This will be my last FC post

[RJD]

I love a good discussion. And I like disagreement. Ideas don't get better when everyone agrees. But today someone crossed a line.

Today, Queen of Weddings called the shop. She lied about being a customer, lied about orders that were never placed with our shop, lied about wanting to place orders identical to those never placed our shop, and then berated Kathy when Kathy couldn't identify off the top of her head a TF arrangement by description. Queen then identified herself and said it was to prove a point.

If you disagree with something in a forum, disagree in the forum, but keep it in the forum. Calling the shop today was immature, unprofessional and uncalled for (no pun intended). You tied up a phone line and the shop owner for something utterly stupid. Kathy didn't deserve the treatment you gave her. She was not part of the conversation, hadn't replied once in the thread, and was busy preparing tomorrow's weddings. You crossed an ethical line of forum behavior.

Most of my friends here have my personal email. If you don't, PM me and include yours. I'll get the notifications from FC and get back to you. In the meantime, I have some other projects I'll be working on. I hope to see some of my friends at SAF and in other venues.

 

[RC in Dayton and Cincinnati]

Rich,

I'd hate to see you go.

I very often have been tempted to leave this forum as well, thinking it's too aggravating and a waste of time, and actually finding it difficult to tolerate the different personalities.

But then I think, hey they manage to tolerate me so maybe I should learn to be more tolerant myself.

You should take a break and reconsider because we'll miss you too much if you leave,

Randy

 

[RWK]

I concur with Randy.......Your business insights - particularly regarding OG's and the like.......I find to be valuable.

I too, in regard to the seemingly anti-AIFD sentimentality espoused in several threads and posts of late gave me pause to think and to consider leaving FlowerChat as well.

But, there are people here I enjoy discussing the industry with, people I value and learn from, people I can joke with, and even the people I dis-agree with - even they have something of value to contribute......even if it is a shining example of what NOT to do.

I'm not going to do like some might and plead, beg, whine, and try to persuade you to remain a FlowerChat contributing member. You have to do what is right for you. I will only say that you are a valuable contributing member and I for one think FlowerChat would be lessened without your insights and commentary.

 

[greatflowerlady]

Some may not know this but you have lost a lot of members because of bad behavior! People leave when they are booed at..

 

[CHR]

Ditto what Randy said.

We're supposed to be professionals here and some of the activity crosses the line - by a far measure.

You and Kathy are two of the smartest, most thoughtful and most giving florists out there.

I hope you'll reconsider and also I hope FC members give a little pause to remember that we are all REAL PEOPLE when they decide to post or pick up the phone.

 

[NavyBrat]

Rich,

I'm sure you wrote this thread in the heat of the moment. Leaving FC isn't the answer. The forum and the forum members should not be held accountable for a bad decision made by one it's members. The proper way to handle the situation is to post a thread about what happened and find suitable ways to resolve the issue. Are there rules here about proper forms of posting and where can they be found? What are the grounds for dismissing a member? Is it proper to call Queen out on the forum or should you have handled this in a PM to Queen with the ADMINS involved?

Nothing personal, Rich, but I get annoyed by members who will immediately post a thread stating they are leaving because of something someone did, said, moaned, groaned, rep points, etc. I consider every member here a valuable part of the community, for the most part. In a forum like FlowerChat, you are always going to have issues with posts and certain members. You have to learn how to deal with it and carry on, otherwise, you should indeed leave. If you make the decision to leave, then stick with it. "Say what you mean, mean what you say!" I've seen so many members start threads that they are leaving, and low and behold, within the week, they are back. When that happens, that member loses credibility in my eyes. Wouldn't it be wonderful if members truly thought out their posts before pushing submit? Ain't gonna happen. There are a lot of different personalities here, and I have learned to accept them for who they are.

I believe that Queen owes you and your family an apology. I don't know what the thread was all about, but I wholeheartedly agree that phoning your shop with that type of disruption was completely unwarranted.

I hope you will reconsider your decision.

 

[MANORVILLE]

I concur with Randy.......Your business insights - particularly regarding OG's and the like.......I find to be valuable.

I too, in regard to the seemingly anti-AIFD sentimentality espoused in several threads and posts of late gave me pause to think and to consider leaving FlowerChat as well.

But, there are people here I enjoy discussing the industry with, people I value and learn from, people I can joke with, and even the people I dis-agree with - even they have something of value to contribute......even if it is a shining example of what NOT to do.

I'm not going to do like some might and plead, beg, whine, and try to persuade you to remain a FlowerChat contributing member. You have to do what is right for you. I will only say that you are a valuable contributing member and I for one think FlowerChat would be lessened without your insights and commentary.

Ricky,

You know far more than me, so let that be clear from the get go.

My question : AIFD :

In this unstable economy, with so much going against the very core of the industry , what exactly sets AIFD aside, other than from within, to make anyone,,,, participating or not,,,, actually believe ,,,, that they can help, or make a difference ? The commitment according to many is just not there, but they are not alone !
The standard textbook answers do not apply here as there is no organization,,,, repeat, no organization, that has actually stepped up to the plate 100%,,,,and why is that ?
Please feel free to correct me if you feel that I am wrong.

To add : Stepping up to the plate means complete and unconditional, unilateral support, and absolutely nothing less.

Show me what the real effort has been by ANY floral organization, to combat the threat of florist genocide, which has existed for how long ?
I will battle the issue until the last breath, as the forecast was there years ago, but monthlies have always prevailed as it was deemed more politically correct.

We, the florists, with accreditation or not, have held on to the hope, and dreams, and have essentially paid to see it go down the tubes.

As far as quitting FC :

If anyone really cares about the future of the industry, why then tuck tail and quit ? Because someone p___ed you off and acted inappropriately ?

This economy is not geared for anyone that cannot or will not step to the plate, and having passionate feelings about opposing viewpoints doesn't get anyone off the hook from reality, and the reality is simply that the poop is hitting the fan.

For those that may take offense I do apologize and emphasize my belief and support for any organization that will take it to the necessary level, but for those that will not I have no respect. Do the math and break it down to industry benefit !

ManorMan :headbang:

 

[RWK]

Kevin, I can only speak for myself. The confidence gained from acheiving AIFD and the other titles I have earned......so earned because I strove to learn, to grow, and to do what it took to earn those.......has enabled me in the retail shop for many years and now, in the current position I am in ...... I am more knowledgeable, more ready, more able to serve the customer to the best of my ability.

Yes, I too would be thrilled to see AIFD become a household name, as well known by the average consumer as Mr. Clean, Pledge, Dawn, or any other well known brand. From what I understand, the new designation - CFD - is susposed to be marketed to the consumer.

I don't know if that has answered the question in the way you were hoping, but it is the best, most honest, most straightforward answer I could give.

 

[MANORVILLE]

It is............an answer that I respect, as I would have expected nothing less from you !
Thanks Ricky

 

[Pandalou]

This is really sad! Why would anyone do that!
I am really sorry to see you leave. I appreciate your kindness, love of our profession, and experience.
Sharon

 

[Brad]

Ditto what Randy said.

We're supposed to be professionals here and some of the activity crosses the line - by a far measure.

You and Kathy are two of the smartest, most thoughtful and most giving florists out there.

I hope you'll reconsider and also I hope FC members give a little pause to remember that we are all REAL PEOPLE when they decide to post or pick up the phone.

I wish I could give you a green dot_well said:headbang:

 

[Mikey the Flower Guy]

Queen is going through some rough times right now...IF you've been "following" Queens postings, you'd have noticed that they are no where near as concise and well though out as before.
I don't know FOR SURE, but, in the past, people that have made such silly approachs, either by phone, or email, or direct confrontation, are near "crack up" stages, and borderline breakdowns.
Queen called me too, same kind of line of questioning.....it WAS her own "brand" of humour, caught ME on an OK day, guess she caught YOU Rich, on a NOT so OK day!!

 

[Victoria]

You're right Mike. One of these days Queen is going to get a huge bundle of Italian Wedding Cookies delivered to her.

Like any community, organisation, family, place where there is more than one member, we will have disagreements.

It will be a shame if you follow through on leaving us Rich. You will be missed. If you choose to return, you'll be welcomed back.

V

 

[Tracy D'Amico]

Rich, please don't leave because of one person's irresponsible & thoughtless behavior. I don't get the "test" you were being given.

Most of us are all busy trying to build & keep our businesses to partake in such shenannigans. I know people like me would miss having your input here.

Please reconsider your FC divorce!

 

[BOSS]

Perhaps this is not the place for this, maybe it needs it's own location, and perhaps I will later today...but...

I have been noticing for a while now, a change in many folks postings...mine included where I am seeing anger perhaps, concern for ones own existence maybe, and the stress of everyday life for sure infiltrate postings. We are seeing the same thing crop up at the "town hall meeting" going on around the country...displayed in outbursts that most likely would not have happened in the past.

I am not pointing fingers at anyone, because when I do, there are 3 more pointing back at me. I know I need to slow down and think more before I throw out my nickles (inflation) worth, and possibly say something I may regret, or be sure that what I say will be taken the way I intend it.

I have no first hand knowledge as to what transpired in this situation, I take Rich at his word, and I too would be a little more than PO'd had this happened to me, even on a good day. It's unprofessional, uncalled for, and unnecessary among peers.

Rich, as I told you, I hope you reconsider..this isn't worth it.

 

[Connie]

I have been noticing for a while now, a change in many folks postings...mine included where I am seeing anger perhaps, concern for ones own existence maybe, and the stress of everyday life for sure infiltrate postings. We are seeing the same thing crop up at the "town hall meeting" going on around the country...displayed in outbursts that most likely would not have happened in the past.

Having come to FlowerChat this morning in order to locate a post for which I needed to apologize, I find that Rich is considering leaving FC and Bloomz has been banned. It's turning into a lousy day, but at least FC remains.

I do hope that Rich will reconsider, that we will all be more thoughtful about what we say least we ring that bell which cannot be unrung, that we will all consider that we are all (likely) suffering much more stress than usual and be more tolerant of each other, and that Bloomz will be posting by this afternoon.

Here we go again, being family.

Now to that awful post of mine....

 

[Luc]

WIll you still come to Canada????

Luc