Wire Services Are Buying Your Customer

[fairfield]

yes, but you or anyshop opting out of the WS business isn't going to change the WS's or the OG's.

Honestly, I have been wondering about this. I know that by myself I cannot change the WS aspect of this industry, but I don't think that I am the only one that opted out of the WS game.

Why are grocery store chains the future of FTD? Are grocery stores providing more fulfilling floral services than local florists provide? Will you be changing that by staying in?

OK, maybe you'll just stick it out with Teleflora - more services provided for your business, right? Are they still telling you about the fifty-some-odd-million dollars they are spending to advertise for their member florists? Or did they fess-up and tell you that it is money spent on trying their @@@@edest to get your customers out from under you? Where does that money come from?

Well, there's always 1-800. Have they trademarked "Your neighborhood florist" yet? It's in all of their ads. Don't you wish you could be your town's "florist of choice"? Careful, that might infringe on their intellectual property. I'll bet if I call them, they will tell me that they deliver in your neighborhood.

I'm trying to make the point that a wire service should be just that - a service provided. What it has turned into, on the other hand, is a game the WS florist must play. I am uninterested in playing games when it comes to my business. It does not mean that I am not as smart or as cunning or as business-savvy as a florist that plays and wins. I chose to get out.

You say that my getting out will not change the WS's or the OG's. What, exactly, are you going to change by staying in? 8-12% of your bottom line? I hope it works for you and I respect your right to run your business how you see fit. Wouldn't it be somethin' if some respect was given to those that drop the WS because they've had enough.

You are rendered moot by this industry.

joe

I stated that the WS affected this industry. I didn't say that the WS controlled this industry. They, nor you, have the power to render me moot.

...and operating on the cutting edge, doing your own thing...

It's not really about doing your own thing. It's about doing an industry thing to the customers satisfaction. Otherwise, yes, you will be doing your own thing - in another industry.


With all due respect fellas'
jason

 

[Joe Mioux]

My Wire Service business is almost entirely comprised of real flower to real flower shop orders.

Toto and others, Do you have a good idea as to how many FS to FS orders a regular flower shop receives anymore?

The IFA thing is a good idea, but how does that volume of business compare to real flower shop's TFtd ws volume? If I had to guess I would guess pretty low. I receive maybe one IFA order for for every 150-200 WS order.

I'm happy to fill IFA orders because those orders come from shops I know and from shops who know me.

Fairfield, I stay in because I really don't have the time to hunt for flower shops on search engines. It's easier. Doesn't really cost me that much. The rebate check covers most of my member fee, Wire outs are greater than wire ins, so I pretty much cover the 27 pct differential.

You see I don't look at this as only Wire ins and only wire outs. I look at the WS business as a whole.

Yes, Jason (aka fairfield) that 8-`12 percent increase in Gross Sales is exactly why I stay in. It makes me more money without any additional labor costs.

joe

 

[RWK]

Let me, a non-shop owner toss in a few things here.

First of all, you all pretty much know my position on the Wire services and how redundant they now are in today's marketplace.....That's nothing new.

HOWEVER,

If your prices are what they should be to be profitable for you, Your COGS are where you want them to be, and the wire in order has enough in funds to properly fill the item requested, then there is no reason why you cannot make money on filling a wire order.....even with the splits, if the dollars are there.......No reason why you can't.

For all the Sputum that the wire services hurl at you proclaiming how they help us the retail florist........in truth........there are those who have mastered the wire service arena and they are making the wire service pay off. Those rare shops are winning the game against the wire services.

Therefore, In spite of how I personally feel and think about the wire services.......The How to that these rare florists are using to win against the wire services is something that I would love to hear about.

Lastly, The beginning of this thread dealt with PPC (Pay per click) Advertising.......I can tell you this......the amount of times I am sitting at this computer and I click on an add attached to a website.......the odds are infintesimal. If a business required me to click on one of their ads in order to make money........they would soon find themselves in the poor house.

 

[Hollywood]

Ladies and Gentlemen,
It is always difficult for me to be "Politically correct", because I think to be politically correct is not telling the exact TRUTH, just the political one, so never was interested.
Like one of my friend says"Some people can't handle the truth"
That is why my reputation on this forum is in the red and that is why it has been in the red before.
Oh well..I think getting to the point quickly and directly saves time, energy and get me to know my real friends and colleagues real fast.
I am pleased to read and to see the topic is HOT, thank you for your involvement.
That was my intent, to share with you Guys, our take on the WS.
We @ Auburn Country Florist are a very small shop between 2 small cities, and we depend on our local reputation.
Thank God It is good.
As long as the wire services, since 9/11 or soon after we noticed a decline in the received orders from Teleflora, to the point where we were getting 2/3 A MONTH.
That is when we decided to cancel this way of doing business.
This is our choice and this is the choice of the times for us.
The WS are AFFECTING the flower business,(they affected mine) they don't CONTROL it,(not ours anymore).
The time is now where the FLORISTS are slowly, one by one taking back the control of the flower business over the WS and OG'S.
The only way it should be, the only way WE here want it to be.
IFA is the new way, try it you will like it.
As my reputation down in the RED oh well!!..........my KARMA is still in the BLUE.
Some people think I have a "Charmed life"..........I agree .
Thank you all for your patience and compassion.
Henry Mc Nasty!!
:iwuvyou::iwuvyou::iwuvyou::iwuvyou::iwuvyou:and I am not "Politically correct"

 

[bloomz]

Back when I was the biggest FTD basher in the US - I used to be asked - why do you care when you don't even belong to them?

Answer is still true today

They hurt us all, members or not.

In my case, all the more reason to use them like a sleazy woman of the night.

Gven the fact that I am gonna be "hurt", member or not, best I try my best to make some money back, cuz griping about it didn't do anything.

Sadly, my griping was moot.

So I understand the griping and actually totally agree with it.

I just doubt there is anything productive in it.

I see the "wire service free" movement and a very very tiny fragment of our industry. I really doubt the wire services are shaking in their boots over non affiliated florists or "movements" like IFA. Hence Joe's statement that "opting out isn't going to change them" is absolutely correct.

Who's the smart ones - the ones who quit or the ones who use them?

I honestly don't know.

I'm guessing it varies for each individual situation.

 

[TOTO]

Well then Jonathon, just be sure to...............

Back when I was the biggest FTD basher in the US - I used to be asked - why do you care when you don't even belong to them?

Answer is still true today

They hurt us all, members or not.​

In my case, all the more reason to use them like a sleazy woman of the night.

If that's your solution, please remember to PRACTICE SAFE S-E-X at all times.

One never really knows what possible STDs you can get from any of these streetwalkers, EY? lol

 

[Chezbloom]

Joe's statement of "opting out isn't going to change them" is absolutely correct."

If they have less florists to fill orders and pay ridiculus membership fees, how can it not change them?

 

[mrflowermarket]

I agree, If there are less or hopefully someday no florists willing to fill their orders then they will have no choice but to die or at least recreate themselves. which is probably where they're headed. Shipping many orders from the web direct without a florist even involved. If we stick together then we can defeat goliath. (sounds a little fanatical, oops) . Maybe its a pipe dream but then I guess we can wish for world peace and keep fighting with the next door neighbor over dog s#@#.
Have a good one. mrflowermarket

 

[theRKF]

I agree, If there are less or hopefully someday no florists willing to fill their orders then they will have no choice but to die or at least recreate themselves. which is probably where they're headed. Shipping many orders from the web direct without a florist even involved. If we stick together then we can defeat goliath. (sounds a little fanatical, oops) . Maybe its a pipe dream but then I guess we can wish for world peace and keep fighting with the next door neighbor over dog s#@#.
Have a good one. mrflowermarket

Pipe dream

There are too many hobbyists and housewives with enough cash to open (didn't say sustain) a flower shop that there will always be fillers lining up to handle the WS orders.

I once chatted with a old-school florist who had seen dozens of shops open and close within a couple blocks of his shop over the 30+ years he was in business. He outlasted them all, for a time ... But my analogy was this: "It's like wrestling midgets. You can smoke one, or two, or even three of them ... but at some point the sheer volume of midgets becomes overwhelming, even for a professional wrestler." For a legit florist, sometimes the sheer volume of lemmings willing to compete on price and lose money can destroy a market.

Waiting for florists to drop the WS to affect change is like wrestling with 20,000 midgets.

 

[kt4ye]

Actually, the wire services affect all florists whether we are in them or not as they affect the entire industry on a national and local level.

FINALLY!

Fairfield has identified a basic truth. Green Dot time!

After years of constantly growing -- even in wartimes, recession times and even depression times -- a few years ago, the floral market size "flat topped" and is slowly easing downward.

WHY? Here are some facts.

According to Yahoo! and Google, the customer satisfaction figures of the three leading participants in the "National Florist Derby," TF FTD and 1-800-FLOWERS range from 1 1/2 to 2 1/2 stars out of 5. (A typical internet merchant seems to get between 3 and 4 stars. my shop is 4 1/2 stars.)

Customers like to do business with people that they have heard of. (hat's what brand recognition is all about!) So, when they have an unpleasant shopping experince with one or more of the "BIG THREE," what is their natural reaction? It is:

"FLOWERS SUCK!" I'm gonna send candy or a card next time!"

What does this mean? Here is my analysis. If enough customers have this reaction, the market size will shrink. And the market size is shrinking.

QED? Not necessarily, but it sure seems to fit, doesn't it?

Bill

 

[Hollywood]

To my gentle florists compadre!!:kuddle:
Please, pretty please.......can I have my GREEN dots back, so my reputation and myself will stop suffering???????
Thank you mucho!!
Henrico.........:kuddle::kuddle:

 

[Bigted]

To my gentle florists compadre!!:kuddle:
Please, pretty please.......can I have my GREEN dots back, so my reputation and myself will stop suffering???????
Thank you mucho!!
Henrico.........:kuddle::kuddle:

It's your avitar. It's scarier than mine. Also, if you promised to stop bolding everything I'd be happy to pass one along.

 

[Hollywood]

:grovel::grovel::grovel::grovel::grovel:Thanks Ted,
Honestly your avatar is much scarrier than mine.
I picked mine because I thought it looked cute. On the other hand I always wondered why nobody picked it up.....toooooooo red maybe?
I got to bold Man, because even with my glasses on don't see as well as earlier in my life.
I am not sure I can promise about the bolding, but for sure I can promise I will be quite for a long while now.
I have said my piece now I am at Peace.
Nice to hear from you Teddy.
I think you are not as scary as your avatar wants us to believe.
Thanks for your comment it seems that I could use a few allies.
Cannot wait to se your ugly face on the Chat, sorry I meant your cute AVATAR.:bouncy::bouncy:
Hollywood!!

 

[ivygreen]

I gave you a good rep just for asking, and because you didn't use the 80/20 plea in your last three posts. I get your point, I just don't need it every time. Have a good day!

 

[bloomz]

Pipe dream

Waiting for florists to drop the WS to affect change is like wrestling with 20,000 midgets.

Spot on amigo.

It's the nature of this board apparently, each time someone drops the wires we're all supposed to go RIGHT ON, HIGH FIVE, MEE TOO!!!

I really think it indicates often one of 2 things, they don't know how to properly triage and parse incoming, or business is really slow.

Remember, most florists drop wire services due to lack of incoming orders.

If you don't believe me, ask yer wire service rep what's the most asked question of them.

opinions vary...

 

[theRKF]

Remember, most florists drop wire services due to lack of incoming orders.

If you don't believe me, ask yer wire service rep what's the most asked question of them.

Don't need to convince me - worked for two WS, and been in dozens upon dozens of shops. Same story all over the place

 

[sfox]

Actually

Spot on amigo.

It's the nature of this board apparently, each time someone drops the wires we're all supposed to go RIGHT ON, HIGH FIVE, MEE TOO!!!

I really think it indicates often one of 2 things, they don't know how to properly triage and parse incoming, or business is really slow.

Remember, most florists drop wire services due to lack of incoming orders.

If you don't believe me, ask yer wire service rep what's the most askebloomnetd question of them.

opinions vary...

What I find interesting is that some of those that post bad opinions about the evils of a wire service, in other threads post about their bloomnet and dove orders showing that while they want the wire services to change, they are more than willing to get all the orders those OG's can send them.

They hate the wire services and OG's but are willing to pay monthly dues and fees in order to fill all those OG's orders.

 

[bloomz]

Isn't that the florist definition of enigma?

 

[Mikey the Flower Guy]

Don't need to convince me - worked for two WS, and been in dozens upon dozens of shops. Same story all over the place

and it's "helped" you grow, into the fine young man that you are!!oke:

 

[bloomz]

I am not sure I can promise about the bolding, but for sure I can promise I will be quite for a long while now.
I have said my piece now I am at Peace.

NO! Don't be quiet!

We need dialogue around here.

We have around 2000 members, more piling on all the time, and probably 20-25 active posters.

So please chip in Henry!

Regards