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http://www.bakersfield.com/news/bus...worth-and-investigate-before-you-send-flowers
Action Line: Get your money's worth and investigate before you send flowers
BY VICKIE SANDERS
Dear Action Line:
I recently moved to California from Nebraska and sent flowers to my aunt back home. I wanted to make sure the arrangement was special and used a recommended local florist to place the order. In addition to the cost of the flowers, there were costs for local delivery.
But when I talked to my aunt, she didn't get the arrangement I ordered. The flowers were different and very skimpy. I called the florist that placed the order and they said there was nothing they could do. I want to send my Mom flowers for Mother's Day, but I don't want the same thing to happen. Any suggestions?
Dear Reader:
I love getting flowers and commend you for thinking of your aunt and Mom. Mother's Day is coming and flowers make a nice gift, provided the recipients get what you send.
There are lots of ways to send flowers long distance. But before we talk about that, let's address your problem with your aunt's arrangement. First, you can file a complaint with the BBB by calling 322-2074 or online at bbb.org and we can try to get a satisfactory resolution for you. You can also see if the Nebraska florist participates with a national floral group, like FTD, and file a complaint with them.
Sending flowers is a wonderful thought that can be difficult to carry out to the sender's satisfaction. In California, we have a wide variety of flowers available to us year round. Those same flowers may not be available in other states in, say, January, or they may cost significantly more because they are harder to obtain. If you send flowers through a local florist, ask who they will use on the receiving end. Work with your local expert to determine if what you want to send will be readily available at that florist.
Even if you choose to use a national wire service, like FTD or 1-800-Flowers.com, there is usually tiny print that says "flowers used in arrangements may vary by location." That means the lilies you think you are sending to your Mom may not be available in Nebraska in April and something else will be substituted. Ask what flowers might be used if a substitution is necessary.
Also, before you place an Internet order, investigate the service provider by contacting the BBB. Many online ordering sites are merely call centers, NOT actual florists. This means they take a portion of your money to handle the transaction, which means less money actually goes for Mom's bouquet.
You also may want to consider checking with the BBB on a florist that is near the recipient and place the order by phone directly. Many florists will accept payment over the phone.
Vickie Sanders is assistant director of business services for the Better Business Bureau serving Central California. Send your consumer concerns, questions and problems to Action Line at the Better Business Bureau, 1601 H St., Suite 101, Bakersfield, CA 93301 or [email protected].
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http://www.bakersfield.com/news/bus...worth-and-investigate-before-you-send-flowers
Action Line: Get your money's worth and investigate before you send flowers
BY VICKIE SANDERS
Dear Action Line:
I recently moved to California from Nebraska and sent flowers to my aunt back home. I wanted to make sure the arrangement was special and used a recommended local florist to place the order. In addition to the cost of the flowers, there were costs for local delivery.
But when I talked to my aunt, she didn't get the arrangement I ordered. The flowers were different and very skimpy. I called the florist that placed the order and they said there was nothing they could do. I want to send my Mom flowers for Mother's Day, but I don't want the same thing to happen. Any suggestions?
Dear Reader:
I love getting flowers and commend you for thinking of your aunt and Mom. Mother's Day is coming and flowers make a nice gift, provided the recipients get what you send.
There are lots of ways to send flowers long distance. But before we talk about that, let's address your problem with your aunt's arrangement. First, you can file a complaint with the BBB by calling 322-2074 or online at bbb.org and we can try to get a satisfactory resolution for you. You can also see if the Nebraska florist participates with a national floral group, like FTD, and file a complaint with them.
Sending flowers is a wonderful thought that can be difficult to carry out to the sender's satisfaction. In California, we have a wide variety of flowers available to us year round. Those same flowers may not be available in other states in, say, January, or they may cost significantly more because they are harder to obtain. If you send flowers through a local florist, ask who they will use on the receiving end. Work with your local expert to determine if what you want to send will be readily available at that florist.
Even if you choose to use a national wire service, like FTD or 1-800-Flowers.com, there is usually tiny print that says "flowers used in arrangements may vary by location." That means the lilies you think you are sending to your Mom may not be available in Nebraska in April and something else will be substituted. Ask what flowers might be used if a substitution is necessary.
Also, before you place an Internet order, investigate the service provider by contacting the BBB. Many online ordering sites are merely call centers, NOT actual florists. This means they take a portion of your money to handle the transaction, which means less money actually goes for Mom's bouquet.
You also may want to consider checking with the BBB on a florist that is near the recipient and place the order by phone directly. Many florists will accept payment over the phone.
Vickie Sanders is assistant director of business services for the Better Business Bureau serving Central California. Send your consumer concerns, questions and problems to Action Line at the Better Business Bureau, 1601 H St., Suite 101, Bakersfield, CA 93301 or [email protected].
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