Well yesterday I received that phone call that many before me have received and many more will receive at some point. It was the VP of Black and Gold saying how surprised they are to hear I am leaving and how vauled my business is to them and what can they do to keep me including making certain cost go away. Well we preceeded to dance for 45 mins and I say I did the bulk of the talking and wish I could say he did the bulk of the listening but frankly everything I hit him with slide of him like egg on a teflon coated frying pan. In the end it came down to this if you can't align yourselves with Florist For Change then we really don't have anything to talk about.
The Phone Call
- Thread starter steve
- Start date
I just had a guy from Floralsource call me and tell me he was the only wire service invited to Florist for Change. I listen for awhile and Itold him do you drop ship to funeral homes like FTD and Pro flowers and he said I never heard of that. I told him I'm tired of OG's and just the wire service in general. I told him the story of my phone call last night from Just for you flowers and wanting a standing spray for $150 in pink and white flowers white glads, pink lilies and a big bow. Told him I didn't have those flowers I'm in rural America and I don't acess to those flowers. Mind you this was for a 10:00 a.m service this morning. I told the guy from Florist source I'm mad becasue I bet some one didn't get to send flowers to a service and they most likely won't send flowers again. He kind of paused and didn't have and anser for that. I then told him I think were done with this conversation and hung up.
Flowermomma
Well-Known Member
only wire service invited to Florist for Change??? I bet the folks at Florist for Change would like his phone number if you have call display as Teleflora and FTD and Bloom a thingy were at the last meeting. 2 of the 3 spoke.
Flowermomma
Well-Known Member
they might have questions for you.. better you contact them. http://www.floristsforchange.com/contact-us.php
BOSS
FlowerChat Administrator
Flowermomma
Well-Known Member
you think they know this person is saying "guy from Floralsource call me and tell me he was the only wire service invited to Florist for Change".
BOSS
FlowerChat Administrator
we just received a phone call from a lady from SC, she is the sales rep for floral source.....she was inquiring about our interest in adding a wire service....our answer NO
I had a walk-in salesperson and 2 phone calls about FloralSource in the last two weeks. The last phone call she told me that they really need one quality shop in my town because they have no coverage here at all. I said, "Great!" She said, "so you'll join?!" I said, "No it's great that you have no coverage here."
BOSS
FlowerChat Administrator
secretgarden
Well-Known Member
FSN called me the other day and I was disappointed in the sales pitch. I know we have a lot of FSN fans on the boards but I thought I would mention this anyway.
Lie #1 ~ We don't have any way to get orders filled in your town at this time. (said after they told me that they do not have a shop in my town) http://www.flowershopnetwork.com/florists/USA/IL/Decatur/62526 ~ Really.... not only in my town but on my same STREET!!! Only one, so I will grant you they need more than that in a town of 80k but still. Please don't lie.
Lie #2 ~ We are having to get the orders filled in the next city over... Oh really, the next city over you say. Would that be the one 45 min North, 40 Min East, or 40 min West of here..... please don't lie.
I was not joining because we are comparing numbers between being wire service and no wire service. We have been wire service free since March and have a nice increase going. FSN was the ONLY one I was considering because it would make it easier to use for F2F.... now not so much.
I didn't think I was that jaded, I'm pretty new to the business LOL but I guess it happens quick.
Lie #1 ~ We don't have any way to get orders filled in your town at this time. (said after they told me that they do not have a shop in my town) http://www.flowershopnetwork.com/florists/USA/IL/Decatur/62526 ~ Really.... not only in my town but on my same STREET!!! Only one, so I will grant you they need more than that in a town of 80k but still. Please don't lie.
Lie #2 ~ We are having to get the orders filled in the next city over... Oh really, the next city over you say. Would that be the one 45 min North, 40 Min East, or 40 min West of here..... please don't lie.
I was not joining because we are comparing numbers between being wire service and no wire service. We have been wire service free since March and have a nice increase going. FSN was the ONLY one I was considering because it would make it easier to use for F2F.... now not so much.
I didn't think I was that jaded, I'm pretty new to the business LOL but I guess it happens quick.
hollyflr
Well-Known Member
Lori,
I felt the same way about being WS free. And I was resistant in joining FSN because I did not want to get into an expensive WS like deal, until a florist friend said to try them. So I did, and I have been pleased. I have my own website, so they are not trying sell me anything there, I receive 2 to10 orders a week only from florists. In the beginning, I checked out every sending florist to make sure it wasn't an OG. I send out about half of my outgoing orders because I look for a local florist on FSN, if there is not one, I check out the internet and call the order out using a credit card. I went to the 90-10% sending split because I have found that it can be difficult at times to deliver quality considering delivery costs. I am hoping more florists will consider the 90-10 split. When I call out using my credit card, I give 100% because I want my customer to get the best, the receiving florist can provide. If FSN becomes more greedy, I would drop them like a hot potato.
I am sorry you got a hard sell from the salesperson at FSN. I met Brock and Lorraine Atwill at FFC in in Atlanta and felt they were very genuine people, who have found a model that works for them.
I felt the same way about being WS free. And I was resistant in joining FSN because I did not want to get into an expensive WS like deal, until a florist friend said to try them. So I did, and I have been pleased. I have my own website, so they are not trying sell me anything there, I receive 2 to10 orders a week only from florists. In the beginning, I checked out every sending florist to make sure it wasn't an OG. I send out about half of my outgoing orders because I look for a local florist on FSN, if there is not one, I check out the internet and call the order out using a credit card. I went to the 90-10% sending split because I have found that it can be difficult at times to deliver quality considering delivery costs. I am hoping more florists will consider the 90-10 split. When I call out using my credit card, I give 100% because I want my customer to get the best, the receiving florist can provide. If FSN becomes more greedy, I would drop them like a hot potato.
I am sorry you got a hard sell from the salesperson at FSN. I met Brock and Lorraine Atwill at FFC in in Atlanta and felt they were very genuine people, who have found a model that works for them.
bootcampguy
Well-Known Member
I also agree with Susan, they are good people and Brock would want to know your experience. I would email him directly and advise him of how the "call" was handled.
secretgarden
Well-Known Member
I have had them on my list of things to consider for the new year for months, since March when we attended state convention. Everyone here seems to really like them. I just think it could have been handled better. She could have been honest and said they only had 1 rep in the area and we're in need of variety and choices for their member florists. I know I like to be able to choose from a list when I call an order out of town. I like to look for independent websites and the likes so I can see their true work, not just a picture out of a book.... sorry rambling.
I will add emailing them to my list of things to do this weekend, thanks gang!
I will add emailing them to my list of things to do this weekend, thanks gang!
roysecityfloristand gifts
Well-Known Member
Good for you Lori, discerning their sales pitch to be what it was.
I tried them for a year. They managed to almost destroy my online business by taking my website down and putting theirs in its' place.
I got virtually nothing from them (maybe 5 orders in a year!) The orders were never for my town, rather several towns over where not even that towns shops wanted to deliver. The money was crappy too.
I really have a bad taste for companies who tell lies when it's not even necessary!! I know everyones experience is different, but when FSN tells you that you had some bizarre 1,000 or more orders come to your shop when YOU know they did not, then someone is playing a game.
We do very well being wire service free!
I tried them for a year. They managed to almost destroy my online business by taking my website down and putting theirs in its' place.
I got virtually nothing from them (maybe 5 orders in a year!) The orders were never for my town, rather several towns over where not even that towns shops wanted to deliver. The money was crappy too.
I really have a bad taste for companies who tell lies when it's not even necessary!! I know everyones experience is different, but when FSN tells you that you had some bizarre 1,000 or more orders come to your shop when YOU know they did not, then someone is playing a game.
We do very well being wire service free!
Rhonda
Well-Known Member
They call here once/month and say "We need a shop in your town to fill orders?" to which I say, I'll fill them just need a credit card. I did belong once $349/year and received not one order.. so... if they need something filled? Call me with a cc.