| The cost of rising fuel prices |
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Written by Amanda Ryder
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 In the past few months, I think it's safe to say we've all become
accustomed to looking at ever-changing gas station signs and uttering a
painful groan. And to make matters worse, the climbing pump prices don't just affect how much
we pay to fill up our tank. Escalating gas prices also negatively impact other areas in our lives, including the day to day business operations of many florists.
In our current website poll, many of you have stated that you've had to increase your delivery rates (44 per cent), while others report that you've cut back on the number of deliveries that you make (22 per cent) and 11 per cent say you've raised product prices. However, 22 per cent say that that gas prices haven't affected you.
I want to hear your thoughts on the whole situation - how much has your delivery rates increased by? What products are costing you more to get or where have you raised prices? Do you have to pay fuel surcharges from your wholesalers? For those of you not affected - why not? Do you have any tips to share with other florists about how to deal with high gas prices? Comment on our blog to have your say.
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blossoms 'n such
Written by Heather on 2008-06-23 02:24:17
We've increased delivery prices by
$1.00 to $4.00. We deliver to a wide rural area. Should go up more
but don't think the market will bear it. Seeing a fuel surcharge from some suppliers but our main two fresh suppliers have obviously increased stock prices rather than calling it a fuel charge which of course, we are passing on to the consumer. Anticipating higher prices this winter as about 75% of fresh product is imported then.
We have always called ahead of delivering. If the recipient wasn't home we'd leave a message and go out when they were home. If it is any distance we now leave a message, leave the delivery with a neighbor and leave a note on the door as to which neighbor it is with. As we deliver to such a wide area, we make just one run per day to each area. Locally we still do 'continous' deliveries. We have also purchased a small import that is eyecatching, had it branded, and it has virtually replaced the delivery van. Much more fuel efficient. Had to put the van out as well of course through Mother's Day. Wow... the gas bills!!!! We are preparing for a fairly flat Christmas. We are not bringing in the variety in containers which we have always had. Rather we'll put the value into the flowers and design in a more pedestrian vessel with interesting add-ons. This is because we anticipate those imported winter flower prices to be way up and the consumer is still going to spend only what they did last year or less. | Written by Guest on 2008-06-20 21:13:05
We have made it simple, we pay our delivery man the amount we charge our customer for the delivery. If he has 10 pieces for a funeral, he is paid the delivery fee we charge the customer. Yes, our fee has risen, but only slightly. By paying him for each funeral peice delivered, he makes a decent wage AND pays for his gas. |
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Written by Guest on 2008-06-20 13:18:53
As a retail florist & a husband who is an owner/operater of an 18 wheeler, everyone is affected by the fuel prices. Everything we use at one point or another has been on a big truck. Smaller trucking companies are closing because of fuel costs. We own our truck, but if we had to make payments we would have lost our truck long ago.
The drivers have to increase rates in order for them to survive. Therefore at some point prices increase, by way of surcharge or increase in flower costs. It may not necessarily be in your face, but I'd be shocked if it wasn't. |
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