Don't Be Scammed By "Order Gatherers"! Shop Local!!

Ordering flowers online is an easy and convenient way to get flowers or gifts delivered to that special someone. What most consumers don't know is that when they use websites such as 1800 Flowers, FTD, Teleflora, Just Flowers, From You Flowers and many others, they are NOT actually reaching a real florist at all but rather an office filled with employees with no floral experience what so ever!

When you place a floral order with one of these companies, they tack on a hefty "service charge" and "delivery charge" as well as the amount for the actual flowers, and then they send it to a REAL florist in the recipient's delivery area. For instance, you order a $50.00 mixed floral arrangement, they add tax, delivery and service fee and your total can be as high as $90.00! Then they keep those charges for themselves and send the order to a local shop for a $50.00 total, instructing that delivery is included. Most florists charge between $8.00 and $12.00 for delivery. The florist only receives about 70% percent of the order to boot! So for your $90.00 you will receive a floral arrangement for around $40!! The florist only sees the total given to them and then must work with what was given to them; they have no idea about all the fees the customer is paying to these "Order Gatherers"! 

Another problem with ordering flowers through these websites is that the people who work there are often outsourced to countries such as India, and are not experienced in the floral industry. This can cause issues because for instance in the middle of November, a customer can go on one of these websites and order a beautiful Peony arrangement or Azalea plant, great except these products ARE NOT IN SEASON in the Fall! These employees do not know this and will continue to send the order to a local shop. The florist now has to reject the order stating that the product is not available because if they send something else, they will get a complaint and the customer will not be pleased. If the customer had called a local flower shop in the first place, an experienced designer would have informed them that these flowers were not available but then give other options to satisfy the customer.

Most flower shops such as ours now have up to date and convenient websites with 24/7 ordering possibilities, just as easy as FTD or Teleflora or 1800Flowers. Local flower shops also have photos of actual work they have done, not just cookie cutter designs mass produced, as well as gift items and specialty products available. You can order just as easily without the inflated "service" fees, getting the full amount you pay in flowers!

Don't let these companies trick you into thinking you are getting the best deals and easiest way to order! CALL A LOCAL FLORIST OR USE A LOCAL FLORIST'S WEBSITE WHEN ORDERING FLOWERS!! One, you support local family run businesses in your community and you get your full value, and two you will know exactly what your recipient will actually receive.

Check out www.broadbrookgardens.com to see how easy it is to order... 24/7!!!