So, here's ANOTHER question why do we "keep" FTD/TF??

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Mikey the Flower Guy

Mikey the Flower Guy

It's a GREAT DAY to live, and love!
Nov 10, 2002
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as it stands, many of us have decided to stop, or curtail carrying "codified" products from the wire services!
Here' the REAL QUESTION...do we "keep a traditional wire service because that's what we've ALWAYS done, is it for incoming orders, is it for outgoing orders, or is it because you MUST HAVE their overpriced and seasonal sensitive containers??
IF you keep on just for outgoing, and by some accounts, membership fees have risen near the $200.00 mark per month, what is YOUR TRUE COST for sending out each and every order??
IF you keep on, just for recieving, are you SURE YOU UNDERSTAND, how much it costs YOU, to "acquire" each and every order incoming??
IF you keep on, just because you MUST HAVE their "containers" do you ACTUALLY UNDERSTAND, how much each ne of those "specials" costs you??
And FINALLY, since ther are SO MANY OPTIONS out there, IF ALL YOU WANT is a cheap way to send and recieve orders, WHY DO WE continue to pay these way out of line membership fees, just for sending and recieving??
Since THEIR (WS's) bottom line is so important, why isn't YOURS??
Mike
 
Though question to answer. Some people who say f they stay with FTD it is for the brand. THey say people believe in FTd first then telelfora. THe consumer, they really don't care less how we get the order there. Some says they like to send and see what is sent, which mean the branded items works.
Why do we keep wire service. Maybe it was a easy solution to send orders. Now it has became a costly venture to have 2 wire services. So is one the answer? and the $10,000.00 question is Which one? Teleflora, FTd or blossom network or A1 Florist?
I guess it all depends on the wire services out there.
Luc
 
We're currently FTD, Teleflora and A1 - though I don't consider A1 the same as the first two.

We're with FTD because for the most part, we don't mind their specials, we like the product available to us through marketplace, we have good relationships with FTD florists (many are here on this board) and we enjoy a good and constructive relationship with our FBC.

I frankly don't know why in the heck we stay with Teleflora beyond 'coverage' issues. Our Rep is a joke (a rather sick and weak one), their codified product generally blows IMNSHO. Unfortunately for me (and fortunately for them) it's not my call.

Audra
 
It's like buying a Chevy

My guess on this issue of why we stay or why we belong to those services is because we have done so for years and years.

My father would only by Ford and I would only buy Chevy but when I found better quality in the years of getting older and wiser I jumped to Ford until that quality goes out the door.

Mikey, my mother is hanging on with TF (not my choice) for now because she asked the question "we need a system to send out orders" and I pointed to the phone on the wall in the shop and said " There is the best method to send out orders". Live talk with someone else on the other end to discuss our customers orders....that way the florist can tell you what flowers they have to work with. The electronic sending method is good but its just a BLIND ORDER waiting for the bounce around until it ends up in a junk shop.

Going direct with a little help in orgs such as etfa or ifa or blossoms takes some time.

We need a Florist Rehab center called GDSM (go direct save money) if their was 10 people who "dried out" from the addiction of TFTD then they would tell 10 people and so on and so on.

Ok off my soap box for now...
 
We're with TF because the cost per order for sending is less than $1 before factoring in rebates & sending commission. The holiday containers sell - just be smart and carry only the ones you think you can move. Don't be afraid to sell out, rather than overstock. Same applies to everyday codified.

Our rep is great - I do know Audra's rep, and she's right, in her case. For us, the service is top notch. Coverage is never an issue since they have "Committment to Coverage" which preceded Domestic Retrans.

Most of our OG orders came through FTD - they've dried up since we left.

Blossoms is an affordable second choice with good service and affordable rates. I'm not yet sure if they are a viable alternative for our full volume of outwires, but we're happy to be on board with BN. They don't, however, have the full suite of services offered by the Big 2 that many shops put to good use.

Having a WS is good for my bottom line, no question. I'll continue to use them as long as they are profitable to me.
 
I would pretty much ditto Ryan on this. Our FTD rep was a total waste and I do like our TF rep. At some point we will probably drop TF but right now we get to many requests for TF product. I rarely ever have to ask for more money with TF florists, in fact most of the orders I get from them are priced higher than what I would charge in my own shop, so I fill to value and everyone is happy.
As we build our local business we have less and less of a need for a wire service at all and from what I can tell based on this past holidays numbers more and more shops are having the same results.
 
A1-Florists is not!!

Originally posted by Luc
$10,000.00 question is Which one? Teleflora, FTd or blossom network or A1 Florist?
I guess it all depends on the wire services out there.
Luc
Click to expand...

Luc,

PLEASE don't put A1-Florists in the same category as the wire services!!!

A1-Florists is a web based network of florists all getting 100% direct orders from the consumer!!

Several member florists lately have requested that we set up a internet based order transfer system since we have most of the equipment and technology in place already for consumers ordering on the internet through our secure server, and we are working on that hoping to have it available to A1-Florists members soon. But this would only be a method of transferring orders between members using their own credit cards for payment. WE ARE NOT AND WILL NOT BE A CLEARING HOUSE!!!!!!!
 
John, how do you build your local business up? We are trying some new things this year while keeping up with the things that worked last year. Our membership with the local chamber of commerce has finaly yielded substantial business and our affliation with a national catering association has also proved to be somewhat successful What are you doing to bring in local business? What is your competition like in numbers and what do you do when a customer calls and want to send out of town. We happen to be fortunate and have a national account.......without a decent amount of images for them to chose from on their extanet, we would lose them to someone who does. As torqued as I am about what FTD did with the board, I do believe that the logo and the recognition has helped us with this account.........Now I really do want some newer ideas regarding bringing in new business to our shop.Share please
sher
 
Ok Ok , that is what Mikey told me....
Luc
 
I have recieved correspondance from Caroline...

Barni at FTD, and she was candid with her response, and I appreciated the honesty and overall explanation for the sudden decision to drop the FTD Bulletin Board so unceremoniously!!
Mike
 
Must be something implanted by HQ. when she called here after Christmas and I asked her for a reason she didn't have one.
 
OK...DIRECTLY, from an FTD source....

as I had several back and forth messaging going on with different people within the organization, here is the reason(s) for the FTD Bulletin Board suddenly disappearing, and it appears that the decision was made because of apparent escalation..

(QUOTE)"Thank you for your candid response and your participation on the FTD bulletin board. We apologize for your frustration in regards to this part of our site no longer being available and we want you to know that it IS important for us to communicate with you.

We are looking at several new formats to bring members together in constructive ways to share ideas and help fellow members improve their business, and we hope you will want to be a part of our efforts to try new things. The open communication forum was a very positive aspect of the site but, unfortunately, some individuals used it as a vehicle to personally attack fellow members and the purpose of the site was being compromised.

As we begin to introduce our new efforts, I am certain that there will be new opportunities for communication forums that will allow member-to-member interaction and I hope you will see the benefits you enjoyed on the board increased through these opportunities."(quote)

Mike
 
Please allow me to interpret:

(QUOTE)"Thank you for your candid (truthful and frank which we can't stand) response and your participation on the FTD bulletin board . We apologize for your frustration in regards to this part of our site no longer being available (but don't really care since its our bat and ball and we want to go home) and we want you to know that it IS important for us to communicate with you (from as far away and as slowly as possible) .

We are looking at several new formats (smoke signals, brail) to bring members together in constructive ways to share ideas and help fellow members improve their business(as long as no one discusses anything we do), and we hope you will want to be a part of our efforts to try new things. The open communication forum was a very positive(ly embarrasing) aspect of the site but, unfortunately, some individuals used it as a vehicle to personally attack fellow members and the purpose of the site (to indoctrinate the troops) was being compromised.

As we begin to introduce our new efforts(as slowly as possible) , I am certain that there will be new opportunities for communication forums that will allow member-to-member interaction (as long as they kiss our *sses) and I hope you will see the benefits you enjoyed on the board increased through these opportunities(although once the Green Group takes over I wouldn't hold my breath.) "(quote)

No offense to anyone - I just couldn't resist...
 
hehehehehehehehehehehehehehehe

talk about "reading between the lines!!"
Being creative, is just "part" of you....and funny!
Mike
 
Well done. :) and true too...
 
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