"Memories by Sarah" is now "Memories by Betsy"

[DisneySweetie]

Hey everyone!

I'm going to WDW for my honeymoon in December and wanted to use Memories by Sarah to surprise my new hubby. Turns out she's moving away from Orlando, but she's passing her business on. Here's the e-mail I got today:

Thank you for your interest in Memories By Sarah! Due to a family relocation, I am leaving your basket inquiry in the very capable hands of my friend, Betsy, who has been working with me for the last several months. She is as enthusiastic about Disney as I am and is committed to making your gifts the best possible magical memory they can be!

I am forwarding your inquiry to Betsy at memoriesbybetsy@gmail.com and she will be responding to your request and/or answering any questions you may have by the end of this week.

Thanks again for your interest!

Sarah



I think I will go ahead and work with Betsy and see how it turns out. Seeing as how she worked with Sarah, I have confidence in her capabilities. I just thought you DIS folks would want to know.

 

[mom2of2]

Unfortunatly gift baskets companies come and go in the WDW area. It's a very competitive business and with merchandise prices being so high and not being able to carry food stuffs without a health dept certificate, it's very difficult to make a living.

Disneyflorist isn't going anywhere and giftsofalifetime has been in business for over a decade. Best of luck to Betsy in her new endevor.

 

[Feralpeg]

Unfortunatly gift baskets companies come and go in the WDW area. It's a very competitive business and with merchandise prices being so high and not being able to carry food stuffs without a health dept certificate, it's very difficult to make a living.

Disneyflorist isn't going anywhere and giftsofalifetime has been in business for over a decade. Best of luck to Betsy in her new endevor.

I second that. Having been in the gift basket business for a couple of years, it is a hard business. Since there is no way to get Disney merchandise at less than retail, it is very hard to make a profit. People really don't understand how many hours (yes, I mean hours) goes into producing one gift basket. Remember, it takes time to work with the client to define the order, keep records (the IRS is really insistent on this), shop (usually multiple times), assemble and deliver the basket. I figure I spent approximately 5 to 6 hours on each basket I made. I charged $20 as my fee plus the cost of the merchandise for each basket. In addition to my time, that $20 covered the cost of gas for the shopping trips and delivery as well as non-merchandise basket building materials. So, take away about $5 for those things and divide $15 by 5. I may have made about $3 an hour. That's a lot less than minimum wage and (no offense to any of my previous clients), but sometimes it was pretty stressful work!

Since Florida decided that home-based gift basket companies cannot include any food items in their baskets, it has severly limited the possibilities for a person trying to make a go of it. I know I wouldn't be able to afford to rent a store front and that is they only way it can be done legally. The fine for violating the Florida regulation is $5000 and the business being shut down.

It is really too bad. I think a little healthy competition for the Disney Florist is a good thing. I mean that with all respect. I think the Disney Florist does a great job.

To Sarah, I hope your move to your new location goes smoothly! Having moved three years ago to Florida, I know how hard that can be!

I wish Betsy the best of luck with her new business! And, you can't go wrong with Gifts of a Lifetime.

I'm all for supporting small businesses. I know how hard they work to provide for their clients!

 

[wendylovesdisney]

I prepaid for 2 baskets for September and this worries me. I did not receive any emails.
-Wendy

 

[MNT568]

Wendy - I'm the same as you, I have already paid for 2 baskets for our August trip. I'm a little worried now. I haven't heard anything.

About 5 years ago I ordered 2 baskets through Disney Florist and there was a big mix-up. It took almost the whole trip to get it fix! One was for my mom and one for my DS (2 different rooms). The resort delivered the baskets to the wrong rooms and the folks that received my mom's basket decided to keep it! She finally got something (not what I ordered) the day before we left. The folks that got my DS's called the front desk to come get it and deliver it to us. This is why I haven't ordered anything since. Then when I saw all the great reviews on Sarah I was excited to get some baskets for this trip.

I am so nervous now.

 

[MNT568]

I just received a message from Sarah. She is moving the end of July. She has left my baskets with Betsy.

 

[BetsyinFL]

Hi Everyone!
I am Betsy of memoriesbybetsy@gmail.com, and I want to assure everyone that Sarah and I are working together to confirm that all baskets will be delivered, as promised, upon resort arrival, regardless of when they were ordered. I am using the memoriesbysarah.com website, and everything, including pricing, will stay the same.

I am excited to create magical memories for your vacation! Please email me if you have any questions or concerns. Happy planning!

Betsy
memoriesbybetsy@gmail.com

 

[arsmom]

I used Memories by Betsy and she did a fantastic job! The gift baskets were at the hotel when we arrived there and my daughter and husband were excited to receive them.