Now that we are rid of FTD.COM and them finally FTD we have had lots less wire ins of course. We still have TF and so still do get some, just not near as many. This is a good thing. I take wire ins seriously and do not just fill them with "whatever", just to fill it. So with that in mind - an order came in on VD and it was for a pic. The container was a small SQUARE glass thing the same size as a bubble ball. The flowers were pink roses, dahlias, and filler. All with TF know the pic most likely. It was a headquarters order so I looked at the TF website for any sub disclaimers and saw that it was clearly stated the subbing was an acceptable practice with keeping in mind the same look and value. Well, I don't know about you, but I just don't have SQUARE glass containers sitting around and did not think most would have either. I opted to use a bubble ball. It looked very much like the pic and was very cute and flowers were very fresh and overall was a good sub. Got a call complaining the container was supposed to be square. Explained the TF sub rules posted right on the site and they were ok, but they had to add they still think it would have looked better in a square glass container.
All this said to remind me that filling wire ins is a pain in the a$$ that I would not miss iffen I decide to get out of the WS game entirely. You get in an order, you scrutinize it to make sure you don't miss any pertinent info (some florists put important stuff in the weirdest places) and then you proceed with caution to fill as best as you can. Only to have them complain. We get very few complaints on local orders. VERY few. The ratio of complaints on wire ins to local is way too high. Is this from a poor sales job on the selling end, so the customer does not understand subbing may occur? How many florists have EVERY container in the TFTD books? How many florists can carry every flower in every color known to man in their cooler at all times? How many florists have every container in the selection guides? People selling wire outs need to be educated on how to do it so the senders expectations match reality.
I know it's not poor quality that they complain about, it's that something is different than they expected. Gee whiz florists - get a clue, ya know? I always make sure when taking a wire out order to stress they are not buying a picture, but a look.
Sorry for the rant, just gets under my skin when I have to take the blame and look bad and it was really the seller's bad selling. Maybe the key is to not fill for headquarters. I reject most of them already, but in certain moods I do accept some. I guess I'll have to overcome those weak moments and moods.
Hope you all are having a pleasant and restful Sunday!
All this said to remind me that filling wire ins is a pain in the a$$ that I would not miss iffen I decide to get out of the WS game entirely. You get in an order, you scrutinize it to make sure you don't miss any pertinent info (some florists put important stuff in the weirdest places) and then you proceed with caution to fill as best as you can. Only to have them complain. We get very few complaints on local orders. VERY few. The ratio of complaints on wire ins to local is way too high. Is this from a poor sales job on the selling end, so the customer does not understand subbing may occur? How many florists have EVERY container in the TFTD books? How many florists can carry every flower in every color known to man in their cooler at all times? How many florists have every container in the selection guides? People selling wire outs need to be educated on how to do it so the senders expectations match reality.
I know it's not poor quality that they complain about, it's that something is different than they expected. Gee whiz florists - get a clue, ya know? I always make sure when taking a wire out order to stress they are not buying a picture, but a look.
Sorry for the rant, just gets under my skin when I have to take the blame and look bad and it was really the seller's bad selling. Maybe the key is to not fill for headquarters. I reject most of them already, but in certain moods I do accept some. I guess I'll have to overcome those weak moments and moods.
Hope you all are having a pleasant and restful Sunday!
