Florist News

I wondered if any experienced shop owners can help...I have recently started my own business, (2 months ago) and have premises. The day to day walk in trade is great, and funeral bits seem good and that seems to be a lot of walk in trade however with wedding enquiries, I have had about 10 emails wanting prices. 2 have come in for consultations and have booked, one who was getting married at the end of this month messed me around didn't turn up for appointment, called to make another then at last minute cancelled and then told me her friend was doing her flowers. one came for consultation and emailed me to tell me she booked somewhere else, which was alitlle confidence knocking but at least she let me know, another came for consultation but have not heard from her. one didn't turn up at all. a few of emails had telephone numbers within them asking if I could email them with prices, I didn't want to be too pushy and call, so I emailed them back and told them they would need to call me to make an appointment so I could give an accurate costing...that was a month ago and I still have not heard from them!
lastly one other lady had emailed me back and fourth for an appointment, telling me she would call tomorrow to see if she could come this weekend etc.. then she does not call....is this normal?? it is starting to make me feel I am doing something wrong?
sorry this mail is long just slightly confussed!!!!
thank you for any help!
karen.

__________________
Karen x

Hehehe Karen, this is just what they're like, don't let it get you down. It's good that you are getting enquiries so soon after opening, be patient, the wedding side does take time to build.

Hi Karen,

Where do they get your e-mail address from? There is a thead covering "how to secure weddings".. Its not easy, but you will find what works for you, but it takes time...

__________________
Piv's Website
Best Florist in Abbeyfeale

You see Karen this is why I prefer funerals to weddings You might find that some of the enquiries you have had are from either competition or homeworkers thats why when you don't give them an idea of costing they don't bother persuing the enquiry. You will soon get used to it and don't worry about the ones that you don't get - you can't please everyone. Sounds like you are doing great at all the other stuff, the wedding work will come eventually.

karen, when i first opened i was really keen for the wedding bookings to come in and so when i was contacted by the supposed bride( and in some cases its your comp) i gave a full quote with each item listed, but after reading on here some of the stories that have happend to other florists, i soon learnt my lesson, now if they book an appointment and dont come, they dont get another one, they are advised we carnt fit them in..sorry but if they call in on the off chance and i have time, ill do my best to give them a price....for quotes i just write down, bridal flowers and the price i quoted, they know what they have asked for so , only when they pay there non refundable booking deposit do i send a typed quote, but even on this i never split the costing for each individual item..... good luck with your wedding bookings, i know its hard to turn work down in the beginning but some times you need to draw a line

__________________
gerbera daisy

Hiya, my business is two months old too! I have a fab wedding window in at the mo, which generates lots of enquiries but very few bookings as yet. My walk in trade is good, but my funeral side is a little sucky. It happens in time, ive seen hundreds of weddings walk away in the past in all the shops ive worked in. It could be a matter of a lot of things, but i wouldnt worry.

Brides shop around a lot i find. Lots of brides also go to wedding fayres. Lots of friends do flowers too, homeworkers, so dont give too much detail away!

Reccomendations are the best way of gaining customers tho.

Hope that puts you at ease!

thank you for all the comments, it has put my mind at rest, helped lots and made me think!!! maybe i should not be so naive!!!
thanks again
karen

__________________
Karen x

What sort of area are you in? Im on a shopping parade x

Wedding fairs are a good way of getting a bride to talk to you and gain some confidence. They will then come and have a quote with you. You will find that this also lets them see you work up close and get a feeling for you style etc.

We do a few each year, normally the bigger ones, but this really does bring in wedding trade.

HTH

Kate

pretty new to having shop and wanted to get a really good portfolio together before doing any wedding fayres so i thought probably the winter wedding fayres coming up ready for summer next year, year after.
I am in a small high street but right by a walk way to the only car park so have good passing trade...

__________________
Karen x