I Feel like a real chump - Teleflora Rant

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JCT

JCT

New Member
Feb 8, 2007
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Scarborough
www.oakhillflorist.com
State / Prov
Maine
So I bit on their offer last summer - 5 months free. Today my free is at$1200 plus!!
Followed the rules to the T, like their offer says. "Notify us by letter, phone and e-mail of your cancellation".
Did that.
Prior to my final bill arriving they send me Valentine's product I didn't order. Refused that.
'Final' bill came and it was over $1000 (of which I owe $476).

Told them I wouldn't pay until they took off for the product I didn't order, and the monthly membership they charged etc, etc.

Today a 'lawyer' calls demanding this $1200+. Tell them again nicely that I owe $476, will be happy to mail that. They said 'no, you have to pay the full $1200 (which now includes Teleflora's 'legal' fees.) then Teleflora will send you the credit.'
I told them that they didn't send the refund the first time I asked, wasn't playing their game.
Why does it have to be such a game with them? This is such BS.
 
TF has full-time lawyers on staff.

Mona - I hope you did everything in writing and will send a registered letter ASAP which outlines unordered products and unwanted services.

The biggest mistake most florists make is in preferring to deal with these issues over the phone instead of in writing.

Good luck.
 
NAW! You're NO CHUMP Mona!

mona said:
So I bit on their offer last summer - 5 months free. Today my free is at$1200 plus!! Followed the rules to the T, like their offer says. "Notify us by letter, phone and e-mail of your cancellation".
Did that. Prior to my final bill arriving they send me Valentine's product I didn't order. Refused that. 'Final' bill came and it was over $1000 (of which I owe $476). Told them I wouldn't pay until they took off for the product I didn't order, and the monthly membership they charged etc, etc.
Today a 'lawyer' calls demanding this $1200+. Tell them again nicely that I owe $476, will be happy to mail that. They said 'no, you have to pay the full $1200 (which now includes Teleflora's 'legal' fees.) then Teleflora will send you the credit.' I told them that they didn't send the refund the first time I asked, wasn't playing their game. Why does it have to be such a game with them? This is such BS.
Click to expand...

Dear Mona: Don't blame yourself! These WSs are great at trying to SCAM WEE FLORISTS.

Also, DO NOT BE INTIMIDATED by anyone who calls you from Teleflora purporting to be an Attorney representing them in their attempt to try and make you pay for either product or $ervices which YOU DIDN'T ORDER!

In most cases, they farm out their so called accounts receivables to some outside SLIP and FALL ATTORNEY who can't make it in the real world of juris prudence, and so, he tries to make a living in collections.

My first move would be to contact your State Attorney General's Office by registered mail with all the documentation you can provide to them, regarding your original agreement with Teleflora and cite the areas in which, they tried to scam you. After all, you are a TAXPAYER and your State Attorney General is supposedly WORKING FOR YOU!

And, the next time their SLIP and FALL ATTORNEY calls you, demand they send you a SIGNED COPY of your authorization for the unordered CHACHKA they sent to you, along with the verification (Signed) for any ancillary charges THEY THINK THAT, YOU OWE THEM!

Advise that person at the same time that, you've contacted your State Attorney General's Office and filed a complaint against Teleflora for unauthorized charges which they have tried to add to your closing statement.

Trust me when I say that, THEY, along with the other SCUM SUCKERS, are BIG TIME LOOSERS! They depend upon REAL FLORIST IGNORANCE to work their WS SCAMS and any florist who feels intimidated by THEM, has more than enough PROOF to win their day in court.

As for you NEWBIES out here: Let Mona's predicament be a warning to you so that, you can avoid the pitfalls of these WSs who try and SCAM YOU WITH FREE while SUCKING YOU DRY WEE BEE! lol
 
I think TF's on-staff attorneys are there for advisement purposes. I'm not sure they are of the trial type.

Usually, TF sends you to collections very quickly. If that is the case, then a collections agency that portrays themselves as a "lawyer" could be in for their own legal surprise. I would not put it past the Texas-based collection agencies they use, though. They are extremely aggressive and unprofessional.

If you think that TF is in the wrong, contact a contract or business attorney.

That's my 1st and 2nd hand opinion.
 
Mona.... I'm so sorry that you're going through this.
Send another copy of your letter to them showing the date... Talk to your rep.. REFUSE to pay it. I seriously doubt any of this would ever hold up. Can you only IMAGINE the number of complaints they get? Just stand your ground. They're hoping you'll be weak and just pay it.

I need to call them tomorrow too.
I did write my letter of cancelation.. I know it was received because they called me right away to try to talk me out of it . I said NO.
Then I get a call from another guy telling me they're wanting to entice me back in by offering me 3 more free months plus a bunch of free product. I
Made him listen to my long drawn out story and I said NO again!
Then... I get the Statement in the mail.. they say I owe... FOR WHAT, I'm not sure. I never sent a single order through TF.
And all this week, I keep getting those recorded calls saying that an order is trying to come through the Dove.. even though not a single order came through before????
This company is WHACKED... and they only want your money.
You're not alone.
Like we have time to deal with this????
 
mona said:
They said 'no, you have to pay the full $1200 then Teleflora will send you the credit.'
I told them that they didn't send the refund the first time I asked, wasn't playing their game.
Click to expand...

In my days of naivete, I fell for this line and have yet to see any part of any refund. Listen well to the advice that you are receiving here.
 
Thanks for the suggestions, pulling my paperwork together today.
I'm not intimidated by these people, actually the woman was so rude I had to say to her 'you know, we're talking about $1200 here, you can speak to me with respect.

For the record...This is my 18th year as shop owner. That's why I feel like a chump, I should know better than to bite on their BS. jenny
 
Jenny,
You're not alone so hang in there. The WS are losing more and more members ~FINALLY~ a nd are beginning to take drastic measures. Remember~ if they sent you containers you didn't ask for, legally they CANNOT charge you for them. THey'll try, but by law anything you received that was requested/approved by you is FREE!! And anything you do with them from here on out in writing, please please please do it by certified mail. The extra cost for this postal protection will aid you down the road with those nonsense lawyers. TF has a whole floor in their offices just for attorneys.
Beat them at their own game, their losing members like sand through a sieve and need your $1200!!!
 
Protecting our business.

mona said:
For the record...This is my 18th year as shop owner. That's why I feel like a chump, I should know better than to bite on their BS. jenny
Click to expand...

Jenny, I have operated my business since 1953. Today I have to spend considerable time protecting my business.

The day is gone when we can trust corporate America. I am referring to companies like AT&T and all their counterparts. It is a shame.

Banks and Credit Card companies are in the same class today. I trust my local banker but have learned to think twice before I approach them.

The credit card companies are PREDITORS in todays market. They extend a welcoming hand that ultimately gets right into your pockets/purse.

Credit card companies are skimming 1.5 to 5% from the merchant on their credit card sales. Then they cleaverly find ways to raise the interest rates to cardholders and love it when payments are late so they can manipulate what the cardholders owe them. And the credit card holder trys to be honest and works hard to meet their self-imposed terms when actually the cardholder should deal with them knowing that they use devious ways to shake you down. My thinking now is "How can I deal with this crook without letting him get the best of me."

We all need to take a short course on "How to Deal with Credit Card companies." I am tempted to write the book for florists.

Yes, today you must take time to Protect Your Business.
 
Jenny

Don't forget when you do remit what you owe to remind them about the $200 refundable membership deposit they will OWE you.

Last summer I got a check for mine after I had been a non member for 5 years.

Stand your ground and Keep every scrap of paper. Make sure you note every phone call, who called etc. build your case. Be a bulldog!!!!
 
Hey Mona,
No matter how many years of experience you have, there will always be curve balls. Stand your ground..you're doing the right thing...Hang in there!
 
Can someone clarify in more detail about this specific promotion?
 
A Bit Of Advice

A bit of advice for you. I had the same problem with FTD when I left years ago. FTD over billed me for over $1500.00 of nonsense on top of what was really owed.

First, pay nothing to them. Never make any partial payments. Each time they call you, inform the person calling that you will pay the bill in full at the time the final bill is for the correct amount.

Second, make a file for this issue. Put every scrap of paper in the file. If you talk to them by phone, make a notation on paper as to the time date and the person you talked with along with a short message about what was discussed.

Third, don't get scared when they threaten you with either bill collectors or attorneys. Hold your ground. If they want to take you to court they have to do it your local area.

My fight with FTD lasted 3 years and we had numerous bill collectors call and threaten us. Finally we got a call from an attorney that said that this was it we would go to court. My reply was "Are you sure you really want to do that?" When questioned why I made the comment I stated that I had a file 8 inches think with all the information concerning this issue. And when we went to court, I would be standing on my side, by myself, and they would be there with their attorney. They would present their side of the case to which I would have documentation showing this not to be so.

I then said to the man that only so much of that final bill was in fact correct, but since this had drawn out over such a long time and that I had invested much time in this I wanted to be compsensated. I then made him an offer in which I would pay 50% of the amount that I knew was correct. I also stated that the offer I was making was only good for 24 hours and if I did not hear from him in 24 hours, the offer was null and void and I would see him in court. I got the call the following day within the 24 hours. I then had them mail me a corrected statement and on that statement I had them state that this was the final bill total and that no other action such as a mark against my credit would be placed. I told them that once I had that letter, the check would be in the mail the same day. They did it and I held my end up.

They are a business, just like yourself and don't be afraid as long as you are correct in your agrument.

 
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Wow SFox,
Keep on rock'n in the Flower world! What great, great advice.!
I'm really glad it worked out for you. And your right, the time and effort you put into the case should be compensated. I've had TF reps refuse to give me thier last names, so sometimes its hard to get all the info. But thats beside the point, what you did gets a standing ovation from me!:thumbsup
 
mona said:
So I bit on their offer last summer - 5 months free. Today my free is at$1200 plus!!
Followed the rules to the T, like their offer says. "Notify us by letter, phone and e-mail of your cancellation".
Did that.
Prior to my final bill arriving they send me Valentine's product I didn't order. Refused that.
'Final' bill came and it was over $1000 (of which I owe $476).

Told them I wouldn't pay until they took off for the product I didn't order, and the monthly membership they charged etc, etc.

Today a 'lawyer' calls demanding this $1200+. Tell them again nicely that I owe $476, will be happy to mail that. They said 'no, you have to pay the full $1200 (which now includes Teleflora's 'legal' fees.) then Teleflora will send you the credit.'
I told them that they didn't send the refund the first time I asked, wasn't playing their game.
Why does it have to be such a game with them? This is such BS.
Click to expand...

Mona, besides the legal fees and $476 in product, what is the remaining balance they are requesting? Are they for fees beyond the 5 month free promotion period? Did you talk to teleflora directly or only the collection "lawyer". If so, what was teleflora's explanation?

I'm going against the grain here, but it is very hard to believe that there isn't a simple explanation for this issue. A big company such as Teleflora will have all their legal bases covered. This could be as simple as a clerical error by someone on either side that can be resolved with some patience. It is even possible that an employee at your shop may have mistakenly agreed without you knowing to extend their services (it's happens). Were there any notification letters or calls prior to the "lawyer" call?

My experience with the wire services: FTD, Teleflora, AFS, etc... for the past 30 years have been good and bad, but I have never had to go as far as having an issue resolved in court.

Whomever is right or wrong, Teleflora will not take this to court, it just isn't worth it for them. However watch your credit rating if this goes to collections...you may have to take them to court.
 
Everything beyond the $476 is for fees beyond the 5 month free promo.

Yes, I did speak to Teleflora on several occasions to ask them to fix my bill. Yesterday they said they could 'no longer discuss the case with me as it has gone to collections'.

No notification, no letters prior to the lawyer call.

No employee would extend our services.

Yes, she already threatened my credit rating.
 
mona said:
Everything beyond the $476 is for fees beyond the 5 month free promo.

Yes, I did speak to Teleflora on several occasions to ask them to fix my bill. Yesterday they said they could 'no longer discuss the case with me as it has gone to collections'.

No notification, no letters prior to the lawyer call.

No employee would extend our services.

Yes, she already threatened my credit rating.
Click to expand...

When you asked them to fix your bill what was their response? Did they give any explanation as to why they did/will not honor your request to cancel their services? Did you fill or send any orders beyond the 5 month promo period?
 
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