Chances are, you know where the flower shop is located in
your neighborhood. Perhaps there are several nearby florists
for you to choose from. In fact, there are flower shops in practically
every city, town, village, and parish, and it's nice to be able
to walk in or call and select just the right flowers, plants,
or other gifts to send to your friends and loved ones.
What if you want to send flowers to a place where you don't
know the local florist? You might open the telephone book to
find one that can fill your order. Or you may look on-line and
see ads for some of the big names in sending flowers nationally
or the so-called "wire services". Easy enough.
But let the buyer beware... these may not be your best
options.
Quite often, the largest ad in the phone book isn't even from
a real local florist! Instead, the ad may belong to an "order
gatherer". Order gatherers masquerade as real florists,
making their money by collecting floral orders from consumers,
charging hefty service fees, and then sending the orders out
to real florists for fulfillment. When you call an order gatherer,
you may wind up speaking to a person who has never even been
inside a flower shop; a person who surely does not know what
the delivering florist has in stock that day, or what looks most
fresh and appealing. The same is true of the big "1-800"
companies and national wire services, who will charge the sending
customer a service fee and then collect a sales commission from
the delivering florist at the other end.
You can usually tell whether a florist is truly local if their
address appears in their phone book ad. If it doesn't, they are
probably an order gatherer operating from somewhere far away,
even if they have a local phone number. If you're not sure, and
you choose to call them anyway, ask the person who answers the
phone where they are located. Incidentally, several states have
passed laws which prohibit order gathering through misleading
advertising, and others have legislation pending.
So what's the best way to send flowers to someone out of town?
Visit or call www.perryandjaymesflorist.com
OR www.FlowerShopNetwork.com/pandjflorist/
where you will be directed to a florist that's local to the area.
With a credit or debit card handy, you can easily search online
for a local florist by city, state or zip/postal code. Then,
either phone the florist (the majority have toll-free numbers)
to place your order during business hours, or, if online ordering
is available, enter your order directly on the florist's website,
24 hours a day.
Top Ten Reasons to Order
from a "Real" Local Florist
1. Ensure Maximum Value
- Save on extra service fees by cutting out the middleman.
2. Speak Directly To The Florist Who Is Filling Your Order
- Find out what flowers and plants are in stock, what looks
particularly good, or whether any blooming plants may be planted
outdoors later.
- Have a custom design created to your specifications.
3. Communicate Special Requests Directly
- Does the recipient have any favorite flowers? Any dislikes?
- Should the recipient be called prior to delivery?
- Is the recipient hard of hearing, or slow answering the door?
- Is one entrance better than another?
4. Select Additional Gift Items
- Many flower shops also carry unique gift lines, such as candy,
potpourri, figurines, plush animals or candles, which can be
added to your order or sent independently.
5. Get Same-Day Delivery - If Possible
- By phoning the local florist directly, find out if same-day
delivery is possible. Calling early improves the chances.
6. Pay Accurate and Appropriate Delivery Charges - No More,
No Less
- Pay the right local delivery fee without having it deducted
from the value of your order.
- A delivery to a location close to the shop may not cost as
much as one farther away. Only the local florist knows.
- Some locations, such as gated communities or certain businesses
may require an additional charge.
7. Familiarity With Local Delivery Regulations
- Hospitals, funeral homes, schools and businesses may have
delivery cut-off times or size limitations.
- Hospitals in particular often limit the size, quantity, or
types of balloons that can be delivered.
8. Familiarity With Local Funeral Customs
- In some areas a standing spray of flowers is customary, while
in others a basket of flowers is most appropriate.
- In smaller towns, a local florist may know what has already
been ordered or sent to the funeral, and can then help you choose
something different.
9. Establish A Relationship With The Flower Shop For Future
Orders
- Join a mailing list for email newsletters or seasonal offers.
- Many shops offer a reminder service for sending flowers at
special occasions.
Only nine reasons, you ask? The tenth is simple and universal:
10. Everyone Loves To Receive Flowers!
Research conducted by Rutgers University and the Society of
American Florists indicates that flowers
have an immediate impact on the happiness of the recipient, have
a long-term positive effect on people's moods, and increase the
connections among family and friends. Not only that, but
a study by researchers at Texas A & M University shows that
flowers
and plants improve productivity, innovation, and creativity in
the workplace.
Don't take the chance of paying more than you need to and
getting less than you expected when sending flowers out of town.
Communicate directly with the florist in the place where the
flowers are to be delivered. To see a comprehensive directory
of flower shops all over North America, visit www.FlowerShopNetwork.com
and let the smiles begin!
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