We were talking last night about the price of flowers here versus Europe and elsewhere. They had mentioned to us at the beginning of the course how people in other countries would pick up flowers on their way home to dinner along with bread, wine, etc. It was a common practice. And how the flower industry here wanted to get that mindset going here in the U.S.
Last night I brought up (after falling out of my chair after I costed out my arrangements) that that would never become an accepted practice here because what florists here charged was too much. I said the way to go about it was to lower the cost of cut flowers (I think arrangements should cost a bit more) and get people used to having them and then we could slowly sneak the costs up!
U.S. companies seem to overcharge on just about everything, imo. The west coast seems to be the worst. At one time NY was the most expensive place but I don't think that's true anymore. From what I've seen, the west coast, esp the bay area, is just the worst. Here in the PNW fresh farm eggs are now going for $5 a dozen. And this is at the farmer's markets!!!!!
Stores seem to think that they'd rather do less work (sell fewer items) for more money than more work for the same amount. While I don't think people should undervalue their products or services, I think things have gotten out of hand here. $18 for 5 stems of tulips? Come on! Even from my cheapest supplier, the cost would be $10.50 retail and that's too much.
Before I went into biz for myself and was able to get flowers wholesale, I knew all the places where I could get great flowers reasonably. I would buy whatever looked good and was in season, therefore reasonable. Now that I can buy wholesale, would you believe I can get the same flowers cheaper retail sometimes!!!! Because some of the bigger places get a much better wholesale price than I do. (Not fair!!!)
Just curious - how much would you guys pay for a bunch of 5 tulips?
