Stupid Filler Shop

[Doug Munro]

Because I actually DID read your thread, I deliberately created a separate thread to comment on isolated incidents.

It is exactly why I didn't include my comments on your thread(s), on preferred & bad fillers...I didn't want them part of your "sticky" threads.

I posted them only for discussion in terms of the state of our industry in general, & the state of certain shops' attitudes in particular.

But now that you mention it, it does make me wonder...

How can you expect there to be consistency in our industry, when there's not even any modicum of consistency in a franchise network?

How can you propose lower margins and increased customer counts as being critical to the success of florists, and then hammer me for bringing this incident of grossly inflated prices to your attention?

The problem may not be industry...it might be in your own back yard...but please go on & continue to attack the messenger...

Prestonway,

I just reread my posting to you and at no time did I attack you as the messenger. What I did do in my own defense was point out that this was an isolated incident, which to my knowledge it is. I did make the mistake at the time in that I thought both incidents occurred in two of our stores, after rereading the thread I believe(if I interpret it correctly) that only one of the incidents happened in a Grower Direct store.

As to my opinions on the industry, I stand by them. All this brings to light is that at least one of our franchisees operates in exactly the same manner as many other retail florists. Trust me, I don't consider it right regardless of who it is.

As well as rereading my own thread, I also reread yours and to be frank (no pun intended) I lost count of the slurs, profanity abbreviations, and personal attacks in it, so I do appreciate that you did not post it in that format on my thread as I am hoping to keep it from sinking to that level. We are after all business professionals.

I believe that you are giving Grower Direct and myself far too much credit for our influence on both the flower industry and the North American consumer if you truly believe that all the problems the flower industry is currently suffering originate in "my backyard".

I would suggest however that if this one particular incident has you that twisted that you find a new fulfiller in that city. I know that I would rather than elevate my blood pressure.

On a last note, as I stated previously I am going to contact our store about this so that we can resolve the problem.

 

[lori042499]

Although I could go on and on about WS blah, blah, blah..... I won't this time. I just wonder what the price would be if you happened to call direct? On Wire-Ins when I belonged to WSs, after membership fees, transmission fees, listing fees, some months I would only make 15% to 20% on a wire-in (some months were in the hole!). Applying that kind of realistic % to a wire-in latex balloon at $6.....makes the price $1.20 each which is probably what this shop was doing. They were probably trying to get their walk-in price after all the WS fees?

By the way, not saying this is ethical and I would NEVER do this so don't beat me up. I am just writing outloud trying to find a reason any shop would charge $6 for a latex. Scratching my head.....

I am sure that this is the case...many many shops charge more for anything coming in by wire...it is called skimming and it is wrong, but done all the time...it iswrong on both side of any coin you flip...

So there we have it fillers suck and senders suck....we all suck, hahahaha

 

[bloomz]

You mean - florists suck in general?

 

[lori042499]

You mean - florists suck in general?

yeah, general consensus seems to dictate that we all suck....I know I suck, do you suck???Now this is so much more constructive than just complaining about OG's, now were complaining about the whole of the industry...what a bunch of screw ups...

 

[inferno63]

I am sure that this is the case...many many shops charge more for anything coming in by wire...it is called skimming and it is wrong, but done all the time...it iswrong on both side of any coin you flip...

So there we have it fillers suck and senders suck....we all suck, hahahaha

But, but, but the WS are the skimmers, and that is okay? But, if a florist pads the price of a balloon to get what their direct order price is then that skimming is wrong? Seems to me that no matter who skims, the WS is the winner.

Again, don't beat me up. I don't necessarily agree with "skimming" although I do understand it. My ethics get in the way of me making money. I also don't agree with cheating, murder, and stealing but I do understand it to a degree. This florist may be trying to survive. Not justifying it but rather perhaps explaining it. All is up for discussion.

I don't suck, but I understand it.

 

[Bigted]

I am sure that this is the case...many many shops charge more for anything coming in by wire...it is called skimming and it is wrong, but done all the time...it iswrong on both side of any coin you flip...

So there we have it fillers suck and senders suck....we all suck, hahahaha

Lori, just because I haven't had a good argument today, isn't it called curtailling? (although technically that's not right either)

 

[lori042499]

But, but, but the WS are the skimmers, and that is okay? But, if a florist pads the price of a balloon to get what their direct order price is then that skimming is wrong? Seems to me that no matter who skims, the WS is the winner.

Again, don't beat me up. I don't necessarily agree with "skimming" although I do understand it. My ethics get in the way of me making money. I also don't agree with cheating, murder, and stealing but I do understand it to a degree. This florist may be trying to survive. Not justifying it but rather perhaps explaining it. All is up for discussion.

I don't suck, but I understand it.

not beating you up...just saying....we all suck as an industry..and not all senders or og's skim...just like not all fillers pad the prices..

 

[ivygreen]

Tiny point of reference:

Helium : .21 per 11" latex
Latex Balloon: .15
Curling ribbon: .02
.38 Total COGS

Mylar balloon: 1.25
Helium .18
Curling ribbon .02
1.45 Total COGS

2 Mylar: 2.50
6 latex: 2.28
8 curling ribbons .16
1 ballon weight 1.00
5.94 Cost of Goods sold


This is based on Qualatex balloons. 244 Cu helium tank fill at $100.

Balloon prices are quoted higher than what I pay, to allow for other peoples cost and shipping.




I think if you are going to stand on principle you need to stand on it all the time. JMHO

 

[master J]

Tiny point of reference:

Helium : .21 per 11" latex
Latex Balloon: .15
Curling ribbon: .02
.38 Total COGS

Mylar balloon: 1.25
Helium .18
Curling ribbon .02
1.45 Total COGS

2 Mylar: 1.45
6 latex: 2.28
3.73 Total COGS


This is based on Qualatex balloons. 244 Cu helium tank fill at $100.

Balloon prices are quoted higher than what I pay, to allow for other peoples cost and shipping.




I think if you are going to stand on principle you need to stand on it all the time. JMHO

Math mistake....Your 2 mylars come to $2.90 not 1.45, also the labor for blowing them up and add at least $1 cost for balloon weight

 

[ivygreen]

Math mistake....Your 2 mylars come to $2.90 not 1.45, also the labor for blowing them up and add at least $1 cost for balloon weight

I fixed it, I fixed it!

But no labor cost or markup, that's up to each shop.

I could make money on this order all day long. :dunno:

 

[flowergirl669]

Try using cans of soda or snicker bars for balloon weights. Very little cost & customer has something extra with the balloons.

 

[bloomz]

I know I suck, do you suck???

Now this is so much more constructive than just complaining about OG's, now were complaining about the whole of the industry...what a bunch of screw ups...

Well, I'm trying to quit.

Maybe I'll go on the patch.:dunno:

 

[sandytf]

I fixed it, I fixed it!

But no labor cost or markup, that's up to each shop.

I could make money on this order all day long. :dunno:

Thanks for posting that! I was thinking the exact same thing. A while back there was a thread on balloons and the original question was "do you do balloons or not?". I thought it was extremely hypocritical to complain about not making any money and then turn around and say "balloons are a PITA and we don't do them" WTF???!!!! At even the lowest prices I have seen posted for balloons they are extremely profitable! (yes, including labor). I agree with you-if you're going to apply logic to one situation, then you should apply it across the board. Where's the consistency?

ok, sorry, sort of a highjack.