what is FTD thinking? new directory options

Status
Not open for further replies.
K A Hall

K A Hall

New Member
Oct 31, 2002
403
39
0
61
Springfield
State / Prov
Missouri
I am sure that most of you received the email or gen message about the banners that can now be included in your listing for the merc, and the additional zip code listings change. I am not concerned about the banners since I do not plan on participating but the zip code part seems kind of nuts unless I am not understanding it correctly.
Here is the part from the email regarding additional zip code listings. Question and comment to follow.

Additional Listing Change
In an effort to maximize fulfillment coverage throughout the Mercury Network, starting with the November U.S. Directory, any zip codes you fulfill for FTD.COM, outside of your Main Town Member Listing will be assigned an Additional Listing for the city that corresponds with the FTD.COM zip code. You can still sign-up for as many FTD.COM zip codes as you want to for FREE, however you will be assigned an Additional Listing in the Directory for the cities that fall within those zip codes.

If a zip code is shared by multiple cities, a Member will only need to list one of those cities in the Directory. For example, if a Member lists zip code 44121 with FTD.COM, which is shared by Cleveland, Cleveland Heights, and South Euclid, they would only need to list one of those three cities in the Directory. The cost for an Additional Listing is $8 per city per month. This change will ensure that coverage is maximized for all FTD Members throughout the FTD network.

If you would like to make changes to your Additional Listings in the November 2005 Directory or FTD.COM zip codes, please contact FTD Directory Services at 800-788-9000 before September 7th to ensure your changes will be included in the November 2005 Directory.

We deliver to roughly 6 different cities and now FTD wants to charge us $8 per. So we yank all but one listing to save $40, and now we do not have to fill the incoming going to the other cities. No big loss but we do not mind filling them.
My question is if every florist who knows better pulls all but one due to the fees for extra listings how does that help FTD with the coverage problems they seem to have?

Seems kind of silly to me but another clever way to boost the bottom line at FTD I guess.
 
K A Hall said:
My question is if every florist who knows better pulls all but one due to the fees for extra listings how does that help FTD with the coverage problems they seem to have?
Click to expand...
It's all about the bottom line...as we KNOW...most florists will not see this, or if they do they will not do anything about it, thus if they have (like I USED to) 20 xip's listed with Da Dot, and no directory listings for those cities, they will have them NOW and be paying for them.

Those that decide to not pay, will also lower the coverage area by not listing the areas they serve. IMHO, if they want to build/boost coverage, they would want florists to list as many zips as possible. For this to happen it seems to me they need to lower or ELIMINATE the cost to cover a zip. Most long distant zips are only good for 1-2 orders a month or less, thus the additional $8.00 charge to get that one order, must come off the profit from that ONE order, making it an UNprofitable order.
 
We are located in a corner where three different counties meet, and we go into all, of course. This will greatly affect our listings, and we just went with Mercury Direct after dropping the old Merc 2000. Maybe this will be what finally makes me drop this last WS.
 
It is not just about the money

I think FTD finally realized that dot com model has better coverage and wants to have the same...dotcom has a zip code data base while we florists are on a city code....so of course instead of providing it for free, it is a new source of revenue. All it is going to do is to have more florists stop delivering for dotcom but on the positive side, florist to florists will have a better coverage....we looked at our numbers tho and each year the F2F is creeping down so not sure how much this will help....the direct calls are up from senders and not from florists....
I looked at what orders we do receive because we deliver to the whole county and a part of the ones north and south of us and will eliminate the cities/zips that are not cost effective.....if your pos system does not provide you a breakdown of how many orders you get in for each zip code, call FTD headquarters member serivce and ask them to run the numbers for the past year on all orders based on zip codes that you have rec'd.... so you can make a sound decision....that should keep them busy....
 
It was about as clear as chocolate milk.

I tried to read that yesterday and got lost in the spin, with me thinking also "what are they thinking? How can this be about coverage? It has to be about money" Decided I didn't have time for it.
It's 5 AM and I am off to Hawaii for a week so you kids play nice.


Hopefully (?) when I get back Ryan will have found that edit button switch and I can go back to loving this board again.

c'ya
 
it's obvious

MONEY< MONEY MONEY>

THey found a new way for you to get coverage and as usual htey are using lst minute tactics and will get that money from florist who are not on here and who are not going to get their statement in time to cancel. So even it was on the merc, who said it is enough notice.

Looks like they are shooting themselve in the foot again....
I am glad I am not FTD
Luc
 
That's not bad; 96.00 PER CITY PER YEAR !!!!
WOW I'm glad I'm no longer one of those who has to keep an eye on FTD's slider (sliding a price increase in there that you're not sure is a price increase UNLESS you read what they send you as most members don't!)
I think I've figured out FTD's strategy; nickel and dime florists to death until enough go out of business so there isn't enough coverage and either set up fulfilment centres they'd own (they'd have to be insane to want to fill those cheapie orders they generate) or maybe drop ship orders picked in the "Field" (warehouse) in some place called from "Fresh from (the fields)" (like someone else) in the wee hours for next day delivery when Tom, Dick or Harry ordered online 11:59pm!
That's a good deal for members; increase coverage for ftd .com at the expense of the people who are already losing money on the orders!
You know the sad part? So many florists were loyal members of FTD and FTD doesn't care! It's all about the bucks. I guess it's a little like discount flower buyers expecting to get quality roses for 10.00 a dz but in reverse.
Rock on.......
PS Am I starting to sound cynical?
 
I did not see it as making better coverage for dotcom but better coverage for FTD.I think they (FTD) not Dotcom got their panties in a knot because of the better coverage Dotcom has. If anything, folks will drop zips and that will hurt dotcom.
But I do agree that it shoud be part of the package of being a member.....all these nickels and dimes charges come across as desperate attempt to raise up the bottom line for any one looking to make an offer to buy FTD.I think it is ironic that in their attempt to do this, they are hurting the very portion that makes money.....dotcom....wonder if anyone really thought this thru or if it was just a money grabbing impulse......
 
Just got back from an extended weekend vacation and this is what I find...

You all said it. Just another way to increase cash flow.

Stupid decision.

I will be pulling ALL zips that I cover for .COM and limit my coverage of ASB's to the ones that I currently cover. I have over 150 zips listed with .com, and am a BIG filler for FTD in Philly & the surrounding burbs.
No more.

And, no - I am not just waking up. While this may increase thier bottom line, it hurts mine. AND...as I have said time and time again, if FTD does somthing to cost ME money, and I don't agree, then I do not take part. If it gets out of hand, and I can't resolve the issue with FTD, then we're gone.

The "coverage" thing - TOTALLY a smoke screen. My Reg. VP will be hearing from me on this...(if you're reading this, will call you soon!) It may do no good, but hey - you gotta voice your opinion or else it will NEVER get heard.

- Herb
 
The cynic in me says that 'good' dotcom fillers will get these fees waived. It's the small florists clamoring to fill that will and always do pay up.

More than one shop owner has privately told me of deals with FTD that guarantee them the receipt of a certain and specific percentage of incomings from the dot for their service area. Why the rest of the members in a market even bother paying for ASB's, codifications, toll-free number listings and the like is beyond me because they are all scrambling for the same few highly discounted crumbs.

And don't forget the so-called OG golden lists which probably won't be effected regardless of changes in FTD listing policies.

I believe TF has this same zip code fees but since we don't participate in the program, I'm not sure how they are working out.
 
PhillyPhlorist said:
I have over 150 zips listed with .com, and am a BIG filler for FTD in Philly & the surrounding burbs.
No more.- Herb
Click to expand...

Awe...Herb...that's only $1200.00 a month....what's the problem:rolleyes:
 
Just send them a message telling them that only YOU can authorize either expenditures or listings for YOUR operation and that THEY are neither authorized to LIST for you or CHARGE you as they apparently propose to do.

That should take care of it, legally. So do it, file a copy of the message, and forget about it . . . until and unless it happens anyway. Then you've got the effective ammo to dispute it with.
 
Connie said:
We are located in a corner where three different counties meet, and we go into all, of course. This will greatly affect our listings, and we just went with Mercury Direct after dropping the old Merc 2000. Maybe this will be what finally makes me drop this last WS.
Click to expand...

Ditto
Ditto
and Double Ditto

Couldn't have said it better myself.

I just called and cancelled all my FTD.COM zips other than MY city and the one ASB city I serve that we are one block from. We are also in a tri-county corner.

I just spent 1 1/2 days crunching the numbers to see if staying IN FTD or any wire service for that matter is worth it. I discovered that filling for .COM has made it worth it, yes even after subtracting 73% plus COGS plus delivery cost plus receiving fee plus overall cost of membership, etc. And we fill to full value also BTW.

This will backfire on them IF ALL florists were on top of things, but like BOSS said, most florists will not even notice or else not do anything about it.

I think they just thought up a coniving way to get more money and that's it, no real interest in coverage. That my opinion anyway, FWIW???
 
Here I go again

In my sometimes very tainted opinion of FTD, this is clearly just another attempt at placing a loaded gun to the head of its members as it attempts to squeeze more money from those it claims to be the champion of.

Smoke screen? You bet, and my goodness it’s thick, dark and impossible to see through!!! FTD cares about only FTD. The lawsuit against proflowers? Benefits or hurts no one other than FTD. I’ve said it before, I’ll say it again. FTD is the bottom of the barrel. Those that think Mike was such a bright guy for building FTD.com are highly mistaken. Any college kid could have produced the same results for such a well recognized world wide brand entering the online market place when FTD jumped on board.

Today we are playing witness on just how dumb a businessman he is and where FTD is heading. FTD looses more everyday, while their competition boasts claims of RECORD ORDER VOLUMES, FTD is in only single digits.

Please FTD, raise more fees, sue more companies, sign up more out of country gatherers, buy more advertising for FTD.com, and move your call centers to cheaper locations. Because your membership does not seem to mind footing the bill as you charge them to death for things that were once benefits of membership.

I ask you, is this membership or extortion?
 
ROBSWF said:
I ask you, is this membership or extortion?
Click to expand...

Exploitation???

No forwarding, charging for florist to florist orders??

They want their cake and eat it too...our guess is that 800Flowers will follow soon....

Looks like another way to eliminate the competition...
 
FTD's Stock

FTD offers nothing of value to any shop listed within its membership. They are now, and will continue to be direct competition to the retail florist. Expect their direct shipped products to consumers to only pick up steam as they enter the biggest battle of the companies life.

One that they have already lost to proflowers and 800flowers. FTD is in last place, and as long as the current managemnet is in place they have no hope of turning things in another direction!!

Perfect example of how with poor management even companies that are close to 100 years old can FAIL.

FTD has failed those it was formed to better. FTD is fueled by those it provides services to everyday. THE RETAIL FLORIST. NOT ON MY DIME FTD!
 
Did I mis-read the message? I thought it said per city..not per zip code, so I read it to mean tht if Herb serves 150 zips but they are all in Philadelphia then it is a charge of 8 bucks....if they charged 8 bucks per zip, they would have a mass exodus and they can't have that.They need the revenue from the other stuff to maintain the brand...gaggo-maggo
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Top Bottom
Back