WARNING! Katz Flowers Kansas City, MO

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PhillyPhlorist

PhillyPhlorist

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Feb 7, 2004
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The City of Brotherly Love
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Don't know the official policy on FC about fraudulent florists, but here's a "florist" to watch out for:

Do NOT accept any FTD orders from Katz Flowers, in Kansas City, MO.

If you want their FTD code, PM me...
'Lee' is one of the people calling out the orders.

They were suspended in June, and are STILL calling out FTD orders. One was called to us July 28th (of course, taken by our newest employee, who did not know that if it don't come up in the computer's directory, don't take it!). Tried to report it - REJECTED. Called FTD, they are putting us on the "list" of those who have been scammed - aparently this list is growing. The FTD rep on the other end, was like "oh yea, Katz's...". FTD legal is now involved.

This is one of the lowest acts a florist can do. To me, this is criminal, and they should be convicted of fraud.

Has anyone else been had by these guys???

- Herb
 
Is this the same as KC Florist? He did my web page?
Sharon
 
Pandalou said:
Is this the same as KC Florist? He did my web page?
Sharon
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PhillyPhlorist said:
Don't know...don't think so...hope not.

Also, tried calling the phone # given on the order - just rings...

- H.
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Um...sad to say yes, it is the same...

Gregg was at one time ahead of the industry in alot of ways, hell he even did my second website years ago...he failed to evolve...lots of issues...

No deFENCE here at all...just sad to think that he has gotten down to this level...

More if I hear anything
 
Like Herb said DO NOT accept any of these orders.

Per FTD...suspended June 5th... Code# 26-1792AA

Deleted from my system...thanks for the heads up!

I sent Gregg a couple emails, I'll share if I can...if he responds...
 
It was well known a few years ago that he was having severe financial trouble. I can't defend this action, but it's sad to see how money issues can prompt someone to change their behaviour.

At what point would any of us fold up instead of fighting dirty to survive?

Ryan
 
Infinite said:
It was well known a few years ago that he was having severe financial trouble. I can't defend this action, but it's sad to see how money issues can prompt someone to change their behaviour.

At what point would any of us fold up instead of fighting dirty to survive?

Ryan
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In my case, he is not fighting dirty...he is stealing (Kremp is fighting dirty...). And Greg's company committed fraud. For this, he will pay - in more ways than one...

- H.
 
If it sounds too good to be true, it probably isn't!

Why don't we pay closer attention to that rule; "If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is (not good)."

Retail is not an easy business to own and run. And Florisit Retail could be one of the hardest to be in. Maybe the restaurant business could demand more from an owner, but if they have a liquor licenxe, they can do well.

Florists don't have a segment to bail them out when things get tough. We used to want to be at the top of the directory list in slow months, anything to help out. Now that is probably not the best thing for a shop.

This country probably does not need 25,000 florists [or I think I've read 35,000 according to some government statistics]. More florists does not sell more flowers. I've heard some knowledgeable florists state that 1 shop to 15,000 population would be ideal. How many shops have to go out of business in each of our communities before our share of the pie is bigger?
 
well, I have never been a big fan of the guy, but what in the hell happened?
 
PhillyPhlorist said:
Greg's company committed fraud. For this, he will pay - in more ways than one...

- H.
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Get in line buddy....behind FTD, the IRS and God only knows who else (won't say more)...

Word is (not confirmed) that his lawyer now own's KCflorist.com...wonder if he knows the shop's calling out orders on the code number...

No reply to my emails from yesterday.
 
Infinite said:
At what point would any of us fold up instead of fighting dirty to survive?
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The problem is that even a dirty operation isn't sustainable over the long haul.

For companies that have little or no commitment to the industry, i.e. by-any-means-necessary marketing and business practices, the short term profits may be decent (or even outstanding) but the long term prospects are literally non-existent. Those kinds of operations don't really care since they'll be on to the next 'opportunity' when the flower customer well runs dry.

And there seems to be a 'look the other way' attitude as long as someone else can figure out how to make money off the dirty operation, too. Look how many times we've thought Urban was dead and gone only to be resurrected by a 'partner' that thought they could squeeze some more profits from them.

As sad as I view the idea of allegedly using a suspended code number to rip-off fellow florists, the wholesale fleecing of florists and consumers by supposedly 'legit' companies today is far more pervasive and pernicious.

There are plenty of other ways to make a living than taking the low road. If that's what it would take to 'survive', I'd find another profession with better long-term prospects. Wal-Mart greeter, anyone?
 
PhillyPhlorist said:
In my case, he is not fighting dirty...he is stealing (Kremp is fighting dirty...). And Greg's company committed fraud. For this, he will pay - in more ways than one...

- H.
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FTD has known of his situation for well over two years...and now they get involved? Not to defend him, but my understanding was that they kept him "alive" as a "go to shop" up to MD's...now I may be wrong but that is what he told me. If he knowingly has called out orders and was told he was suspended then he is wrong...but it is hard for me to understand that FTD let him go this long...I was notified a month ago that I was put on his bankruptsy list of creditors listed...
I do believe he is a bloomlink shop as well or was...but even I cannot reach him which is not a good sign.I think he may well be over his head this time and it's been a long rough few years for him...sometimes it is best to just move on but he did keep trying. So sad it was at others expense. He must be devastated and desperate over this.A sad day.
 
BOSS said:
Get in line buddy....behind FTD, the IRS and God only knows who else (won't say more)...

Word is (not confirmed) that his lawyer now own's KCflorist.com...wonder if he knows the shop's calling out orders on the code number...

No reply to my emails from yesterday.
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Per the about us page...

KCFlorist.com is owned by Krigel & Krigel, PC and is leased to and maintained by KCFlorist, LLC
Click to expand...

.
 
BOSS said:
Word is (not confirmed) that his lawyer now own's KCflorist.com...wonder if he knows the shop's calling out orders on the code number...
Click to expand...

The only thing that could be worse than a florist owning a flower shop would be a lawyer. He/they (the lawyers) possibly do not know what they are doing.

According to:

http://www.kcflorist.com/11.site/about.htm

KCFlorist.com is owned by Krigel & Krigel, PC and is leased to and maintained by KCFlorist, LLC

[Oops - didn't see above post.]

and K & K is a Kansas city law firm.

For some peole money is the root of all evil. Did not know Gregg well, but this is a shocker.
 
I have some empathy for Gregg as well - he I think made a similar mistake to one we did - upsized right at the wrong time not knowing the economy was going to hit the crapper for a couple years (I won't say it). We had to tighten our belt and feed the business for about a year and a couple times it looked bleak, but tenacity prevailed, and finally our competition folded. I don't think Gregg had the luxury of doing this, and in a bigger city there is way more competition. He also went thru a divorce as well and in case you haven't been there, those things tear you a new exhaust system, both emotionally and financially.

He was Marketer of the Year back a few years ago. Do you think this has been done purposefully? If I were to feel the need to do something like this I certainly wouldn't use my own code - I'd use Boss's :)

Course I have that kind of mind, maybe Gregg doesn't, and mine didn't come home again last night.

This is sad.
 
bloomz said:
He was Marketer of the Year back a few years ago. Do you think this has been done purposefully? If I were to feel the need to do something like this I certainly wouldn't use my own code - I'd use Boss's :)

Course I have that kind of mind, maybe Gregg doesn't, and mine didn't come home again last night.

This is sad.
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I have to say i like Gregg, but, when his wife took him for the bundle like she did. he was almost certain to fail, and he tried real hard, and puta lot on the line, and indeed DID fail to notice some of the tell tale signs aroung his operation.
I don't think Gregg is reponsible for this illegal activity...somehow, i just don't think so!!
 
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