Wire service rules read in part - members will be held responsible for ethical business practices and all orders shall be sent for full value paid by the consumer including delivery if collected. Incoming orders are to be filled for full value minus a florist delivery charge which should be the same as they would charge a local customer to deliver to the same address.
___

Judging by recent postings here and elsewhere on the web, along with comments from florists about the difficulties they have when trying to leave a wire service, one has to ask, "Where are the ethics?"

The wire service's have turned a blind eye to the practices of their "member florists" where curtailment and skimming have been documented and demonstrated to be a continuing problem for both florists and consumers alike.

We know the reasons, it all boils down to greed, and the money readily available. The battle for order volume among the wire services seems to have taken away their ability to do whats right for not only the industry but consumers as well.

On top of that, the various National Floral Publications, and floral organizations like SAF have chosen to walk the fence on this subject, rather than to choose a side (either side) and make a stand. Florists have begun to do just that, make a stand, and as we move forward into the future, those companies, organizations and publications that choose not to do so, will more than likely be left without any florist support.

Florist Complaints make BBB Top Ten List

Real local florists have known it was only a matter of time until the quality problems associated with the cumulative effect of deceptive and misleading florist affiliate advertising hit the radar screens of national consumer /business organizations.

In 2005, florists were ranked as the # 7 source of all complaints made to the Better Business Bureau's Canadian Division. The US BBB lists complaints about florists in the top 4% of all business categories, coming in ahead of even credit and debt counseling, telemarketing services and real estate services.

While the BBB report does not separate the 'online-only' florists from the real brick and mortar shops, one only needs to read the myriad complaints against Vancouver BC operation Urban Florist to surmise the primary source of that #7 ranking. Based on files at RipoffReport.com, the majority of those Canadian complaints were likely made by US consumers since Urban Florist has targeted (and continues to target) American flower buyers via Google AdWords advertising with phrases that lead some consumers to believe they're purchasing direct from local florists. Urban's continued fraudulent claim that local florists deliver their flowers for free has been a major issue with real flower shops.

Recently, Urban Florist was joined by yet another Canadian-based virtual florist operation, Flowers Flowers aka 180066roses.com and flowers444.com, in Buyer's Alerts issued by the Vancouver, BC Better Business Bureau. These alerts are meant to warn consumers about companies that fail to respond to BBB efforts to resolve complaints. (One has to wonder why 180066roses.com recently changed its mailing address to a Blaine, Washington PO Box while still maintaining its Burnaby operation.)

Both Urban Florist and 180066roses.com are partnered with US-based floral wire services that enable the companies to process orders and forward them to local US and Canadian florists for fulfillment.

Seeing florists listed as a top source of complaints in either country is a black eye on the industry. Two solutions could go a long way to help consumers get the flower quality and value they expect and deserve:

Request the BBB classify online-only wire service affiliate transaction complaints separate from real florists. It may be a bit difficult since so many affiliate-brokers build websites and yellow page ads specifically to appear local, but it could be done. The BBB doesn't lump travel agencies in with hotels so separating real florist local services from wire service agents makes sense.

Hold wire services accountable for their 'repeat offender' affiliates. Every business makes mistakes, but patterns of complaints should be monitored closely and affiliates should face swift suspensions if they fail to operate in a professional manner. Without the floral wire services, their commissions, their credit card clearings, and their networks, these companies could not exist.

Isn't it way past time florist trade associations weigh in on this cross-border issue to help restore consumer credibility to buy flowers from florists?

Flowers for the teachers? How will you celebrate Teacher Appreciation Week?

Communities across the USA will acknowledge and thank teachers the first full week of May, including the second Tuesday, National Teacher Day.

Thank your teachers, staff and volunteers for the outstanding contributions they make. Let real florists help you show teachers how much they mean during Teacher Appreciation Week.. Great ways to say thank you include flower arrangements, mylar balloons, potted plants and unique gift items, all available from your local florist.

No matter how you want to communicate your thanks to the teachers and educators, your florists will make the message loud and clear! Call today and discuss the many options florists have available!

Georgia Journey - Gainesville Florist Goes Beyond the Call of Duty

Matt McClure
NewsChannel 32

When the Charlie Company came home Thursday, they saw their friends and family lining the streets of Gainesville.

But, among the cheering crowds were dozens of yellow bows.

"I was asked by one of the soldiers' wives about making some red, white and blue bows. Did that, and then the city asked me about doing some yellow ones. Or, at least helping with it," Sharon Rich, who owns Sha’s Lanier Florist, tells NewsChannel 32.

...press release

Study: Flowers have impact on emotional state

BY MARIECAR MENDOZA
Knight Ridder Newspapers

Feeling sad? Consider making your way to the nearest florist, because a recent study shows that flowers really do have power.

...press release

Today

The Gambia has signed a grant agreement of US$8 million with the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) to improve the production and marketability of livestock and horticulture products, in a project which specifically targets rural women and youth nationwide.

falmouthpacket.

Gardening enthusiasts, brilliant bakers and anyone keen on crafts can enter Mullion Spring Show this Saturday.

abclocal

The Chicago Flower & Garden Show -- the Midwest's horticulture and landscape showcase -- will again cultivate excitement and enthrall crowds when it returns to Navy Pier on Chicago's lakefront!

MM Times

People can learn about growing their own food in free gardening workshop series in Nespelem and Omak.

industrytoday.

Ever wondered if a gardening reference book could make you laugh? Want to know how to grow roses like the pro's? Want the opportunity to test out your culinary skills on some pretty yummy and exotic recipes with roses?

The gates to the Royal Hospital, Chelsea have opened this week for the start of the Chelsea Flower Show, the largest flower show in the world. Taking inspiration from many of their award winning displays, Interflora have brought together three of last year's medal winners and used their creative talents to create nine new showcase flower arrangements to add to the existing and highly popular Signature Collection. Interflora's Designer Flowers Collection now totals 16 truly gorgeous arrangements and is likely to grow again on the back of this year's show success. (PRWeb May 22, 2007)

Read the full story at http://www.prweb.com/releases/2007/05/prweb527167.htm

The popularity of houseplants continues to grow, and for the first time consumers are now buying more flowering plants than foliage plants with the purchaser more likely to be 20-30 than 45-55, according to Interflora. So what's bought about this houseplants buying revolution? (PRWeb May 15, 2007)

Read the full story at http://www.prweb.com/releases/2007/05/prweb522427.htm

As the summer brings warmer weather and strong sunlight, bolder, brighter flowers blossom and Inteflora's Summer Flowers collection represents some of the most strikingly beautiful flowers available from £19.99. (PRWeb May 8, 2007)

Read the full story at http://www.prweb.com/releases/2007/05/prweb522412.htm

Nurses' Day is celebrated annually on 12 May the birth date of Florence Nightingale, to recognise the contribution and commitment nurses make to quality healthcare, a fact that everyone, however old or young, will be grateful for at some point in their life. (PRWeb May 4, 2007)

Read the full story at http://www.prweb.com/releases/2007/05/prweb523245.htm

With Britain experiencing a severe shortage of skilled secretarial staff and predictions that there will shortly be two vacancies per candidate there's never been a better time to say thank you to a dedicated member of the team. (PRWeb Apr 24, 2007)

Read the full story at http://www.prweb.com/releases/2007/04/prweb519900.htm

At today?s Bridal Events Bridal Show, we were asked a number of times, ?I want to have peonies in my wedding, but they?re out of season.  Can you suggest any alternatives??  Peonies are interesting because despite modern cultivation and transportation practices, they are still very seasonal. 

There is nothing that looks like a peony, but you can get close.  Certain varieties of garden roses can be a very close substitute for a peony.  You can contrast the flowers below with our pink peony and rose bouquet or our pink peony, Esperance and Sweet Escimo rose bouquet.  All photos are courtesy of our friends at Transflora, a wholesaler to retail florists only.  Contact your local florist for pricing information (if you?re in the Pittsburgh/Butler/New Castle PA area, we?d love to talk to you).

Many peonies have a soft floral fragrance.  Yves Piaget and Pink Piaget both have a beautiful rosy fragrance (Yves Piaget may be the most beautifully scented flower we?ve ever found).

Yves Piaget

Pink Piaget

Antique Romantica

Carla Romantica

This is a question we get asked often.  That question is really too general to answer; a number of factors play into the pricing of a bridal bouquet.  These factors include (in no particular order):

• What flowers will be in your bouquet?  On average, daisies are cheaper than roses, which are cheaper than calla lilies, but this is not the sole factor.
• How many flowers?  A hand tied bouquet of two dozen roses is cheaper than a hand tied bouquet made from three dozen roses.
• What time of year are you getting married?  Valentine's Day and Mother's Day are peak floral holidays, and we're asked every year to do weddings at these times (the answer is always no--we're busy with the holiday).  Also, New Year's sees increased prices because of the Rose Parade.  Not much goes on in October, so flowers are usually a little cheaper then.  A red rose bouquet at Valentine's Day is going to be 2-4 times more expensive than the identical bouquet in August (or heck, even April for that matter).
• What style of bouquet?  Cascades and pomander balls take a considerable amount of time to make, and so the labor charge is usually higher.  Hand tied and arm bouquets are a little easier to make, and labor is a little less.
• Are your flowers in season?  Sure, we can sometimes get lilacs in August.  You probably don't want to pay for them, though.  Lily of the Valley is another very seasonal flower.  Roses, most lilies, pomps, gerberas and carnations have excellent availability throughout the year.
• How fragile are your flowers?  Flowers such as orchids, gardenias and stephanotis are very sensitive to environmental conditions, lilies are very fragile, but carnations are quite sturdy.  The sensitive or fragile ones require extra precautions when designing and delivering your bouquets, which also figures into the price.
• How good is the designer/shop?  Yes, we're a little more expensive than the "basement Bettys", but we're worth it.  We have a staff of trained and experienced designers, plus the coolers and vehicles to make sure your flowers arrive in perfect condition.  We stake our reputation on it almost every weekend, over 100 times a year for the past 5 years.  There are people in our area claiming to be cheaper than the retail florists, but your bouquet may share space with the milk in their fridge.

We have created bridal bouquets in the $40 range, and bouquets in the $250-$300 range.  That's why you'll see us give an approximate price or a price range in the photos we post on our blog or in our photo gallery.

If you're looking for the cheapest bouquet you can get, look into an arm bouquet or clutch of daisy pomps and/or carnations.  They are plentiful, inexpensive, and sturdy.  As for silk flowers--good silk flowers are sometimes as much or more than their real counterparts; cheap silks look cheap.

Anyone who wants a meal at the reception should RSVP, especially if you need a special meal choice (for instance, vegetarian).  Vey often the person counting the meals is not the bride or groom, and may not think to count the wedding party.   If you don’t send your RSVP in, you mighe get overlooked in a late rush at the end.

If you ordered stickr seals with your wedding invitations, you traditionally place them on the back of the envelope, so the center of the seal is right at the point of the flap.  In the days before envelopes with the glue already applied, not to mention stickers, this is the location wax was dripped and stamped with some sort of monogram or motif to hold the envelope closed.  In many cases these days, stickers have replaced wax seals, but wax seals are sometimes still used on formal wedding invitations, just for that Victorian look.