Teleflora Web Designs

[floralane]

Is it just me,but who is "designing" these new designs? They are nothing more than 6-8 flowers plopped in a cube, oval, cylinder,ect vase. Oh, these vases are all available through Teleflora for escalated prices(+ high shipping charges). Each web design of 6-8 flowers for example, fall harvest roses,consists of 2 orange roses, 2 rust roses, 2 brick roses,2 light orange roses and 2 pale orange roses in a teleflora oval vase, nothing else, priced at 39.95. What average florist shop is going to stock 125 roses in orange shades daily just to fill a random Web design? Furthermore I think these designs are an insult to the professional florist's design ability.Has Teleflora lost it's vision? Have they become greedy at members expense? Do customers really want "designs" like this? I don't think so, at least not my customers, they come to my shop for creative design of flowers & greens and more.
When you try to discuss this with anyone who is employed by Teleflora you get silence as a response, they must pay a fortune to these employees to keep their mouths zipped.
So I wanted to vent my frustration about this and I am curious to hear your thoughts !

 

[fairfield]

I have a couple of questions for you as I am curious.

Why are you a member of Teleflora?

Do you believe that Teleflora is motivated by their florist members, customers of those florist members or teleflora.com customers?

 

[bloomz]

Don't you think they do market research, and don't you think Linda Resnick knows flowers?

I'm no cheerleader any more, but I would guess that this is what they have found people want to buy.

My feeling is, when you see them selling it, you should be taking a good look at selling it yourself - these people are selling more in a day than most of our shops sell in a year.

I know you artistes hate it (my AIFD sister does) but you can't argue with numbers of dollars spent on the stuff you don't think people should buy.

opinions vary

but cookie cutters sell

 

[fairfield]

Don't you think they do market research, and don't you think Linda Resnick knows flowers?

Honestly, I don't know anything about Linda Resnick. Was she a designer, florist, what? Not wanting to change topic, but how did she get into this?

I'm no cheerleader any more...

You said the pom-poms and skirt hanging in your office were your sisters???

 

[carol]

I think it has more to do with the ability of TEL & FTD & 800.coms to be able to direct ship items directly to consumers than any market research.
Years ago there was a lot of market research & thought put into these bokays now it is more to benefit the OG's..look at FTD's new book insert. and the fact the FTD has chosen not to print a new book. Also most of the new "florists" being signed up by FTD seem to be grocery stores and their 'designers' can't do any more than this drop into a vase design.

As for Linda R., come on Jon, you know as well as I do that they only bought Tel. because Linda needed a play toy.. a reason to feel respected.. she was never a hard working florist. By the by I hear they are selling Franklin Mint.. guess there is not the revenue stream there that there used to be.

It is a pity that the WS 's seem to be going in this direction. One of the few remaining benefits I need from a WS is the ability to send orders out enabling the receiving florist to see what my customer wants. The days of 'designer's choice' are gone folks. Customers want what they want and if you can not get a florist to send what the paying customer wants your paying customer will find another way to get it..be it an OG website direct ship item (ugly but at least they get what they see) or the customer will indeed learn to go on the internet and bypass you.
That said.. if the WS no longer wish to provide me images that I can refer to the filling florist than I will need to go elsewhere for images (John Henry's are nice) and that might just tip the balance for cost effectiveness of the WS bill. Sure I send a lot of orders so the convenience of a WS is nice but that side of my business is not growing so...WS Guys.. listen up...!!

 

[CHR]

I *think* the trend toward the rose cube drop-ins is three-fold; the squares are TF containers, Stems and Bunches has been promoting standing order roses, and most anybody can make them (including your driver). TF can help move two of their products at once and cut down on complaints about bad designs.

The products look good on the web (for their chosen style) because they fill the thumbnail shots well. They 'look' big. The disappointment kicks in when a purchaser actually sees the size of their order. Yes, the dimensions are listed right on the product pages but we have found few bother to read them.

Floralene, some customers want those designs so a sampling of the ones you're prepared to make can't hurt. OTOH, we've found that featuring our own products on our website has generated far more business - and happier customers - than any of the WS shots.

TF's site's look and feel is definitely targeting female shoppers. They do extensive market research and develop products based on consumer feedback. Bloomz is right, they know a whole lot more about the national preferences of shoppers - but you are a better judge of what sells in your own local market and to your target customers.

Stewart and Lynda Resnick are the largest private land owners in California. They have amassed a wealth valued at more than $1 Billion by seeing opportunities in floundering companies, buying them at low prices and turning them around.

They purchased the Franklin Mint and had much success in their early days but the Mint's prospects soured mainly due the steep decline in the perceived 'value' of 'collectables' brought on by the likes of eBay. I too read that the Mint was on the block and note this is the first higher-profile company they've ever sold off.

Could TF be next?

 

[12BucksFor2Dozon]

The TF designs are all about lowest common denominator flower sending...call them the "Jerry Spinger" collection. Like has been said previously they have learned over the many years of doing this that the way to achieve maximum profitability with least customer complaints is by selling VERY simple designs that untrained designers can replicate with the least possibility of messing up and getting a return.

The Resnicks could not care less about floral artistry or designer showcasing...all they care about is how good the dollars look going into their bank accounts.

 

[Pam]

One thing they may be thinking about ....

when designing (?#&$#) this type of easy style is that any shop can do it, and do lots in a day if necessary. WS designs are not created for the eye of the designer, but for the customer and recipient .... so it may not be our cup of tea .... but the average customer might just love it.

 

[bloomz]

The TF designs are all about lowest common denominator flower sending...call them the "Jerry Spinger" collection. Like has been said previously they have learned over the many years of doing this that the way to achieve maximum profitability with least customer complaints is by selling VERY simple designs that untrained designers can replicate with the least possibility of messing up and getting a return.

The Resnicks could not care less about floral artistry or designer showcasing...all they care about is how good the dollars look going into their bank accounts.

I suppose that's why they used to employ the likes of Cathy and Phil Rulloda, as well as other World Class Designers, who do their selection guides also - because they care less about flower artistry or design?

Really??? :hammer: :hammer: :hammer: :hammer: :hammer:



opinions vary...

 

[flowerknife+us]

Don't you think they do market research, and don't you think Linda Resnick knows flowers?

I'm no cheerleader any more, but I would guess that this is what they have found people want to buy.

My feeling is, when you see them selling it, you should be taking a good look at selling it yourself - these people are selling more in a day than most of our shops sell in a year.

I know you artistes hate it (my AIFD sister does) but you can't argue with numbers of dollars spent on the stuff you don't think people should buy.

opinions vary

but cookie cutters sell

I agree Bloomz. It is a style that sells. Despite the simplicity of the peace. I have still seen where the "designer really didn't know how to assemble it properly. Fortunately it wasn't from my place.

Too bad some people can't get the Cookie off the cutting board without misshaping it.

 

[flowerknife+us]

The TF designs are all about lowest common denominator flower sending...call them the "Jerry Spinger" collection. Like has been said previously they have learned over the many years of doing this that the way to achieve maximum profitability with least customer complaints is by selling VERY simple designs that untrained designers can replicate with the least possibility of messing up and getting a return.

The Resnicks could not care less about floral artistry or designer showcasing...all they care about is how good the dollars look going into their bank accounts.

Sorry 12 bucks. I beg to differ. I've been arround long enough to realize that designers who complain the most about "cookie cutter" arrangements are the ones least capable of making them. Leaving most of their "creative" work. something less than desriable as well.

The "cookie cutter" gets a bad rap because designers fail to give it the time and effort it deserves. Doing 15-50 table centerpeaces for 25$ or 150$ is still doing cookie cutter work.

?- How can anyone expect to get that 50 unit 150$ apeace order, if all the creativity in the world can't make a 25$ look anything other than a mistake?

 

[bloomz]

The TF designs are all about lowest common denominator flower sending...call them the "Jerry Spinger" collection. Like has been said previously they have learned over the many years of doing this that the way to achieve maximum profitability with least customer complaints is by selling VERY simple designs that untrained designers can replicate with the least possibility of messing up and getting a return.

The Resnicks could not care less about floral artistry or designer showcasing...all they care about is how good the dollars look going into their bank accounts.

12Bux - I notice they are good enough for you to use, advertise, and re-label as your own in-house designs, right?

http://www.usflowerhaus.com/cart/index.php/cPath/1

ouch :rofl:

 

[12BucksFor2Dozon]

Sure I do...why not use the millions of dollars that the Big 3 spend in market research to help my site. Brother Bloomz, I don't know what your obsession with me and my site is, but I will continue to use images that I paid for while a member of the wires until I decide to do otherwise.

Who knows...maybe I will copy one of *your* nOG site and use that, too...then we can really be scummy "brothers in arms"!

 

[carol]

I suppose that's why they used to employ the likes of Cathy and Phil Rulloda, as well as other World Class Designers, who do their selection guides also - because they care less about flower artistry or design?

Really??? :hammer: :hammer: :hammer: :hammer: :hammer:



opinions vary...

Jon I really hope this will continue because it was such a strong part of the WS. but with FTD's decision not to print a new book, and only use these drop in designs for an 'update' I fear that Tel will follow suit. The books are expensive and there are always complaints after their release but the books were inspirations to florists, good guides for the general public and a decent way of transferring the request of the buying customer.. We the florists paid for them but they were well worth the price in my eyes and it seems , at least for FTD , they are a thing of the past.

 

[CHR]

Those selection guides are huge undertakings, requiring extensive research, coordination and cash lay-outs for photographers, sets, studio time, designers, art directors, containers, flowers, location rental fees, layouts, printing, binding, packaging, shipping and lots of other incidentals.

90% of FTD.com's sales are handled online. (I'm not sure about TF's but I'm assuming it's comparable.)The printed books have very little benefit for them from a consumer selling standpoint. Their image needs are primarily for digital display - and those can be created as needed - making the launching of new products quite quick and fluid.

The selection guides have been profitable for the WSs in the past but I wonder how many typical shop owners would welcome a mandatory $400+ expense today - especially if they're happy with their current catalog? New catalogs also require the complete revision of websites; another costly undertaking.

I think opportunities exist for independent publishers to offer collections of images suited to B&M florists but they need to step out of the 1980's for everyday flowers.

 

[12BucksFor2Dozon]

...
I think opportunities exist for independent publishers to offer collections of images suited to B&M florists but they need to step out of the 1980's for everyday flowers.

I think this is a great point Cathy, and could not agree more. Although the "thriftiness" of most florist is legendary, and the overall dependence on cookie-cutter WS templates ubiquitous, it is my theory that over the next 5-10 years big changes are coming to this industry and those who are leaders in the new space of low-cost collection pics, open-source e-commerce, and self-promotion content creation (both with blogs and homemade pictures) through social networking sites such as mySpace and Flickr are going to see success and growth.

People these days are hungry for non-corporate production. The growth and popularity of self-produced music, art, and video on mySpace and YouTube is creating a backlash against super-slick, over-hyped productions and ad campaigns from established, boring mega-entities.

I hope some foresighted entrepreneur will create low-cost or open image libraries in the near future.

 

[bloomz]

Sure I do...why not use the millions of dollars that the Big 3 spend in market research to help my site. Brother Bloomz, I don't know what your obsession with me and my site is, but I will continue to use images that I paid for while a member of the wires until I decide to do otherwise.

I've never quite figured out what your obsession wih me and my sites are either Brother Mark - given I am one among many, and an honest one at that - I guess that because I am a verbal member of this "community" I somehow deserve your derision.

But on the other topic - legality and copyright violations be @@@@ed - you don't find it deceptive (I believe your choice of words would be "scummy"?) to take those very arrangements you are slamming, the Jerry Springer Collection, and relabel and portray them as your own in house creations?

I do and am not the only one who does. I guess this goes to show that...

really

opinions vary

all blessings :iwuvyou:

 

[12BucksFor2Dozon]

...But on the other topic - legality and copyright violations be @@@@ed - you don't find it deceptive (I believe your choice of words would be "scummy"?) to take those very arrangements you are slamming, the Jerry Springer Collection, and relabel and portray them as your own in house creations?
...

This is a valid criticism, and I take it standing tall. I lost 1000's of dollars I could not afford to lose at a very critical time in the start of my business a few years ago due to the LIES and DECECTPIVE practices of the wire service and their representatives, so like I said before I feel I have paid for the right to use these images, copyright be @@@@ed. No one offered to refund my money spent after all the promises of the wires turned out to be lies, so I now use the strength of the WS against them, as Sun-Tse's "Art of War" recommends...I especially like the "Kill with a borrowed knife" comment...

If you have noticed, I am working on images for my shop...I have posted a few here on FC in the member image area. Soon, my site will be cookie-cutter free, much to my glee. I never wanted to use those crappy Jerry Springer images but sometimes in business somethings have to give, and this was one of them.

 

[bloomz]

Good answer and I wish you well in creating your own stuff.

I doubt they would see it that way but I also don't really care. You're not the only "WS FREE" flag carrier here blasting them out of one side of the mouth whilst using their images on the other.

I really don't care - you're the one who started with the "scummy" labels and I just like pointing out the hipocracy when I see it and beside, it's just more proof that...

opinions vary.....

 

[goldfish]

when designing (?#&$#) this type of easy style is that any shop can do it, and do lots in a day if necessary. WS designs are not created for the eye of the designer, but for the customer and recipient .... so it may not be our cup of tea .... but the average customer might just love it.

If the average customers like Martha-Stewart type of flower arrangements, chances are that they like TF's arrangements, too. These arrangements are fundamentally a flat "2-dimensional" object pasted on a spherical surface. Good floral designers (as opposed to arrangers) probably prefer a true 3-D construct with lines and spaces moving around freely in 3-D, not just following the surface of a sphere, like Martha's arrangement.

I actually like TF's designs though. They are cute, femine, and I can see why many people would prefer these to, say, traditional triangular arrangements which are also 2-D in essence.