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?
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!
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
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.
Creating Excellence is the theme for 2006 Administrative Professionals Week and Day, April 23-29. Celebrate with Secretaries' Day Flowers, Administrative Professionals Day Flowers by taking a moment to show your appreciation.
Real local florists will help you honor your administrative professionals. If you need help finding a real florist, use our directory of USA florists or our directory of Canadian florists.
Happy Administrative Professionals Week April 23rd thru 29th from your friends at FlowerChat.com
Wednesday April 19, 6:00 am ET Beverly Doolittle, Frances Dudley and Howard Kazanjian to Choose the 2007 Rose Parade Float Award Winners
PASADENA, Calif., April 19 /PRNewswire/ -- The Tournament of Roses has selected Bev Doolittle, Frances Dudley and Howard Kazanjian as float judges for the 118th Rose Parade themed, "Our Good Nature." Twenty-four of the floral beauties in the Parade will receive awards in a variety of categories and specifications. The Judges' scores are based on criteria such as creative design, floral craftsmanship, artistic merit, computerized animation, thematic interpretation, floral and color presentation, and dramatic impact. Doolittle, Dudley and Kazanjian were appointed by the Tournament's Judging Committee....press release
CARLE PLACE, N.Y.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--April 18, 2006--1-800-FLOWERS.COM (NASDAQ: FLWS), a leading multi-channel retailer of thoughtful gifts for all occasions, today announced that the Company will release financial results for its fiscal 2006 third quarter on Thursday, April 27, 2006. The press release will be issued prior to market opening and will be followed by a conference call with members of senior management at 11:00 a.m. ET.... press release
Celebrate Easter with family and friends, send a floral arrangement from real local florists. If you need help finding a real florist, use our directory of USA florists or our directory of Canadian florists.
Happy Easter this Sunday April 16th from your friends at FlowerChat.com
Also known as National Professional Secretaries Week and National Secretary's Day. The title is changing and evolving. But, the recognition is important.
The theme for 2006, "Creating Excellence" is the official theme for the 2006 observance of Administrative Professionals Week (April 23-29) and Administrative Professionals Day (April 26).