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Hi guys, what do you think is the best solution to this problem.... i'm running shop on my own, my parents did delivery for me, now they have to go back home to Ukraine. usualy I have few deliveries every day and open 9am - 6.30pm. I was thinking shall I cut my opening hours to 9.30am - 5pm and do morning deliveries before 9.30 and afternoon after 5pm? or employ somebody for few hours? or.... I dont know what else I can do.....

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www.twiggys-florist.com

I have a similar Dilemma. I run my shop with a part-time member of staff, who will be going off on maternity leave in July - leaving me on my own. I currently open 9-5, but she had a week off recently, so I tried out some new opening hours of 9.30 - 4.30 but found that it took me longer than I thought to get all the deliveries done and ended up opening 10-4.
I found that as long as the customers knew (put a sign on the door and a message on the phone) they were ok about it, but if you're worried about losing trade its probably best to find someone to do deliveries for you. We're in a fairly small town that doesn't really have many people about before 10 or after 4 anyway, but it would depend on where you are based and your areas trading patterns.

Sarah

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Perhaps a retired person or a mum who could do mornings if and when needed after that I would tell customers delivery would be made late afternoon which would give you option of delivering yourself

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was thinking about this option.... but dont know how to pay them - per delivery? and how much?

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www.twiggys-florist.com

If you are only doing a few deliveries perhaps best option would be per delivery find out taxi fares and go below that other option would be to strike a deal with taxi firm when my friend opened her shop she did that she gave taxi her areas they gave her price which she charges customer she has her own van now but occasionally still uses taxi

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I have a similar problem but not everyday! my hubby works shifts so a lot of the time he can do deliveries. Mum comes over 1 day a week to clean up my disaster zone so if i know i've not got Bee then she'll swop her day for the one i need most. If neither of them are here an it's local, i'll shut the shop with a 'back in 10 mins' sign - no one has ever complained about that. I do tend to talk people into early morning or early evening deliveries tho - especially if the recipient goes to work.

Today was an example of when it didn't work tho, cos the FD (not my local one) wanted the tributes between 9.30 an 10.30 an it was 30 mins drive away - so my sister had to come to the rescue - bout 2 hours out of her life... won't get away with that often!

A local woman who is often out and about offered to help out but both the times i've phoned her she said 'no can do' so i've got my ears to the ground for a pensioner after pocket money!

I have this problem aswell, o/h does some deliveries I always ask customer If I can deliver early ie 8 8.30, normally not a problem, then if I get orders for same day delivery, I ask if I can do them when I close (5.30) again they are fine with that, because they have left it so late to order, they are just gratefull you can do it. If I have a few deliveries in the morning I put a note on door saying on delivery. My hours are 9-5.30 monday-Friday Sat 9-2

When i first started i used local cab firm they were brilliantand even now i still use cabs when i have too.

You need to find yourself an old geezer, ive got one, hes 80 and I give him what i charge the customer, in fact Ive got 2 at the moment.....pitty you cant borrow one because i only need one

Ask him if he wants to spend his retirement in the warmer climes of south Wales....... sell it on the fact we are in the only spot in the uk that didn't get any snow!!!