The CBC recently spoke
with Halifax florist Neville MacKay for an in-depth report on how gas
prices are affecting the floral industry. The report highlights areas where florists are feeling the pinch due higher oil costs. Visit the CBC's website to read the full story.
And once you are done reading the article, feel free to send us your
thoughts on the gas price situation. You can share your viewpoint by
commenting on our blog.
Here's a look at what bloggers have had to say so far about the gas price topic:
Heather from Blossoms 'n Such wrote:
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 per cent 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.
A Guest blogger wrote:
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 piece delivered, he
makes a decent wage AND pays for his gas.
A blogger from Crab Apple Cottage Floral wrote:
As a retail florist and 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.
Have your say!
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