me three but not kind of - totally.
Kind of a dumb statement actually.....sorry.....
opinions vary
PhillyPhlorist
Pro Member
- Feb 7, 2004
- 1,766
- 609
- 113
- 55
- State / Prov
- Pennsylvania
Me four....
The van from the delivery pool just came back with our pool orders for the day. One of them - an 800 B-day cake, in a 1-800-flowers box - CLEARLY marked as an 800 product. The shop that sent it had is stationary/logo on the delivery tag & card, but MAN...why would you want that??? As my driver stated, it makes it look as if your shop is owned by 1-800-flowers... cause "you" sure don't own them!
For the record - we NEVER used any 800 packaging....always used our 'stuff' for the wrapping...
As for the Selection Guide: seems to me that when the first one came out (about 5 years ago???) that it was an optional purchase...for around the 300 mark. We refused ours BACK THEN... Sorry, but $300 is a BIT too much to pay for a selection guide - no matter how "good" it is.... Conversely, the JH wedding guide is well worth the price...the price matched the product value...
- H.
BOSS
FlowerChat Administrator
-H. We don't use any logo items from any of the wire services-Our logo is on all arr. packaging along with our card.These "WS receivers" are potential customers & we treat them as if they were our own.Have you ever kept track of how many WS customers you've "stolen"as a result of an order designed by your shop?
Use a WS to your advantage.You have the recips address,phone,maybe the date of their BD or Anniv.
You can really make them want you as there florist rather than an OG.
Go after these potential customers-the OGs won't miss them!
Terri
Use a WS to your advantage.You have the recips address,phone,maybe the date of their BD or Anniv.
You can really make them want you as there florist rather than an OG.
Go after these potential customers-the OGs won't miss them!
Terri
Eric S
Demoted Webmaster
I know this topic has been discussed.
I believe I lost on that topic since most Flowerchat members responded that their business continued to grow along with the Wire Service Orders since they were able to magically steal the customers (that you don't have any contact information) from the WS with printed ya ya going to the recipient.
So does this still hold water or what? Will joining bloomnet take my business to the next level as more orders then I could possiable imagine begin to add to my bottom line?
Accepting what is it 71% of an order that is discounted and is enough for me to throw marketing materials at the recipient (That didn't even place the order) and will still add to my bottom line? Oh yea and don't forget about santa clause that deliveries the 71% product for free down the recipient chimney for free!
How many customers can you get from say 200 orders a month? Is there a true real number that many of you have tracked?
I'll end this little rant with this.
Bloomnet's growth is from the hardest working indivuals within this industry.
Its members share more then just a percentage of every single order with them but the continued branding of every single arrangement that you did not create they did. They designed it and all you did was copy it from their book that you are gladly to pay for.
800flowers has succeeded to put their name on every corner and will continue to do this throughout the county. How much time is left is up to its new memebrs. You have taken some of the power away from FTD. Don't continue to hand it to another Corporation.
I believe I lost on that topic since most Flowerchat members responded that their business continued to grow along with the Wire Service Orders since they were able to magically steal the customers (that you don't have any contact information) from the WS with printed ya ya going to the recipient.
So does this still hold water or what? Will joining bloomnet take my business to the next level as more orders then I could possiable imagine begin to add to my bottom line?
Accepting what is it 71% of an order that is discounted and is enough for me to throw marketing materials at the recipient (That didn't even place the order) and will still add to my bottom line? Oh yea and don't forget about santa clause that deliveries the 71% product for free down the recipient chimney for free!
How many customers can you get from say 200 orders a month? Is there a true real number that many of you have tracked?
I'll end this little rant with this.
Bloomnet's growth is from the hardest working indivuals within this industry.
Its members share more then just a percentage of every single order with them but the continued branding of every single arrangement that you did not create they did. They designed it and all you did was copy it from their book that you are gladly to pay for.
800flowers has succeeded to put their name on every corner and will continue to do this throughout the county. How much time is left is up to its new memebrs. You have taken some of the power away from FTD. Don't continue to hand it to another Corporation.
Villageman
New Member
BOSS
FlowerChat Administrator
I don't think anyone can truly gain any percentage of new customers byt delivering to them, unless they continue to market to them for the long term after the fact.
That said, I also do not think that Bloomnet has done anything to increase sales, but rather shift orders away from FTD and TF into their network. Even then, Bloomnet did not really do anything, the florists did by taking their orders and moving them.
I do not believe there are enough orders to support 3 wire services for the long haul, and that one will become more unstable than they already are and perhaps be left with only their B2C method, that will also decline over the next couple years.
Right now, for many shops any WS is a necessary evil that we deal with, waiting for the next big thing to come along and assist us in the next industry transformation. It won't happen quickly, but in time it will happen.
Eric-I'm not saying that a WS is the way to go.I'm saying that IF you have 1,2 or whatever, to use it to your advantage. Over the years,we've gained many new house accounts especially Corp. accounts that have really paid off.Maybe we've just been lucky,maybe location, I don't know, but whatever we're doing has increased the bottom line tremendously.
NPFloral
New Member
**SIGH** The wire service argument again. The UPS man came, and away he went the the Bloomnet book. Refused it. BUT As a florist in the voluminious incomming state of Florida, I will continue to use them because their fees are reasonable. Nothing.. NOTHING is FREE but I'll sure take the most reasonable. I just joined Bloomlink in April and would't take a new book regardless. I just bought one in April thank you. I will state again, I am a smart buyer. I get my flowers at the best price for the best quality. If a rose costs me 38 cents and I add it to a Bloomlink order at $3.00....well.... you do the math. I add a .17 cent pompom to an arrangement for $1.00...here's your calcuator if you can't figure it out.
Historically speaking, recipients cannot be converted to buyers so we don't even try, other than our logo on cards, etc. I do like the idea of putting an explaination about the savings by calling direct...maybe I'll see if that does any good but I won't hold my breath. I mean really...if you got a gift, would you cal the sender and tell them it was lovely but buy it somewhere else next time? Tacky.
Tim - North Port Floral
Historically speaking, recipients cannot be converted to buyers so we don't even try, other than our logo on cards, etc. I do like the idea of putting an explaination about the savings by calling direct...maybe I'll see if that does any good but I won't hold my breath. I mean really...if you got a gift, would you cal the sender and tell them it was lovely but buy it somewhere else next time? Tacky.
Tim - North Port Floral
Couple more thoughts:
About the Book and Price
A selection guide is a tool. The tool can be used for selling (both in-store and on the web) and for filling. $300 for a complete catalog with quality images, complete recipes and pricing guidelines is a real bargain IF it is used to drive sales. (I haven't seen the book so I don't know whether it's a useful tool or not.)
At best, you might be able to design & shoot a few high quality (print) images on your own for $300 - with the cost including flowers, supplies, containers, labor, photography, photo editing and printing.
IF the book does not contain designs a florist usually sells in his/her shop, then why is the store a member of 1800? It means the store is stocking products simply for discounted fulfillment and not moving them at full price to local customers. It also means the store is delivering designs to people unlikely to make future purchases from their store since they don't regularly offer those products.
In summary, $300 for a useful selection guide is a bargain IF it helps you sell more flowers.
But, don't just accept any selection guilde's SRPs and make sure you do price out the designs using your own cost basis.
On Owning Your Business
If you are a locally-focused flower shops and you do not have the tools, skills, time or budget to develop your own brand, create your own floral design menus, build and maintain your own website and market and advertise your own products, wire services like 1800flowers offer turn-key, easy-to-use solutions.
These tools come with a price - and it can be very low or quite high based on the way the tools are used.
Co-branding - aligning your company's identity as a 'branch' of any wire service means some (many) consumers perceive your flower shop AS being run by the WS. If your consumer base loves the look, the price points, and the reputation of 1800, this could work for you - but remember that:
1) When your customers see all the discounts, petal points and other affinity programs through 1800 or any other WS, they may order 'direct' through the national site to get your good work.
2) By heavily co-branding, you are endorsing 1800 or any other WS.
If a large percentage of a shop's daily orders arrive from a WS, the shop has placed its fate in the hands of another company. You've become a de facto franchise without any of the long-term agreements or benefits of exclusivity. More than one large flower operation has ended up being 'owned' by 1800 by becoming reliant on fulfillment.
Every florist has stories about gaining new accounts from filling incoming orders, but more likely we all see orders continue to flow in for the same recipients each holiday and birthday - year after year. And why shouldn't they? The shopper got great flowers and the recipient was happy. What incentive does the purchaser have to call you direct?
Compare that with the opportunities provided by delivering unique-to-you, irresistible arrangements ordered off your own website. (I know it's not an either/or, but many store are too busy chasing incomings and dealing with all their related problems & demands to have the time & energy to promote their own companies & products.)
If you are thinking long-term, ask yourself which scenarios (tools) offers more potential to establish your own identity (and profits), provide a return on involvement and create customers loyal to you instead of a third party marketer.
Needless to say, I wholeheartedly agree with Eric.
About the Book and Price
A selection guide is a tool. The tool can be used for selling (both in-store and on the web) and for filling. $300 for a complete catalog with quality images, complete recipes and pricing guidelines is a real bargain IF it is used to drive sales. (I haven't seen the book so I don't know whether it's a useful tool or not.)
At best, you might be able to design & shoot a few high quality (print) images on your own for $300 - with the cost including flowers, supplies, containers, labor, photography, photo editing and printing.
IF the book does not contain designs a florist usually sells in his/her shop, then why is the store a member of 1800? It means the store is stocking products simply for discounted fulfillment and not moving them at full price to local customers. It also means the store is delivering designs to people unlikely to make future purchases from their store since they don't regularly offer those products.
In summary, $300 for a useful selection guide is a bargain IF it helps you sell more flowers.
But, don't just accept any selection guilde's SRPs and make sure you do price out the designs using your own cost basis.
On Owning Your Business
If you are a locally-focused flower shops and you do not have the tools, skills, time or budget to develop your own brand, create your own floral design menus, build and maintain your own website and market and advertise your own products, wire services like 1800flowers offer turn-key, easy-to-use solutions.
These tools come with a price - and it can be very low or quite high based on the way the tools are used.
Co-branding - aligning your company's identity as a 'branch' of any wire service means some (many) consumers perceive your flower shop AS being run by the WS. If your consumer base loves the look, the price points, and the reputation of 1800, this could work for you - but remember that:
1) When your customers see all the discounts, petal points and other affinity programs through 1800 or any other WS, they may order 'direct' through the national site to get your good work.
2) By heavily co-branding, you are endorsing 1800 or any other WS.
If a large percentage of a shop's daily orders arrive from a WS, the shop has placed its fate in the hands of another company. You've become a de facto franchise without any of the long-term agreements or benefits of exclusivity. More than one large flower operation has ended up being 'owned' by 1800 by becoming reliant on fulfillment.
Every florist has stories about gaining new accounts from filling incoming orders, but more likely we all see orders continue to flow in for the same recipients each holiday and birthday - year after year. And why shouldn't they? The shopper got great flowers and the recipient was happy. What incentive does the purchaser have to call you direct?
Compare that with the opportunities provided by delivering unique-to-you, irresistible arrangements ordered off your own website. (I know it's not an either/or, but many store are too busy chasing incomings and dealing with all their related problems & demands to have the time & energy to promote their own companies & products.)
If you are thinking long-term, ask yourself which scenarios (tools) offers more potential to establish your own identity (and profits), provide a return on involvement and create customers loyal to you instead of a third party marketer.
Needless to say, I wholeheartedly agree with Eric.
- Status