Side by side comparison of the big three

[RWK]

I started this in another thread - but this really needs a thread of it's own. When complete.....maybe one of the moderators will sticky this thread.


Since most of us fall into three categories concerning wire services - WS lovers, WS bashers, or somewhere in the middle.....I think we need to establish a side by side comparison of the advantages, disadvantages, honest practices, and not so honest practices of the BIG THREE WIRE SERVICES.( Leave out the slanted opinions guys - we want this as factual as possible )

The big three at the moment - FTD and it's affliates
Teleflora and it's affliates
Bloomnet and it's affliates

There are smaller wire services - FSN, IFA, and BBrooks.

So, Let's Start with FTD and it's affliates - FTD, FTD.com, 1-800-SEND-FTD, FTDI, and there may be some remnants of FTDA in there.

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FTD began operations in 1910 - began by a man names John A. Valentine ( a florist from Denver IIRC) and has been around...either member-owned, pulicly traded company, privately owned since that time. One of the biggest early days FTD supporter was a detroit florist named Albert Pochelon......FTD's first secretary.

SO, It is now time for you all to add your commentary, factual statements, what you like and don't like about FTD and it's related affliates. We will get around to the other guys....bur right now, FTD only.

 

[Carrington]

Not sure if it appropriate but this is the comparison chart we did on all the wire operators in the UK in January this year and which was published in the magazine as well as being an online resource at ww.fandwb.com. Might be something to do over there if there is someone/an organisation that could do it.

 

[RWK]

I have not seen the current member directory, but in the past, It was NEVER made plain that codified minimum prices INCLUDED your delivery charge.

One rep would tell us no it does not, another would say it does......The one time I even spoke to Bob Norton about it at one of the State conventions.....he said that he wasn't clear if cofified minimum does or does not include delivery charges.

 

[BOSS]

I have not seen the current member directory, but in the past, It was NEVER made plain that codified minimum prices INCLUDED your delivery charge.

One rep would tell us no it does not, another would say it does......The one time I even spoke to Bob Norton about it at one of the State conventions.....he said that he wasn't clear if cofified minimum does or does not include delivery charges.

Codified minimums DO include delivery, UNLESS you codify it separately.

 

[RWK]

In the current directories - Does it state that plainly ?.......The last time I looked at a directory, it did not then. I know the minimums should include delivery........but the point I was making that they just would not come out and put it in print simply

 

[RWK]

Ok Toto, JB, Cathy, Others - Come on.....Add in your stuff about FTD now.

 

[lori042499]

Rick,

Years ago, the deliveries were so small and insignificant that it didn't take much from the flowers to make a difference...It was always known that the delivery would come out of the flowers but 3-5 dollars only meant a couple of stems of daisies or so....now with 7-15 dollar deliveries it is a bigger deal and greatly impacts the integrity of the flower arrangement...There are still many a local florist selling a 50.00 flower arrangement and forwarding that off to another florist without adding in local delivery charges, I see it everyday like a 50.00 funeral piece, I can do one and mine start there but I'll be darned if I will send only 50.00 to a florist out of town and expect that they can make something nice, I know that is a complaint waiting to happen when they take their 10.00 delivery out....but I get them every day with statements like please make showy, or for a good customer,,,,ha I say and forward it to someone who wants to deal with that crap...

I would say that in the last 3 years I have seen the vast majority of shops finally put a separate codified delivery charge in the book....because it is stated now that without a codified delivery charge a florist has the right to assume you have none(which is stupid)

 

[RWK]

.... we now know that unless your codified price includes a delivery and/or you have a codified delivery price stated, the sending florist can assume you offer free delivery. ......

one more fact to add for a side by side comparison of the BIG three advantages and disadvantages.