We're doing a survey on wire/relay services for the magazine so I'm posting this in both the US and UK sections as I suspect I may get differing opinions.
HOWEVER please note I DO NOT WANT A WIRE BASHING round of replies. I've read buckets about what they do wrong ... what I want to know is what sort of business model WOULD make florists happy.
For example is there a 'one size fits all' or do different shops want different things. ie do you need the type of service suppliers you have at the moment plus something else or do you want a straight replacement.
Do you simply need a way of getting orders out from your shop without spending hours on the phone or using couriers because you've focussed on generating local business and so don't want/need to be bothered by discounted incoming orders.
Alternatively do you want a service that is effectively a marketing tool which gathers orders on your behalf and so you're happy to pay the advertising cost on a per order basis by virtue of the discount you give.
Would you rather pay a high fixed membership fee with incoming orders set at a 78% + value or discount orders by more than 35% to avoid monthly membership fees.
Is there a lowest sending commission you would entertain ... i.e given technology costs have speeded everything up and so reduced labour costs would you be happy to work to 15% on sending on the basis that would allow the executing florist to earn circa 80% do a decent job and so engender repeat business at both ends.
Given the cost of promotion, how much do you think the 'central' body should earn per order ... 3,5,8% or more.
How important is it to have florists involved in the running of a service or are you happy to leave it to a management team with external skills.
It may be that there are things that I have left out ... as I say we really want to hear your views ... not lead you.
But any input (other than bashing/negatives about any company in particular or puffs for alternative systems) would be seriously appreciated.
If you prefer to send me a personal message feel free or e-mail me directly at [email protected]
Look forward to hearing from you,
Kind regards,
Carrie
HOWEVER please note I DO NOT WANT A WIRE BASHING round of replies. I've read buckets about what they do wrong ... what I want to know is what sort of business model WOULD make florists happy.
For example is there a 'one size fits all' or do different shops want different things. ie do you need the type of service suppliers you have at the moment plus something else or do you want a straight replacement.
Do you simply need a way of getting orders out from your shop without spending hours on the phone or using couriers because you've focussed on generating local business and so don't want/need to be bothered by discounted incoming orders.
Alternatively do you want a service that is effectively a marketing tool which gathers orders on your behalf and so you're happy to pay the advertising cost on a per order basis by virtue of the discount you give.
Would you rather pay a high fixed membership fee with incoming orders set at a 78% + value or discount orders by more than 35% to avoid monthly membership fees.
Is there a lowest sending commission you would entertain ... i.e given technology costs have speeded everything up and so reduced labour costs would you be happy to work to 15% on sending on the basis that would allow the executing florist to earn circa 80% do a decent job and so engender repeat business at both ends.
Given the cost of promotion, how much do you think the 'central' body should earn per order ... 3,5,8% or more.
How important is it to have florists involved in the running of a service or are you happy to leave it to a management team with external skills.
It may be that there are things that I have left out ... as I say we really want to hear your views ... not lead you.
But any input (other than bashing/negatives about any company in particular or puffs for alternative systems) would be seriously appreciated.
If you prefer to send me a personal message feel free or e-mail me directly at [email protected]
Look forward to hearing from you,
Kind regards,
Carrie