No ws no cc ???

[Dazeal]

Yeah my post was a bit off topic and not answering the the questions Joe first asked. Sorry about that. As for the questions Joe asked, I agree with everyone else.

Duane, for me, the answer is simple and Dore, imo, gave the right answer. Ask the customer which way they would like to be served. To me it's not about that initial up front money, but a long term happy customer and I could not agree with Dore more.

Once we drop Bbrooks, we'll do exactly what Dore is doing, like we used to.

BTW, off topic, she pronounces it Dory. I was saying Door. Sorry Dore.

 

[marigold]

Yeah my post was a bit off topic and not answering the the questions Joe first asked. Sorry about that. As for the questions Joe asked, I agree with everyone else.

Duane, for me, the answer is simple and Dore, imo, gave the right answer. Ask the customer which way they would like to be served. To me it's not about that initial up front money, but a long term happy customer and I could not agree with Dore more.

Once we drop Bbrooks, we'll do exactly what Dore is doing, like we used to.

BTW, off topic, she pronounces it Dory. I was saying Door. Sorry Dore.

Thanks, Daz! Yep, Pronounced just like it looks. The folks told me
it was the Italian way...
Curious, why are you dropping BBrooks?

 

[Hal Conklin]

agree

It seems to me that giving a customer's credit card number is a serious violation of the new identity theft rules that go into effect in November. Every shop must have an identity theft policy in place or they will leave themselves exposed to some serious liabilities. I can't believe that giving a customer's cc# over the phone to someone else would be a valid part of this policy. It's certainly not part of ours.

Totally agree Ted !!! Who in there right mind would use a customers cc in this situation. I guess only those with no credit.. But yes you are also in violation of PCI Compliancy as that info is to be encrypted thus you would not be able to use again with third party.

 

[Joe Mioux]

Totally agree Ted !!! Who in there right mind would use a customers cc in this situation. I guess only those with no credit.. But yes you are also in violation of PCI Compliancy as that info is to be encrypted thus you would not be able to use again with third party.

In fairness to this florist, after we rejected the order, she did call her customer and her customer told her to use his card for my charges.

at least that is what she told me.

 

[Rhonda]

the one time I've taken a customer's credit card over the phone, I demanded to speak to the customer and retrieved all the pertinent information needed and the verbal permission to use their card.

 

[HeatherTuckey]

Totally agree Ted !!! Who in there right mind would use a customers cc in this situation. I guess only those with no credit.. But yes you are also in violation of PCI Compliancy as that info is to be encrypted thus you would not be able to use again with third party.

To be 100% PCI compliant, you're not even supposed to write down the cc #. At least that's what I recall RTI telling us.

If you've never watched this video, please do... it's scary and eye-opening for small business owners.

http://video.google.com/videoplay?d...ei=kXXoStD9KIb6lAepq7CDCA&q=pci&hl=en&view=2#

 

[alisonm1215]

I did once, but I didn't inhale.
No, really. It was a tiny town that didn't use the same wire service that I used and I was going to put it on my card, but it was going to cost my customer more than they wanted to pay. I called my customer and they told me to give their info directly to the other florist and thanked me for saving them money.
I didn't make a dime.

In hind sight-way dumb!

It does amaze me though that a florist would not have a debit card. I know it is not a good idea to use one, but it is better than nothing.
I had to send an order out the other day to a tiny shop in Podunk USA that had no WS, no website and didn't accept credit cards--they are going to invoice me.
Go figure

 

[Doug Munro]

Sounds like a hobby to me

No one is obligated to feel bad for or to extend credit to that mysterious voice on the phone simply because they are a florist.

Lets face it, in today's world where can you get instant credit over the phone on a $50 purchase (in some cases across the country).

How many on this board still give credit to anyone that phones in (like the good ole' days), not many I suspect. Yet if the callers identifies himself as a florist they are ok?

As for letting the customer phone the receiving shop directly, part of retail generally involves providing a certain level of service. As a retailer, you never want to take yourself out of the loop.

The term "educating the customer" is often used on this board. By providing a phone number for a receiving shop you are simply educating the customer to one more service he does not need you for. I prefer old school, take the order, get it fulfilled via whatever method you are comfortable with WS or calling direct, make money on it or don't (again your choice), but just ensure you save the customer any hassle. By doing so you have increased your value in their eyes, the pay off is a long term loyal customer. For those that doubt, put on your consumers hat. How does service factor in when you make your decison where to buy?