02/13/2023
Okay, so now that I posed a funny meme I wanted to take a moment to talk about some heavier stuff. With Valentine’s Day only a few hours away I wanted to share something important. This post is about Order Gathering services such as FTD, Ava’s, and 1-800-Flowers. You know- the first things that pop up when you search a local florist, instead of the locally owned florist. They are dangerous, and they prey on consumers and florists alike.
Arrangements ordered from an Order Gatherer are placed online or on the phone. If you do call them, notice the sounds of a call center on the other end. This is a dead giveaway that you have been bamboozled into calling an Order Gatherer and not a real Florist. Beware, ordering from an Order Gatherer comes with a hefty price. And the price is not worth your peace of mind.
For example, if you place an order on an Order Gatherers website and pay $75 for a flower arrangement, $15 for delivery and another $10 for their “service fees” plus tax, the OG will try to send that order to a real Florist to design and deliver it for them. However, they only send the Florist $45 (or less) to do so. This means that your recipient will most likely NOT receive what you have ordered for them because the Florist can’t create a $75 valued arrangement plus deliver it for only $45. That results in a loss for the Florist and no company can operate at a loss and stay in business. Remember, Order gathers only advertise products they do not actually produce, design or deliver anything; they ONLY act as a middleman between REAL Florists and customers. The worst part about an OG is that they rip off you, as the consumer, and they also rip off the Florist leaving you with a negative view of our wonderful Floral & Gift Giving Industry.
Order Gatherers pretend to be local Florists…they post pictures of expensive floral arrangements (usually the same pictures as Teleflora, FTD or 1-800-Flowers arrangements because that is how they get their orders sent to a real Florist) but under charge for them to get your sale. For example, a dozen Roses in a vase is normally $99.99, however on JustFlowers they post it as $59.99. Sounds like a great deal, right? Not so fast…after all of their service fees and promises of before 1pm delivery, you end up paying what you would have paid at a real Florist anyway but might not receive it the day you needed it or even receive what you actually ordered at all.
Using local Florists is the most favorable option because they offer a beautiful and efficient service as well as high quality products that can be delivered quickly and conveniently for the recipient, whereas Order Gatherers don’t provide any of this.
When looking for a legitimate Florist online, finding one that is not an Order Gatherer can be tricky. So what are some ways to find the best Florist near you? One way is to search by Florist in your recipient’s zip code. Another way is to search by Florist in the city name, or you can use social media for recommendations and reviews if you’re close.
Do NOT click a search engine result at the top or the bottom of the page with an ad icon or logo because they are most likely an Order Gatherer. Scroll down further to the map to view where the local, brick and mortar Florists are. Check out their ratings and click on an actual Florists website or give them a call. We are always happy to assist!
Always support and buy from your neighborhood Florist for all your flowers, gifts, plants, and balloon needs. When you shop locally in your recipients area, you are assured that your special someone will receive high-quality flowers and gifts and you will receive the best services. You also help your community because it benefits the local tax base and the local economy, allowing the community to flourish. Above all, you are supporting a small Florist’s DREAM! What could be better than that?!
Shopping local owned creates local opportunities, gives back to your community, and keeps the local economy thriving. Shopping locally owned gets you efficient, kind, and though out customer service.
Wether you purchase from myself or one of the other local florists, please go to their website directly from their social media or google. Spread the love!