Couldn't have said it better, Toto.
What's FTD offering? You be the judge ...
Ryan
Who doesn't bend for purple or gold
What's FTD offering? You be the judge ...
Ryan
Who doesn't bend for purple or gold
What's FTD Offering?
- Thread starter George Simon
- Start date
- Status
BOSS
FlowerChat Administrator
Well now....
Guess I'll take that hit K...
Like you, john, ryan and others that like and make money off TF, I too make money off FTD, and so do alot of others.
Diff'rnt strokes for different folks. For ME, FTD has alot more stuff I can USE over the stuff TF does not have. Yes they have containers, and some technology, but thats where I see it end.
I need more !! Others do not.
One thing, I am NOT going to get into the Bull SH*T WS bashing on this board, like that that RUINED the other one. Yes everyone is allowed their opinion, and YES we already KNNOW yours, johns and others.
If'n ya want to do some TF cheering why don't ya start your own thread ??????
Mark
P.S. hope those contracts I sent you worked out for ya....
Guess I'll take that hit K...
Like you, john, ryan and others that like and make money off TF, I too make money off FTD, and so do alot of others.
Diff'rnt strokes for different folks. For ME, FTD has alot more stuff I can USE over the stuff TF does not have. Yes they have containers, and some technology, but thats where I see it end.
I need more !! Others do not.
One thing, I am NOT going to get into the Bull SH*T WS bashing on this board, like that that RUINED the other one. Yes everyone is allowed their opinion, and YES we already KNNOW yours, johns and others.
If'n ya want to do some TF cheering why don't ya start your own thread ??????
Mark
P.S. hope those contracts I sent you worked out for ya....
Re: Well now....
Notice mom-n-pop florist: This says it all.! No trying to convince them otherwise.
Judy
Notice mom-n-pop florist: This says it all.! No trying to convince them otherwise.
Judy
TOTO
New Member
Re: I'm a CHEERLEADER fore MEE!
Hey Mark!
I just post da facts!
And, nothing in that post had anything to do with Teleflora.
It specifically has to doo with, how their fiscals were going with regard to the INCREASE in THEIR CONSUMER DIRECT SALES as opposed to the DECREASE in THEIR FLORIST'S REVENUES.
Also, and on the new BIG BOX strategy, rumor has it that, some of the BIG FLORISTS got into it, didn't like the CHUMP CHANGE, and promptly GOT OUT OF IT!
It's the GUARANTEE OF SALES on PERISHABLES which will KILL YA everytime. And since, FRESH FLOWERS doesn't make that guarantee, it's back to the FILLER FLORIST FOOL who takes the hit. As always, " ALL THE RISKS ARE WITH THE FLORISTS! "
So, you OWN THOSE FLOWERS and YOU ONLY GET PAID FOR THEM when they get SCANNED through the registers of those BIG BOX stores. If they don't get SCANNED, you get SCAMMED!
Just let MEE know on the day that, they do anything to MAKE YOUR CASH REGISTER RING and MAKE YOU PROFITABLE.
Other than that, and if you perceive ANY VALUE in the BRAND other than PAYING THEM to FLY THEIR COLORS, it's only because YOU'RE USING YOUR OWN STEAM to DRIVE THAT TRAIN.
After that, I can't add anything to having opposing views other than, SOME PEOPLE CAN'T HANDLE THE TRUTH!
This is MY OBSERVATION and NOT AN INSULT!
FORE! TOTO and TOO MANY PROMISES MADE and NEVER KEPT!:beer
Hey Mark!
I just post da facts!
And, nothing in that post had anything to do with Teleflora.
It specifically has to doo with, how their fiscals were going with regard to the INCREASE in THEIR CONSUMER DIRECT SALES as opposed to the DECREASE in THEIR FLORIST'S REVENUES.
Also, and on the new BIG BOX strategy, rumor has it that, some of the BIG FLORISTS got into it, didn't like the CHUMP CHANGE, and promptly GOT OUT OF IT!
It's the GUARANTEE OF SALES on PERISHABLES which will KILL YA everytime. And since, FRESH FLOWERS doesn't make that guarantee, it's back to the FILLER FLORIST FOOL who takes the hit. As always, " ALL THE RISKS ARE WITH THE FLORISTS! "
So, you OWN THOSE FLOWERS and YOU ONLY GET PAID FOR THEM when they get SCANNED through the registers of those BIG BOX stores. If they don't get SCANNED, you get SCAMMED!
Just let MEE know on the day that, they do anything to MAKE YOUR CASH REGISTER RING and MAKE YOU PROFITABLE.
Other than that, and if you perceive ANY VALUE in the BRAND other than PAYING THEM to FLY THEIR COLORS, it's only because YOU'RE USING YOUR OWN STEAM to DRIVE THAT TRAIN.
After that, I can't add anything to having opposing views other than, SOME PEOPLE CAN'T HANDLE THE TRUTH!
This is MY OBSERVATION and NOT AN INSULT!
FORE! TOTO and TOO MANY PROMISES MADE and NEVER KEPT!:beer
BOSS
FlowerChat Administrator
John, thanks for the honest reply.
I concur, not every program works for everyone. I do know some BIG florists making alot of money off the FF Big Box deal. True, some have tried and some have quit, but others are still working the gig.
Each company has things that work and don;t wor for lots of different types of florists. Al I did was to put it out there.
I will say a couple things FTD does do that make me "profitable" are the industries best CC rates, unbeatable anyplace I can find, also the large volume of out-bound orders I deal with. True I have built that myself, but it was done with the three little letters FTD.
Technology is another thing, that FTD does that will make almost any florist more profitabble should they chose to use it for everything it can do. Yes it costs up front, but I can prove where in the long run it will save money.
TF does some good things too, never said they did not, but here too they are not the "good guys".
Yes over the years there were alot of promises made and not kept. Thats biz, I think if everyone were honest those same rules applied to the "Black Hats" of the Associatinn would reveal some of the same. But I don;t see too many folks talking about that.
What once was, is no longer, and we have to deal and work with what we have today. FTD is not perfect, but those that truely look, and honestly are finding ways to further their businesses. And if you don;t believe that, answer this , why are so many coming back, and why are so many staying? The thing that started this whole thread in the first place.
An no, its not freebie deals, many large, medium and small shops are coming to FTD for the tools they need to operate.
Don;t go off on the inferior shop thing, please. I have seen many of the other companies locations too, that are sub-standard.
Thanks for your thoughts, as always, I do think on them, and take them to heart.
BTW... it sunny and 82 here in Florida today....:beer
I concur, not every program works for everyone. I do know some BIG florists making alot of money off the FF Big Box deal. True, some have tried and some have quit, but others are still working the gig.
Each company has things that work and don;t wor for lots of different types of florists. Al I did was to put it out there.
I will say a couple things FTD does do that make me "profitable" are the industries best CC rates, unbeatable anyplace I can find, also the large volume of out-bound orders I deal with. True I have built that myself, but it was done with the three little letters FTD.
Technology is another thing, that FTD does that will make almost any florist more profitabble should they chose to use it for everything it can do. Yes it costs up front, but I can prove where in the long run it will save money.
TF does some good things too, never said they did not, but here too they are not the "good guys".
Yes over the years there were alot of promises made and not kept. Thats biz, I think if everyone were honest those same rules applied to the "Black Hats" of the Associatinn would reveal some of the same. But I don;t see too many folks talking about that.
What once was, is no longer, and we have to deal and work with what we have today. FTD is not perfect, but those that truely look, and honestly are finding ways to further their businesses. And if you don;t believe that, answer this , why are so many coming back, and why are so many staying? The thing that started this whole thread in the first place.
An no, its not freebie deals, many large, medium and small shops are coming to FTD for the tools they need to operate.
Don;t go off on the inferior shop thing, please. I have seen many of the other companies locations too, that are sub-standard.
Thanks for your thoughts, as always, I do think on them, and take them to heart.
BTW... it sunny and 82 here in Florida today....:beer
Well Mark, I don't know about that. All of the 3 shops I mentioned came back because they were offered deals they could not pass up. Ask Patty about that. And for the record, no other shops have called saying they were re-joining FTD and 2 other shops have cancelled FTD, even though they were offered incentives to stay.
All I can say is that when I work the florist directories into flowerSoft, the total FTD membership has always decreased for the past 3 or 4 years and Teleflora's has increased. It will be interesting to see what happens when I get the next directory update from FTD and Teleflora. The trend might be reversing.
TOTO
New Member
Re: Confirmation of DA FACTS!
Thanks George for your confirmation of DA FACTS.
The news the MOVERS and SHAKERS would have us all believe is that, florists are rushing back into the coloseum in droves.
And, all because THEY ARE LISTENING TO THEIR FLORISTS (again) and are providing them with NEW VENUES to INCREASE the sales of those florists lost through the DIRECT SHIPPERS.
Which, and OH BY THE WAY, they just happen to BEE ONE OF themselves.
As Mark said; IT'S JUST BIZ! Meaning that, it was ALL OK for them to MAKE PROMISES to THEIR PARTNERS and NEVER KEEP THEM.
As to the BLACKHATS in the OLD FTD, I have hundreds of faxes in my file which were sent way back when, suggesting THE ERROR OF THEIR FIDUCIARY WAYS, and what FIXES they needed to put in, to REPRESENT THE NEEDS of ALL THE MEMBER/OWNERS.
I was eventually labeled; PERSONA NON GRATIA by most of them as they REFUSED TO ABANDON their PERSONAL $$$$ AGENDAS.
In one case, I asked an officer; How can you perport to REPRESENT WEE FLORISTS when YOU ARE SLEEPING WITH OUR ENEMY? He said that, HE SAW NO CONFLICT.
Maybe SOMEDAY and with these NEWER OWNERS, they might be able to figure out the basics of this network they now own.
Having one of the ONLY SAME-DAY-DELIVERY networks in the USA and CANADA is of NO VALUE unless, that network has the ability to HAVE MORE STUFF TO DELIVER.
After which, THEY (the network) must be as profitable as the company, otherwise IT'S NOT A PARTNERSHIP.
FORE! TOTO and NO ONE EVER SEEMS TO GET IT! :beer
Thanks George for your confirmation of DA FACTS.
The news the MOVERS and SHAKERS would have us all believe is that, florists are rushing back into the coloseum in droves.
And, all because THEY ARE LISTENING TO THEIR FLORISTS (again) and are providing them with NEW VENUES to INCREASE the sales of those florists lost through the DIRECT SHIPPERS.
Which, and OH BY THE WAY, they just happen to BEE ONE OF themselves.
As Mark said; IT'S JUST BIZ! Meaning that, it was ALL OK for them to MAKE PROMISES to THEIR PARTNERS and NEVER KEEP THEM.
As to the BLACKHATS in the OLD FTD, I have hundreds of faxes in my file which were sent way back when, suggesting THE ERROR OF THEIR FIDUCIARY WAYS, and what FIXES they needed to put in, to REPRESENT THE NEEDS of ALL THE MEMBER/OWNERS.
I was eventually labeled; PERSONA NON GRATIA by most of them as they REFUSED TO ABANDON their PERSONAL $$$$ AGENDAS.
In one case, I asked an officer; How can you perport to REPRESENT WEE FLORISTS when YOU ARE SLEEPING WITH OUR ENEMY? He said that, HE SAW NO CONFLICT.
Maybe SOMEDAY and with these NEWER OWNERS, they might be able to figure out the basics of this network they now own.
Having one of the ONLY SAME-DAY-DELIVERY networks in the USA and CANADA is of NO VALUE unless, that network has the ability to HAVE MORE STUFF TO DELIVER.
After which, THEY (the network) must be as profitable as the company, otherwise IT'S NOT A PARTNERSHIP.
FORE! TOTO and NO ONE EVER SEEMS TO GET IT! :beer
You know, I would possibly jump on that big box program too, IF and only IF, we got the same deal, no sale, no pay, MEANING if they don't sell, WE don't have to pay for the flowers THEY supplied us with.
I am not going to be a labor force for anyone, anymore, it looks too much like Chump Change to me too. There was talk recently about competing with Proflowers and getting on that 29.95 per dozen roses, which Bob said we would have $12 in the arrangement when we got the roses from him for $3. Yet I looked at the Fresh Flower pricing, and looks to me, if I can still read, that the cost is $6.25 for 40'2s and 8.25 for 50's, with fillers. Which somehow doesn't equate to $3 to me, unless there is a special deal they cut for the florists who have opted in to this program.
Me all for makin money too, but remaining highly skeptical.
I am not going to be a labor force for anyone, anymore, it looks too much like Chump Change to me too. There was talk recently about competing with Proflowers and getting on that 29.95 per dozen roses, which Bob said we would have $12 in the arrangement when we got the roses from him for $3. Yet I looked at the Fresh Flower pricing, and looks to me, if I can still read, that the cost is $6.25 for 40'2s and 8.25 for 50's, with fillers. Which somehow doesn't equate to $3 to me, unless there is a special deal they cut for the florists who have opted in to this program.
Me all for makin money too, but remaining highly skeptical.
I was going to say something butt.. I don't belong to Neener Neener of anyone of them to worry about where MY MONEY is.
This is better than the Cartoon Network!.
This is better than the Cartoon Network!.
BOSS
FlowerChat Administrator
Hmmmmm
Could be George, I don;t know every deal. I do know our numbers are increasing and I'll leave it to you to be the IMPARTIAL judge, next directory.
As to TF adding shops each directory, I wonder where they keep finding all these "Quality" shops... I know the 4 I have been to in ST Pete, and Melbourne FL, this week, all TF, 2 of them FTD also, do not qualify as Florists...
But thats O.K. cuz it's Teleflora, and we can;t say anything bad about them....
I'm going back to my vacation...... have a DAY !
Could be George, I don;t know every deal. I do know our numbers are increasing and I'll leave it to you to be the IMPARTIAL judge, next directory.
As to TF adding shops each directory, I wonder where they keep finding all these "Quality" shops... I know the 4 I have been to in ST Pete, and Melbourne FL, this week, all TF, 2 of them FTD also, do not qualify as Florists...
But thats O.K. cuz it's Teleflora, and we can;t say anything bad about them....
I'm going back to my vacation...... have a DAY !
Need something BAD said about TF BOSS?
You know Bud that, I'm one of those who don't give a RIP about TF or FTD.
How could I? with a treatment center THEY HAVE? I'm back on the ROAD AGAIN just like it SHOULD BEE.
BWTFDIK?
You know Bud that, I'm one of those who don't give a RIP about TF or FTD.
How could I? with a treatment center THEY HAVE? I'm back on the ROAD AGAIN just like it SHOULD BEE.
BWTFDIK?
Lady Biker Florist
Well-Known Member
A new outlook!
I have abandoned the stance that filling for order gatherers is bad. If I say no to filling for all order gatherers every time then I am the one who will feel it the most, way more then they will in my lifetime. Yes, some of them are profitable. Sorry, but my goal is not to try and eradicate order gatherers for the sake of a future generation. My focus is on my generation right now.
I have now acquired a POS system with a database for direct marketing which I have done now four times since July 1st, 2003. My time consuming bookwork has been reduced to a single keystroke. My invoices now have a very professional appearance. ETC..... That was part of my goal after leaving FTD.
The one thing I did not take into account enough was the fact that reducing labor was not an option. When we got rid of FTD.COM it freed up a lot of time, but now instead of filling the FTD.COM orders my mom watches TV and does crossword puzzles. I have tried, am trying, and will still keep on trying to build my local business, but it takes time.
I truly believe it is more profitable for us to fill FTD.COM orders to fill in that time WHILE we are growing. Like I said, reducing labor costs is not an option. My mom, my husband and myself work here full time and unless my husband WANTS to get a job somewhere else, it's the three of us.
Boss, you raised a pertinent point a long time ago. FTD.COM does give you a decent amount for 1 dz, vased roses and 90% of the time it is without filler. The 73% is a decent amount in my book.
I am not particularly more pro FTD or TF. They have both treated me pretty good other than FTD not noticing we quit after 23 years. I have to say in all honesty I believe the FTD logo means more than the TF logo on my door. I know many say it made no difference when they got rid of their FTD logo, and I do believe you, but I also know that I don't get people calling me from the yellow pages anymore telling me they called me because we are FTD and they know if we are FTD we are reputable. Not one call this year stating they called us because we are Teleflora so they know that means we are reputable.
For the summer we will be both FTD and TF with no fees to either. I did not plan it this way, but TF offereed four months free until we know for sure if FTD will keep their word so we can easily stay with TF if need be. Yes I know it's always more about how it will benefit them in the long run, but their offers are benefitting me for the summer and that's ok with me.
Both have pros and cons and both are in it for themselves. Loyalty has to be deserved and if one ever deserves it in my eyes I will be loyal to them. I am not holding my breath.
Thanks for listening to my longwinded post as usual!
:scooter: It's coming and I can't wait - I am a fairweather rider. My husband's been riding already as long as it's about 40. :ned Crazy guy!
I have abandoned the stance that filling for order gatherers is bad. If I say no to filling for all order gatherers every time then I am the one who will feel it the most, way more then they will in my lifetime. Yes, some of them are profitable. Sorry, but my goal is not to try and eradicate order gatherers for the sake of a future generation. My focus is on my generation right now.
I have now acquired a POS system with a database for direct marketing which I have done now four times since July 1st, 2003. My time consuming bookwork has been reduced to a single keystroke. My invoices now have a very professional appearance. ETC..... That was part of my goal after leaving FTD.
The one thing I did not take into account enough was the fact that reducing labor was not an option. When we got rid of FTD.COM it freed up a lot of time, but now instead of filling the FTD.COM orders my mom watches TV and does crossword puzzles. I have tried, am trying, and will still keep on trying to build my local business, but it takes time.
I truly believe it is more profitable for us to fill FTD.COM orders to fill in that time WHILE we are growing. Like I said, reducing labor costs is not an option. My mom, my husband and myself work here full time and unless my husband WANTS to get a job somewhere else, it's the three of us.
Boss, you raised a pertinent point a long time ago. FTD.COM does give you a decent amount for 1 dz, vased roses and 90% of the time it is without filler. The 73% is a decent amount in my book.
I am not particularly more pro FTD or TF. They have both treated me pretty good other than FTD not noticing we quit after 23 years. I have to say in all honesty I believe the FTD logo means more than the TF logo on my door. I know many say it made no difference when they got rid of their FTD logo, and I do believe you, but I also know that I don't get people calling me from the yellow pages anymore telling me they called me because we are FTD and they know if we are FTD we are reputable. Not one call this year stating they called us because we are Teleflora so they know that means we are reputable.
For the summer we will be both FTD and TF with no fees to either. I did not plan it this way, but TF offereed four months free until we know for sure if FTD will keep their word so we can easily stay with TF if need be. Yes I know it's always more about how it will benefit them in the long run, but their offers are benefitting me for the summer and that's ok with me.
Both have pros and cons and both are in it for themselves. Loyalty has to be deserved and if one ever deserves it in my eyes I will be loyal to them. I am not holding my breath.
Thanks for listening to my longwinded post as usual!
:scooter: It's coming and I can't wait - I am a fairweather rider. My husband's been riding already as long as it's about 40. :ned Crazy guy!
Just keep in the back of your mind that this is busy work. That is what I thought when I dropped both FTD and TF. My driver kept checking the machines and my daughter-designer kept sighing. Well, after PROVING that we really made less than $1 each incoming order, everyone has found things to do that really need to be done. Like relaxing, like having a life, like having more at the end of each month....that sort of thing.
Judy
Judy
It's also worth noting is TF's actual numbers shops or Towns served/Towns located in? It's all in how you count the numbers.
If you are referring to my numbers, I count the actual number of records that go in flowerSoft's florist database for each service.
Teleflora has always had more members than FTD, but that isz not what we are counting. We are comparing the number of records that were in the database from the previous directory release to the current directory release.
It has been a trend for several years now, that FTD total number of records reduce while Teleflora's increase. However, as I said before, I've had some users (Patty included) that informed me that they were dropping Teleflora and re-joining FTD.
It will be interesting to see in the next relase of the florist directories if this trend is being reversed, due to the obvious efforts by FTD to re-sign some of the members that have left.
The current database has 79,323 records of FTD listings and 109,930 record of Teleflora listing. These include ASB listings for both services.
Teleflora has always had more members than FTD, but that isz not what we are counting. We are comparing the number of records that were in the database from the previous directory release to the current directory release.
It has been a trend for several years now, that FTD total number of records reduce while Teleflora's increase. However, as I said before, I've had some users (Patty included) that informed me that they were dropping Teleflora and re-joining FTD.
It will be interesting to see in the next relase of the florist directories if this trend is being reversed, due to the obvious efforts by FTD to re-sign some of the members that have left.
The current database has 79,323 records of FTD listings and 109,930 record of Teleflora listing. These include ASB listings for both services.
number of memebers
All along when I was a member of both FTD AND TF I always believed in not how many but the quality of membership and what benefits the Wire Service has to help your business. I never believed in being a member of both its not cost effective to satisfy your business needs to have 2 to do what 1 can do. Just because one is larger than the other does not make it better by any means, Thats like saying a shop that does 2 million a year in sales is better than the shop that does 500,000, I know for a fact a few shops that do 1/2 million a year have larger bottom line dollars than the big boys. Its all what you want out of the wire service to assist your biz. Get past all the BS from the old days and what this and that are doing, concentrate on your business and use the one that helps you if any do at all.
Just some thoughts from someone who has gotten over the BS from the old days.. Its over on with your business make money..
All along when I was a member of both FTD AND TF I always believed in not how many but the quality of membership and what benefits the Wire Service has to help your business. I never believed in being a member of both its not cost effective to satisfy your business needs to have 2 to do what 1 can do. Just because one is larger than the other does not make it better by any means, Thats like saying a shop that does 2 million a year in sales is better than the shop that does 500,000, I know for a fact a few shops that do 1/2 million a year have larger bottom line dollars than the big boys. Its all what you want out of the wire service to assist your biz. Get past all the BS from the old days and what this and that are doing, concentrate on your business and use the one that helps you if any do at all.
Just some thoughts from someone who has gotten over the BS from the old days.. Its over on with your business make money..
Lady Biker Florist
Well-Known Member
We have way too much empty time and like I said reducing labor is not an option. I know full well that it's busy work if you fill all the FTD.COM orders and you also have to buy too many flower types. I will not go back to that. I will pick and choose the profitable ones and reject the rest. We are trying to grow our local business and we ae doing many things, but it does take time. We ae not abandoning any current goals to run back to filling for FTD.COm, but rather adding a little low profit work since reducing labor is not an option so it helps pay for that labor. Growing our local business is front and foremost as always. About a life - life is wonderful. I will never return tothe frenetic type filling we did before, I do not miss that, however like Boss said - FTD.COM orders are higher dollar amounts and many are profitable. Thanks for the post and the interest,.
BOSS
FlowerChat Administrator
Re: Need something BAD said about TF BOSS?
Nope don't "need" Shel... Just amazed that virtually nobodu (present you incluuded) ever has a bad word for the "other" company...
Sunny and 84 here, hows Rock City ?
Nope don't "need" Shel... Just amazed that virtually nobodu (present you incluuded) ever has a bad word for the "other" company...
Sunny and 84 here, hows Rock City ?
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