Floristboard.com

I had a local person call me the other day ... to get an address for someone we both know, also local.   she said she planned to send him a fruit basket.  I didn't ask who with because I figured it was not my business, we have 2 other shops in town.

I agree on education of the general public .... but also think we ourselves add to it when we sign up with places like 1-800 flowers.

I see two ways to take back our industry: Just don't fill the OG's orders, and the florists in Tennessee got a law passed that banned deceptive advertising regarding location on the internet. Most states have passed this for yellow pages, and it should be a quick fix to add the internet. Contact you legislators!

You are absolutely right Jon,  Local Florists today will not come together to take back an industry of "professional flowers" even if  you sit down and talk to them. ????...They only hear 'how I can undercut you'.    

Originally posted by oldschool Has anyone figured out how to take back the industry? Remember the movement of the "REAL FLORIST"? or Wire Service Free? Flower Crap.con?   Lot's of talk with little or no action for sure....   This industry is worse today in 2008 than 2000 with more and more sellers of flowers than people who can make a difference.   The SAF'S and the Likes have sold out to big name Organations with cash flow. Fluff conventions and good feelings for all who attend.     I never could understand why Florists in the same town they operated in could not come to terms with each other and take back there own turf? GREED? PIG HEAD Mentality? or just plain stupid?   BLAH BLAH BLAH.......Were all guilty!

I just joined this board today as I was hoping that it would help me keep a better finger on the pulse of our industry. I have been a member of www.FlowerChat.com (use your spell check on this one so you get it right) for a number of years and find that all too often many of the membership are simply looking for someone else to blame for the failure or sales decrease of their business. The usual suspects tend to be the wire services or companies that they choose to designate as order gatherers. Often the talk focuses on the good old days or strategies to "take back the business for the florist".

Unfortunately, the reality is too many individuals in this industry already have their own mind made up and simply do not want to be confused by the facts.

Our industry (like so many other retail sectors) is going through a change that is occurring due mainly to leaps in technology and transportation. Changes that have to a huge degree empowered the retailer and consumer like never before.

Unfortunately too many retail florists are reluctant to change, and fondly remember the good old days, sadly many of these are falling by the wayside. The same scenario has taken place in virtually every other business sector ( butchers, office supplies, travel, etc) so why would our industry feel it should be immune.

As for educating the consumer....
The average consumer purchases flowers a couple of times a year, when they do they are looking for price and convenience generally. Do you really believe that you can educate them on our industry, or more important that they have any cares about wire services, order gatherers, or "Real Florists". If you plan on staying in business, forget about the old ways and start focusing on what changes you can make to satisfy and fulfill the wants and needs of today's consumers. The businesses that do this will be the victors, whether they be Wire services, order gathers, or "Real Florists".

By the way after reviewing a number of threads on this board (including this one) I see that there is just as much finger pointing here as on Flower Chat........

Just my two bits.