Story Comments

I've found that hospital gift shops usually have very nice flowers/balloons/stuffed animals - whatever - and are happy to accommodate a telephone request for anyone wanting to have a delivery to a patient - It is ALWAYS so much more INEXPENSIVE to go this route - no surcharges, extra fees and the patient gets immediate delivery and you get more for your money!

I am a flower shop owner- and here is my take on this... ALWAYS find a flower shop in the area you are delivering by calling to confirm the physical location of the business. Proflowers is just like all the other wire services.... you have to trust who you are ordering with- and so- do the research and call directly to the florist. We get orders on a daily basis from out of state customers and the first question they ask us is ' Are you physically located in bla bla bla? And we confirm it with them.

I'm surprised no one has mentioned ProFlowers. I have been using this company for about 8 years and have not had a single problem. Their prices are extremely reasonable and everyone who has received flowers from them has been exceptionally pleased by the freshness and appearance of the flowers.

I've ordered floral products numerous times, over the internet and until using Teleflora, I was always satisfied. They sent a completely wrong arrangement from what I ordered and when I notified them of it, they offered me 20% back. After several days of emails and requests to escalate the issue, they finally conceded that the order was 100% wrong, not 20%. I'll NEVER use them again.

I always try to find the name of a local florist--and I don't trust yellow page or internet listings, unless there is something in their listing that makes me confident that they are a florist based where I am sending flowers. I've called people I've done business with to ask their recommendation. I also call other businesses (restaurants, stores, etc. to ask for recommendations-although I don't call businesses during busy periods. For instance, I wouldn't call a jeweler before Valentine's Day. If I'm calling someone I don't know, I always begin 'This is an unusual request for you, but I'm trying to find a good florist in your town. Can you recommend someone?' I also use an orchid grower that ships nationally that uses heat packs to insure warmth (although they probably won't ship to northern regions during January and February.)

I have ordered online with mixed results, and will admit what was received did not look like the pictures.
I prefer a real florist, as I love giving flowers,but they are hard to find. And the ones I have don't really seem to want to share any information as to the freshness of the flowers, I too had a bad experience, as I was given a rose by my son at his wedding, being thrilled as I have received so few flowers in my life, I was sorely disappointed by the end of the reception when I was left holding an empty stem. It had to be hidden in the pictures to look like there was still something on the other end.

I own a small florist in Orlando, Florida that has been in business since 1962.
RULE #1 DO NOT USE WIRE SERVICES....This means anyone like TELEFLORA, FTD, or 1-800-FLOWERS.....They take way too much of a cut away from the Florist. Around 27% of your order total, plus the florist had to buy the vase or container from them in cases of 12, 24, or 36. Teleflora is the worst!

This past Christmas I learned about the current practices of FTD the hard way. Flowers ordered for my elderly mother and mother-in-law weren't delivered by a local florist, but were a shipment containing a 'bouquet' of flowers (that started to wilt almost immediately) and a vase. My recipients were supposed to add their own 'artistic touch'. Boy...was I mad. Aargh! I called FTD and received a partial refund on both, but will call the local florist from now on.

I've used 1800FLOWERS twice and have gotten compliments both times. My aunt said the $139 arrangement I sent her was the most colorful and beautiful one she had EVER SEEN and got compliments from everyone that saw it. I will always use them.

iam a small local florist, during holidays iam not a hog, i only take orders i know i can deliver on time , its really hard sometimes, when the supercenters , grocery stores and every tom , d!*k, and harry are taking the business away from us. Last year even the home improvement stores were selling flowers , but i personally get to know my customers , i give them fresh product and i have decent prices. I love what I do!

as a third generation florist we do not afford the luxury of any holiday with our families except in the back room of our flower shop. Most people would yell and complain they did not get thier rest and play time from work on the holidays but we have committed ourselves to insure all of the citizen in our area are able to convey thier feelings to thier loved ones. The only way to survive in this business is thru reputation! Sunday Page,Oldsmarflorist.com

Call a local florist in the city needed to send flowers and cut out the wire services completely. You said to stick with well-known types of florists like Caylex & Corrolla and Hallmark. However, Hallmark is NOT a flower shop. They are connected with Teleflora (wire service). Why didn't you research this better? All of the sudden Hallmark has flower shops all over the country? No. They do not.
Cafe In Bloom At Emerald Hills Flowers, Hollywood, FL

Sent flowers with absolutely no glitches numerous times. Mom's delivery for mom's day was a poorly arranged bouquet that upset her! She commented they looked wilted and old. After two days, they were dead! I called the 800# to ask for a refund, since mother said 'don't ever send flowers again'...Well, I received a refund on a $49.99 bouquet -- of $10.49. So beware; you will never get your full or even a decent partial refund.

I order flowers 3 - 4 times a year and have ordered from 1-800-flowers for several years now. I have always gotten very prompt delivery and very nice arrangements from them. I know because I not only call my Mom and ask her, my sister goes over and checks them out and tells me how they are.
This year I decided to try Hallmark and when I spoke to my Mom she reluctantly told me they were the worst flowers she ever received from me. Needless to say I will NEVER use Hallmark for flowers again!

2nd post- These same big online florist sell bonsai trees and I hear the same complaints. Although the trees are true to name, they are not as depicted on their website. Half the size, damaged, and unhealthy. As the Owner of BonsaiOutlet.com I take great pride in customer service and delivering a healthy product - what the customer purchased. Why buy from the big florist - they are just a middleman. Call the local florist (or use their website) to order. You'll get a better product and service.

What I usually do is go to yellowpages.com and look for local florists/businesses in the area that I want to send the gift. If they have a website, it's usually noted in the YP ad and I'll use it to place the order. I feel who knows best than the place located there. I've always had good luck using this method. The Internet is handy, but you still have to use common sense to make it work effectively. Thanks.

Florists, quit whining. Do you have something to hide? Guilt complex? I'm glad that someone is letting the consumer know what's going on. If you are doing a good honest service as a florist, then why worry about some article. Provide exceptional service and your business will flourish, aticles not withstanding.

Flowers? Just another way to separate damn fool Americans from their money. Take your money and put it towards a nice dinner. BTW - how about getting a star named for your loved one? Fifty four dollars for a piece of paper and a stamp. That?s $53.00+ profit for every moron they suck in. Just about the best scam ever dreamed up. They might as well name a grain of sand on the beach for your other half.

As a florist I was happy you covered this subject! I have been telling people they need to watch out for the online florist and the so called local florist listing in the phone book that does'nt show an address. They are not really a flower shop, they are an office full of people at phones taking orders! 'Buyer beware' to the consumer who choses to buy his flowers online. Most all local florists are owners. You can bet they care about your order and what you think!

As a florist I am offended by this article. While it may list using a local florist in the top ten you have to click on the 'next page' button to see that information. By the time a reader gets to that point I am sure they will have already moved on. It sickens me that this stance would be taken against real, local florists. This is my passion, my career, I go above and beyond to make sure that each and every customer is well beyond satisfied.

I agree that a real florist is really the best bet through which to purchase and send flowers, particularly an FTD florist. I've also had good luck buying nice-looking (but fragrantless) blooms at discount stores like Sam's Club.

I've not had any really good experiences using some of the big Internet flower shops. The photos they post on their websites typically don't equate to the less-than-impressive real thing.

As a real florist I find few tips in this article are accurate or true about the 'REAL FLORIST', I find this very degrading to professional Florist owners. I agree consumers should be educated on floral buying & can do it with FLORISTDETECTIVE.COM or FLOWERCHAT.COM florist blogs, the information is available to consumers in finding out the truth of deceptive skimming floral businesses verses real brick & mortar shops. C&G's Unlimited Florist,LLC Houston,TX

While I agree that consumers must be careful of the large wire services and .com order gathers when purchasing flowers. Some of your information regarding real florist is offensive. Local florists go above and beyond to service their customers, due to every Sam, d!*k, & .Com trying to muscle thier way in to the industry. Top notch quality and service from local florist should fetch top notch dollar. After all, if you want designer jeans, you are not likely to buy them at Walmart!