Florist News

did she take 8K wages for herself or is that profit after all the costs?

If she paid herself a decent wage and then there was 8K profit left that's a bit different to no profit and she could only afford to take 8K wages for herself.

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Sarah Creating Bespoke Wedding Flowers Cheshire

8K was wages for herself.

Hey....Pisces....you shouldn't even be contemplating something like this. There are just too many things that can go wrong. There are too many people out there who will do their best to shaft you and drive you under. There are too many questions that you won't find answers to. If you do this, it will have to be on your own gut feeling and your own self confidence.

One Piscean to another (yes, i know how you're thinking!) if you've come this far and you're still thinking positive about it, then that's probably good enough.

You're in a good position really if you can raise the finance. I suspect it's a buyers market over there. I shouldn't think there are a lot of people queuing up to buy florist shops. No doubt there are a lot of people who would like to but just can't raise the money. Then there are those who could afford it, but just don't want the all the hassle.

Ignore the asking price. It's irrelevant. Put on your negotiating cap and go in with what you feel happy paying. If they tell you to sod off, phone again the next day and repeat your offer. Eventually they'll realize that yours is the only offer and 'selling the business' will be on their mind every day.

It's not all doom and gloom out there. People will always buy flowers. They just don't have to buy them from anyone in particular. Give them a good reason to buy from you.

Go for it. You will make it work.

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Go for it girl.

The only thing I would advise is that you start by offering her something like £15k - £17k. If it is as run down and in need of a great deal of updating then that would be a more realistic figure.

If the shop is unopposed in the town then what are you waiting for!!!!

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LilyLady


Lily's Floral Design

Jen, I was in a very similar situation to you except the shop was a gift shop, it was on the market at 45k, then 35k for ages. The owner thought the same as yours. I bided my time and finally bought the lease for 15k. I've managed to build it up last year and its growing this year and thats from a standing start and no interflora or big relay to rely on. I always think better to give it a go and maybe cock up than regret not doing it. It is a risk but you have the experience to do it. Wait until the owner is desperate! Evil but fair.

Thanks for all the replies...... all advise greatly recieved..... Hows the gift shop going now ? Do you think we are in a recession ??

I Opened My First Shop 7 Years Ago. It Was A Disused Garage / Workshop Owned By The Local Council So It Was A Big Gamble As To Whether A Florist Would Work In The Middle Of A Housing Estate With A General Store Next Door And Nothing Else!!!! It Was So Succesful I Couldn't Believe My Luck And Its Still Growing. 12 Months Later I Heard Of A Shop That Had Been Established For About 25 Years But Had Recently Changed Hands And The Current Owner Had Split With Her Husband And Just Locked The Door And Never Went Back. I Contacted The Landlord And Offered Him £1000 Cash For The Keys And A Lease For 7 Years - He Agreeed - I Took A Gamble On The Fact That I Could Build It Up Again After It Had Been Closed Down For Approx 6 Months - I Did And 2 Funeral Directors Gave Me Contracts With Them And I Joined Flowers Direct And Have Never Looked Back - I Still Own And Run Both Shops And I Took A Gamble On Both So I Do Believe If You Have The Balls And The Brains To Take A Gamble You Can Achieve Anything - So Offer Her A Silly Price And Wait Your Time But Don't Be Afraid To Have A Go. All The Best In Whatever You Decide Xxx

Thats very inspiring, thank you..are your shops affected by the recession that everyone seems to be talking about ?

Bunch Sales Is Definately On The Decline, But I Think Thats More To Do With Supermarkets Increasing Ther Ranges. But There Is Always Someones Birthday, A Baby Being Born, An Anniversary, The List Is Endless And Where Do They Go When They Want Something Special- The Local Florist - Always Have A Good Show Of Fresh And Good Quality Flowers And They'll Come Back Time And Time Again

Also does anyone know how buying an interflora shop works these days ? Is it simple enough or do you have to be vetted and sending member only for a trial period ? I have not worked for an interflora shop for years.