Action Line: Make sure sending online flowers is a sweet experience
| Saturday, Feb 04 2012 12:00 PM
Last Updated Saturday, Feb 04 2012 12:00 PM
Editor's note: Action Line is a weekly column from the Better Business Bureau answering consumers' questions and concerns about money and business issues.
Dear Action Line:
I recently reconnected with an old girlfriend in my hometown. My mother and favorite aunt also live in the same small town and I would like to send them all flowers for Valentine's Day. I looked online but each florist seems to have different options for sending flowers and they all have some type of disclaimer that the actual flowers in the sample arrangements may differ from the pictures. I know the ladies in my life are too polite to tell me if they don't like the flowers but how do I know that I am getting the full value of what I am spending? I don't want to pay for roses and have a bunch of daisies delivered.
Dear Reader:
Flowers are always a wonderful way to brighten anyone's day, whether it is an ordinary weekday or a special occasion like Valentine's Day.
But it is important to remember that flowers are extremely popular gifts for special days and florists can only get so many of each particular bloom available in their area.
Order your flowers early to get both the best prices and the best selection of what is available in the area where your hometown is located.
In California, we are fortunate to have a wide variety of our favorite flowers available to us throughout the year. However, those same flowers may be in short supply or difficult to get in some states where cold weather doesn't allow for local growth.
You are right to look online for different options and to get ideas of what types of arrangements you might want to send. It's a great way to browse without feeling like you have to buy. But when it comes time to actually send the flowers, I have two words for you: Shop local.
That can mean one of two things. One, you can contact a local florist in your hometown to place your orders. You mentioned that you are from a small town so the chances are the local business might actually know your relatives and can offer you some good suggestions about what they might like.
Using a local florist in your hometown will also eliminate any wire charges, which gives you more money to spend on the actual flowers. Be sure to ask specific questions about what type and how many flowers will be used in each order. Also inquire if there is a delivery charge.
The second version of Shop Local is to go to a local florist where you currently live. Ask them for suggestions of what types of flowers will be readily available in your hometown area. Again ask specific questions about what you are actually sending and what you will be getting for what you are spending. Don't forget that your budget will have to include wire and delivery charges.
One big advantage of using local florists is that you have someone to talk to if there is a problem with your orders. When you order online, you can speak with customer service but it is not the same as talking with someone who actually owns the business.
Many online ordering sites are merely call centers, not actual florists. This means they charge either a flat fee or a percentage of your order amount to handle the transaction, which means less money actually goes for your special gifts. This also means they don't have the vested interest in your special delivery that a local business would have.
If you decide to order online, be sure to use a national floral group and, regardless of the location of the florist, be sure to check their reliability before committing to a purchase.
-- Vickie Sanders is assistant director of business services for the Better Business Bureau serving Central California. Send your consumer concerns, questions and problems to Action Line at the Better Business Bureau, 1601 H St., Suite 101, Bakersfield, CA 93301 or vickie@bbbcencal.org.
