One of our competitors going belly up...

[goldfish]

We just learned from a mail-woman that one of our competitors is going to close her shop. I don't know the detail yet, but it looks like this is not change of ownership, they are really closing the store...

Before this happened, to be frank, I had always wanted my competitors to all go belly up. Why not? We would be better off if they all disappeared. In another business we run (restaurant), we always celebrated whenever nearby restaurants went belly up, which by the way happens frequently.

Now a strange thing happened; I don't feel like "celebrating" the demise of our florist competitor. I even feel a little bit sad. I never expected I would feel this way. I am wondering... most people here have more experience than I in this industry, so you must have seen your competitors going bellypup many times. Were you happy when that happened? - Or more like a mixed feeling that I have now?

 

[Donna]

Last year

we lost a competitor who had been in business in town for 50 years. It was sad to see that "institution" go; but as has been mentioned on this board many times, they did nothing to keep up - much less get ahead. They never even had a webpage - not even just name and address.

I was sad to see them close, but our business has almost doubled this year. Part of it is the customer base from this shop; part of it is our very aggressive marketing campaign, part is our quality/service/willingness to satisfy the customer whether they want new designs or old standards.

We still have customers call us - maybe they order once a year and just found out the other shop closed. We always agree with the customers that is is sad that a business that many of our parents grew up with is no longer in town. Then we take their order and do our best to make sure we are not among the closing shops anytime soon!!!

Donna

 

[bloomz]

We're with Donna. It's sad to see anyone who tries hard whether they have a clue or not lose out, but it's more sweet than bitter when your business grows.

Besides - we know fully well we are part of what knocked them out of the game for those same reasons Donna mentioned. One that we aquired their phone and customer list had been in business since 1905. But when they went, just like another one that went this year - they went owing wholesalers and more to the tunes of 40-50K - which we also know is very bad for us all. From that aspect alone it is good they are gone. That does nothing but damage to the industry.

And honestly, if all the FWOAC's went under - we would have a much stronger industry.

 

[Tracy D'Amico]

We had a competitor go out last year, and she and I had been on "friendly" terms - borrowing occasionally from each other when in need. We were happy in a business sense, because we knew more people would find our relatively new store, but the humanity always wins. You empathize because you wonder if you could very well be in the same boat. No matter how much of a clue you have as a business person, catastrophes, illness and death all happen. There but for the grace of God ........ so we didn't dance on the day they tore down her building, just kept our fingers crossed that we made the right decisions, and won't follow a similar path.

Actually, I still cross my fingers every day.

tracy

 

[BOSS]

BOSS's Quote of the day!!

There but for the grace of God ........ so we didn't dance on the day they tore down her building, just kept our fingers crossed that we made the right decisions

There but for the grace of God go I....

Florist are perhaps the most empithetic people on Earth because of the emotions we deal with on a daily basis. honestly, I would like to see a couple less competitors in my market, but I would not wish that on anyone.

What you sow, so shal you reap.

 

[LORRIE]

We have lost 3 competitors in the last few months. Two of them have been around since the dawn of time I think, last year 3 others. Yes it makes us stornger BUT-very frightening too. No dance of joy here. What did make me very very happy was when the supermarket stopped doing the WS , delivery stuff. The times they are a 'changin and we have to too.

 

[PhillyPhlorist]

It all depends on the TYPE of compitition, I say anyway. Local compititon is a good thing - keeps you on your toes!

Sad to see fellow florists close up. But not so sad to see ones who do nothing to keep up and actually damage the industry by sending out crap. Only the strong shal survive...

I am indeed thankful to the good Lord for all his blessings....

- H.

 

[felicityflowers]

But not so sad to see ones who do nothing to keep up and actually damage the industry by sending out crap. Only the strong shal survive...

Quote of the day!!

I am saddened, as well, when a fellow florist that is an asset to the industry closes competition or not. However, I am not so sad when somone detrimental to this industry closes their doors.

 

[bloomz]

Exactly - when a florist is on the downward spiral, starting to not pay wholesalers, curtailing incoming, and cutting corners to save money filling orders - the sooner they are gone the better.