[ 2009 ] Can you recommend an online Florist?

[DebBrown]

I know some actually ship the flowers and some are delivered from local retailers. What is your experience? Which one(s) would you recommend?

Deb

 

[Linda74]

I often look for a local florist in the area that I am sending the flowers to. I then call that florist.....I think the personal contact usually results in a little more care going into the order. You can easily get local florists numbers on the internet. Just my two cents.

 

[wackymother]

I've used ProFlowers and the recipients were wowed every time. What I don't like about them is that you don't see the total cost (with delivery) until the very, very end of the process, so you can't comparison-shop to other places.

They do have all kinds of discount codes that provide 20 percent off, or a free vase, or an extra dozen roses, or some little perk.

 

[normab]

Haven't had good luck. Twice My DH sent me roses from the 2 big names (Pro and 1-800) and the flowers must have sat in storage too long and they never opened. The local florists always seem to have better flowers. The big names did replace them when I called to tell them of the problem, but if you are sending flowers to a friend, wouldn't you want them right the first time?

You didn't say why you are asking, but if you are sending flowers long distance, I have had really good experiences going to yahoo - local. I put in the zip code and then search under florists. I pick one out and call them directly and place my order--and I can be descriptive about what I am looking for. If they don't have what I am looking for I call someone else! I generally get huge thanks so I think it is working well. DH thinks you get more choices and more for your money too since you are dealing directly with the person making the arrangement and you are not paying a service fee to a middleman.

Norma

 

[Chemee]

I often look for a local florist in the area that I am sending the flowers to. I then call that florist.....I think the personal contact usually results in a little more care going into the order. You can easily get local florists numbers on the internet. Just my two cents.

I do this as well.

 

[cherrysaw]

Last June we were in Florida with another couple who were celebrating their 25th wedding anniversary. I decided to order what I thought was a beautiful "love" bouquet. When we got over to Disney Boardwalk Villa's where they were staying there sitting on the table was the ugliest flower arrangement I had ever seen. It was limp & definately not what was pictured in the photo online. We were actually embarressed. I called 1-800-flowers to complain & the only thing they would do was refund 1/2 my money even though they claim to have a 100% money back guarantee if not satisfied. I won't ever use them again. Go local I say.
Sue

 

[Barbeque]

My wife just received some beautiful roses from some great friends for her birthday from FTD They have lasted well.

 

[djs]

My wife just received some beautiful roses from some great friends for her birthday from FTD They have lasted well.

I think that FTD tends to use local florists, that probably means that FTD takes some sort of commission. For that reason, I'd just assume find a local florist and have them get the entire amount I pay.

 

[JoAnn]

I usually use 1-800-Flowers and have had good results. DD sent some to a friend and they weren't what she ordered, and she called 1-800 to complain and they resent the flowers AND sent DD a small bouquet.

On the other hand I talked to a local florist one time and was told if I ordered directly from them I would get more for my money, because they wouldn't add on fees + big delivery charges. And most of the locals have websites so you can order from there.

Years ago my Mom ordered a 50th anniversary arrangement for a relative. But what arrived was, what looked like, a funeral arrangement. Her DIL worked for the florist, but they wouldn't give DIL the order to arrange.

 

[DebBrown]

I'll be sending flowers to people in another town. I was hoping to use one of the companies that would give me a nice chunk of frequent flyer miles.

It sounds like it may be hit or miss with any of them. FTD will get me a local florist at a premium cost, right?

Deb

 

[thinze3]

I have used proflowers(dot)com about 6 times and have been very pleased EVERY time.

 

[Glynda]

Pro flowers

Pro-flowers here too. They've been beautiful.

 

[vacationhopeful]

My mom worked for 20+ years at a major floral business in the Philadelphia area. The FTDs and other networks take 20% or more from the actual bill plus their other tacked on fees (transfer fee I believe was one example; another is the "pictured vase" which the shop owner must buy in bulk and is overpriced from the network).

For the last 5 years, I have a flower shop next door to where I work. There has been two different shop owners. The current one is internet smart and even hired a consultant 6 months after taking over to review his operation. The "association/network" he had been using was draining $1,000 monthly for about $400 of orders he got. The consultant got him to drop them and set up a better internet page. He has now been doing okay and is past the 3 year mark. He is happy that his business is still slightly growing each month and he is very interested in pleasing everyone who orders from him.

His nicely decorated shop is a bright spot on the main drag which has more boarded up buildings than open ones (3 to 1 ratio). I would also support the local florist over a 1-800 number, esp as it is truly easy with the internet find one.

 

[sun&fun]

Another testimonial for ProFlowers. Have been both a sender and a receiver and was pleased every time.

 

[ricoba]

My last online flower purchase was from Sam's Club, this past Valentines Day.

The roses lasted an exceptionally long time and were quite nice.

I am sure Costco offers the same type service.

 

[falmouth3]

Recently I've been using foryouflowers.com. They have some outstanding prices and the flowers have always been exceptionally big and fresh. Last year my nephew and I sent similar types of flowers to my mother for Mother's Day. The "From You" flowers were much larger - and the From you flowers were less expensive. However, I don't think From You does arrangements, they provide cut flowers, and a vase if you order one.

Sue

 

[jlr10]

I have received flowers from ProFlowers several times. I have never been disappointed. I once received a delivery that had open and unopened buds. They continued to open for three weeks. Very happy camper here.

 

[wackymother]

The FTD flowers I've gotten over the years have been universally disappointing. I don't know what the deal is, if it's that FTD takes such a large cut of the money, but they've always been very heavy on the carnations and cheap, ugly greenery.

 

[Phydeaux]

I often look for a local florist in the area that I am sending the flowers to. I then call that florist.....I think the personal contact usually results in a little more care going into the order. You can easily get local florists numbers on the internet. Just my two cents.

Agreed. I look for ways to support my small, local businesses. There are already more than enough opportunities to buy on the web.

 

[sun starved Gayle]

Costco! Delivery is included. Never had a problem and I believe they will refund your money if not satisfied. No same day delivery though.

 

[Luanne]

I tend to go with who has the best pricing, finding an arrangement I like, and what can be delivered to the area I'm sending to. Many times the "big" guys do use local florists. Most of them will let you know which arrangements can be delivered to the zip code you're sending to. So far I've had good luck with all of them 1-800 Flowers, FTD, Telefora.

 

[DeniseM]

Please note - this is a 2009 thread that was brought out of mothballs by a spammer.