Recient conversations with PO'd florist

[keith]

I am wondering if the current status of the WS model is causing you to decide to cut all strings with 800TFTD so that you are basicly free?
I am in awe of someone who can say instantly goodbuy. can you? not talking to those who are dropping 100 orderrs a year, but those who may be dropping 5 thou orders a year. you got the B*alls to do it?? i am sorry to say i can not get there yet, but who knows in this summer of love!! my vote might be for a way to send that is not tied to the current system. We'll see. I am finding a real angst with the the system as is........ are you happy? All I am asking is be open to change in the near future. The big senders who actually have the most to lose are the biggest proponents. why? look around. do you think the
OG800TFTD crowd caes if you can fill their order next week???? smell the coffee!!!! THE "independant local florist" is the dupe of the week. If you make them look good the will be back with another undervalued order for you to fill!!
I stand in admiration of this very profitable gentle man you has a very much more beautiful wife that they have the canolles(?) to say FTD Kiss Off.
I thank them for giving me the couragge to do the same myself.

sorry for the long post, I heard a very real voice not being heard on this site and thought it needed to be shared. we have been to several FTD top member events and know this is not a "rant"

Keep focused on the holiday;
Profit must be our goal.........

Sanity is just an illusion.....

Oregon and green,
Keith

 

[bloomz]

Since we have about the same amount of WS workload as each other Keith - can you imagine doing it without a network?

I'm not ready for that.

And I really don't think all those members not in the current directory (looks to be welll over 2000) have gone wire service free - I really think they have gone out of business.

My guess is the non-tenacious florists and fwoac's are dropping like flies out there. Which is gonna be ok in the final analysis, if and when that ever comes.

Have a great week!

 

[BOSS]

Ah yes Keith, I am trying to get to that point! And I know it will happen sooner than later, despite what our friend Jon says...

Yes it would be tough without a network, but the problem is there could be another network built so easily that it's stupid. Connect the independent systems (most large volume shops have one) then work to build the network with faxing of orders to smaller shops, or even better give them FREE receive platforms....

The current model will die, and in the not too distant future. I am the only electronic end point in my servicing zips for FTD as of a couple months ago...how do you think I am going to handle this week? (hint $$)

As more florists either drop off the grid, or close, the easier it will become to make the above a reality. When a shop calls you with an order, tell them no, that they need to have their customer call you directly, when an order comes in electronically, make sure you can make a *real* profit on it or pass.

I know Jon's point well, I too used to have 7000 outs a year and while that easy money was grand, it was not the be all end all to my business...selling flowers locally IS! Once enough larger florists commit to building a better gig for all involved, removing Big Brother and their 27-32% from the mix, then those still standing will be the "New Bloom" of the industry and we'll all be healthier for it.

 

[ivygreen]

Ah yes Keith, I am trying to get to that point! And I know it will happen sooner than later, despite what our friend Jon says...

Yes it would be tough without a network, but the problem is there could be another network built so easily that it's stupid. Connect the independent systems (most large volume shops have one) then work to build the network with faxing of orders to smaller shops, or even better give them FREE receive platforms....

The current model will die, and in the not too distant future. I am the only electronic end point in my servicing zips for FTD as of a couple months ago...how do you think I am going to handle this week? (hint $$)

As more florists either drop off the grid, or close, the easier it will become to make the above a reality. When a shop calls you with an order, tell them no, that they need to have their customer call you directly, when an order comes in electronically, make sure you can make a *real* profit on it or pass.

I know Jon's point well, I too used to have 7000 outs a year and while that easy money was grand, it was not the be all end all to my business...selling flowers locally IS! Once enough larger florists commit to building a better gig for all involved, removing Big Brother and their 27-32% from the mix, then those still standing will be the "New Bloom" of the industry and we'll all be healthier for it.

This kind of honesty and been there, done that is what makes FC.
Boss, It's why I like you

 

[Chezbloom]

We are completely WS free. I know you were talking about big shops and we are small but.....Our sales have more than doubled since we dropped TF and put up a decent website. Life is still stressful at times but much less stressful without a WS sucking your money and energy out of you.

 

[Bigted]

Nice post Keith. I think a lot of us agree about where all of this is going, it's just a matter of when. Giant public companies need to grow or their stock gets hammered and the execs make less money.

What that means is that the trends and events that florists here are complaining about are only going to get worse and worse. Then, at some point, some little event will happen, and real changes will happen very rapidly.

 

[Jerry]

Through the 7 yrs we've been WS free and talking on these boards, some feel our decision to be free was an emotional one, not a business decision. Mine was pure business, I was loosing money trying to play the game.

I've always felt, part of the problem was the big senders(on these boards also) were emotionless. And I only say that cause you all are the only ones I know and read. All the talk, all the knowledge, all the while knowing the fillers are getting killed. I never looked down or talked down to anyone(it's business), but always felt like, WTF.

I also feel, like Bloomzie, that we are in a cleansing of our industry. That's a good thing. I actually quit sending out for my customers, I help them find someone, because the quality I was getting was just not good enough to put my name on it, even at 100%. My life is a piece of cake now. And more profitable.

So Keith, kudos to you. You've made my day, even if you stay with the 80-20-rebate fiasco.