It's a very handy little program called Snag-it from TechSmith...
And for what ever reason, both Teleflora and FTD have left my posts up, and I still have access... hmmm...
Teleflora blames the Florists!
- Thread starter BOSS
- Start date
And for what ever reason, both Teleflora and FTD have left my posts up, and I still have access... hmmm...
Perhaps, just perhaps, in a perverse way, TF & FTD (and other WS?) blaming florists does has a silver lining. If TF, FTD et cetera continue to blame the florists, maybe the consumer will wonder "Why blame the florist? Isn't that rather odd? Why is it their fault?" If there is enough blaming of the florist going on, aren't TF shooting themselves in the foot? FTD and 1-800 also, but to a lesser extent because of their drop ship.
I might be desperately looking for the proverbial silver-lining in the approach the wires appear to be taking but there are invariably more ways of looking at things. It is the patronizing drivel the wires spout to the florists that annoys me.
I might be desperately looking for the proverbial silver-lining in the approach the wires appear to be taking but there are invariably more ways of looking at things. It is the patronizing drivel the wires spout to the florists that annoys me.
lori042499
Well-Known Member
- May 3, 2006
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Most people don't separate the florists from tf or ftd..They don't understand that the florists are independant entities..nor do many care especially at the point where their flowers were screwed up...at that point all they care about is that their order didn't get there and they want it fixed...if it doesn't get fixed to their liking they hate everyone...there in lies the problem, even those of us that don't deal with the wires anymore, still have to battle the ever growing awareness that the floral industry as a whole sucks...because so many people don't know the difference between brokers, wire services and independant florists and frankly noone whould have to to get what they need...
I liken it to event tickets, I am often dissapointed to find out that the ticket place has no more tickets within 5 minutes of sale at the reasonable price just to find out that there are tons of tickets available for outrageous prices because ticket agencies bought them all up...now I am forced to pay crazy ass prices for tickets all because I have to use a ticket broker...I hate that, I don't understand why it happens or who lets it happen, all I know that in the end I pay way too much money for tickets to silly events and feel ripped of and end up not going to the events period, the artist in the end loses on me and it wasn't any of their fault....
I liken it to event tickets, I am often dissapointed to find out that the ticket place has no more tickets within 5 minutes of sale at the reasonable price just to find out that there are tons of tickets available for outrageous prices because ticket agencies bought them all up...now I am forced to pay crazy ass prices for tickets all because I have to use a ticket broker...I hate that, I don't understand why it happens or who lets it happen, all I know that in the end I pay way too much money for tickets to silly events and feel ripped of and end up not going to the events period, the artist in the end loses on me and it wasn't any of their fault....
Lori, I do understand your analogy and do not necessarily disagree with your sentiments. However, so much of the world today is based around "middlemen" - think on-line travel "agents"; credit-card processors; in a way, franchises et cetera - that I do feel people understand when we describe the WS as "middlemen" taking their (substantial?) cut when appropriate in a conversation with the consumer, just as your event ticket agent takes their cut for good or bad reasons.
Check out what this order gatherer's website says:
http://www.getflowers.com/Best-Sellers
"Note:This higher price is from delivery from May 1st until the day after Mother's Day because local florists raise their prices during this time for all flowers, even for orders not related to Mother's Day."
Talk about blaming the florists that make it possible for them to even take the flippin' orders!
We mistakenly took an order from them under the guise of "New City Florist" after they claimed to be a brick and mortar in NYC. The delivery was for a very rural address and we were given an incorrect phone number and address. We attempted delivery but couldn't for obvious reasons. WE called them and asked for a correct phone number and didn't hear back-called back again and were on hold forever. Today they called and want us to go back. Umm....sure, for another $18 delivery fee. We have spend over two hours trying to get this order delivered. Haven't heard back from them.....we will happily cancel and refund their money.
I'm sure we're the bad guys in all of this.
http://www.getflowers.com/Best-Sellers
"Note:This higher price is from delivery from May 1st until the day after Mother's Day because local florists raise their prices during this time for all flowers, even for orders not related to Mother's Day."
Talk about blaming the florists that make it possible for them to even take the flippin' orders!
We mistakenly took an order from them under the guise of "New City Florist" after they claimed to be a brick and mortar in NYC. The delivery was for a very rural address and we were given an incorrect phone number and address. We attempted delivery but couldn't for obvious reasons. WE called them and asked for a correct phone number and didn't hear back-called back again and were on hold forever. Today they called and want us to go back. Umm....sure, for another $18 delivery fee. We have spend over two hours trying to get this order delivered. Haven't heard back from them.....we will happily cancel and refund their money.
I'm sure we're the bad guys in all of this.
Rhonda
Well-Known Member
Sandy, they are also known as Ava's Flowers - and do have doorway pages to every town in the US and beyond...
Consumers as a whole do not seperate the agency processing their order online/800-number and the shop filling it. When something goes wrong, the local florist takes the hit in reputation as well as (if not instead of) FTD, JF, TF etc.
An illustration of this is Chattanooga Florist in my town. Giftree has created an AdWords site named Chattanooga-florist.com, and they are destroying the reputation of a family owned shop that has served my city since 1933. I had a handful of customers come into my shop last minute because "Chattanooga Florist" just backed out on an order they placed days before. ALL of them went through the giftree site thinking it was a local shop. I explained to them what was going on, and even tho they were mostly smartphone and iPadophiles, they had no idea that's how the system worked.
An illustration of this is Chattanooga Florist in my town. Giftree has created an AdWords site named Chattanooga-florist.com, and they are destroying the reputation of a family owned shop that has served my city since 1933. I had a handful of customers come into my shop last minute because "Chattanooga Florist" just backed out on an order they placed days before. ALL of them went through the giftree site thinking it was a local shop. I explained to them what was going on, and even tho they were mostly smartphone and iPadophiles, they had no idea that's how the system worked.
Yup Jamie... that's why educating the CONsumer is so important....
Keep filling y'all... perpetuate the fraud.
Keep filling y'all... perpetuate the fraud.
Hi Lori...
This is EXACTLY what is DESTROYING the US Flower Market.
Here's what happens over and over again: The customer places an order with FTD with unsatisfactory results. So, the NEXT order goes to 1-800-FLOWERS with the same outcome. Finally, they turn to TELEFLORA and get burned again.
What does the consumer think? "I tried all the best florist s in the country and got gypped! I GIVE UP ON FLOWERS!"
Unfortunately, I see no (positive) end in sight. All we can do is the best we can. I wish I thought it was enough!
All the best,
Bill
anytimeflowers
Linda
What I find puzzling is on the Teleflora website, they have included comments on designs, apparently from actual consumers.
A quick zip through the TF site shows commented upon arrangements with 4 (out of 5) or higher starts for all that I saw in the scan of the site.
Clearly there are a lot of satisfied consumers commenting the TF website: congratulations to all those florists concerned. There is the occasional grumble but, over-all to get a seeming average of 4.5 out of 5, that is a darned good score (and I note no TF praises to the florist for achieving that high grade).
But who are all these throngs of delighted consumers? Why do so few comment on the TF Facebook page alongside those complainers there? Why so few negative comments on the TF website under arrangements? All these unanswered questions.
I would certainly not think TF are being deceptive about what they publish for they would surely not indulge in fraud. So how is all this happening? It just does not add up.
I do wish those irate consumers - in this case of TF - would voice their complaints on the TF site under the arrangement they received. Any removal by TF of the comments -assuming them to be fair and accurate- would find TF guilty of fraud. But no, TF would never do that.
A quick zip through the TF site shows commented upon arrangements with 4 (out of 5) or higher starts for all that I saw in the scan of the site.
Clearly there are a lot of satisfied consumers commenting the TF website: congratulations to all those florists concerned. There is the occasional grumble but, over-all to get a seeming average of 4.5 out of 5, that is a darned good score (and I note no TF praises to the florist for achieving that high grade).
But who are all these throngs of delighted consumers? Why do so few comment on the TF Facebook page alongside those complainers there? Why so few negative comments on the TF website under arrangements? All these unanswered questions.
I would certainly not think TF are being deceptive about what they publish for they would surely not indulge in fraud. So how is all this happening? It just does not add up.
I do wish those irate consumers - in this case of TF - would voice their complaints on the TF site under the arrangement they received. Any removal by TF of the comments -assuming them to be fair and accurate- would find TF guilty of fraud. But no, TF would never do that.
Since we are a Teleflora member I have been trying to educate folks on the Teleflora Facebook page, so far I haven't been kicked off. Most of the folks on there are complaining because of nondelivery of flowers and that TF had not notified them by email in a timely manner so they could make other arrangements, like calling a florist direct, DUH. Some of them waited until Saturday to order and expected a delivery that day since their order was accepted. Some of the folks are getting refunds, some are only getting a coupon for 50% off their next order, that's robbery in my book.
As expected, some people are blaming us but most are blaming Teleflora. They cannot, or will not, understand why all they can't get through to customer service at the same time and are complaining about the wait and they want their refund NOW.
My purpose in participating is to educate a few folks at a time no matter where they live. I see a few other florists also posting and I think a few folks have gotten it, next time they'll use a local florist. People have no idea we don't get their phone number, only the recipient, they mistakenly think TF owns all the filling Teleflora shops and that TF can make us do what they want, including ordering all the containers. I think it has been very educational for me as to all the different mindsets and misconceptions of the customers, I always underestimate how befuddled these people can be.
As expected, some people are blaming us but most are blaming Teleflora. They cannot, or will not, understand why all they can't get through to customer service at the same time and are complaining about the wait and they want their refund NOW.
My purpose in participating is to educate a few folks at a time no matter where they live. I see a few other florists also posting and I think a few folks have gotten it, next time they'll use a local florist. People have no idea we don't get their phone number, only the recipient, they mistakenly think TF owns all the filling Teleflora shops and that TF can make us do what they want, including ordering all the containers. I think it has been very educational for me as to all the different mindsets and misconceptions of the customers, I always underestimate how befuddled these people can be.
anytimeflowers
Linda
And why wouldn't they be confused. Every one of these companies advertises something about "Our florists".
bootcampguy
Well-Known Member
In other terms, deception, Or another term, fraud ( ie: something intended to deceived others, typically claiming unjustifable qualities..which here means if we removed bad or disappointing comments, our average score rises and, thereby, we deceive).
Do you really mean Teleflora would break the law? Surely not!
anytimeflowers
Linda
What law? I am not a lawyer, and although I understand and appreciate your sarcasm, I don't think there is any law that governs reviews like that. We have a hard time even getting law passed to deal with deceitful order gatherers. Disappointing but true.
Deception is fraud. Fraud is illegal. I am not a lawyer either but laws against deception / fraud exist. The issue is catching a fraudster with proof that the law accepts.
I have not said that TF removes reviews -good, bad or indifferent ones- but it is mighty strange that they receive such plaudits and congratulations on their website but elsewhere, there are a mass of negative comments. As has been pointed out, a sizeable chunk of the negative statements on TF's Facebook appear to be disappointment over service -although not all of them and there are complaint websites on the internet and TF receives its' share of negatives on those.
I have not said that TF removes reviews -good, bad or indifferent ones- but it is mighty strange that they receive such plaudits and congratulations on their website but elsewhere, there are a mass of negative comments. As has been pointed out, a sizeable chunk of the negative statements on TF's Facebook appear to be disappointment over service -although not all of them and there are complaint websites on the internet and TF receives its' share of negatives on those.
lori042499
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Many shops on their wesites have a selected bunch of reviews, to bolster their credability...not too many people are going to put their bad reviews intentionally on their website...if you have ever seen some of those paid ad commercials for weight loss with customer testimonials...I am sure that there are many more who didn't lose weight that didn't have nice things to say, but they don't include those...there is no law that says you have to tell anyone what bad things are said about your product, you just cannot make up good testimonials...as long as you are using real true testimonials you are all good, leaving out the bad is just how marketing goes....would any of you intentionally put your worst complaint front and center on your website for the world to see or in print ad??
anytimeflowers
Linda
To answer your question Lori, in a word....nope. I have the ability on my Strider site and also used to on FSN. I get an email notifying me there is a new comment and I have the option to show it or not. So far, I have had one comment, and I chose to make it public. Of course, it was a good review. 