politicaldan•

I never understood how they stay in business. Who buys these things?

15

Corporate gifts, big time.

14
Feisty-Donkey•

We used to get them at work all the time and they’re great to receive.

13
[deleted]•

[deleted]

1
DoctorSweetheart•

I do.

I sent them as sympathy gifts when someone dies. Most grieving folks appreciate something they can eat over flowers that will just die after a few days.

10
politicaldan•

That’s a good idea and probably beats a casserole

5
DoctorSweetheart•

Yeah, the last time I bought one, I read a review written by a woman who said that after her son died, she hadn't eaten anything in days until she received the edible arrangement.

12
KaitandKaboodle•

I’d love to get one!

5
DoctorSweetheart•

How is it different than any other franchise?

10
mackfactorOP•

The CEO doesn't own the suppilers that the franchisees have to buy from.

1
skygerbils•

This is how franchises work. Read up on Mc Donalds ice cream machines. You only get 2 options and you have to service them through a specific company (with connections to MDs). Though I think they may have a good case about how their franchise $ was being used and the business model constantly changing. It will be hard to prove, but they have a chance IMO. But it's not an MLM.

9
mackfactorOP•

Summary - franchisees required to buy supplies - even their computers - from companies owned by the CEO that mark up substandard materials.

7
No-Delay-120•

That’s kind of the case for all franchises though. Like, all the McDonald’s Have the same cash register too.

As long as they don’t have to recruit others.

15
mackfactorOP•

The sleazy part is that the suppliers for all the materials an equipment aren't the company itself, it's companies owned by the CEO. I understand having common suppliers - that's normal - but the CEO throwing business to his other companies is shady AF.

8
octopod-reunion•

Franchises are sketchy, and it seems edible arrangements even more so than others based on the article.

The chicken and other agricultural industries work very similarly, where a large company (like Tysons or Koch foods) contracts out the actual raising of animals to small farmers, who are required to buy the supplies, buildings, and feed from Tyson or a related company.

However, they’re not MLMs because they don’t have the recruiting factor

3