Valentine's Arrangements to Drool For...

[CHR]

I just gave the "sell from the menu" reminder/lecture/edict to our team here, too. (Third time in 3 weeks.) We try to accommodate long-time customers' custom requests if made earlier in the holiday week, but the late custom orders really created problems for us last year. (Too much creative selling with not enough creative brain cells left when in the throws of the holiday.) Plus, pricing goes out the window and tired designers tend to start over stuffing.

Pick something from the menu and modify it, but no "custom from scratch", especially on low-priced orders from highly demanding shoppers.

 

[shannonlovesflowers]

My niece in Amsterdam told me to check out Suzanne's Files. She lists great florists from around the world.One of them as www.ericbuterbaugh.com .He is in LA too. Seems people there have no problem spending 500-1000 on one arrangement. I looked in awe at his Valentine's flowers. I would love to be able to sell arrangements like that but sadly we don't have many millionaires here that are willing to part with that kind of cash.If you want to drool over some fabulous designs take a look at his website.
Dianne

Don't feel bad girl.... We have MULTI million aires that come in bragging about their land they sold in Hawaii and spend a whopping $35 for wrapped flowers.

 

[shannonlovesflowers]

I made a menu, and they better sell from it!

Custom orders start at $100, and dozen carns aren't on the menu... So if they want a dozen carns $100+delivery+tax please.....

 

[bloomz]

Pick something from the menu and modify it, but no "custom from scratch", especially on low-priced orders from highly demanding shoppers.

How do you field that when you get the dude who walks in an wants 3 iris and 2 roses put together in a vase for carry out - now?

We try to tell them it will take 2-4 hours.

 

[aileen_c]

Well in the shop I used to work at they just did it for him and charged accordingly.

 

[Beth]

In the shop I used to work at, she'd drop everything and make it right then. The orders that came in 4 days ago would wait. The 3 delivery persons waiting to get their last couple of arrangements before they (we) could take off and deliver, would wait. We stood there, thumbs twiddling, knowing we'd be out very very late that night.

She didn't have any such thing as a menu. Every person who walked in the door was able to get a custom arrangement made right then and there. Orders for people who planned ahead and ordered ahead would be made to wait. I ended up delivering into the night... 8 pm, 9 pm. IT WAS HORRIBLE. Just one of the many reasons I no longer work for her.

She called me a month ago, asking if I would help deliver on V Day, and I said no. I have a 4 day weekend.. no school on Friday or Monday, so I very well COULD help her. And I could use the money. But her way of doing things, and her priorities drive me up a wall! It just isn't worth my sanity.

I ended up in tears the first VD I worked for her. It was unbearable. Subsequent years I held it together better. Last year I think I may have even been all done delivering at 6 p.m., but I think that's still too late. If I were the customer, and 5 pm. and 5:30 p.m. came and went on V Day and no flowers from my hubby, I'd be none too happy!!

A menu would have been an excellent tool for that shop. And some priorities. And some common sense.

 

[RC in Dayton and Cincinnati]

wow!! wish I had cleintel that could appreciate and afford that!!

Karen,

I'm sure your clientele can appreciate them, maybe not willing to pay the price, but they can appreciate them.

These are items we all should be adding to our websites. Can you imagine the amount of talk you'd create if you pictured that "love arrangement" on your home page! And if you sold one it might even make the news!

"LOVE" is going on my home page next year!

RC

 

[wildflowerschicago]

I just gave the "sell from the menu" reminder/lecture/edict to our team here, too. (Third time in 3 weeks.) We try to accommodate long-time customers' custom requests if made earlier in the holiday week, but the late custom orders really created problems for us last year. (Too much creative selling with not enough creative brain cells left when in the throws of the holiday.) Plus, pricing goes out the window and tired designers tend to start over stuffing.

Pick something from the menu and modify it, but no "custom from scratch", especially on low-priced orders from highly demanding shoppers.

This is my motto for every holiday!!!! Although we certainly (even me) fall into the last minute, guy waiting & tapping his keys on the counter over stuffing order trap!

I have no problem telling people it's going to be an hour for the walk in order. Have you ever walked into a deli on a Saturday?!?!? There's always a line... so you gotta wait.

 

[Patty]

RC,
You are a Gee-nee-us!! You have just spawned an idea . . . I'm heading back to the shop to see if I can make it work. Will let y'all know . . .

 

[RWK]

One thing I learned from a show a long time ago ...... this was in display......but it applies to websites.

You SHOULD feature large, impressive arrangements. The large ones lend credibility to smaller ones. That way, You can truly say you are catering to ALL budgets.

 

[bloomz]

On that note: Something Mark Goldston said in his presentation at SAF was - he had found he wanted to spend $3-400 for arrangements, and nobody had them.

I've been planning for some time to feature The Luxury Line - another of those web projects I haven't gotten around to. Maybe $1-400 bouquets.

It should be good fraud magnet as well....

 

[Lucy's Garden]

Gorgeous! We sent an order out his way a while ago, and he was the one to convince us to start up with bbrooks. What I wouldn't give to be able to sell arrangements like that every day!
This is something we've been struggling with- we get lots of comments about our "friendly, fun" website, but I just don't think we could sell a $200+ arrangement off of it. Someday...

 

[divakat]

Just absolutely WONDERFUL! I would do an internship there is a NEW YORK nana second! The site has so much inspiration, a textbook for any creative soul like me! BLESSINGS!

Kat