Florist News

It's so unfair, needed a man the other day, had to do hand tied of 60 stems plus foliage, my hands were killing me, kept putting the damn thing down for a rest, but it looks amazing for this ladies 60th, actually got a tip when I delivered it, so bought myself some wine of course

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I've often wondered how some of you girls manage it. I mean, i've got quite big hands and they've held some pretty large ones, but even i struggle with some of the mega hand ties. Sometimes i'll do say three or 4 mini ties and then create one large one with those. I know it goes against what you're taught in college, but with a little practice you can achieve the same result and then size is not a problem.

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I dont know how you all get away with a x3 mark up.

I can barely do a x2.35 mark up and sometimes not even that.

I had white oriental in yesterday at 1.00 a stem, i would never in a million years get 3.00 for them.

I do charge 3.00 for cello and raffia on a h/t and also i charge 1/4 of the price time on that, and 1/3 time for anything in oasis.

our white oriental i sell at 2.99 and as i KEEP saying congleton is small town and no money but the other shop in the centre arcade sell 3.95 plus!!!! i don't do x3 on xants cars and gerbs etc... the things that sell better at a lower price but the good prices are coming through slowly ie got a box of white deli xants for a £1 a bunch so should sell well at 2.99 and reduce at luch time sat to 1.99 and still make a profit!! its just learning what you can do it on and what doesn't work today also got a box of longii 60 stems half yellow and half pink £4.50 a bunch so will bunch in 3's for 4.50 and again reduce when needs be they are quite tight so most probs last through weekend so after we i will reduce to £2.99 and they are really nice!!!

Most of our stuff is x 3 but you just have to judge what people will pay, if it comes in a bit pricey we reduce mark up. Like Tony we try and keep prices the same most of the time it makes things a alot easier, my old boss changed prices all the time and never priced the flowers in buckets so it was a sod when you were busy running round with the invoice in your hand trying to add up the flowers.

We also try to keep prices the same all year ie alstro solidago statice chrys £1 roses £2 we sell a lot of caroline tennyson lilies 7-9 heads @ £4 per stem oriental £3 as well as lilies x 3 at door have one guy calls every sat for 15 lilies and always goes for caroline tennyson Large handties when it starts to get to the stage too big to hold tie it off and as I add flowers wrap tie around again to it's finnished

Sorry Potty but have you never had a customer query price ie if you make something and charge £30 you have your make up charge but if a junior makes same item make up would be lower so does junior charge less or add more flowers to make up price
we have one make up charge for everybody

Isn't this where it breaks down...if you charge say 2.35 stem for 5 lilies (forget about the greenery and anything else for now) then add 3.00 for wraps, then 3.68 for time (25%) that equates to 18.43 total.

If i sell the same lilies at 3.00 per stem and charge 1.00 for wraps and no make up charge, that equates to 16.00.

I would have to quote 3.48 per stem to walk away with the same money (18.43)

So the stem price is a bit irrelevant when there may or may not be other charges added.

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Was thinking about this on the way to work, and i suppose it evens itself out. More charge per stem verses charging for make up.

i always think i have trained for a long time to get to this standard, so why shouldn't i charge for my expertise.
This has been drummed into me over the last 10 years, many i/f shops i have worked in have all charged it this way, so i suppose its what im used to.

I get mostly deliveries and pre ordered collections, and not much passing on the spot sales , if i do happen to get a customer in the shop who is buying on the spot, then they usually buy something already made up and dont wait for something to be made.

Some of the ones who do venture into the shop and want to choose something specific (not many) and not already made up always say how much is that, how much is this.

Have tried doing lillies at £3 per stem and been asked "Is that for the bunch"
I can just about get away with £2.50 per stem.

Just spoke to my dutchman and he says he charges the same as me x2.35, he has a shop in a near by town, but he doesn't charge make up time.

It really is difficult Ellie and i don't think there is a solution that will suit everyone. you know your shop and your customers better than anyone so i would never be swayed by someone saying 'you should do it this way etc'
I've tried 'ready to go' and it never seems to wrk for me except on mothers & valentines. They always want the same but with something added or different colour. probably because there is so much flower in the shop they have the choice and use it.

I have mixed feelings about makeup charges. Yes, your time is valuable but most people will not expect to pay you for your time if they are buying something off you.

Could be a bit like taking half an hour buying a dress and someone saying...well, the dress is £95.00 but because i've spent an hour with you showing you different styles and advising you on the colour and style that suits you...which is what i trained for...there will be a charge of £25.00 for that.

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