http://www.thehollandsentinel.net/stories/052503/bus_052503072.shtml
Web posted Sunday, May 25, 2003
'Local' florist may be far away
By KEN VANDER MEEDEN
The Better Business Bureau
We all know how a gift of flowers or plants can brighten up our day. And many consumers in the Holland area call their florist on a regular basis to order for all occasions -- happy and sad. But some national promoters have set up telemarketing services that might fool you into thinking you're ordering locally -- and you may end up paying too much. Here's how the system works.
An anonymous service company takes out a florist listing in your local phone book. It may include the community name to make you assume the company is local, like "City Florist." Or they may just insert a general name of a local store with a different phone number, like "Our Town Florists."
Since no address is given, you just assume it's your local florist. But actually your call is forwarded to a giant telemarketing operation elsewhere in the country. The telemarketer takes your order and credit card information for payment, and then forwards your order to a florist in the recipient's area. The marketing service pockets a processing fee and usually a percentage of the sale as well.
In most cases the flowers arrive in good condition and you don't realize you've been fooled until you get higher than expected charges from an unfamiliar company in another city on your credit card statement. In some cases the big, busy telemarketing firm gets the order wrong -- or never delivers it at all!
To protect yourself against such a situation, here are some BBB tips:
* Know who you are dealing with. Ask your neighbors, family and friends for recommendations on which florists they use.
* Look for a street address as well as the phone number in the phone book listing. If you're getting the number from directory assistance, also ask for the street address.
* Be sure to check out the florist you are considering with the BBB first. Use our Web site, www.holland.bbb.org or give us a call 24 hours a day at (800) 6-THE BBB.
* Ask the florist to itemize the charges. Most stores will charge a delivery fee and taxes if you live in the same state. If the firm adds more service fees or charges, they may be a national promoter.
* Ask for directions to the florist's shop. If they hesitate or refuse to give you this, consider it a red flag.
If you feel you've been tricked, we want to know about it. Use the complaint form at www.bbb.org or write us at: BBB, 40 Pearl, N.W., Suite 354, Grand Rapids, MI 49503. Perhaps we can help. Our office serves Holland and all of Ottawa and Allegan counties.
Ken Vander Meeden is president of the Better Business Bureau of Western Michigan.
Web posted Sunday, May 25, 2003
'Local' florist may be far away
By KEN VANDER MEEDEN
The Better Business Bureau
We all know how a gift of flowers or plants can brighten up our day. And many consumers in the Holland area call their florist on a regular basis to order for all occasions -- happy and sad. But some national promoters have set up telemarketing services that might fool you into thinking you're ordering locally -- and you may end up paying too much. Here's how the system works.
An anonymous service company takes out a florist listing in your local phone book. It may include the community name to make you assume the company is local, like "City Florist." Or they may just insert a general name of a local store with a different phone number, like "Our Town Florists."
Since no address is given, you just assume it's your local florist. But actually your call is forwarded to a giant telemarketing operation elsewhere in the country. The telemarketer takes your order and credit card information for payment, and then forwards your order to a florist in the recipient's area. The marketing service pockets a processing fee and usually a percentage of the sale as well.
In most cases the flowers arrive in good condition and you don't realize you've been fooled until you get higher than expected charges from an unfamiliar company in another city on your credit card statement. In some cases the big, busy telemarketing firm gets the order wrong -- or never delivers it at all!
To protect yourself against such a situation, here are some BBB tips:
* Know who you are dealing with. Ask your neighbors, family and friends for recommendations on which florists they use.
* Look for a street address as well as the phone number in the phone book listing. If you're getting the number from directory assistance, also ask for the street address.
* Be sure to check out the florist you are considering with the BBB first. Use our Web site, www.holland.bbb.org or give us a call 24 hours a day at (800) 6-THE BBB.
* Ask the florist to itemize the charges. Most stores will charge a delivery fee and taxes if you live in the same state. If the firm adds more service fees or charges, they may be a national promoter.
* Ask for directions to the florist's shop. If they hesitate or refuse to give you this, consider it a red flag.
If you feel you've been tricked, we want to know about it. Use the complaint form at www.bbb.org or write us at: BBB, 40 Pearl, N.W., Suite 354, Grand Rapids, MI 49503. Perhaps we can help. Our office serves Holland and all of Ottawa and Allegan counties.
Ken Vander Meeden is president of the Better Business Bureau of Western Michigan.
