Florist Shop For Sale Thread

Realcommercial.com.au
 

Don't want to start you own why not buy. There are many florist shops for sale on the web page! Check it out. Under the business for sale section.

Ugh...the second I have the finance to get a shop started, I'm SO there!  Was *that* close not too long ago, but unfortunately it all fell through.  =(  Soon, though.  I'll just have to keep working the weddings and events until then!

Anna, It sure does scare me too and I feel for all the student florists obtaining their Level 3 in floristry who cannot get a position in the Industry. The sad thing is that they resort to opening or buying their own shop with their savings only to have it ripped out from under them by the unscrupulous florists and the self assummed. self appointed NON FLORISTS eg the self nominated arm of order gatherers of the once perfect Relay Organisations, self appointed commissioned agents and the like. 
Yesterday, our Florist had its 40th Birthday of operating in your local area. In that period of time we have outlived around 100 change of ownerships of sales or closing of floristshops. We are the last of the long serving one owner florists on the north side of Brisbane.
With your experience in figures, I would be interested to know how any one could make a profit on the following orders. These are REAL FIGURES
(1)  Local customer (via a relay/order gatherer) pays $100 for a local delivery. Florists receives $61.30 flower value plus $10.00 delivery
     (this order cost the customer $28.70 to place the order)
(2) Customer pays $100 (via a member of the above posing as local florist, but a 1000kms away) Florist receives flower value $45.18 plus delivery of $10.00.
     (this order cost the customer $44.82 to place the order.)
(3) A florist to be a member of one of these organisation can be very expensive. We have figures showing in the vicinity of $50 to $60 per week whether the florist receives 0 or 50 orders a week. Tally the hidden and forgotton outlays, including subscriptions, equipment leases, deposits held, insurance etc to a weekly basis. On an average it would cost $55.00 per week.
(4) On the assumption that the first order for the week was for $55.00 which you have already paid $55.00 for, how many $55.00 local orders would you have to execute at your normal costing formula to make a net profit ? Allow for the fact that the balance of the payment for the order is not paid for 48 days.
Who else do you give a 48 day credit to?
Operating any business on these figures is what really scares me when I see really competent passionate florists being ripped off by the very same organisations that cannot operate without the florist. The very florists who built these once perfect organisations in the first place with honour, trust and respect has been replaced by blood, sweat and tears to keep the Industry alive.

FLORISTS ARE NOW REPRESENTED BY NON-FLORISTS and ARE FORCED TO BUY AT THE BEST COMMISION PAYABLE
or BID FOR THEIR LOCAL CUSTOMERS ORDERS AT AN AUCTION. WHAT A DISGUSTING ACT OF RESPECT FOR A CUSTOMERS EMOTIONS AND FEELINGS  

All florists must explain the difference between ordering DIRECT from the LOCAL FLORIST and ordering from a call-center who are not florists to their customers.
We can give more detailed information on these figures if you wish by emailing to flowers800@optusnet.com.au
Please be careful in todays market where you invest your life savings without getting all the facts.  
   Cheers and good luck.......EFlowersAlive..the wise old owl............. Ron

Anna, go for it, don't let negativity get in the way of persuing your dream, surround yourself by positive people, hire a senior on a casual basis so you don't burn out and send out the vibe.... also rather than starting from ground zero, make an offer to existing business, even if they are not listed, they may be for sale - may even be an option to keep owners on as staff after sale of business....

honestly Ron, you make it sound impossible - we should be encouraging more people to get into business....but true do your sums, get good and reliable people around you (especially accountants) and take a calculated risk

my only word of advice is be different and be prepared for lots of work, might not be an overnight sensation - but you might just be! :-)

cheers, vicki

hi anna, , well yes i know it is early but that is the life we choose in the floral industry, i am just now heading off to the shop so i can set up stock and prepare for 4 weddings this saturday, prepare giftware that has arrived for xmas, remove ex-cess clutter to make room for some renovations which are happening tonight after 6pm, and if i get time i need to get organised with my bass which is due..... it's long hours, hard work, but I LOVE IT!   working in the industry has changed my life for the better, I also have fantastic, loyal and dedicated staff that make all the difference - so don't give up ... wow the florists with your desingns, get to know suppliers at the rocklea markets, offer to do deliveries for florists, approach florists with your own wedding and corporate referrals, go to floral events, apply for your ABN in preparation to do some freelance from home and really market yourself.... just some ideas... 

If you are ever in Melbourne, look us up, would be happy to offer you work experience, as I like the way you are really keen to get out there..... you may even need to consider travelling to brisbane to work with florist just to gain the experience.... if that be the case i could possible put you in touch with some florist colleagues....

all the best

if you need any help, stay in touch :-)  

cheers,