Thanksgiving Volume ?????

[MANORVILLE]

Guess this is as good a time as any to ask the big question.

Is the holiday volume great, good, OK, ah so so, lousy, sucks or dead ?

 

[shannonlovesflowers]

Thanksgiving centerpiece sales have sucked for years as far as I can see.

But who knows...

I am however willing to make centerpieces for just about any price this year if they are picked up.

Delivered centerpieces will need to be at least $30.

Last year We started them at $40 or $50

 

[aileen_c]

well I noticed on Saturday when I was at work that we got several thanksgiving centerpiece orders. most were over $60. we'll see on wednesday how it is...that's when I work...AYE!!

 

[lori042499]

I have 3 orders for tuesday so far...Yup, you got it 3...I think I may cry...not sure how to buuy, what to buy, I hate this...

I also have to be in court tuesday from 10-12 from my accident when I got hit by that car last year...and have noone to answer my phone I ahve tried and tried to get someone but to no avail...I am frustrated and last year I did over a 1000.00 worth of biz in those hours...life suks right now...

 

[bloomz]

I see Teleflora is playing to the pocketbook with ad copy such as "not travelling because of the economy? Send flowers"

 

[lisa greene]

Holiday orders look good at this point but, Thanksgiving volume for us is 40% cash and carry. So we build it and hope they come!

 

[Connie]

Our centerpiece orders are up. They'd have to be if we have any at all. We had very few orders for centerpieces last Thanksgiving. We have no orders that specified cornucopias yet.

 

[BOSS]

We have no orders that specified cornucopias yet.

That's odd... we've sold 12-14 already.... the dang things have been in the basement for a decade or so

 

[master J]

so so at best.....we will see what the next 3 days brings???

 

[Connie]

That's odd... we've sold 12-14 already.... the dang things have been in the basement for a decade or so

Yes, we have a case of them, left from last year. We're going to be encouraging ("pushing") them today as our Thanksgiving Special.

 

[sweetpeas]

I have 3 orders for tuesday so far...Yup, you got it 3...I think I may cry...not sure how to buuy, what to buy, I hate this...

I also have to be in court tuesday from 10-12 from my accident when I got hit by that car last year...and have noone to answer my phone I ahve tried and tried to get someone but to no avail...I am frustrated and last year I did over a 1000.00 worth of biz in those hours...life suks right now...

Lets see what we can do .... How about ,forward your calls to your cell and change your phone message to something like" Happy Thanksgiving let us deliver the perfect ???? To place your order leave us your phone number and what we will be sending for you .... we will call you very shorty to complete your order.
You will no doubt have to work late after court,however we are used to that,right !!!
You may not be able to return calls during court but you can before and after .

 

[MANORVILLE]

Interesting to say the least.

Of all the shops I've spoken to over the weekend I'd guesstimate that only a handful were comfortable and optimistic.
Most reported flat volume and only two had 50 or more orders in.

We have the repeat biz from the locals and the phones are strong but the rest is dead.

Og's are calling off the hook and this is not a good sign at all.
Wish I would have at least gotten kissed before.....................!!!!!!!!

I wish everyone the best. Grit your teeth, dust off the basement storage and hope for the best. Don't overspend. Watch the patterns carefully.
If you sell out then so be it, cause getting stuck this holiday is the wrong move.
Win lose or draw I'm outa here at 3 PM Thursday.

Good luck to everyone.

 

[lori042499]

Lets see what we can do .... How about ,forward your calls to your cell and change your phone message to something like" Happy Thanksgiving let us deliver the perfect ???? To place your order leave us your phone number and what we will be sending for you .... we will call you very shorty to complete your order.
You will no doubt have to work late after court,however we are used to that,right !!!
You may not be able to return calls during court but you can before and after .

Yes, I do this each and everyday any way..But my message will be changed slightly...I do point them in the direction of my website but phone people rarely ever deflect to the web once calling and only regulars will leave a message, most will just move on to the next florist in the list...We shall see how it goes...Last time I went to court they would even allow my phone in because it has a camera in it..

 

[krisala]

For us it is dead. NO orders at all, but it is only Monday. Can't believe I'm actually hoping for last minute people. Happy Thanksgiving to ALL!!!

 

[MANORVILLE]

Just off with several more phone conversations with shop owners not in Long Island.

Growing concern about WS affiliation with all trying to figure out how to stay in business if they separate.
Seems most cannot survive without them and want to make the break but are afraid they will lose their business.
Never seen so much talk of separation entering into the prime seasons.
Really makes you stop and take notice.

I really don't know what to say to people anymore other than :
DO NOT GO INTO THESE HOLIDAYS WITH HIGH EXPECTATIONS !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

WORK AS IF YOUR LIFE DEPENDS ON IT,,,,,,,,,CAUSE IT DOES, BUT EXPECT THE NUMBERS TO BE WAY OFF !
IF THINGS ARE BAD , YOU WERE PREPARED.
IF THINGS GO WELL, YOU'RE AHEAD OF THE GAME.


Just a thought : What better time to campaign for customer business than Thanksgiving ?
Coin a phrase and get some signage Giving Thanks for your loyal customers over the years.


Whaddya all think about a bumper sticker, maybe available in several sizes, that could be tied to a web campaign through our own sites ?

Real Florists, No Surcharges


Ideas ?????????????????????

 

[BOSS]

Growing concern about WS affiliation with all trying to figure out how to stay in business if they separate.

Seems most cannot survive without them and want to make the break but are afraid they will lose their business.

Sounds like the alcoholic that's afraid to stop drinking and get sober, or the Meth addict that thinks they can't live with out a fix...no difference at all!

Trust me, life IS better sober!

BOSS<<< so far 279 OFN's (other florist numbers) given out in November...

 

[inferno63]

I'm slow but still kicking. I still haven't caught up from the flat summer sales and now another bump that adds to the accounts payable list. Onward soldiers!

 

[PhillyPhlorist]

We'll See...

This week will be kind of a 'test' as to what Christmas will bring. For us anyway, if we have a good TG, we have a good C-mas. Last year, we were up 5% for TG, and C-mas turned out to be good as well.
This has held true for the past 3 years.

As of today, not sure where we stand, as I start tracking #'s today. But, we have sold out of the FTD Cornucopias (24 of them - go figure), and the T3 Pumpkins. Only about 15/24 of the Tel centerpiece left, and a handful of the pitchers. T1's are plentiful - as usual.

My records indicate today is pretty much just a "busy" day. Tomorrow and Wed. will be - SHOULD be - much busier. If the weather holds, we will have decent store traffic.

I pre-booked 30% less product this year, and buying day to day. So far, plenty of flowers on the market in the Philly area, and I expect good deals to be had tomorrow for sure. Got nearly the same prices I got last year on product, with little pre-booked.

Keep your chins up, folks...it's got to get better, 'cause it can't get much worse. Dad hasn't seen things this bad EVER, and he's got nearly 40 years under his belt.

- Herb

 

[lori042499]

I got very good deals in the market this morning and so far so good today the orders are flowing in in the same manner as last year. I am happy with what is turning up so far...

I didn't pre book anything just buying what I need as I need it..

 

[goldfish]

Is the holiday volume great, good, OK, ah so so, lousy, sucks or dead ?

Lousy.

What I'm seeing is that people who used to order a lot are ordering less $ amount or not at all this year. I don't think they abandoned us. I'm guessing they just don't feel like spending money on flowers.

I'm not sure about Eastern Long Island, Kevein, but our area is hit hard by financial crisis.

The only good thing happening is that Citibank people are extremely nice these days. I get a free cup of coffee every morning.