1800FLOWERS- disappointment

February 08, 2022, 07:22 AM

rainman64

SO I order an orchid for delivery to a friend for the Chinese New Years.
It arrives 6 days late and got frozen on the travel with Fed Ex.

Orchids do about as well in freezing temps as a Popsicle does in the sun.

DOA

Their solution?
50% refund.

So I paid 50% for a dead Orchid.

Next time I will just light a cigar with a two 20 dollar bills....

GRRRRR

Fortunately every time I talked to their customer service I understand most Hindu accents to at least get that.
It was like dealing with work!

Sure your name is Mark....How's Bangalore Mark?

February 08, 2022, 08:29 AM

Perception

I had one experience with them. I sent a bouquet to the girl I was seeing at the time. The flowers were actually really nice. They came with a nice handwritten card with the message I submitted- signed John. My name isn't John. It certainly wasn't as bad as having to pay for dead flowers, but it caused some confusion and didn't impress me with their attention to detail.

"The people hate the lizards and the lizards rule the people."
"Odd," said Arthur, "I thought you said it was a democracy."
"I did," said Ford, "it is."
"So," said Arthur, hoping he wasn't sounding ridiculously obtuse, "why don't the people get rid of the lizards?"
"It honestly doesn't occur to them. They've all got the vote, so they all pretty much assume that the government they've voted in more or less approximates the government they want."
"You mean they actually vote for the lizards."
"Oh yes," said Ford with a shrug, "of course."
"But," said Arthur, going for the big one again, "why?"
"Because if they didn't vote for a lizard, then the wrong lizard might get in."

February 08, 2022, 09:08 AM

Georgeair

quote:
signed John

So it was sort of a Dear John letter, but in reverse.

February 08, 2022, 09:30 AM

V-Tail

quote:
Originally posted by rainman64:

I paid 50% for a dead Orchid.

Assuming that you paid with a credit card, dispute the charge with the card issuer?

February 08, 2022, 10:20 AM

I used them once and the flowers were nice and arrived on time.

I leaned two things: I could have bought the same flowers from a local flower shop for half the price and don't feel sorry for old girl friends because there can be some animosity.

I hope you paid by credit card and can get reimbursement.

February 08, 2022, 10:26 AM

rainman64

Yeah I am reaching out to my CC company now.

NEVER again.
Always go local.

February 08, 2022, 10:28 AM

LS1 GTO

Tried them twice - figured the first was a fluke - both times the only thing in the box worth anything was the vase. Refunded on both occasions (this was about 5-7 years ago).

FWIW - Sherry's Berries are better.

Life moves pretty fast. If you don't stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it.

"If dogs don't go to Heaven, I want to go where they go" Will Rogers

The definition of the words we used, carry a meaning of their own...

February 08, 2022, 11:14 AM

h2oys

I too had a similar disappointment many years ago from 1-800-FLOWERS.

Much better to use a local florist as they will be more concerned about quality.

February 08, 2022, 11:44 AM

sigmonkey

Yes.

Call the local florist at the location, they get the full amount and the recipient gets better arrangement.

February 08, 2022, 11:59 AM

Rey HRH

I used to used them. It's just that I didn't have the need anymore.

I did remember when one delivery was delivered to the wrong address. I had them resend a new one.

"It did not really matter what we expected from life, but rather what life expected from us. We needed to stop asking about the meaning of life, and instead to think of ourselves as those who were being questioned by life – daily and hourly. Our answer must consist not in talk and meditation, but in right action and in right conduct. Life ultimately means taking the responsibility to find the right answer to its problems and to fulfill the tasks which it constantly sets for each individual." Viktor Frankl, Man's Search for Meaning, 1946.

February 08, 2022, 12:27 PM

P250UA5

Apart from Farmville Flowers, I've never had good luck with any phone/online flower companies.
Local, when an option, is by far better. Even calling a local florist where you're needing them delivered.

Worked for a florist in college, drove deliveries for them. We did some online orders for a few of these companies, but not often.

February 08, 2022, 12:37 PM

PASig

I learned my lesson long ago that all these online florists are total shit and a giant ripoff.

If you want something done right, look up a florist local to the area you want the flowers delivered to and deal with them direct.

February 08, 2022, 01:16 PM

RogueJSK

quote:
Originally posted by Perception:
I had one experience with them. I sent a bouquet to the girl I was seeing at the time. The flowers were actually really nice. They came with a nice handwritten card with the message I submitted- signed John. My name isn't John. It certainly wasn't as bad as having to pay for dead flowers, but it caused some confusion and didn't impress me with their attention to detail.

About 20 years ago, I used an online service to send a bouquet of flowers to a college friend who has just suffered a family loss. (I don't recall if it was 1-800-Flowers, but I think it might have been...)

Imagine my surprise when her sister calls me to ask about my intentions. My message of condolences was printed in the card as specified, but the card itself was a "Be Mine"-style Valentines Day card, and the flowers came in a container festooned with hearts, teddy bears, and professions of love.

That was nice and awkward.

February 08, 2022, 03:21 PM

YooperSigs

Google search the locals. You are better off. Sometimes cheaper, too.

February 08, 2022, 05:16 PM

4MUL8R

This company was one of the first to market with the idea that being a broker was a simple way to make money. We were amazed that one company could do what FTD could and did do. We fell victim to a mellifluous voice, a gentleman with a beard and mustache, and incessant TV ads.

Like many, I have found that I can call the local florist near my parents home in Ft Myers and get what I need when I need it for less.

February 08, 2022, 05:21 PM

vthoky

quote:
Originally posted by rainman64:
Always go local.

Love my local florist!

And when we need to send flowers to a friend in another town, we call a florist in that town. It's worked very well so far.

quote:
Originally posted by sigmonkey:
Call the local florist at the location, they get the full amount and the recipient gets better arrangement.

Yeah. What the monkey said.

February 08, 2022, 05:54 PM

ZSMICHAEL

Learned quickly how much they suck. Delivered ugly and dead flowers. Got a refund. The second time the arrangment was delivered several days late for an important occasion. The CSR offered to send another arrangement free of charge. My daughter woundered why I would send her flowers that said Happy Presidents Day.

February 08, 2022, 06:51 PM

BoatsNbullets

I always use a local florist

February 08, 2022, 10:03 PM

CoolRich59

quote:
Originally posted by ZSMICHAEL:
Learned quickly how much they suck. Delivered ugly and dead flowers. Got a refund.

This was my experience as well.

There was no second time.

_____________________________________________________________________
“One of the common failings among honorable people is a failure to appreciate how thoroughly dishonorable some other people can be, and how dangerous it is to trust them.” – Thomas Sowell

February 09, 2022, 05:55 AM

frayedends

I think they are hit or miss because they use local florists a lot of the time. They just sort of subcontract it out IIRC. I recall having an order for my wife and the truck that came was from the local florist.

Better to go with the local florist so they don't have to give away a cut.