What is the future for FTD?

answered Jan 24

Pat D
51 ● 1 ● 2

FTD is following a very strange path. They direct ship -yet they try to market to the funeral directors with a kickback scenario in direct competition with their members. They agressively price their membership dues and services to entice new members but don't send enough orders into the network to keep the florists interested. They are putting their products into retail stores. I cannot see this business model lasting long term when they are losing money year after year.

answered Jan 24

MariEllyn Dykstra
46 ● 2

I am very disappointed with FTD. We have been a member for over 50 years, and we have never seen such blantant, irresponsible behavior before from a wire service. They are now taking our funeral business away, and as stated above, are drop shipping and selling their things in retail outlets like Homedepot. At this point, I am very sad in seeing that I send out a ton of orders over the mercury- but getting orders from them is near nothing. It is a huge expense in membership fees, technology fees, and fees on top of fees- and not to get any orders from them (or very minimal at best) is horrible. Another thing I am concerned about is them marketing my customers who go on line to our FTD website. Just seems they are not ethical anymore and are not being a great partner to us.

answered Jan 17

jennysflowers
11 ● 1 ● 2 ● 5

FTD is still partnering with local florists, but I can't see why local florists are partnering with them. FTD is going to consumers with direct shipping. This might be good for FTD, but it's not good for florists!