FTD and 1-800-Flowers under investigation by Senate Committee.

via Online Florists: Whither the ethics?.

Because  of FTD’s shady practices, we no longer use their wiring services.  They had a good thing going, a good reputation for many years, until they burned the hardworking florists from which they built their business on.  With FTD’s steep dues, betrayal and business tactics in question, flower shops everywhere are finding themselves perplexed.  Now, FTD is burning everybody, not just it’s loyal flower shop members.  A good name has of late become of shame. They are not the only ones damaging reputations either.  There are big names in big trouble, taking advantage of unsuspecting consumers and small flower shops just the same.  It seems that they are stealing and misleading everyday people but more importantly they are stealing from the heart of the floral industry.  The website,  www.flowerchat.com has many blogs about these issues hurting the floral industry.  We also blog from time to time about the Internet swindlers in the biz…and trying to show that our flower shop is real, true and different from these big advertisers.  It is important to us… that we get the word out, not just for ourselves  but for other shops like us.  High quality flower shops are suffering because they are competing with unethical businesses.  We are eager to let potential flower buyers know that there is a difference.  There are Internet Puranas out their trying to capture your order, using deceptions and false claims to grab your interest. Whatever you spend with them, consider it too much. Whatever promises are made to you, consider them made to be broken.  Instead of pretty flowers for a friend, you might receive an apology by email or spend a lot of time trying to get your money back.  You may want to think twice before ordering through a calling center or poser florist with no real address.  Save yourself from discounted flowers, drop shipping, and untimely deliveries.  Do some research… find out just who is getting your money, what deductions will be made, how will your flowers be delivered, and how much money will actually go towards the value of your flowers.  Please believe us when we say “Order from your local florist to receive value in flowers and service.” Real Flower shops need your business, and will serve you proudly without deception.  Don’t hesitate to ask questions, a good florist will appreciate it.  In this internet age it’s getting harder and harder to find transparency and fair business.  It’s up to all of us to weed the bad ones out.

Where are you buying your Valentine’s Day flowers from?