Why I sent in my termination letter to Teleflora

Aren't you guys happy that when don't need a group to tell us what's wrong, my wife justs kicks me in the rear-end......I straighten out real fast......
 
It does not say Boss who they are evaluating. My husband worked for 2 different companies that invested in these type of evaluations. He said the paperwork could account for about 1/4th of a good sized forest. It was INSANE all of the stuff they had to fax, email, mail, fill out, survey, count, blah blah, and blah. I would say it is probably their consumer reps but who knows they could be looking at their sales reps to florists as well. Michael said it will drag on for months and then maybe 6 months to a year to get end results from a firm like this. They look at every number you can possibly think of. I suspect the final conclusion will be something along the lines of you are loosing florists left and right, you better raise your prices to make up for it. Either to the consumer or to the florists that are still members. I would expect to see an increase in the consumer side within the next 6 months. Probably in the "order fee", raised by $1 to $2. More money the florist will never see.
 
secretgarden said:
It does not say Boss who they are evaluating. My husband worked for 2 different companies that invested in these type of evaluations. He said the paperwork could account for about 1/4th of a good sized forest. It was INSANE all of the stuff they had to fax, email, mail, fill out, survey, count, blah blah, and blah. I would say it is probably their consumer reps but who knows they could be looking at their sales reps to florists as well. Michael said it will drag on for months and then maybe 6 months to a year to get end results from a firm like this. They look at every number you can possibly think of. I suspect the final conclusion will be something along the lines of you are loosing florists left and right, you better raise your prices to make up for it. Either to the consumer or to the florists that are still members. I would expect to see an increase in the consumer side within the next 6 months. Probably in the "order fee", raised by $1 to $2. More money the florist will never see.
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IF TF needed to increase their revenues, they probably got 5 options:
- start drop ship;
- increase consumer "service fees";
- increase product prices;
- increase florist fees; and
- a blending of the above.

Presently TF's only real point of difference from other recognised, national, wires is no drop-ship, if you ignore Gift Tree which seems to have gone nowhere. I doubt that they would add drop-ship for when, what is their point-of-difference?

Increasing "service fees" really depends upon the competition. Rather like the airlines and ticket prices, if one does it, they'll all do it and see if it holds.

Increasing product prices is difficult as then they could drive more consumers to the drop-ship. Offering a different product mix of flora with harder to cross-compare designs to drop-ship and to FTD's florist designed is more likely but still difficult.

Increasing florist fees, hard good prices - see how Kinkade went up $3 vs 2010 for the addition of sound which cost probably $0.35 - and looking for new charges is really the only other option. I would see TF hitting the florist first or at least most significantly before going to the consumer.
 
Question: To those of you who have (recently) terminated with TF and the process is complete, I would appreciate a comment to the following development.

I sent in termination letter with recorded USPS delivery and TF and I both know that they received these notifications (in CA and AK) prior to the publication dead-line for the August-October directory, the 1st June, 2011. This was done in accordance with the printed TF termination procedure.

Imagine my surprise then to receive the latest (Aug-Oct) directory today and, further, to see we are still in it.

As TF states that one is responsible for all directory - print & electronic - fees while one appears in it, I am concerned that TF is attempting to pull a fast one and notch up another round of fees hoping I will not notice.

I would appreciate learning what you experience was.
 
Simon Says said:
Question: To those of you who have (recently) terminated with TF and the process is complete, I would appreciate a comment to the following development.

I sent in termination letter with recorded USPS delivery and TF and I both know that they received these notifications (in CA and AK) prior to the publication dead-line for the August-October directory, the 1st June, 2011. This was done in accordance with the printed TF termination procedure.

Imagine my surprise then to receive the latest (Aug-Oct) directory today and, further, to see we are still in it.

As TF states that one is responsible for all directory - print & electronic - fees while one appears in it, I am concerned that TF is attempting to pull a fast one and notch up another round of fees hoping I will not notice.

I would appreciate learning what you experience was.
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Did you confirm with them by phone after you sent it that someone had read it and put it in your file?
if you have all your paperwork showing they received it before the cut off date you MIGHT be able to fight them on it.
I would give them a call.
Be ready to fax them copies of the receipt showing they signed for the packagae/letter that you sent them.
 
Melissa,

Thank you for prompt reply and comments.

I have print and e-mail exchange information with (inc. from) TF after they received the termination and also had couple of 'phone calls, inc. from regional VP, wanting me/us to stay on. I am, theoretically at least, covered on that.

I was, partly, wondering if TF often don't remove terminating florists until the "second" directory cycle, but don't charge you for the "first" directory after they leave, as TF departments try (vainly?) to catch up with one another.
 
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I didn't accept the directory by mail after I sent my letter so I have no idea if I appeared in it again.
I would call them monday and remind them you sent in all the proper paper work and I would remove their software for send/recieve from your computer and stop taking/sending orders now.
 
Two full years after we terminated with TF, we are still listed somewhere as we regularly get calls from shops wanting to Dove us an order.

We're in an area in which we are the only shop, heaven forbid it appear that TF has no one to cover this area, so they just keep listing us, weird. Know what I mean. TF actually begged us to join when the previous area shop closed. Never even met the rep that signed us up. Real great service huh.

Our shop was even a Beta Test shop for them, a lot of hassle and it resulted in the orders they sent us, showing as sent, but ending up in the clouds somewhere, never to be found in time to be filled. Grrrr!

I think your good on the whole thing. It's not your fault they chose to list you anyway. Don't let them bully you. Congrats. on your freedom, you'll love it!
 
roysecityfloristand gifts said:
Two full years after we terminated with TF, we are still listed somewhere as we regularly get calls from shops wanting to Dove us an order.

We're in an area in which we are the only shop, heaven forbid it appear that TF has no one to cover this area, so they just keep listing us, weird. Know what I mean. TF actually begged us to join when the previous area shop closed. Never even met the rep that signed us up. Real great service huh.

Our shop was even a Beta Test shop for them, a lot of hassle and it resulted in the orders they sent us, showing as sent, but ending up in the clouds somewhere, never to be found in time to be filled. Grrrr!

I think your good on the whole thing. It's not your fault they chose to list you anyway. Don't let them bully you. Congrats. on your freedom, you'll love it!
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Good grief - 2 entire years! They may want to appear to cover the nation but, just as with the photography of arrangements by the WS, the more and more it looks like "Smoke & Mirrors". These guys could teach the Wizard of Oz a few tricks.

For the the above and other comments, thank you. I have all ready e-mailed TF rep and her office assistant and will be following through Monday afternoon if no reply from them. I (strongly) believe I have all bases covered but, with the Smoke & Mirror people, you never know what trick they might foist upon you. In fact, throw that in as another reason to leave the WS: tired of their ineptness.
 
Simon Says,
It states very clearly in the TF directory that you must submit your letter via USPS. I would verify with Tf that you are in fact out come Aug 1, and if they say "no" just get a lawyer to send them a letter. They should not bother you after that, but you did leave a loophole by sending it UPS
 
jamie said:
Simon Says,
It states very clearly in the TF directory that you must submit your letter via USPS. I would verify with Tf that you are in fact out come Aug 1, and if they say "no" just get a lawyer to send them a letter. They should not bother you after that, but you did leave a loophole by sending it UPS
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Jamie,

Thank you but I did send, both, by recorded delivery USPS.

I'll wait to see what their reps say to the e-mail they were sent on Saturday minutes after receiving the print directory as to what is going on.

Simon
 
yeah, i didn't even think about it but we got a new directory too. I need to look at it Monday to see if they took me out
 
I hate to say it but it would have been much better if you would have turned the directory away. They may try to bill you for it and we all know those books are not cheap. When ours came I apologized to the delivery driver because he was going to have to lug that right back out to his truck.
 
secretgarden said:
I hate to say it but it would have been much better if you would have turned the directory away. They may try to bill you for it and we all know those books are not cheap. When ours came I apologized to the delivery driver because he was going to have to lug that right back out to his truck.
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USPS delivered into our large mailbox...no way of rejecting it. They are expensive these directories but, frankly, if TF did their job properly this world would be just that smidgeon better for everyone; less tress cut down, less carbon pumped into the atmosphere making these directories, less chemicals (ink) used, less wasted time and money. Ineptness on their part should not be an excuse.
 
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