Painful

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cherrie

cherrie

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Nov 11, 2007
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Westminster
www.cherryblossomsflorist.com
State / Prov
Colorado
I have to do something very painful this morning.
Late Wednesday afternoon, I stepped out of the shop for a few moments.
My daughter called me and told me that a flower shop was on the phone and wanted 8 $40.00 ferns with Thanksgiving decorations for Monday's delivery. I told her to tell them that ferns don't last a moment here in Colorado's dry climate, that we could offer another variety of plant that will hold much better. The shop was firm on the ferns and I told them no problem for AM Monday.
When I got back to the shop, in horror, I saw that the orders were from Old Saybrook. I debated that evening and yesterday as I took out wheat, scarecrows, cattails and fall ribbons from 7 dishgardens. I could have easily just put the stuff right into the 8 ferns. Should I or shouldn't I??? I could use an easy $240.00.
I realized at Thanksgiving dinner, I can't. I can't back off of my principles of not allowing FU flowers to control our industry.
First thing this morning, I will refuse all 8 orders.

Actually, may not be such a bad thing. These ferns will not last a few weeks here. Some varieties - like Dallas ferns do hold up better, but still fare badly. I won't get the complaints........

Sad, huh?
 
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cherrie said:
I have to do something very painful this morning.
Late Wednesday afternoon, I stepped out of the shop for a few moments.
My daughter called me and told me that a flower shop was on the phone and wanted 8 $40.00 ferns with Thanksgiving decorations for Monday's delivery. I told her to tell them that ferns don't last a moment here in Colorado's dry climate, that we could offer another variety of plant that will hold much better. The shop was firm on the ferns and I told them no problem for AM Monday.
When I got back to the shop, in horror, I saw that the orders were from Old Saybrook. I debated that evening and yesterday as I took out wheat, scarecrows, cattails and fall ribbons from 7 dishgardens. I could have easily just put the stuff right into the 8 ferns. Should I or shouldn't I??? I could use an easy $240.00.
I realized at Thanksgiving dinner, I can't. I can't back off of my principles
of not allowing FU flowers to control our industry.
First thing this morning, I will refuse all 8 orders.
Sad, huh?
Click to expand...
Good for you Cherrie! You have to think of your local recipients who will
be receiving them. That is is final opinion on you and your product.
I wonder why the fall deco. That wouldn't be such a hit either.
I bet today another order will come to you worth far more, as a bonus.
 
I know that.
But, it won't be me.
I'm not contributing to the demise of my industry.

I've started to send complimentary arrangements and intro letters to local companies that have sent an order to another local recipient via wire service.
Let them know that I've filled their order and that I am a local business just a click or phone call away.
Last week, it was a local vet and a new local mall management.

I figure it kosher because the wire services take our incoming email orders and directly markets to those senders.......

I'm fighting.
 
We keep a list next to the phone of who we wont accept orders from, so when they call, they get told

"We don't accept orders from you. If you like you can give your customer our phone number, have them call us directly and we will be happy to help them. Oh and by the way, we are the only Teleflora shop here. The next one is an hour away in another state"

We usually get the order one way or another! And at the full price!
 
Living only about 20 minutes away for FYF headquaters, I have to restrain myself from egging their building when I have to drive by. They are a truly frustrating company to have to deal with.

Do they call your shops as well prior to trying to 'dove' you the order? Having to break away from a flesh and blood customer, standing in my store, so we can answer the phone - only to have them ask to we deliver to the town we are physically located in! Or, as in the case yesterday - to have them ask if we deliver to a town 55 minutes away! I lost it! I asked if they had bothered to read my listing - "Does it say anywhere in my listing that we deliver there?" The - I don't even know what to call their sales help - person responded with a tentative yes. Of course it didn't - I asked to speak to her supervisor so I could inform them that their staff lies. She hung up. Sometimes playing a little head game with someone makes the afternoon go by more quickly.

We must get 2 - 5 calls from them a day. I have yet to fill any of their orders. There is a shop in our area that does fill those order. Maybe because its his uncle that owns it! Maybe its because he owns an order gathering ".com" as well and he wants to market to the recipients. They deserve each other.

Leah
 
OH CHERIE, I am soooo feeling your pain.

I just received two funeral spray orders from Blooms Today through 1800... OH I HATE THEM!!!

They are both going to a church where we just did an awsome funeral last weekend for a sweet lady who found me through the beautiful things we send to the hospital. (this family was also at the service :confused:, but i guess the daugher went on line looking for cheap, i presume.)

I just don't know what to do..... I guess instead of sending substandard, as there is not enough money, kick them and let the other shop in town fill them..... OH THIS IS SO HARD...
 
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You can do it!!!!
We all have to if anything is going to change.
I applaud your intregity.

Do you have your own web site, so the consumer can look you up?
 
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