Florist News

Just wondering what people think as we have just lost an easy contract at the hotel, which is in walking distance of the shop. We were putting goldfish bowls, coloured stones with gerbera's in the brassiery at £1.50 and a very nice arrangement in reception for £22, we were making next to nothing but it was easy and good advertising for us so close to the shop. We were told this is our last week as they are changing florist as cheaper. Can anybody do it cheaper and make money as done my sums and worked out we were making about £12 profit after everything and now realise it wasn't really worth the hassle and work that went into it.

We've had this happen to us too, at a large hotel where we lost the wedding ped to a kitchen sinker, who charges next to nothing and produces truly execrable arrangements too, shockingly bad and frankly a total embarrassment. Am v philosophical about it now, if the hotel is driven by price not quality you can't win so just let them get on with it.

I agree with Rosa. Some really are purely driven by price and unless you are getting a seriously huge amount of trade through it, which in a hotel is quite unlikely then there's no point. Some loss leaders are worth it, but it totally depends on location and the types of potential customers will see it.

Id say it just isn't worth and if you are only making 12 quid profit I hate to think what the other poor mug will be taking!! I used to do a small arrangement in a chinese restaurant. They didnt like to spend more than a tenner and constantly moaned so I cut my losses and got out of it.

Well I phoned the hotel to find out this morning and the main manager phoned me back to say they were giving another florist a chance for 3 weeks to compare. They are on the other side of town about 6 miles away from them so increase in costs so they would make even less than us !! So in 3 weeks we may get the contract back who knows but not that bothered either way..More pressing is the fact my delivery driver handed in his notice today and leaves after Saturday deliveries !! arhhhhh

if they phobe back you could tell them its 25 quid now! you have re-evaluated your costs

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Sarah Creating Bespoke Wedding Flowers Cheshire

the Nationwide Building society have something from me every week and they only want to pay £10 but I do get some custom from it and recognition in town so its worth the trouble. Some of them aren't though,,I think if you have to put yourselves out too much for too little then its not worth it. Doesn't sound like you have lost much by the sound of it,,wouldn't worry about it anymore.

I have another that spends a bit more but they only want purple, black and silvery things, and foliage,,and they want it as big as poss and the same shape every week,,I'm running out of ideas now ,,see now I don't think this ones worth it for me cos of the stress it causes me trying to do something different with the same things,,its like bleeding ground hog day!! or that episode of Buffy with the mummy hand,,or the episode of Star trek where the Enterprise kept blowing up and Data couldn't figure it out...hhmmmm,,wanders off muttering.

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live long and prosper

Lol at lexy....star trek buffy...im with you...angel??
Anyway,contracts are always driven by some silly sod on reception with nothing better to do than find a cheaper way or a hotel bod who's nan's mum's aunt can do it cheaper,or another florist who just wants the work at any cost...let it go contracts come and go so fast these days i think.
But dont put yrself out in a mega way...just not worth it
x

Might be able to put a tag on this - all down to £££. My son in law is the manager of a hotel restaurant and he has been told if they want adequate staff lose the florist - so probably will get some well meaning church type in to do the flowers for the feel good factor but he might at least be able to stop working 62 hours a week. I know its a pain but these days its all about money. Sometimes I think you are better off chatting up a car showroom manager for bouquets!! Ooh slap my fingers for saying that