Please don't use 1-800 Flowers.

[BeauBenken]

Copying this over from ISD where I saw people discussing Valentine's Day flower shopping and using a discount code for 1-800 Flowers. I posted what is below and figured I should perhaps share here as well.

Please don't use 1-800 Flowers.


1-800 Flowers and companies like them literally take your money and send the order to a local flower shop to make the order for them. You are creating a middle man. Just call the flower shop.

And since the local business is then getting a fraction of the usual cut, you are likely going to get less of an arrangement than if you just called the local shop.

Even if you need to buy flowers for someone not in your city, you can call your local shop and they can send the order through to a flower shop in the area that you are sending them. I only say this as someone whose family is in the flower biz.



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I should also say this...

If you try to do your arrangement shopping online, and try to directly compare the online picture you saw with what you actually get, you're going to probably be disappointed. Just like every promotion picture ever, **** gets photoshopped and handpicked to appear to be perfect.

Seriously, in my experience, people are much more satisfied when they go into a shop with a budget and maybe an idea of what type of flowers or colors they would like to see in their arrangement. (Also know that different flowers cost different amounts of money though. You might hate to find out what some of them cost. And keep in mind that if you're getting it in a vase, that costs money too.)

I literally always just tell my mom or sister that I want to spend $50 and I want it to be bright and colorful and in vase, and I assure you, my lady is always very, very happy.

 

[Rack Em]

Copying this over from ISD where I saw people discussing Valentine's Day flower shopping and using a discount code for 1-800 Flowers. I posted what is below and figured I should perhaps share here as well.

Is this your way of dropping a hint that you have a girlfriend? Okay I’ll bite...

What was her record wrestling heavyweight in high school? Does she have a nice mullet?

 

[BeauBenken]

Is this your way of dropping a hint that you have a girlfriend? Okay I’ll bite...

What was her record wrestling heavyweight in high school? Does she have a nice mullet?

Fiance as of Christmas Eve actually...


From a wrestling family, so I'd imagine her record is pretty good. She's at least decent at pinning me down.

 

[BGIF]

Is this your way of dropping a hint that you have a girlfriend? Okay I’ll bite...

What was her record wrestling heavyweight in high school? Does she have a nice mullet?

HEY! HEY! HEY!

It's a new millenium.

Beau can send you flowers

 

[IrishLion]

Fiance as of Christmas Eve actually...


From a wrestling family, so I'd imagine her record is pretty good. She's at least decent at pinning me down.

A Christmas engagement.... BEAU NOOOOOOOOOOO

Jk. Congrats brother.

 

[ThePiombino]

Are people just realizing that these online flower sites subcontract the work to local florists? lol

Sent from my Pixel 4 XL using Tapatalk

 

[BeauBenken]

Are people just realizing that these online flower sites subcontract the work to local florists? lol

Sent from my Pixel 4 XL using Tapatalk

More than you would think.

I also just think people love the idea of not having to talk to people or going into a shop and not knowing what to get or expect.

 

[ThePiombino]

More than you would think.

I also just think people love the idea of not having to talk to people or going into a shop and not knowing what to get or expect.

No doubt.

 

[Irish#1]

Pro Flowers is no better. I gave them a couple of chances and both times the flowers were substandard, but they didn't want to do anything about it. Using the national services cuts into the profit of the local shops. Given that, they are likely to give more attention to direct customers meaning they are likely to get the best flowers and service.

 

[ACamp1900]

Pro tip: skip Valentine's Day all together. It's lame.

If you must,... get her flowers throughout the year at a fraction of the price and tell her you're not going to pretend she's more special on some random day because Hallmark tells you to...

It works, can confirm.

 

[NDdomer2]

On the flip side - how much business would the local shops lose if they didnt have a national brand sending them orders?

They dont have to sign up with these companies, they choose to do so.

 

[Irish#1]

Pro tip: skip Valentine's Day all together. It's lame.

If you must,... get her flowers throughout the year at a fraction of the price and tell her you're not going to pretend some she's more special on some random day because Hallmark tells you to...

They do jack up the price of the flowers, especially roses. Years ago, I tried to out fox the system. I tried to order roses in early January. When I gave them the delivery date (Valentines Day), they tripled the price.

 

[BeauBenken]

They do jack up the price of the flowers, especially roses. Years ago, I tried to out fox the system. I tried to order roses in early January. When I gave them the delivery date (Valentines Day), they tripled the price.

Only reason a price change should ever happen would be because the price from the wholesalers changed. I of course cannot speak for all shops, but I know my mom has never changed the price of flowers in 35 years regardless of day of the year.

Pro tip: skip Valentine's Day all together. It's lame.

If you must,... get her flowers throughout the year at a fraction of the price and tell her you're not going to pretend she's more special on some random day because Hallmark tells you to...

It works, can confirm.

I would also argue that getting your significant other flowers on other days of the year is a winner...especially if you can have them delivered to her at work. Chicks love that stuff. They expect it on V-day.

On the flip side - how much business would the local shops lose if they didnt have a national brand sending them orders?

They dont have to sign up with these companies, they choose to do so.

Some of these online order gatherers you do sign up with, but to my knowledge, 1800 Flowers and ProFlowers are not member organizations. They just find a shop for you.

FTD and Teleflora are the member organizations that local shops are typically a part of because they purchased their computer programs and it puts them in their systems.

 

[ginman]

Only reason a price change should ever happen would be because the price from the wholesalers changed. I of course cannot speak for all shops, but I know my mom has never changed the price of flowers in 35 years regardless of day of the year.



Wait a minute here. So you started this thread for your mom?????

 

[BeauBenken]

Wait a minute here. So you started this thread for your mom?????

Kinda! haha I am a fourth generation florist, though I do not take part in the business. (My sister and brother both work in my mom's shop.) I am just posting this because it is beneficial for both florists and buyers.

 

[ACamp1900]

Only reason a price change should ever happen would be because the price from the wholesalers changed. I of course cannot speak for all shops, but I know my mom has never changed the price of flowers in 35 years regardless of day of the year.



Wait a minute here. So you started this thread for your mom?????

I’m the one that gets Beau’s mom flowers dawg,......

 

[ThePiombino]

Pro tip: skip Valentine's Day all together. It's lame.

If you must,... get her flowers throughout the year at a fraction of the price and tell her you're not going to pretend she's more special on some random day because Hallmark tells you to...

It works, can confirm.

Can also confirm effectiveness.