Florist News

Hi, posted a thread in the Special Event section, but should have posted it here as it concerns home workers. Would you consider leaving single roses at roadside catering vans (grubvans) for Valentines Day??? (ie lots of male customers who leave it to the last minute) Some replies in the Special Event section seem to think I would be lowering myself, I dont intend to have my name in Lights advertising the roses, I just want to make some money on this moneyspinning day the same as everyone else. Will be advertising bouquets
through flyers & ads etc.

Personally I would not do it, sorry if that sounds snobby.
BUT do you have a van??
I see loads of van sales parked up in the laybys up here with the buckets of flowers out.
Maybe taking flyers round the industrial estates saying you will be taking orders and can deliver on the day?
I wish you well though.

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www.floralpride.co.uk

Hi Floralpride, thank you for your comments, no I dont have a van, would need a street traders licence and i dont want to be a flower seller.
I am doing a flyer around the industrial estates and taking orders (hopefully).
Im just hoping to sell a few maybe to people who wouldnt normally bother, but buy on impulse, we shall see.
Thanks again

Moneypenny keep reciepts for the paper and ink for the flyers, you can offset that with the tax man against your profits. I don't know if you have set up in business yet but if you haven't you can get a pack from the tax man - they are really helpful with new businesses. Keep reciepts for everything you spend including the petrol used to take the flowers to the grub van. As I said in the other thread make sure the grub van gives you reciepts for everything bought by the public. You will need all this information when you do you self assesment. Ring your local tax office if in doubt. If you are not already working you will need also to contact the national insurance about your stamp. Good luck with your venture.

One year I had a pile of roses left so at 6pm on valentines day was racking my brains to where I could get shot of some. I left some at a local resteraunt as the owner bought her flowers from me, but she only managed to sell half a dozen. I also knew the landlady from the local pub and she managed to sell about 30 which was great. You dont have to walk about with the bucket, that would be dead embarrasing and I couldnt have done it no matter how many roses I was left with. They were sitting priced on the bar and people with a few drinks bought them, I think the barmaids went home with 2 each. I gave the landlady 50p for each rose she sold and they liked that because they were making a few bucks just for having them on their counter. Just thought Id throw in my experience in case they dont sell for you and you are left with a load.

I agree with Apple the last thing you want is to be left with is buckets full of red roses. Mother's day, flowers left over can be used in bouquets but valentine roses are a real gamble. So Moneypenny, I honestly don't know what advice to give you. You will pay what about £1.50 - £2.00 for your roses wholesale before VAT. You will need to work out how many you will need to sell just to cover your costs, because every unsold rose is litterally profit going down the drain. If you are sure that you can sell that many then any extra are profit. Good luck.

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Rainbow

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