theredrosesociety Intro

[theredrosesociety]

I took a look at the website and agree it is a much different deal than proflowers. They actually see wrapped flowers...There is nothing that says they are coming straight from the farm and fresher than the florist. It even shows the storefront. I think this is an avenue we can learn from as well as they can learn from us....now if they keep posting it will all be perfect...


This person is way different than your regular order gatherer...they may just be the wave of the future....

hi again lori, the wave of the future hey... i believe you deserve a smiley for that :yourock:

As for being way different you are dam right.... we try our very best to stand out from the crowd.

We are certainly not afraid of trying something different... we even tried to selll rose thorns last valentines day... we had two orders... both gothic's i think.

 

[lori042499]

hi again lori, the wave of the future hey... i believe you deserve a smiley for that :yourock:

As for being way different you are dam right.... we try our very best to stand out from the crowd.

We are certainly not afraid of trying something different... we even tried to selll rose thorns last valentines day... we had two orders... both gothic's i think.

That's different...How did you package them and market them?? I would have never ever thought of doing that....

 

[Twila]

Hi thanks for your support, i think we are going to be quite good chums!!! can i ask what does RC and MAS stand for. totally understand if i do not need to know!!!!!!

BTW, i was selling roses online oblivious to everyone and everything around me..... i simply wanted to sell roses online and came up with the best most bespoke way i could think of at the time....

cheers!!!!! Nick

Hi Nick,

I'm Bloomz' biz partner and sister. I'll go ahead and answer your questions here. RC (RC in Dayton and Cincinnati) is one of the members here on FlowerChat. He is a very wise marketter (will expect a green dot for that Randy) and is experimenting with shipping premade arrangements for his customers. He is already sending "Roses in the Raw" direct from the growers, I believe.

MAS is the computer system that we use in our store. We believe that it far surpasses any other system out on the market. There is a MAS users forum under the Technology section on the main page of FlowerChat. You can look up some of the threads that have been started and find out more. Also you can always give us a call to find out more about the system. Bloomz has already given you his email, you can also PM either of us. There are several other members here who also have MAS in there stores. I'm sure all would be willing to share/brag with you.

Once again welcome. Looking forward to hearing from you lots. You have already found how easy it is to lose many hours here reading the many posts. I hope you will also be one of those that share freely.

 

[theredrosesociety]

Gee -

I thought we had more than one voice of reason here.

I have not voted, but to Twiggy, JB & Lori -

How would you feel about this company being listed in our florist directory, or them using our FC blog to promote their products to consumers?

Membership here has real benefits and avails participants of some very trusted tools to promote their businesses.

Would having them based here in the US and not in the UK make a difference in your opinion? If that's the case, then we should have invited Rio Roses, let them call themselves a 'florist', and drop links to their 'bypass the locals' site, too. How about Calyx & Corolla? GrowerFlowers.com? No doubt they know a lot about marketing flowers and may give us tidbits of information.

I keep scratching my head as the definition of 'real florist' gets redefined almost weekly up in here.

Students and beginning florists are made to feel unwelcome (I totally disagree with that - they are our future) and yet some want to embrace OGs and drop-shippers 'cuz they might teach us something? Thank you very much, but I've plenty of opportunities to learn from them outside the place 'powered by florists.'

My head hurts.

Added: When a new member presents him/herself, I look at what they have done in the industry prior to showing up at the FC door. As a vendor, have they served florists and helped improve our businesses? As a 'florist', be it student or established professional, has their track record (what ever we can gleen) shown their interests to be in common with those of the FC community at large - and not just a vocal few.

Hi CHS,

You have certainly made me think, and i can't help but actually agree with you... i think it would be unfair of me to use your FC website and blog to promote my flower in a box services as it would hurt the people who i hope to befriend and learn from.

i am not sure what it is exactly i want from this forum but it isnt to use it and abuse it...

thanks for your time....

 

[theredrosesociety]

Red Rose Society,
Do you only ship flowers?
Do you have a retail space that consumers can choose to pick up flowers / balloons from you?

Hi Tracey Pie Face!!!!!

We started out just selling roses and then moved into selling freeze dried rose petals from www.interpetal.com.

After a couple of valentines day we realized we needed to take things more seriously and we started our own florist.

After that balloons came next from www.interballoon.com where we have remained rather static for about two years... The florist shop has taken over somewhat. We have plans to do hampers from www.interhamper.com and loose diamonds from www.interdiamond.biz but alas all we need is more time and more money and we have neither of them.

We do have a shop with over 2000 q ft of space in it (including basement), located in a rather run down part of my home town. We sometimes get people driving up from london (over 150m miles away just to buy a blue rose!!!!) The locals do not quite know what to make of it but as far as flowers and balloons go we are slowly but surely getting a good name!

Thanks for reading

 

[theredrosesociety]

I shall upload my full editorial piece on it in the blog section when I find it but the fact is flowers in a box can be good and be a very useful system for florists who either don't want to be part of a relay or, more importantly whose customers want that particular florists work delivered somewhere other than the florists usual catchment area.

And I will be the first to admit that over the years I have received the most divine gifts of both plants and flowers by courier BUT the difference is they were individual hand crafted items not production style bunches - hell they weren't bunches at all.

However where boxed flowers falls down in my mind is when the order is placed via the Internet and completely circumnavigates a florist with cut fingers be it as a sender or an executer and is nothing more than blooms wrapped in paper.

At that point the company becomes something that I would be wary of as they are cutting out the chance for an independent B&M florist to make money on the transaction or for the industry to showcase its skills so that a value is perceived in the creation.

Yes Nick has a shop but it came after the internet side so it's not like a florist who has developed their Internet business. Not brill in my book but slightly more acceptable than a person who sets up a site from their back bedroom.

Yes, these days, boxing flowers is something that all florists could and should look at if delivery systems allow - and I admit I've changed my tune on that one.

Yes we need to learn from everyone and anyone because that's how businesses survive.

BUT we also need to get some clarity in who is good and who is bad and at the moment I am very confused.

JMO

Hi Carrie,

I certainly agree that any florist who is able to send there own work beyond there normal catchment area should think about giving it a go!!!.

As for me I realize my florist came after the internet and i appreciate that as a result i am not exactly a real hard core florist but more like an internet ordering system that has been bolted onto a florist.

This doesnt look or sound good, but at the same time is it that bad either?

Thanks for your time...

Nick

 

[theredrosesociety]

I remember many many many discussions on this board about those florists who advertise as being local in the yellow pages... when they are from somewhere else on the planet.

I don't care if someone has a store front. I would prefer to buy flowers from a local shop and that's how I base my voting decisions.

I'm sure Nick is a very nice person and enjoys success in the business, but my personal opinion disagrees with the flower shipping issue.

V

Hi victoria,

Just want to say i appreciate your comments and understand the issues you have with the way i despatch my flowers!!!!

Nick

 

[theredrosesociety]

I instantly liked Nick and take no pleasure in saying "NO",I, like you Vic just can't get over the flower shipping/boxed delivery issue.
"But it was a close call"...

Dear OAF...

i see your from blighty... :ukflag:, hello to you, hope the weather is nice where you are (we always talk about the weather over here)

Anyway i appreciate your vote, and realize know what a pickle my particular delivery method is for florists everywhere.

cheers nick

 

[theredrosesociety]

Ok;
here's my take.......
I think that Nick is a very smart "marketeer" who has grown into his business.

In his early post, he stated that he started with Roses and balloons. Now, he does other types of flowers....and he owns/runs a regular flower shop.

How is this different that how some of our stores/businesses have evolved?

We have all started with 1 idea -- maybe weddings, parties, silks, etc. Over time, as our experience grew, we grew our business into other areas of the floral business. What he has done is, IMHO, no different.

His method of delivery IS different.
His method of satisfying the customer IS different.

However....my situation this past year is not a lot different than his.

Necessity is the Mother of Invention!

On several occasions, we have had a corporate client who came to us with large (read $$$) orders. Most recently, they were all flower orders, going all over Western Pa/top of west virginia & eastern Ohio. Covered about 200 geographic miles. The catch for us getting the order was that WE HAD TO DO THEM ALL -- AND THEY HAD TO ALL BE THE SAME. (NO FTD or TF). They were willing to pay additional revenues for Courier or Messenger or Donkey wagon if need be. They wanted the product made by my shop. Customized letter went with each delivery. We did them all -- delivered, messengered, couriered them and satisfied a great client.

Another large corporate client sends Gourmet, snack and fruit baskets each christmas. Again, must be done in my shop. The first year, we Wired the one down that goes to the South, and we saw pictures of what was delivered. (For $125.00 I think you should be able to fill a Gourmet & fruit order.!) After that fiasco, we make them all -- courier and deliver and Fed ex if need be --- to get our product where it needs to go -- and by doing so, keep a very good client happy.
(As I said, the $$ on these 2 orders alone are large).

While I do support my fellow florists all across the country, I need to make sure that what I need delivered is what actually gets delivered.

With "old FTD" you had assurances & guarantees. Today with both FTD/TF, you had no assurance.

We need to listen & pick Nick's brain. I for one, am at least willing to listen, and am not too old to learn new things!

Regards,
Cheryl

Dear Cheryl,

Thankyou very much for taking the time to support me and i love your comment about necessity is the mother of all invention!!!!!

It is so true, we have invented/created many solutions to the numerous problems we found in starting a flower delivery service from scratch.

We had no help, no money and not much practical experience. It left us feeling a bit like this smiley... :wallhead: .

We wish we joined a forum like this years ago!!!!!!

Anyway thanx again and i look forward to you picking my brains in the near future!!!

Nick

 

[theredrosesociety]

This is a tough thread !

Been sitting here reading over and over trying to get the right feel.
It's hard !
True, Nick seems like a nice guy, and maybe, just maybe he could bring something to the table for all of us. I see the possibility !

On the other hand, I also see the potential for disaster.
Supporting a boxer really isn't in the cards for me.

Nick, if you're still here :

You're asking for the chance to be here and would like to be heard before a decision is made. I'm guessing that you have some ideas that would justify your acceptance.
I'm willing to sit back on this for a bit to see what you've got, but as stated above, " Supporting a boxer really isn't in the cards for me ".
( GUESS THIS IS WHERE A DELAY WOULD COME IN HANDY FOLKS )

To go one step further :
As a boxer, I'm certain that you have visions of growing, and that presents an area of concern.

I, like Bloomz would like to hear what you have to say, but I, like many others here, will still need some monumental convincing to change our opinions, if it's even possible.

Time to put the cards on the table.

Dear Kevin,

Yes i am a boxer, i may not feel like one, but i do box flowers (mostly roses) and send them all over the uk.

I am certainly not interested in changing your opinion about flowers in a box and i am not asking you to support me and my companies plans because actually i believe if i was wearing my florist apron i would agree with you all.

But alas i am what i am and as you rightly said we are looking to grow our business and we need to grow it doing what we do best.... and that is the internet, and specializing in roses.

You also asked me to put my cards on the table and actually that has been almost impossible to answer because i seem to be holding lots of cards and i couldnt possibly show them all in one go!!!!

Look out for some interesting threads in the future :spintongu

 

[theredrosesociety]

OK Nick - I see yer a registered user now - so please don't do me/us that voted for you wrong and start sharing!

I'd be curious to know what kind of problems you run into shipping fresh product - is it in water or dry? That kind of stuff. Also - you feature quite a variety of roses on your site - do you have to stock them all? Like those Happy Roses are very spendy, and we can't afford to just stock them in hopes someone will buy. Kewl tho they quite are - they are esoteric and will appeal only to a certain type.

Again - if you don't feel comfortable sharing in an intimidating environment - please do contact me by email.

OR, just grow a bit thicker skin - it's often necessary up in here - as you've already seen. I quite often share stuff people don't want to hear.

Thanks and regards

jonathon

Dear Jonathon,

We always send our roses in a water bag! We wrap them in wadding (or if we run out tissue ppaper) and place a close fitting bag around it and tied it of with elastic bands and added just the right amount of water!

Our boxes are flat packed and we protect them using plenty of tissue paper, but alas water damage can happen!!!! usually the result ogf over fuilling the the water bag

When valentines day fell on a monday we needed to send roses out on friday/saturday so we individually sent every rose in a water tube... that seemed to work well.

As far as stock goes we do stock every rose we send, (we are aiming to really specialize and offer many more varieties soon) luckily we have good access to the dutch markets over here and can order almost daily!!!

The happy roses are a wonderful rose, very expensive to buy approx £1.50 each, but we keep them in stock all the time and i believe we are the only ones in the UK that do!!!!

Cheers and yes i think i may need a thick skin, its already been quite a rollercoaster ride for me!!!

Nick

 

[theredrosesociety]

Nick,

I find it refreshing to see that the flowers you show on your website are wrapped. I am assuming that the customer gets what they see in this situation...I am also quite interested in the shipping process and how it recieved by the recipient.

Here we have some problems with fedex and dhl(shipping companies) leaving perishables in extreme weather(hot or very cold). Do you have these problems, also? If so, how big a problem is it in regards to replacements and such?

I think that is enough for now don't want to over burden you with questions...

Dear Lori...
Hi thanks for your comments, we take all our own pictures and unfortuantly i feel anyway the lack of pictures on our site is a negative!!! but yes, i didnt see the point in having pictures of our flowers in a ase because actuaslly we like to think we are sending a presentation bouquet and the ,atching wrap and coordinated double bow are all part of the whole picture!!!

As far as problems with couriers i could go on all day but we keep sending them out because we don't have a choice, and we have learned to most sympathetic with our customers and a replacement bouquet and a box of chocolates usually does the trick if it turns out to be a complete nightmare!!!!


Nick

 

[theredrosesociety]

That's different...How did you package them and market them?? I would have never ever thought of doing that....

I just had a look on the interrose and realized we still have them online, think i will remove the link asap.

not one of my better ideas!!!!!

http://www.interrose.co.uk/rose_thorn_delivery.shtml

 

[theredrosesociety]

Hi Nick,

I'm Bloomz' biz partner and sister. I'll go ahead and answer your questions here. RC (RC in Dayton and Cincinnati) is one of the members here on FlowerChat. He is a very wise marketter (will expect a green dot for that Randy) and is experimenting with shipping premade arrangements for his customers. He is already sending "Roses in the Raw" direct from the growers, I believe.

MAS is the computer system that we use in our store. We believe that it far surpasses any other system out on the market. There is a MAS users forum under the Technology section on the main page of FlowerChat. You can look up some of the threads that have been started and find out more. Also you can always give us a call to find out more about the system. Bloomz has already given you his email, you can also PM either of us. There are several other members here who also have MAS in there stores. I'm sure all would be willing to share/brag with you.

Once again welcome. Looking forward to hearing from you lots. You have already found how easy it is to lose many hours here reading the many posts. I hope you will also be one of those that share freely.

Thanks Twila, you have made me feel most welcome!!!! you deserve a :ghug:!

 

[Victoria]

Welcome to the community Nick.

V

 

[theredrosesociety]

Thanks everyone

Any one have any good threads going on at the moment!

Nick

 

[Victoria]

Hi Nick... you need to judge for yourself. Just click on whatever looks interesting to you and have at it.

V

 

[MANORVILLE]

Dear Kevin,

Yes i am a boxer, i may not feel like one, but i do box flowers (mostly roses) and send them all over the uk.

I am certainly not interested in changing your opinion about flowers in a box and i am not asking you to support me and my companies plans because actually i believe if i was wearing my florist apron i would agree with you all.

But alas i am what i am and as you rightly said we are looking to grow our business and we need to grow it doing what we do best.... and that is the internet, and specializing in roses.

You also asked me to put my cards on the table and actually that has been almost impossible to answer because i seem to be holding lots of cards and i couldnt possibly show them all in one go!!!!

Look out for some interesting threads in the future :spintongu

Nick,

Thanks .
I appreciate the honesty in your response, and the time taken to respond to others.

Looking forward to reading some of those interesting threads.

Welcome to FC