Over the years we have been members of Redbook (the older crowd will recognize that one), Teleflora, and now FTD. In each of these associations I dealt with individuals that were simply doing their job, the job of a sales person. I can honestly say that in most cases I had a great deal of respect for the individuals. Let's face it a wire service reps job will never make a "Top 10 Most Wanted Positions" list.
First off there is the travel, other than the reps who are fortunate enough to have a territory in a very densely populated region some of these individuals are never at home. As an example the FTD rep I deal with looks after Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, and the Northwest Territories. To put this in perspective this equates to an area about half the size of the the United States (less Alaska & Hawaii) or or larger than the entire continent of Australia.
Second, in general a good portion of the business woes the average retailer suffers is in their mind somehow the responsibility of or caused by the wire services. So, 8 times out of 10 when a wire service rep visits a shop they are not greeted with open arms. In fact I have personally witnessed situations over the years where retailers were verbally abusive to reps, to the point where it was almost embarrassing to be present.
The bottom line here is these individuals are simply trying to earn a living in a an industry with very few employers. As Duanne pointed out there is no difference from an individual selling cars for Ford one week, then moving over to GM the next.
Unfortunately there is so much animosity on this board towards wire services in general that no opportunity is missed to call their values, honesty or character into question. I personally find it a new all time low that in the case of this thread that an individual wire service employee's character is actually called into question by name. Particularly considering how many individuals on this board post by nick names, but then who am I to judge anyone's character.
On a last note, as I have stated many times in the past. A wire service is simply a tool to use in your business, if it is not beneficial don't join. If you have made the decision not to belong good for you, move on.
you know Doug, all that you've said is true, and it's probably an impossible task, to keep florists happy and content, however, most industries are built on a sold backbone of give, and take, and EVERY TIME that a wire service tries and succeeds in increasing prices, at very sneaky/inappropriate times, is ONE MORE REASON to mistrust the entire organization!
Our poor FSR's take it on the chin, and they are NOT resonsible, are just "towing" the line, BUT, they ARE the "face" of the empire that continually attempts to part us with the little money that we have left over!!
As costs INCREASE for EVERYONE, INCLUDING the wire services, isn't it just a little perplexing, that the WS's will do ANYTHING to "attract" high volume OG's that are few in floral front line experiences, and many have NO CLUE, and MANY won't fill for YOU, because they can't/don't know how/DON'T want the added overheads!!
Our FSR's ALSO take it on the chin for that!!
I have another shop owner that is being "hogtied" into spending $6500.00 US to upgrade from Merc 8.0 to Merc 10.2...are you kidding me......"take it, or leave it" is their response...guess who's gonna take it in the ear??
I have the greatest respect for my FSR, and my Canadian Operations Vice President, they are fine people, great parents and outstanding contributors, BUT, when the organization won't "back them", who do you think gets it in the ear!!
While I'm out west, I'm going to try and hook up with Neil Wells in Calgary, IF he's at home, and not out doing his "territory" which in Europe, would be half the continent, to buy him a beer and steak dinner!!
Yes, there are some really lousy individuals who work for wire services. We could both make a list. There are also some lousy people who are florists (as mentioned above), lousy wholesalers, SEO people, and on and on
