It' about time....
http://cbs13.com/topstories/local_story_040195034.html
FTC Warns Against Foreign Florists Posing As Local
Flowers are big on Valentines Day. But there's a warning tonight that some companies are posing as local florists and they're not. And if you're not careful, you could spend more than you should for a not-so-rosy arrangement.
Look for a neighborhood florist either in the phone book or online and you'll find listings like these. They have local-sounding names, Some even have local phone numbers.
"That call may be transferred to a call center. That call center could be located anywhere in the country," said Mary Engle, Federal Trade Commission (FTC).
So, while you think you're ordering from an area florist, you may actually be on the phone with someone hundreds, even thousands of miles away. The FTC says it's received complaints about the practice.
"What they do is they charge a processing fee on top of the cost of the floral arrangement. Or, they may substitute a less valuable floral arrangement than what the consumer ordered and pocket the difference," said Mary.
The FTC is so concerned that it issued a consumer alert. Cameron Barrett says he was deceived. He searched online for a shop in his city and up came "Urban Florist". When the bouquet arrived, he was really disappointed.
"There were like 12 half-dead carnations of a bunch of different colors. There was no vase," said Cameron Barrett, ordered flowers.
And he was overcharged! Cameron's bill from the company totaled $41 yet his credit card was charged $45. On top of that, he was hit with a foreign transaction fee! The flower shop he thought was down the street wasn't even in this country!
"It was a canadian company," said Cameron.
Florists are angry too. They say these third party flower brokers are giving them a bad name. Since the local shops don't have the full budget.
"The recipient is in some cases going to be very upset," said Richard Seekins, florist.
Both Cameron and Karen say they'll now be extra careful before ordering any flowers.
To make sure you're actually ordering from a local florist. Ask the florist for driving directions.
.
http://cbs13.com/topstories/local_story_040195034.html
FTC Warns Against Foreign Florists Posing As Local
Flowers are big on Valentines Day. But there's a warning tonight that some companies are posing as local florists and they're not. And if you're not careful, you could spend more than you should for a not-so-rosy arrangement.
Look for a neighborhood florist either in the phone book or online and you'll find listings like these. They have local-sounding names, Some even have local phone numbers.
"That call may be transferred to a call center. That call center could be located anywhere in the country," said Mary Engle, Federal Trade Commission (FTC).
So, while you think you're ordering from an area florist, you may actually be on the phone with someone hundreds, even thousands of miles away. The FTC says it's received complaints about the practice.
"What they do is they charge a processing fee on top of the cost of the floral arrangement. Or, they may substitute a less valuable floral arrangement than what the consumer ordered and pocket the difference," said Mary.
The FTC is so concerned that it issued a consumer alert. Cameron Barrett says he was deceived. He searched online for a shop in his city and up came "Urban Florist". When the bouquet arrived, he was really disappointed.
"There were like 12 half-dead carnations of a bunch of different colors. There was no vase," said Cameron Barrett, ordered flowers.
And he was overcharged! Cameron's bill from the company totaled $41 yet his credit card was charged $45. On top of that, he was hit with a foreign transaction fee! The flower shop he thought was down the street wasn't even in this country!
"It was a canadian company," said Cameron.
Florists are angry too. They say these third party flower brokers are giving them a bad name. Since the local shops don't have the full budget.
"The recipient is in some cases going to be very upset," said Richard Seekins, florist.
Both Cameron and Karen say they'll now be extra careful before ordering any flowers.
To make sure you're actually ordering from a local florist. Ask the florist for driving directions.
.
