<p>Next week I’m going to be sending flowers to a friend who lives in another state. Are all the online florists pretty much the same, or do any of you have recommendations for especially good ones (or bad ones to stay away from!)?</p>
<p>I had a bad experience with 1-800-flowers… I paid 75 dollars for a beautiful arrangement for my mom for Mother’s Day and it never arrived. They even admitted that it didn’t arrive. No refund, no flowers, no nothing. I went ten rounds with their customer care people and they couldn’t understand why I was upset, and didn’t understand what the problem was, which mystified me… I never got my flowers! I’m upset! I paid 75 dollars for nothing!! I finally just let it go.</p>
<p>We’ve really liked ProFlowers lately. I got a beautiful arrangement from my husband for Valentine’s Day, delivered uneventfully at work. Comes in a box, though, so some assembly required (typical of most internet-based florists these days, unfortunately).</p>
<p>Another option is to look up a local florist near your friend and check that they deliver… They’ll most likely be delivered by the florist and will be in water and arranged and all that jazz.</p>
<p>Best of luck! =)</p>
<p>This is not an ad for AmEx. Order your flowers using AmEx, they would credit your acct right away if there is no delivery. Merchant would have to prove to AmEx that they delivered to get the credit reversed.</p>
<p>I am a huge Proflowers fan. I have used them many times & no one has ever been disappointed. I have also been fortunate enough to receive them, and they were lovely each time. Search online for promo codes … you should be able to get a free vase.</p>
<p>
</p>
<p>I should get me an AmEx…</p>
<p>Booklady, I don’t know how much you’re looking at spending, but I’ve had absolutely wonderful experiences with a company called Calyx and Corolla. (Google “calyx flowers” - I don’t want to get in trouble for posting the link.)</p>
<p>Calyx has wonderful flower arrangements. They also stay fresh a lot longer. One problem I’ve had with sending flowers is that by spending $75 you think you are getting a decent bouquet, but in fact it may just be a lot of daisies. My brother sent me a bouquet when I was in the hospital once. Apparently he spent a lot of money, but it was pretty pathetic and I was very insulted. Because he was my brother, I felt pefectly comfortable in letting him have it (I was also in a lot of pain). Of course I felt bad after he told me how much he has spent.</p>
<p>We are also Proflowers fans.</p>
<p>Thanks for the suggestions, everyone!</p>
<p>I’ve used FTD.com many times with wonderful (and appreciative!) results. :)</p>
<p>I can’t believe 1-800-flowers wouldn’t issue you a refund—I mean, that just staggers me! Did you let them know that you’ve warned everyone you know not to buy flowers through them, and that your story is also on the net? What business survives for very long after they’ve lost the confidence of the consumer?</p>
<p>I’ve had bad experience with 1-800-flowers, as well as FTD. Most of the time, I contact a local (small) florist where I can talk to someone live on the phone to explain what I want (I tend to be kind of picky). Most of the time, I’m ordering anything you can think of online, but I haven’t been converted on fresh flowers (yet)!!!</p>
<p>I prefer to use my local florist , who I know. I would rather see her get the business than some unknown , on-line company.</p>
<p>And she also lets me choose a florist that I like in my hometon that has beautiful arrangements.</p>
<p>We like to support the locals and other Mom & Pops</p>
<p>I have to laugh-- As I was reading this thread I noticed a banner ad for proflowers at the top, and there was a google ad on the side for 4 different “same day/next day” flowers! </p>
<p>I am a USAA member and they have an arrangement with FTD, I believe. You get a discount by ordering though them (15 or 20% I believe) and they’ve been fine as far as I know. Also, if you are a Upromise member, check to see which florists can have their orders placed through Upromise- so you can get the credit for the purchase.</p>
<p>My mistake-- USAA uses teleflora. 20% discount. And they’ve been great</p>
<p><strong>edit</strong> I just checked at the deals on the Upromise site. They list all the specials and you can shop directly throught he link. There is a deal through proflowers where you get an extra 6 roses when you buy a dozen, plus a free vase, for $29.99. Dont know what all the xtra junk fees will be, but thats a good deal. And, you get the upromise credit back (10%) too!</p>
<p>I stopped using 1-800 and teleflora etc and started googling local florists in the town where I wanted the flowers delivered. You get to talk to someone in-house. You can pay with a CC just like using a nationbal service, and you get more for your money as there are no middleman fees or shipping fees. For $75, as has been quoted above, you get way more calling directly to a local florist, and you can discuss exactly what you are getting for your $75. Then, if there are problems, you are calling and dealing with them directly. I have never had a problem doing this. While I may use a local florist that on their site advertises that they participate in FTD etc, I call them directly.</p>
<p>sunnyflorida-
I’ve done both-- called a local florist in the area and used an online service. I really haven’t seen much price difference, as the local florists do usually add on a delivery fee. But, the personal touch is nice. They usually ask you what you want to spend and make suggestions. The online places have a little box that you usually have to check that says the local florist can make some substitutions if necessary, with flowers of equal value. So, you never really know if the flowers that are sent look like the ones in the picture.</p>
<p>I always use the call a local florist trick. You can suggest what you want or ask what they just got in that is particularly nice. That way it doesn’t look like a canned arrangement.</p>
<p>I, too, look online to find a local florist, explain the colours & flowers the recipient likes, and ask them what they have, what is fresh, what is in, what they can give me good “bang for my buck” on…who knows what the local flower market provided that week- the local florist.</p>
<p>I always use my favorite local florist (where I live) and they connect with a local florist in the target location. Has always worked like a charm for me, whether across the state or even sending to another country. I think many florists have networks (formal or informal) and collegial arrangements with other florists who share their tastes and aesthetic sensibilities.</p>