Which do you prefer?

[sales@rosegarden]

Hello fellow chatters. I have been boggled by some of the responses I have gotten from florists around the country as I work on getting my roses sold for Valentines Day. So I am wondering, which do you prefer?

I sell roses from Ecuador, South America. These are the worlds best roses. I used to work in wholesale, so I know the difference between a Columbian rose, an African rose and an Ecuadorian rose. Yes, we could get Columbian roses dirt cheap, however they usually looked dirt cheap. I don't like thin stems and teeny tiny heads. I like a thick stem, with a large head.

I can understand different preferences in cut-point, meaning how open the rose is when it is cut. Russia loves a very open rose, the US likes them tight and Europe is somewhere in between. I also get that some regions like a longer stem than others. A rose that is 120 cm just wouldn't make it in the US.

Are customers ok with cheap roses? Maybe they are since it seems that everyone from Walmart to Food Lion sell them. I however would not waste my money. I always loved a beautiful rose that had a long vase life.

So, I figure that this is what my clients will love to see. However, I just got off the phone with a customer who is paying less than $1.00/stem for her roses this Valentine's Day. I do not see how these can be Ecuadorian roses. Does this mean that her clientele is ok with Columbian roses or is she totally pulling my leg?

Now, tell me which do you prefer?


PS This is not meant to sound like a bad sex joke. After reading this to my husband and Dad before posting, I became red in the face at how truly terrible it would sound to someone who doesn't know flowers.

 

[bootcampguy]

Your roses are beautiful, mine just came. Thanks !! I think the answer is yes. We sell both the low end and the high end, so for me I have to buy both.......................In this economy if you sell 3, 4 or 5 thousand roses, .25 is a few months cushion in the summer.

 

[Flowermomma]

thousands?? OH MY!! I don't deal in near that number! But then my town is 7000 people and 1/2 of them are snow birds that have gone to Florida for the winter!

I like the E. Roses. My Wholesaler seems to only carry them.

Melissa

 

[OB1]

After many years of checking out, and testing all of thevarious options, I prefer to go with the 70-80 cm Equadorian roses from certified PPf grower, ( or similar) and my customers understand the difference.
I do purchase a few hundred of the shorter stemmed varieties for arrangements that don't need the stem length, but I am still looking for the head size.
The only exception I make is for the cluster roses, and then I only purchase the Canadian , because the quality is amazing, and in my case it is nice to offer a product that is "locally" grown...and our customers like that, especially thoe who are trying to buy "green".
I know it is really hard,especially in the beginning, to hold tight to your convictions, but try to remember that there are lots of different companies who sell the cheap columbian products, and if you want to stand apart from them, then you have to offer a superior product, WITH superior design in order for your customers to get why you are different from "Them"
Good luck with your decision.
Joanne

 

[sales@rosegarden]

Thanks for your input y'all. Man was I frustrated today. We do have premium quality and I am very proud of the product I sell. I refuse to work for a rose farm that has mediocre quality because I have been on y'alls side and I would not buy! I just feel like some people are messing with me when they tell me prices and I am going as low as I can. Also, I know my prices aren't out of the ordinary in or out of season because I have customers that share what other farms are charging for similar projects. Maybe I just got a bad seed this time and I should maybe stay out of that area because it seems that maybe that is what the consumer likes. Thanks for letting me vent.

 

[Rhonda]

In our little area (pop around 6,000) in a tri town area, we can't afford to do standing orders so we usually buy from the trucks that come to us 4 days / week and they usually only carry colombian crap... on a rare occasion I can buy 100 Ecuadorian 40 cm ... they don't usually carry anything longer on the truck. Any other stem length I usually have to order ahead and then one wholesaler has CA and CO... the other mostly CO with the 40 cm Ecuadorian. I've found most shippers want standing orders per week, I just can't do it. I have found if I need or want longer stem, I go to flowerbuyer and their "buy the bunch" option where I can usually buy Ecuadorians in 50 or 60 cm for either the same or less price than from my local trucks... I keep my prices on roses steady almost all year long, this year I'm having to up my prices for Valentines due to such a rise in wholesale prices. I'm not happy because I know the local Hannaford will have dozens for $19.99 wrapped... In years past, I've been able to offer my dozens wrapped for $24.99 to try to compete (with better quality and care)....

 

[BOSS]

RoseGarden....

For "some" it may be price as they have been conditioned that roses are to expensive, and some of it may be the florists themselves. I know many, that purchase roses for 30-40 cents and yet still sell them for $50.00 as I do.

Then, for others like myself, they are willing to pay more to get more. My roses (Rosa Prima) cost me more in July than some pay in February, but my customers know that my roses last 2 weeks or more, they open wide, and offer a show you can not get from cheap roses.

Too many florists are short sighted, thinking they can sell cheap roses today and the customer will come back for more... I doubt that's the case. I know for me, that I sell more and more roses each month, and I never sell "cheap" roses... my customers know I guarantee my product... I doubt there are many florists that sell 29 cent roses, that would offer a 14 day guarantee... I make less per dozen than I could, but I sell more dozens this way, and that equates to more dollars and far more customer satisfaction.

 

[artistry in bloom]

I do a mix of local roses grown right here and imported Ecuadorian roses. I never buy Columbian.
Our local roses are fresh and excellent quality with clean vibrant leaves but although they are just as long in stem length their bloom is much smaller than Ecuadorian.
In summer the local rose bloom is much larger probably because there is more sunlight so I use more local roses than imported in the summer.
I actually did a blog on the difference in roses for Valentines but now I am quite concerned. Over the last month and a half the Ecuadorian roses have been awful. My wholesalers do not bring in your brand so I can't comment on it but the roses I have had lately from Unique,Roses and Roses,Ecuadorian Flower,Eco Roses, Golden Rose,Excellence and Greenrose have all been consistently bad lately. I am not sure if it is the transport, packing, or what but the top roses that you can see are generally OK but the inside roses that are hidden are generally speaking really bad. I think they are squished in too tightly but that would not explain why this is a recent occurrance and why they used to arrive in qood quality and good condition.The inside roses generally have brown crease marks throughout the rose not just the outside petals and the petals often have dried black or brown spots that almost look like they have been burnt with a match in spots.I honestly am getting sick of phoning the wholesaler and complaining when I uncover the roses and can only use half.
Our wholesalers charge $36 per bunch and at Valentines it goes up as high as $68 per bunch or $55 per bunch if you order a case.
I have also found the imported spray roses and even the Californian spray roses which are supposed to be so great and are very expensive have been so bad that I don't even order them anymore. Fortunately our local grower has planted spray roses and they will be available either just in time for Valentines or soon after so I will be buying from them so that they are fresh and clean.
I am hoping the Ecuadorian rose quality improves in time for Valentines but this could explain why you are finding resistance from florists. I usually don't mind paying extra for Ecadorian roses but if this trend continues much longer I am really not sure what I will do.I do love the large roses but if the quality is so bad you can't use them there is not much point buying them.

Dianne

 

[lori042499]

I buy only ecudorian roses...I have not bought a columbian rose on purpose since the late 1990's....I usually like an more open cut, I just have better luck with them...

The problem you are seeing is like Mark said, most florists concentrate more on price than quality...Many florists have no idea the difference in vase life between farms, varieties and locations...and don't care. All the care about is how much it cost them and how much they made on this particular arrangement...

In the past, I will admit that I would buy the least expensive from any farm to fit the bill for Valentine's day, mor ethan half of my product was going to Wire ins and I would get a few sleeves of really nice product for my top customers...but now that I am focusing on making my less than frequent buyers into top customers and focusing way less on wires, will be going with my regular roses from my regular wholesaler which are 70CM rosa prima forever yours...they really are the best that anyone here locally has to offer, but at over 2 bucks a stem it really hurts simply because I cannot make as much as I want to on the roses, but the thing is that my regular customers that get roses year round won't have a chance of being dissapointed, if I changed farms or wholesaler that chance rises immensely, but I think like a champion florist rather than a flower reseller...huge difference..also all businesses are different, some have gone the route of kower quality higher volume becaus of their market and that would warrant them focussing on price because it is what their business is built on...

 

[artistry in bloom]

Hi Lori,

The problem I am having lately is that I am paying for the expensive supposedly good quality Ecuadorian roses but these roses are now coming in in poor condition not the good quality they used to be.I don't know what is going on or how long this will last. I know its a long way from Ecuador to Canada but they used to arrive in beautiful condition.I just hope I see an improvement soon before Valentines especially since I did a blog on the difference between Ecuadorian and the cheap Columbian and now aside from the size I am not seeing the difference in quality any more.Is this just a problem here? If everyone is still getting good quality except us on the West Coast in Canada than I would really like to know why.I have gone through both of our wholesalers and numerous growers but the problem persists.

Dianne

 

[sales@rosegarden]

Over the last month and a half the Ecuadorian roses have been awful. My wholesalers do not bring in your brand so I can't comment on it but the roses I have had lately from Unique,Roses and Roses,Ecuadorian Flower,Eco Roses, Golden Rose,Excellence and Greenrose have all been consistently bad lately. I am not sure if it is the transport, packing, or what but the top roses that you can see are generally OK but the inside roses that are hidden are generally speaking really bad. I think they are squished in too tightly but that would not explain why this is a recent occurrance and why they used to arrive in qood quality and good condition.The inside roses generally have brown crease marks throughout the rose not just the outside petals and the petals often have dried black or brown spots that almost look like they have been burnt with a match in spots.I honestly am getting sick of phoning the wholesaler and complaining when I uncover the roses and can only use half.
Dianne

Ecuador was having a problem with production a few months back due to some weather conditions. So, you may have been getting what was "making it". I hate that because Ecuador has the best rose in the world. I will have to figure out how we can send to Canada, as I am only working with the US market right now. I have heard that it is quite difficult to get roses into Canada per regulations, but I am not sure if this is true.

 

[sales@rosegarden]

will be going with my regular roses from my regular wholesaler which are 70CM rosa prima forever yours...they really are the best that anyone here locally has to offer, but at over 2 bucks a stem it really hurts simply because I cannot make as much as I want to on the roses, but the thing is that my regular customers that get roses year round won't have a chance of being dissapointed, if I changed farms or wholesaler that chance rises immensely, but I think like a champion florist rather than a flower reseller

Have I sent you my VDay price list yet? Our FedEx programs gets them to you directly from the farm and they are under $2 per stem for 70's. Send me a pm with your email address and I will get you those prices. Min order is one full box which is 250 stems of 70's. Let me know, we have premium quality at great prices.

 

[anytimeflowers]

Dianne,

When did you last try Unique? I have a standing order of 80cm Freedoms and they are usually top notch. BUT....during Christmas they were coming in like you describe. I know they were having a terrible problem with the weather. What you are describing was probably because the roses were too damp when they were packed. The black spots were probably botritis. I have also had roses come in with random inner petals rotten and I believe it is from trapped moisture.

 

[roysecityfloristand gifts]

As many of you may know I order from flowerbuyer and have for years. The quality has declined steadily, and items are not available that used to be commonplace, like limonium and wax.
Just this week got 18 boxes, three of those were red roses all from different growers to test the water. Well glad I did because the charlottes 60cm looked like "spray rose" heads. No joke!! Not to mention they were so limp, they should have been thrown away not shipped.
The freedoms 60cm from another farm were so tightly packed (five across), that all the roses were mashed flat. Again I'm thinking these are problems that no hydration process in the world will help. I paid around 70cents per stem with shipping. I get Equadorian roses whenever possible and always look for growers rated 8.
The colored roses were bizarre in that the 60's were open and looked like 80's which I don't get because the petals tend to flop around when opening and look bad..while others in the same box looked again like spray rose or 40cm sweetheart heads and limp. The second box of freedoms from yet a different grower were also mashed flat, and the packing was odd.

The Palm box looked like it had been hung from the bumper of a truck, and it was black spot molded.
I could go on, but you get the picture.

Local wholesaler wants over 2.00 per stem for 60cm., not even offering 70's or 80's prebook.

Quality is very important to us. But anyone who wants to remain in business should be looking at price as well.
I am increasing my doz. price by $4.95 cents this year to cover my additional cost. We are already getting orders, and many are for colored roses and our special mix vase with some roses in it.

I predict an excellent Val Day for all of us. If we run out of roses, we'll sell them mixed vases and lots of balloons and plush. By the way we are including one of those little heart shaped boxes of choc's with all orders.

Everyone think positively, and don't be afraid to ask your price. This is one of the few times in the year when we have an opportunity to create a cushion for ourselves.

Florist created designs ROCK! and don't you forget it. (no roundy moundy 1-800, TF, FTD junk here.) Independent all the way too!!

 

[FANCIES]

Carolyn, as you know, one really good thing about Flowerbuyer.com is that they are really good about giving credits right away. I really appreciate that about them and also they do try hard to fix problems and send you other boxes of flowers, at their charge, to replace bad product when you need it right away. I agree that alot of the normal product is not avaliable right now & I am fit to be tied about that! I buy the msg from #286 & he is not on there now. Product has not been too bad, except my last shipment was partially frozen, not their fault. I got credit on it right away. I have been getting some beautiful dendro orchids and I love the mini calla lilies. Almost always a great price and very good quality. Sorry about your roses. I buy alot of Cherry Love, beautiful rose, not everyone has them. The cremones I got last week are awesome! Huge, full blooms. Sometimes though, tiny. Really have to watch the growers. Roses are scarey for Vday, I only have 2 boxes ordered from them, I bring in around 4,000. I would like the price list for roses from our new gal that is selling roses from Equador. I buy most all Equadorian roses, 70-80 c Forever Young I got mostly for around $1.50 stem.

 

[artistry in bloom]

Hi Linda,

The Uniques were just this week and the week before I had Freedoms from Excellence which were even worse. I also had Sexy Red this week from a different grower(can't remember which one). All three were consistently bad. I don't think it was botrytis because the blackish/brown spots were not slimy and they didn't spread like botrytis and there were also brown crease marks throughout the blooms so when they opened they looked even worse.The blackish brown spots were dry and crunchy like an old rose that had been dried.
If the roses show up like this for Valentines it is going to be one big mess since both of our wholesalers are getting in the same quality of Ecuadorian roses which only leaves our local grower who has excellent roses but small blooms and also only grows Passion for a red rose which is too dark.I'm just keeping my fingers crossed and hoping for the best.

Dianne