They address some of your major concerns as flower buyers, including:
- How to save money buying flowers in Canada,
- How to get long lasting flowers, and
- How flowers suck, which is always popular.
Saturday, 16 June 2012
3 How to Videos on Buying Flowers
For your viewing enjoyment, I've created three "How To" videos about buying flowers.
They address some of your major concerns as flower buyers, including:
They address some of your major concerns as flower buyers, including:
Wednesday, 6 June 2012
6 Ways to Save When Ordering Flowers in Canada
It seems everyone wants to save a buck these days...and I'm one of them!
It's no different when ordering flowers in Canada.
I've compiled a list of the 6 best ways to save money when ordering flowers and gifts across the country:
It's no different when ordering flowers in Canada.
I've compiled a list of the 6 best ways to save money when ordering flowers and gifts across the country:
- Look for online discounts. It's faster for us to process an order online than it is by phone. At Simon Says Roses, we pass on these savings on certain items when using our online order form.
- Order flowers that are in season. Tulips are cheaper in the spring when there is an abundant supply. They're not so cheap in December, when the only supply available may have to be shipped from Holland.
- Order for more than one person, in different locations. Something for your wife in Toronto, your Mom in Vancouver, and you're in Victoria? We offer discounts when ordering for two or more recipients across the country.
- Look for Promotion Codes. Although they're not always available, Social Media forums are a great place to search for discounts. Google Places, Facebook, or Twitter are great places to see if price reductions are available.
- Send two or more items to the same location, or try sending Flowers of the Month for a year, or flowers each week for a month. Multiple purchases get discounted!
- Send just flowers, with no vase or basket. Great for the do-it-yourself person that likes to arrange her own flowers in her own special vase. All the money goes into the flowers themselves, instead of the container.
Thursday, 3 May 2012
Mother's Day Flowers Are Not the Same Any More
Flowers at Mother's Day have a special meaning for me.
It was almost 14 years ago, but I remember it like it was yesterday.
You see my Mom used to live with us.
And every year, she got the leftover Mother's Day flowers at the end of day on Mother's Day.
Not that the flowers were bad.
Dale always made a very nice floral arrangement of flowers that didn't sell at our shop Simon Says Roses.
And not that Mom didn't appreciate the gesture...she was very thankful.
But 14 years ago, she took the time to point something out to me.
Every year we always arranged for my wife's Mother to receive a flower arrangement in Edmonton....BEFORE Mother's Day.
My Mom mentioned that one year....just one year...it would be nice to get fresh flowers a few days ahead.
The pick of the crop...the nicest blooms...with enough time to enjoy them THROUGH the special day.
So that year, I had my best floral designer make the most beautiful arrangement.
I took it home with me on the Wednesday before Mother's Day Sunday.
My Mom was speechless, thrilled, & exhilarated all in one!
I'll never forget it.
And I've never forgotten it since.
Because I took my Mom for granted.
She was the one raising my two daughters while Dale & I were working in the flower shop. She made the meals. Did the laundry.
And I never really thanked her...until that year.
I'm so glad I took the time.
Because later that year...14 years ago in November...my Mom passed away from cancer.
And that's why Mother's Day flowers are not the same any more.
It was almost 14 years ago, but I remember it like it was yesterday.
You see my Mom used to live with us.
And every year, she got the leftover Mother's Day flowers at the end of day on Mother's Day.
Not that the flowers were bad.
Dale always made a very nice floral arrangement of flowers that didn't sell at our shop Simon Says Roses.
And not that Mom didn't appreciate the gesture...she was very thankful.
But 14 years ago, she took the time to point something out to me.
Every year we always arranged for my wife's Mother to receive a flower arrangement in Edmonton....BEFORE Mother's Day.
My Mom mentioned that one year....just one year...it would be nice to get fresh flowers a few days ahead.
The pick of the crop...the nicest blooms...with enough time to enjoy them THROUGH the special day.
So that year, I had my best floral designer make the most beautiful arrangement.
I took it home with me on the Wednesday before Mother's Day Sunday.
My Mom was speechless, thrilled, & exhilarated all in one!
I'll never forget it.
And I've never forgotten it since.
Because I took my Mom for granted.
She was the one raising my two daughters while Dale & I were working in the flower shop. She made the meals. Did the laundry.
And I never really thanked her...until that year.
I'm so glad I took the time.
Because later that year...14 years ago in November...my Mom passed away from cancer.
And that's why Mother's Day flowers are not the same any more.
Thursday, 19 April 2012
What's with Secretary's Day?
It started in 1952.
It was a way to acknowledge the hard work done by secretaries worldwide, and was called National Secretaries Week.
Apparently that title wasn't good enough, so in 1981 it was changed to Professional Secretaries Week.
By 2000, this name was deemed politically incorrect, so the name was changed once again to Administrative Professionals Day, celebrated on the last Wednesday in April.
In my mind, this new name means absolutely nothing to most people.
I can see the results when customers are searching for flowers on the internet. There are far more people looking for Secretary's Day flowers then these other contrived phrases.
And what are we really celebrating any way?
As employers/bosses/managers, all we are trying to say thanks.
So why not simply call it Employee Appreciation Day?
At least most people would understand the name!
It was a way to acknowledge the hard work done by secretaries worldwide, and was called National Secretaries Week.
Apparently that title wasn't good enough, so in 1981 it was changed to Professional Secretaries Week.
By 2000, this name was deemed politically incorrect, so the name was changed once again to Administrative Professionals Day, celebrated on the last Wednesday in April.
In my mind, this new name means absolutely nothing to most people.
I can see the results when customers are searching for flowers on the internet. There are far more people looking for Secretary's Day flowers then these other contrived phrases.
And what are we really celebrating any way?
As employers/bosses/managers, all we are trying to say thanks.
A simple "thank you" to everyone that works for us.
So why not simply call it Employee Appreciation Day?
At least most people would understand the name!
Thursday, 5 April 2012
The Miracle of Same Day Flower Delivery in Canada
It seems easy enough, but it's actually a miracle.
FedEx can't do it. UPS can't do it. Not even Canada Post can do it.
Same day delivery across the country.
Let's say you are in Montreal, and you want to send a gift across the country.
You Google "flowers in Vancouver", hoping for same day flower delivery in Canada as you've ordered before noon Vancouver time.
Up pops a number of websites to choose from so you click on Simon Says Roses with a whole range of flower images.
You select a flower arrangement with red roses and stargazer lilies, knowing she will love the colour and scent of the display.
The arrangements are not simply sitting on a shelf.
Somebody has to take the order.
Somebody has to construct the arrangement.
Somebody has to deliver the flowers.
All within about a four hour window.
Here's what has to happen:
Now that's a miracle!
FedEx can't do it. UPS can't do it. Not even Canada Post can do it.
Same day delivery across the country.
Let's say you are in Montreal, and you want to send a gift across the country.
You Google "flowers in Vancouver", hoping for same day flower delivery in Canada as you've ordered before noon Vancouver time.
Up pops a number of websites to choose from so you click on Simon Says Roses with a whole range of flower images.
You select a flower arrangement with red roses and stargazer lilies, knowing she will love the colour and scent of the display.
And that's where the miracle begins!
Somebody has to take the order.
Somebody has to construct the arrangement.
Somebody has to deliver the flowers.
All within about a four hour window.
Here's what has to happen:
- The staff member takes your order, including product order code, greeting card message, recipient's information, your information, and the payment method.
- The order is printed, and an Order Confirmation Invoice is sent to you by email with full details (except credit card information) for your order.
- A copy of this Invoice is given to the flower designer.
- The recipient is called, to ensure someone will be at the residence to accept your gift.
- The designer then chooses the flowers, the vase, and then must construct the arrangement, coming as close as possible to the picture. As no two flowers are identical, no two arrangements are identical, but a close replication of your choice will be made.
- Most delivery services have a morning and afternoon pick-up, usually at 10:00 and 2:00. Orders placed the previous day or before hit the morning run while orders received that day make the afternoon run. Each driver usually loads from 10 to15 orders on each run.
- The delivery driver must plot his delivery run to ensure the most efficient route is taken in terms of time and mileage.
- Voila! The delivery is made. When the drivers return, they provide their delivery logs. Your order is marked delivered, and you are emailed a Delivery Confirmation.
Now that's a miracle!
Wednesday, 21 March 2012
Be Careful Where You Put Your Tu Lips!
Welcome to the season for spring flowers!
Tulips, iris, lilies, daffodils, hyacinths...it's truly nature's bounty for florists like Simon Says Roses.
Tulips however, pose a particular problem in an arrangement.
Have you ever noticed that tulips in your garden open during the day, and close at night?
It is because they are part of a group of flowers which are photosensitive, or responsive to light.
The same thing happens to tulips when they are used as cut flowers as well.
Put a vase of tulips in front of a window, and within a few hours the entire group bends towards the light source!
Not very attractive and especially frustrating, when designers have spent the time positioning the flowers for optimum viewing.
One other thing to note in this picture is how one tulip sticks out from the others. It didn't start out that way.
This is because tulips do NOT stop growing once they are cut!
The solution?
The proven method to ensure that tulips remain upright is to insert a pin through the stem of the tulip, just below the bloom.
This will stop "tulip bend", and ensure your flowers are displayed beautifully throughout there life.
And now you know!
Tulips, iris, lilies, daffodils, hyacinths...it's truly nature's bounty for florists like Simon Says Roses.
Tulips however, pose a particular problem in an arrangement.
Have you ever noticed that tulips in your garden open during the day, and close at night?
It is because they are part of a group of flowers which are photosensitive, or responsive to light.
The same thing happens to tulips when they are used as cut flowers as well.
Put a vase of tulips in front of a window, and within a few hours the entire group bends towards the light source!
Not very attractive and especially frustrating, when designers have spent the time positioning the flowers for optimum viewing.
This is because tulips do NOT stop growing once they are cut!
The solution?
The proven method to ensure that tulips remain upright is to insert a pin through the stem of the tulip, just below the bloom.
This will stop "tulip bend", and ensure your flowers are displayed beautifully throughout there life.
And now you know!
Wednesday, 14 March 2012
Flower Taxes are Inevitable, but THIS is Ridiculous!
It leaves business owners shaking their heads, and staff screaming in frustration (well almost).
Try to explain to people why there are all those different tax rates on flower delivery in Canada.
It's a nightmare.
You can't make this stuff up. Well maybe accountants can...that's what keeps them employed.
Every day at Simon Says Roses, we arrange for flower delivery across the country.
From West to East here's the breakdown as to the different tax rates we have to charge on flowers:
- British Columbia - 12% HST
- Alberta - 5% GST
- Saskatchewan - 5% GST
- Manitoba - 5% GST
- Ontario - 13% HST
- Quebec - 5% GST
- New Brunswick - 13% HST
- Prince Edward Island - 5% GST
- Nova Scotia - 15% HST
- Newfoundland and Labrador - 13% HST
- Yukon Territory - 5% GST
- Northwest Territories - 5% GST
Confused yet?
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)