New Wire Service?

[TOTO]

Right on tarket BILL!

Such a short question. But it INSPIRED the heck out of me!

I think that we need to completely re-think the entire issue of Wire Services. Frankly, I think that -- at least for US and Canadian marketing -- they have outlived their usefulness.

In their place, please see the attached WORD document.

Comments, anyone?Bill

Once the WSs crossed the line in OUR SAND and decided to COMPETE with US, that's when they became OUR ENEMY versus OUR PARTNER.

 

[TOTO]

Yes, but for only $20 per month?

John, I would agree, except for one thing...how long would it take you to fax out the 178 orders I sent in the last 3 days?

I wish IFA would include the sending florists fax number on the orders they send me so I can send receipts and Dcons...would save me the calls to see if I got the fax.

Even though your HOLIDAY TRAFFIC is a BUBBLE, entering in all of those orders at their website would be TOO TIME CONSUMING at PEAK TIME.

However, and for the 99.5% rest of the year, that wouldn't be a real issue, especially at the cost of only $20 per month.

One would have to run the numbers just to see their actual COST PER OUTGOING ORDER via that WS and the POS SYSTEM they're using.

IFA could surely tweak up the data entry program and for the folks who are already running FAS, that's not an issue for them.

Like everything else, the more members they can get, the better their system will get.

And the best part is that, they are INDEPENDENT and DO NOT COMPETE with their own FLORISTS over their OWN FLORIST'S RETAIL CUSTOMERS.

 

[dhamil6490]

Flowershop network does it for me, but i'd prefer a lower sending commission, maybe 10%, so the filling florist can get close to actually making money on the order.

 

[duanermb]

Agreed on the lower sending commish...

Flowershop network does it for me, but i'd prefer a lower sending commission, maybe 10%, so the filling florist can get close to actually making money on the order.

We don't typically do wire outs anyway. For the most part, we suggest that people find their own florist online, or we will do a search for them on FSN or the internet and let them do it themselves.

When they choose to have us do it, we may charge them a small fee just for processing etc, but it is a flat rate on top of the filling florists dollar.

IMO it is not worth 20% commission, plus what the wire services are charging, and these are OUR customers who have the ability to order themselves.

I think we are better off helping them find value than taking fees from them for sending out an order to another florist.

With no wire services in our store, this is what we have chosen to do with our brand, and it has been very successful. We focus on moving our own product out the door, and building our relationship with our customers.

 

[dhamil6490]

You have basically described Flowershop Network! I'm a member, and frankly I love it. All the benefits and none of the hassles. Maybe what we should do is quietly drop out of TF and FTD, join FSN (or IFA), and watch the big guys stew in their own juices.

I hear a lot of complaining on this site, but it seems like no one is moved to action. Let's stop whining and do something!

I'd suggest this: begin by dropping as many of the frills the WS offers, like web sites, credit card processing, advertising in extra cities, etc. Now is a great time to go shopping elsewhere for these services. Stop buying proprietary containers. Shop locally for your own special container. Recognize that dropping a WS is a weaning process.

Join FSN or IFA.

Write articles about the scam the OGs are promoting, and get them published anywhere you can, especially around flower holidays. These articles should not just bad-mouth the OGs, but also promote the value of dealing with a local florist. Show the customer how they will benefit by using you instead of the OG.

Make a comittment to yourself to do it. It wont be easy and it won't happen fast, but if we get off our keesters, it will happen.

 

[janna]

I'm behind on this thread, but does anyone have any thoughts on Direct2florist?

 

[theflowershop]

For those of you who REFUSE to be a member of, or send your money to, those WSs who COMPETE WITH YOU in their attempts to STEAL YOUR OWN CUSTOMERS out from under you, then, IFA may be your answer.

Just a BARE BONES ability to allow you to send your outgoing orders out through other florists who may be a member of a WS or used to be a member of one or even two.

Only $20 per month and ONLY when you send your orders out.

20% sending commission FORE YOU, 80% net to filler florist FORE THEM, and NO TRANSMISSION CHARGES.

80% NET TO FILLER is much better than 73% plus another 2%for REVERSE THE TRANSMISSION CHARGES, or the additional minus (9%) out of THEIR POCKETS via a WS order.

And so, WHAT'S IN YOUR WALLET?

www.myifa.org

Use a company credit card which gives you the most POINTS and the filler florist has THEIR MONEY in THEIR BANK ACCOUNT in 48 hours, NOT 48 DAYS.

Caveat: If you relish in FILLING HIGHLY DISCOUNTED WS orders, either from THEM from their own DOT.CONS, or for the OG SKIMMERS who have infested their networks, then, THE IFA BUD is NOT FORE YOU!

In my UMBLE OPINION, the last thing WEE need is another WS these days. Better we build upon what's going on now.

Very interested in this program. Any idea on how many florist are members and is it growing? Could you tell me if there are members already in Charlottesville, Virginia

 

[sweetpeas]

I have been to website however I could never get a response on my inquiry . This has been over a year ago. Since then signed up with FLower shop network. I would be interested to know more about this company.

 

[kt4ye]

If there was a new wire service created by florists, for florists, with lower fees but no rebates and no order gatherers would you switch, and cancel your other memberships?

I voted YES but strongly resist the idea of "BY FLORISTS."

The raeson why all of us are in this business (OK, most) is to make money. But I doubt that any of us would consider changing our business model to that of a co-operative.

Bill

 

[kt4ye]

I'm behind on this thread, but does anyone have any thoughts on Direct2florist?

Member for a year. ONE order received.

Bill

 

[janna]

So what about Direct2florist?

I haven't heard anyone say anything about it..

 

[TOTO]

Here's the IFA Summary of Benefits

Very interested in this program. Any idea on how many florist are members and is it growing? Could you tell me if there are members already in Charlottesville, Virginia

Currently, there is only one IFA member in your City. Not sure how many members, but IFA has access to thousands of REAL FLORISTS via FASnet, and those florists are more than happy to receive orders electronically from other REAL FLORISTS at the FULL 80% NET TO FILLER.

http://www.floralaccountingsystems.com/fasnet/fasnet.php

As to GROWING? Well, (and this is just my opinion) with the economy being what it isn't, how many shops are in a position to continue to pay the WS's from $400 to $500 per month as their overall benefits continue to decline?

With LESS INCOMING coming in at even HIGHER DISCOUNTS and LOWER SRP's, coupled with higher WS fees across the board, coupled with more costly (but more cheaply made) CHACHKA CONTAINERS which are in LESS DEMAND by the consumers, florists are being forced to take an ever HARDER LOOK at WHAT'S IN THEIR WALLET?

I also have to add that, IFA IS NOT A WIRE SERVICE! IFA is an INDEPENDENT FLORIST'S ASSOCIATION which provides a cost effective means to enable the SUCCESSFUL TRANSFER AND FULFILLMENT OF FLORAL ORDERS between TWO REAL FLORISTS. (no OG's, DOG's, 800 or DOT.CON middleman skimmers need apply since, they're not allowed, and are persona non grata.)

http://www.myifa.org/users/signup.php

THE SUMMARY OF IFA BENFITS:​

IFA is the NEW alternative to wire services. IFA is a member-owned, member-governed association that provides these benefits...

1. Build equity in your own company -- IFA.

2. Process credit cards using competitive rates, and earn interest on your credit card deposits.

3. Sell floral products using IFA's high-quality, inexpensive Selection Guide.

4. Earn more profits on incoming florist-to-florist orders using Florist Direct.

5. Receive compensation for incoming Florist Direct orders immediately by charging the sending florist's credit card.

6. Join a family of florist with a mutual commitment to filling your florist-to-florist orders satisfactorily.

7. Reduce or eliminate wire services fees, expensive containers, mandatory programs and expensive required technology.

8. Use the combined voice of all IFA members to address real issues that will allow you to shape your shop's future.

9. Send and receive florist-to-florist orders and consumers' orders using your own independent website.

10. Supported by many of the most successful florists in the U.S.

1503 Farmerville Hwy Ruston, LA 71270 (800) 303-4435​