Some thoughts to the Wire Sevices

[bloomz]

As our economy worsens, REAL FLORISTS are forced to take a HARD LOOK at their PROFITABILITY NUMBERS while checking them twice, just to see, whose been naughty or nice.

Once they figure out their one time partners have changed the rules (once again) and to the point where they have become a LIABILITY rather than an ASSET on their spreadsheets, it becomes THEIR TIME TO GO!

Toto - how many real florists you know that are even capable of looking at their real profitability numbers and locating the cause of the hemmoraging?

Five? Ten?

Most of them, way way most of them, constantly confuse busy-ness with profitability and the final test is whether you get a check or write a check.

I know - been there, done that.

It's George Bush's fault. This wasn't necessary in the Clinton years.

I'm sure glad we got our start in the Clinton years. It gave us 8 years of fairly easy profitability to figure this stuff out.

 

[TOTO]

YUP! That's the sad part of the WS Ponzi Scheme.

Toto - how many real florists you know that are even capable of looking at their real profitability numbers and locating the cause of the hemorrhaging?

Five? Ten?

Most of them, way way most of them, constantly confuse busy-ness with profitability and the final test is whether you get a check or write a check.

I know - been there, done that.

It's George Bush's fault. This wasn't necessary in the Clinton years.

I'm sure glad we got our start in the Clinton years. It gave us 8 years of fairly easy profitability to figure this stuff out.

HEY JB! We've all been there and done that too, at some point in our Florist careers.

Even MEE, and back in the day (pre 1984) had all seven, Teleflora, FTD, Florafax, AFS, RFS, CARIK, and FCN.

Busy as all get out and still making money back then. What I didn't know, until I learned LOTUS was that, the profits we were making on all of our 100% sale business was secretly being siphoned off and cost shifted over to the HIDDEN LOOSING SIDE of filling all those discounted incoming orders.

Anyway, Lotus then, and EXCEL now, takes all of the guesswork out of the big question of: ARE FILLING INCOMING WIRE ORDERS PROFITABLE?

If they are not, and as you always point out, It's the fault of George Bush, probably both 41 and 43.

Now, the real question: "Who's the biggest Liberal in the Senate gonna pick for his running mate come November?" Will he lean towards a bigger Socialist than him or just keep it a CLEAN COMMUNIST TICKET?

Both of them have already stated that, they want to TAX the Oil Company profits even more than they already do now.

With Exxon netting 4% after taxes and DA GOVERNMENT netting 12% IN TOTAL TAXES, no one seems to question TAX GOUGING?

Hillary stated that, maybe DA GOVERNMENT should TAKE OVER all of our Oil Companies, just like she wants to do with our Health Care system.

Nationalize all of our Domestic Oil producers, just like the Venezuelan dictator, President Hugo Chavez has done?

Could any of us ever imagine that, in this Republic of ours, we would have any candidates espousing a Government take over of personal property as protected under our Constitution? Talk about CHANGE, ey?

Considering what a wonderful job they have done in destroying our Social Security System and Medicare, anyone thinking a Government run Health care system or a National Oil Producing system is an answer, they should get out their GOVERNMENT RATIONING BOOKS NOW!

Not only will they tell you how many months it will be before they'll give you an appointment for the MRI you need for the headaches you've been having, they will also tell you how much gas you'll be allowed to put in your Government approved car, what day you can get it, and how much you can use to drive to that Government run facility. If your gas day is odd, and your MRI is even, OH WELL?

 

[sfox]

Toto - how many real florists you know that are even capable of looking at their real profitability numbers and locating the cause of the hemmoraging?

Five? Ten?

Most of them, way way most of them, constantly confuse busy-ness with profitability and the final test is whether you get a check or write a check.

I know - been there, done that.

It's George Bush's fault. This wasn't necessary in the Clinton years.

I'm sure glad we got our start in the Clinton years. It gave us 8 years of fairly easy profitability to figure this stuff out.

Bloomz, the point is it doesn't make much difference if they fall because they are going out of business, or Bush did it, or they are going wire service free. The point is they will NOT be there to pay the fees the wire services need to survive. And it's happening faster than they planned.

And maybe those Clinton years were actually bad for the industry because it allowed people who had no business being a florist to be successful.

 

[Mikey the Flower Guy]

And maybe those Clinton years were actually bad for the industry because it allowed people who had no business being a florist to be successful.

Now THAT makes sense......

 

[bloomz]

HEY JB! We've all been there and done that too, at some point in our Florist careers.

But you didn't answer my question - how many do you know that is capable of figuring that out, maybe make that willing to?

Bloomz, the point is it doesn't make much difference if they fall because they are going out of business, or Bush did it, or they are going wire service free. The point is they will NOT be there to pay the fees the wire services need to survive. And it's happening faster than they planned.

And maybe those Clinton years were actually bad for the industry because it allowed people who had no business being a florist to be successful.

Call the cops - Fox is right.

Didn't Bob once talk something about $500 a month to be some kind of Gold Star FTD Shop? (before my time with them)

It could happen.

 

[BOSS]

If only Griff was around to see all of this.

Ohhhhh he's *around*

And yes, I'm pretty sure he's chuckling to himself a bit...

Despite the reasons, which are many and varied, some of which have been mentioned in this thread... membership numbers have and will continue to decline, and my guess is that the pace will increase, with a fairly large number coming in the next round, this fall.

Also obvious, is that the wires while they know they have a problem, are doing nothing to stem the tide, still thinking that they can simply sign up the next shop down the street, but as some leave, their competition hears about it, reflects, and hopefully makes the choice to simply say NO and go on as they currently are.

Time again, will tell, but I'm pretty sure they're headed toward another coverage issue, that this time, will not be so easily repaired.

 

[MANORVILLE]

Ohhhhh he's *around*

And yes, I'm pretty sure he's chuckling to himself a bit...

Despite the reasons, which are many and varied, some of which have been mentioned in this thread... membership numbers have and will continue to decline, and my guess is that the pace will increase, with a fairly large number coming in the next round, this fall.

Also obvious, is that the wires while they know they have a problem, are doing nothing to stem the tide, still thinking that they can simply sign up the next shop down the street, but as some leave, their competition hears about it, reflects, and hopefully makes the choice to simply say NO and go on as they currently are.

Time again, will tell, but I'm pretty sure they're headed toward another coverage issue, that this time, will not be so easily repaired.

Remembering the days of " PAY IT FORWARD " <<<---ManorMan


Thanks BOSS

 

[bloomz]

Ohhhhh he's *around*

And yes, I'm pretty sure he's chuckling to himself a bit...

Despite the reasons, which are many and varied, some of which have been mentioned in this thread... membership numbers have and will continue to decline, and my guess is that the pace will increase, with a fairly large number coming in the next round, this fall.

It's certainly time to figure out a good boxed flower shipper.

 

[Connie]

For those of you who are leaving the wire services: First, congratulations and enjoy the clean air of independence! Second, use a separate CC for your wire-outs because it will be easier to check the statement. Third, investigate IFA.

Good luck and more power to you!

 

[master J]

For those of you who are leaving the wire services: First, congratulations and enjoy the clean air of independence! Second, use a separate CC for your wire-outs because it will be easier to check the statement. Third, investigate IFA.

Good luck and more power to you!

Thanks Connie! My last day with TF is July 31!!!!

I will be definitly using a seperate CC for wire outs and I am considering IFA, thanks!:yourock:

 

[Connie]

Thanks Connie! My last day with TF is July 31!!!!

I will be definitly using a seperate CC for wire outs and I am considering IFA, thanks!:yourock:

You are most welcome!

 

[Mikey the Flower Guy]

we've seen this trend time and time again....membership numbers going down, then going back up, as florists re-align their priorities.
When economic times dictate contraction, florists, like ANY other business, look at cost saving measures, like "dumping" their WS flavour, and when times get better, historically, shops RETURN to the WS stable.
THIS cycle seems a little "different" BUT, many shops WILL NOT return to graze upon the "fields of wire service", because they WON'T exist anymore!!
We've already "discussed" many shop's inabilities to "change"....THIS environment, WILL CHANGE them for good!!
Many wire service insiders are bitterly complaining about coverage issues, HOWEVER, it is the consumer that will be hurt the most!!
We've all preached returning to your REAL FLORIST for REAL SOLUTIONS, and consumers will soon find out, that they are ON THEIR OWN, in many cases!!
Whether good or bad, this shakedown is going to have MAJOR repercussions to the entire floral industry, and I CAN guarantee you, that the REAL FLORIST, will NOT be the REAL WINNER!!

 

[MANORVILLE]

Well said Mikey. Thank you .