Wesley Berry Chew Out

[Doug Munro]

Jamie,

Considering you have never met me or know me in any way other than reading the occasion response I post I would suggest it is not your place to judge my sincerity, although disagreeing with my opinion is fair game.

My posting simply was meant to point out that shooting ( or "educating") the messenger does not achieve anything other than bragging rights.

I would suggest that if you do not want an OG contacting you that there are probably other ways to go about it.

The girl that you blast on the phone today, may not be there tomorrow, or even pass on your message to the powers that be..

As Albert Einstein would say "The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results"

So tell me, does ragging on the operator stop the calls? From what I read above it does not appear so.

It strikes me as odd that some will suggest that these calls are a waste of their time and resources, yet have no issue finding the time to go into a lengthy tirade to "educate" the caller.

Just my thoughts, do with them as you will.

 

[shannonlovesflowers]

Jamie,

Considering you have never met me or know me in any way other than reading the occasion response I post I would suggest it is not your place to judge my sincerity, although disagreeing with my opinion is fair game.

My posting simply was meant to point out that shooting ( or "educating") the messenger does not achieve anything other than bragging rights.

I would suggest that if you do not want an OG contacting you that there are probably other ways to go about it.

The girl that you blast on the phone today, may not be there tomorrow, or even pass on your message to the powers that be..

As Albert Einstein would say "The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results"

So tell me, does ragging on the operator stop the calls? From what I read above it does not appear so.

It strikes me as odd that some will suggest that these calls are a waste of their time and resources, yet have no issue finding the time to go into a lengthy tirade to "educate" the caller.

Just my thoughts, do with them as you will.

How on earth is it "bragging rights"? That doesn't even make sense. I have gone to great lengths to try and get these calls to stop. Talked to managers, blocked them on the dove, on and on...
If they don't want their messengers to get "blasted" (oh brother) then THEY need to find a way to not call shops who don't want their calls. IF the person calling for the 15th time in 30 minutes would just put in a note "don't call this shop" or communicate with the others around them- "hey that lady wasn't very nice" or whatever. But they don't! I guarantee you say something crappy to a small business and everybody is talking about it the minute you are off the phone or the customer leaves.

But you stick to your guns instead of rethinking your position on this.

You tell me Doug. Because I know we are all waiting for this profound wisdom on how to handle these particular calls... How would you handle 20 calls in an hour from the same company that you don't want to do business with? What would you say that would be so compelling that it would make these calls stop, since as you say, there is a "better way" to go about it?

And you still seem to miss the point- If they would just NOT contact shops who don't want to be contacted by them- these kinds of "educations" would never happen. If it was a matter of sending a simple reject message and that was then end of it- there really wouldn't be a problem.

 

[Doug Munro]

Bragging rights?
The original post on this was not a plea for help, but rather a story outlining how the caller was "put in her place", I would suggest that filled the definition of bragging rights.

As for how to stop the calls go to the top, track down the owner and make your feelings known. If not the owner, the manager. These companies are not perpetual motion machines that run themselves, someone is in charge. If you can not find a name and a contact, get a hold of your wire service rep and ask them. Next time you get a call, tell the agent you will fill the order and lots more but you would like to speak to the owner first, get a contact.

Contact your phone company and explain you are receiving harassing phone calls, outline the situation in detail as you have here.

The reality is virtually any problem has a solution if you look hard enough.

By the way, I don't recall suggesting I had the inside track on "profound wisdom, I simply suggested that tearing a strip of the low man on the totem pole who calls you will not resolve the issue. The one that can do that is at the top of the pole.

Good luck

 

[BOSS]

Good answers Doug... but I have tried to get the Weasel on the phone... won't happen....

This may shed a little light on it... http://wesley-berry-flowers.pissedco...124291525.html

People, there is little benefit to arguing amongst ourselves... we have bigger fish to fry, and judging by the comments around the web lately, the stove is heating up...

 

[Doug Munro]

Good answers Doug... but I have tried to get the Weasel on the phone... won't happen....

This may shed a little light on it... http://wesley-berry-flowers.pissedco...124291525.html

People, there is little benefit to arguing amongst ourselves... we have bigger fish to fry, and judging by the comments around the web lately, the stove is heating up...

I would not suggest I can comment on how anyone else's operation functions internally, I only know how ours does. What I will say is I always takes comments made by anonymous individuals against someone else with a grain of salt, good or bad. I realize it is popular to comment anonymously on the internet, and that is fine when you are expressing a political opinion, or maybe a view on how the Patriots will play, these are both areas of public domain. However if you are going to level accusations at an individual you should at least have the courage of your convictions and step forth. Let's face it even those accused of crimes are entitled under the law to know their accusers are.

I am not defending anyone, just saying I place no more faith in the comments on the above link that I do in articles in the National Enquirer.
Stick with what you know, if the the company in question is causing you grief by repeated phone calls that you know, the other stuff until proven is nothing more than gossip.

Just my opinion for what it is worth

 

[Rhonda]

I think that website link says it all. Dated yesterday, today... 'nuff said...

 

[BOSS]

Doug, whether you believe it or not, I DO value your opinion!

And everything on FloristDetective.com
IS factual also ; )

 

[shannonlovesflowers]

Bragging rights?
The original post on this was not a plea for help, but rather a story outlining how the caller was "put in her place", I would suggest that filled the definition of bragging rights. No, I wouldn't. I'd call that sheer frustration!

As for how to stop the calls go to the top, track down the owner and make your feelings known. If not the owner, the manager. I tried, more than once.....AND even had a "manager" call me. They still called and still sent them on the dove. Obviously they are more worried about trying to snatch away orders that they can't even keep themselves straight.
These companies are not perpetual motion machines that run themselves, someone is in charge. If you can not find a name and a contact, get a hold of your wire service rep and ask them. The wire service rep can and will do nothing EXECPT tell us how they have such sympathy for 'us' and how it's a shame how these companies were "Grandfathered in" Yup, that's what they told me. Next time you get a call, tell the agent you will fill the order and lots more but you would like to speak to the owner first, get a contact. Nope, I'm not going to lie and say I will fill all the orders and more- because I wont. Contact your phone company and explain you are receiving harassing phone calls, outline the situation in detail as you have here. I have! and tried to "block the call" but I was told by the phone company (Qwest) that the number couldn't be blocked because it's on a different "trunk" whatever that is.

The reality is virtually any problem has a solution if you look hard enough. Assuming I just get irritated and I don't/didn't try and find a pro active solution is a bad assumption indeed. The solution I have found so far- is don't be part of the WS.
But that still doesn't stop them from advertising in my town as a local florist with "master designers on staff"


By the way, I don't recall suggesting I had the inside track on "profound wisdom, I simply suggested that tearing a strip of the low man on the totem pole who calls you will not resolve the issue. The one that can do that is at the top of the pole.
The guy sitting on top of the pole (thanks for the laugh BTW) couldn't care less about me and how he's wasting my time and money. Obviously he doesn't care or he wouldn't advertise in my town as a local florist with "Master designers on staff"


Good luck Right back at 'cha

Red emphasis mine

 

[Ann H.]

great WB story.. got a call for an underpriced order [of course] but I actually knew the recip and it was her birthday and I knew she wasn't going to get anything from this order if I didn't take it. I'm sure it had floated around Atlanta via dove all day and finally at 4 something they were calling and begging by phone. I told the caller I would take it but they had to dove it to me because whenever I accepted a phone order from any of the big order gatherers, I always had it disputed the next month and had to fight for the tiny bit of money I was due and wait another 30 days for it. They said their dove was down and it had to be called in. So I told them to fax it to me so I would have written proof of order so they did. Well, apparently the caller was new and didn't know how to do it and accidentally sent me a copy of the ENTIRE receipt from the sale. I mean their customer's name and credit card number and everything! The total bill was around $70 and they were giving me $30! In the old days, this was called curtailing and FTD would send out spies to do test orders to find shops that cheated like that and you could lose your membership priviledges. Now the wire services make so much money on these people, that they actually endorse it.. it's crazy. I'm new to this forum and wow that felt good saying that to others like me who are so sick of it! :]

 

[CHR]

Hey, Ann H. Welcome to FC.

Absolutely agree that WSs are no longer the defenders of floral industry integrity.

Hope you billed WB for the full amount.

 

[Ann H.]

Haha, no I didn't but I wish I could have! And btw, the order WAS disputed the next month since it wasn't sent via dove and I had to fax the faxed copy of the order to HQ to get paid. So rediculous. Oh and thanks for the welcome! Seems like this is going to be informative and entertaining!

 

[CHR]

the order WAS disputed the next month since it wasn't sent via dove and I had to fax the faxed copy of the order to HQ to get paid.

Right! So even if they can get a florist to take their skimmed order, they make getting paid incredibly challenging.... so the next time they try and send an order to that shop, the shop will likely decline to fill it.

No wonder they have so many complaints about unfilled orders. WB can only burn so many florists.

 

[Clarabella]

great WB story.. got a call for an underpriced order [of course] but I actually knew the recip and it was her birthday and I knew she wasn't going to get anything from this order if I didn't take it. I'm sure it had floated around Atlanta via dove all day and finally at 4 something they were calling and begging by phone. I told the caller I would take it but they had to dove it to me because whenever I accepted a phone order from any of the big order gatherers, I always had it disputed the next month and had to fight for the tiny bit of money I was due and wait another 30 days for it. They said their dove was down and it had to be called in. So I told them to fax it to me so I would have written proof of order so they did. Well, apparently the caller was new and didn't know how to do it and accidentally sent me a copy of the ENTIRE receipt from the sale. I mean their customer's name and credit card number and everything! The total bill was around $70 and they were giving me $30! In the old days, this was called curtailing and FTD would send out spies to do test orders to find shops that cheated like that and you could lose your membership priviledges. Now the wire services make so much money on these people, that they actually endorse it.. it's crazy. I'm new to this forum and wow that felt good saying that to others like me who are so sick of it! :]

I hope you called the customer that sent the order, and told them how their loved one only got $30 worth of flowers even though they paid $70 and explained to them that they should always order directly from the local florist! TThe ONLY way we as independent florists will win the war is the educate customers one at a time.

 

[kt4ye]

Welcome, Ann H...

Billing WB for the full amount won't accomplish anything. Instead, photocopy the WB fax AND your order from them. Send a copy to the sender with a little note, explaining what THEY did and what You (as a responsible and friendly LOCAL florist) did.

Then, if you want to muddy the water even more, do the same thing with a letter to TF requesting that WB be terminated for skimming.

BTW, I NEVER take a fone or fx order from WB nor JF. I advise them that we only accept DOVE orders from them. It is amazing how, if they are really desperate, their Dove "magically" gets fixed!

All the best,

Bill

 

[Ann H.]

I didn't tell recip specifics although I was tempted as I actually knew her. I did however let her know that the sender had not ordered directly through us and judging by what I had seen on the original order, he would have gotten a way better deal [and she a much larger arrangement] had he by passed the middle man and gone straight to the shop filling the order! I do try to educate our customers one at a time and it is frustrating.. I wish I had a tape I could just push a button and let them listen..All my life I have been told "bypass the middle man for the best deal!" and people still don't get it that they are dealing with a middle man.. and many times a dishonest one at that..

As far as notifying Teleflora of the skimming, they are very aware of it but unfortunately the volume these phony shops generate combined with the greed of Teleflora and FTD makes it so they just look the other way. The big order gatherers are their best customers. And the ones like 800 flowers who do have some fulfillment centers are the growers best customers, too, so don't look for grower reps to do anything but advocate for them! And as long as there are shops willing to do the grunt work for them for a pittance, they will continue to prosper! All it would take would be everyone boycotting filling orders for 1-2 days and they would be in big trouble. But there's always someone who will fill these orders who hasn't done the math to realize they are taking a loss on most of them.

 

[Rhonda]

Haha, no I didn't but I wish I could have! And btw, the order WAS disputed the next month since it wasn't sent via dove and I had to fax the faxed copy of the order to HQ to get paid. So rediculous. Oh and thanks for the welcome! Seems like this is going to be informative and entertaining!

I hope you sent copies of that order as it shows blatant skimming and is cause for wire service termination. Pursue with letters to all the reps of the ws and their superiors.

 

[anytimeflowers]

Ann, glad to have you here ~ you're right about the informative and entertaining qualities of this forum. It's a great place to be with other professionals who have a passion for the floral biz.

Seriously, I would mail a copy of that fax to the SENDER. We may find glazed over eyes when we try to "educate" consumers but the sender of those flowers will be seriously pi$$ed, and that makes for a person who fully understands the consequences of not shopping local.

Unless of course they actually WENT to a Wesley Berry physical store. That would be another can of worms. I'd be seriously ticked just to know that my credit card info had been faxed to another company. Maybe you should black out the order number and credit card info so the poor clerk who did it doesn't find too much trouble.

 

[BOSS]

ANN.... My names Mark.... If you would be so kind to forward me all paperwork in this order... I guarantee full anonymity... I'd like to review it for www.floristdetective.com

Thanks in advance... My fax is 989-631-4418

Ann's right, Wesley has more that 300,000 orders outgoing.. Almost all Teleflora... They do not care what he does....

 

[Dale]

Can someone help me understand how TF justifies charging us $1.75 for each dove order recieved? A wire order has to come via some sort of wire system so what is the "7% wire service fee" cover? It doesn't make sense to me and frustrates me even more the inability to talk to someone higher up who will give me a logical explanation. If they can just had fees why can't we charge them for every wrong address or phone number? Any insight would be appreciated.

 

[jamie]

Can someone help me understand how TF justifies charging us $1.75 for each dove order recieved? A wire order has to come via some sort of wire system so what is the "7% wire service fee" cover? It doesn't make sense to me and frustrates me even more the inability to talk to someone higher up who will give me a logical explanation. If they can just had fees why can't we charge them for every wrong address or phone number? Any insight would be appreciated.

they like money