New "cookie cutter" Menu
- Thread starter LJVF
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And the grand total you will pay on your statement for the same thing you can look up online for FREE?
Disclaimer: I am not a member of FTD but used to be and paid for these books collecting dust on my shelf as we speak so I feel justified to weigh in.
Disclaimer: I am not a member of FTD but used to be and paid for these books collecting dust on my shelf as we speak so I feel justified to weigh in.
The value is in the option to use the images for marketing purposes. Professionally photographed, standardized items at my disposal that I'm confident will sell.
I agree in that value but I never felt the value justified the price. As a member of FTD I was told that I can use the images as I needed. I did that fine and would not have needed the selection guide. Also, I like using my own portfolio books. I had a bride tell me once when I pulled out the FTD book, "Oh, I already looked at that book at XYZ florist." I was embarrassed and that's when I decided on making my own books.
But really, how much are they charging these days for that thing?
But really, how much are they charging these days for that thing?
Rhonda
Well-Known Member
For the Teleflora selection guide it is about that, and it has been about 5 years since the last one.
I think FTD is 14.99/month billed on each statement for the selection guide and FTD University, and a new selection guide every 2 years.
To each his own.....
I can make 16, 25 page hardback portfolios of my own designs, put them all over the area in other businesses, and use a spreadsheet with pics for pricing and menus for under $300. IMO, it is better to have my books all over the area (including my shop) than waiting on someone to come into my shop to look at FTD's book.
I will take my honey out to dinner 6 times instead of giving it to FTD. But whatever works for whomever.
I can make 16, 25 page hardback portfolios of my own designs, put them all over the area in other businesses, and use a spreadsheet with pics for pricing and menus for under $300. IMO, it is better to have my books all over the area (including my shop) than waiting on someone to come into my shop to look at FTD's book.
I will take my honey out to dinner 6 times instead of giving it to FTD. But whatever works for whomever.
It cost you a whole lot more than $300 to make your books, you're only calculating the cost of the book itself, not the time to order, design and photograph the product. The selection guide is much more than just 25 pages.
I choose to use the selection guides and, as you say, each to his own.
I choose to use the selection guides and, as you say, each to his own.
Truly it doesn't because I take the pictures anyway and I have the area already set up to do it. It takes about 20 seconds to take the picture. It does take about 20 minutes to design the book and the 25 pages hold over 100 pics if I chose, and they are all my designs. When a bride looks at my portfolio she can't say that she saw the same book at the last stop. And she sees that I truly did the work, not a FTD employee. I think it gives a consumer more confidence to see what I did. It is a difference in marketing strategies of which there are thousands. I am learning everyday what works and what doesn't and adjusting and tweaking accordingly. As everyone here knows, I don't ride the WS wagon so my opinion shouldn't shock anyone. Just offering an opinion, not intending to start another war.
Joe Mioux
Well-Known Member
"Yea but" ..... (my kids favorite saying)
I don't have your portfolio nor do 20,000 other flower shops. "McFlowers" isn't always a bad thing when you have a customer who wants to look at a catalog and see what they will be sending out to another city.
Joe
Joe,
If you send me a item number of an FTD arrangement that your customer wants, I will look it up on FTD.com or you can email it to me and I will duplicate PLUS ADD to it because I can afford to since I am not giving part of my profit to FTD. Still don't need the selection guide.....
If you send me a item number of an FTD arrangement that your customer wants, I will look it up on FTD.com or you can email it to me and I will duplicate PLUS ADD to it because I can afford to since I am not giving part of my profit to FTD. Still don't need the selection guide.....
As have you and everyone else on both sides of the issue. I just haven't tired of the debate yet. And I intend to keep posting the same type of message "against" as you have "for". And so it goes....
Not knocking creating your own unique "menu" of items. Some like RC and Cathy have done an excellent job with this. But since I don't have the expertise they have, the WS images works very well for me. Again, they are professionally photographed and are proven sellers. Not to mention the value that Joe, Erlene and JB mentioned earlier.
Absolutely for the ones without the resources to use their own images, then this is probably the best route. Personally, I have used my own images effectively in creating sales and in a cost effective way. If someone needs to depend on these selection guides then it is better than having nothing to show a consumer. In the case of all of you, in spite of your personal opinions of my posts, I have seen pictures here of your work and think you all create images better than those selection guides. There is incredible images of your own that you should be proud to use if you are able.
You a funny gurl.
Why do you care what WE spend on our tools???
Appreciate your concern, but I think I'll take my family out to dinner too, on moneys I make from USING that cookie cutter menu.
And pay my mortgage, and buy food for the table, and travel to exotic lands, and go camping, which I am doing right now!!!
Awesome selling tools I'm glad to have access to.
The day a florist creates their own better one, I'll eat my hat for lunch.
CAIO and later
bloomz - peace - out
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