Why be FTD?

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Joe Mioux

Joe Mioux

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Dec 15, 2004
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I just received my last FTD Statement today for the main store. As of 1-Nov-05 I am no longer FTD at the main store. That ends a 53 year membership run.

I thought I would share with all you my last statement.

12 incoming orders, 6 from 90-8400, four more with different but same FTD number and two from flower shops. (I'm doing this from memory, so I might be a bit off, but I am close)

Total after commissions, $317.00,

My check after membership, Mercury, Qualtiy Assurance, SAF etc. $22.47.

I filled twelve order and got $22.47 back as compensation!

Hmmmm........
 
Joe Mioux said:
My check after membership, Mercury, Qualtiy Assurance, SAF etc. $22.47.
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In all fairness Joe, I don't think you should lump SAF in with FTD, or are you going to drop SAF as well?

I hope not...the fat lady has not sung yet!!!

mark
 
Mark:

You misunderstood. I was just listing my extra costs associated with my FTD membership.

My SAF monthly dues are/were checked-off my monthly FTD statement.

My listing SAF was not meant to diminish that association. Remember, I'm the guy with my grandfather's SAF Lifetime Membership plaque, dated Dec, 1919, proudly displayed behind the sales counter!

Joe
 
"business that has little interest in your future success"
Is TF any different???I still have membership in both...and in trying to see which one is the worst, it appears that if you toss them both into a bag, shake it up, close your eyes...they are not much different, or am I missing something??.
 
Sher said:
Is TF any different???

or am I missing something??.
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Hmmm... not sure they are...

Read HERE first then read the last lines in the disclaimer HERE

Seems to say their boxed products are fresher?? 60 Days from date of purchase????
 
Sher said:
"business that has little interest in your future success"
Is TF any different???I still have membership in both...and in trying to see which one is the worst, it appears that if you toss them both into a bag, shake it up, close your eyes...they are not much different, or am I missing something??.
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Sher, I believe these days it's just a matter of which one wants you the most. We were with FTD for over 20 years and dabbled in the others over the years. We did quit FTD for one year exactly only to rejoin after receiving an offer too good to refuse and the TF lower rates offer was running out. We have both selection guides and are not tied to either one in any way other than the convenience of sending and that's not being tied to them, just hooked on them.

Our FTD membership was $59.99 for a year and then went to $79.99 for a few months and I just noticed last month it is now $149.99. I told my rep to do something about it or I'm outta there. He said his hands are tied at this point and that they already kept my fees lower longer than promised.

After crunching out numbers a few months ago I know we need to get out, just stalling right now. Why???? Because I know the wire outs will fall on my shoulders mostly and I am not looking forward to that. I don't need another responsibility, I jave too many now that I can't keep up with.

As for FTD or TF - people can debate all day for or against either one and it's all true. In the end a florist has to weigh it all out and make their own decision. The new decision is FTD or TF or something else or none.
 
Sher said:
"business that has little interest in your future success"
Is TF any different???I still have membership in both...and in trying to see which one is the worst, it appears that if you toss them both into a bag, shake it up, close your eyes...they are not much different, or am I missing something??.
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Yes, they are different. Having made the remark quoted above, I guess I'll have to back it up.

I have consistently tracked improvements in Teleflora's clean-up of their rogue affiliates. Not to the point where I'd say they're even close to perfect, but the bottom of the barrel is less crowded.

TF's site doesn't consist of 60%+ in drop-ship flowers and gifts. The dollars still stay in the industry, albeit severely discounted dollars.

Findaflorist places better nationally than nearly any other directory so at least some members have a shot at getting direct orders. FTD's version is practically absent from search engines. (Of course, the 'storefronts' are still an extreme sore spot with me.)

They have not partnered with the likes of Wal-mart or signed up car washes and grocery stores. They don't present wrapped-up flowers as arrangements to fool the public. They haven't conceded traditional florists as a lost cause to the degree FTD has.

Having stated my disappointment with the company on numerous occasions, like other shop owners I've made the determiniation that continued membership makes business sense for now since we utilize tools that are not easily replaced.

As with any other shop, the relationship is evaluated regularly. Joe did his homework and determined FTD membership did not further his business goals. We did the same more than 5 years ago and came to the same conclusion.
 
WOoooooHOOO!!!!!!! *HUGs JOE* YYYYEeeeeeeeeHHAHAawwwWW!!!!!

Cathy, I agree with Sher. I do agree with you that TF is the better of two evils, but your statement of "business that has little interest in your future success", which I loved BTW, can be said about TF, which in my mind too, is the lesser of two evils.

TF might not have a drop ship like FTD's Butterfieldblooms, but they OG for Proflowers' same day service if I am not mistaking.
 
CHR said:
TF's site doesn't consist of 60%+ in drop-ship flowers and gifts. The dollars still stay in the industry, albeit severely discounted dollars.
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Yes, but we know TF usually has a 1-3 year lag behind any new idea FTD has. They will trash box programs only until they can get their own running smoothly. Too many $$$ there for Resnick to pass up.

CHR said:
They have not partnered with the likes of Wal-mart or signed up car washes and grocery stores. They don't present wrapped-up flowers as arrangements to fool the public. They haven't conceded traditional florists as a lost cause to the degree FTD has.
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They tried for Walmart and lost in the bidding. They are partnered with Proflowers, and yes - they DO certainly have grocery chains.

I have to agree that one is as bad as the other. They are in business to make $$$ and will use us to do so. At the same time, we florists are here to make $$$ and will use FTD/TF to do so.

Ryan
 
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