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Subject: Market Farming
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- From: "Del Williams" <delannw AT dlogue.net>
- To: "Market Farming" <market-farming AT lists.ibiblio.org>
- Subject: Re: [Market-farming] Floral mark-ups
- Date: Wed, 16 Jul 2003 16:51:09 -0500
We mark up 100% on the average.
We also have a floral advisor for weddings and other special events.
They charge for their expertise. It's a consultation charge. Flowers
are still costed separately. We do packages though and that is cost
effective and easier for people trying to put together complicated events.
The fact is, we know all the local churches, funeral homes, hospitals,
etc. We know what is possible and what isn't for particular
locations. When prom time came around, you bet we had a sign out front to
remind people we did those too. Same for HS graduation.
I ordered a pink rose bouquet for my daughter's Senior Night and gee was it
beautiful. It's a tradition around here so that is something to think
about. What are your local floral traditions?
Personally, I think floral is easier than the perennial or annual
business. Outside of design (you better have someone with that sense) and
basic maintenance for the length of the social event, there are no other long
term issues for the product. They are going to trash the product when the
event is over.
This side of the business is about service and timeliness. Oh, and
sometimes about what is reasonable under different environmental
conditions. Sorry, gardenias in 90 degree weather aren't going to make it
through the reception.
You screw up a wedding and you are going to hear about it forever through
lost business.
Reminds me. A couple years ago, as a market gardener I sold a corn
wreath to an older gentleman whose daughter had passed away. He said it
reminded him of her and he wondered if the funeral home could display it.
I called the funeral home and we figured out how to hang the wreath near the
casket. That was new to me. I never did that again because I never
got such a request again.
It sounds odd but I sold a lot of wreaths to people who saw mine at the
funeral. I guess you'd say it was unusual. I've watched the floral
group do funeral sales. It's kinda gut wrenching sometimes. I
know. I ordered my father-in-laws flowers from our shop last March.
Even though I work there, they were as professional about it as they were with
any customer.
Right down to the writing of the card that went with the flowers.
Those were ordered and delivered a half a country away.
And that's the other thing. Are they connected into any web based
floral ordering?
Del Williams
Clifton, IL
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-
[Market-farming] Floral mark-ups,
Richard D. Salmons, 07/16/2003
- Re: [Market-farming] Floral mark-ups, Del Williams, 07/16/2003
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