Milwaukee, Wis. – Whether you are celebrating Valentine’s Day, Mother’s Day, an anniversary or birthday, or just want to send congratulations, apologies, or get-well wishes, you send flowers.
When using a local florist, be sure to check for reviews and complaints on BBB.org. Ask your friends and family which businesses they have used and liked. If you can, visit the shop; you can see the flowers and choose exactly what you want.
Of course, you can also turn to your computer. With the click of a mouse, you can place your online order and have a beautiful bouquet delivered to anyone’s door.
BBB provides the following tips for purchasing flowers online:
- Do your research. Go to BBB.org for BBB Business Profiles on more than 20,000 florists. Read what previous customers have to say, and see how the business responds to complaints. This information may help narrow down the list of online and local florists.
- Know when to place your order. During the holidays, orders for floral arrangements increase dramatically, and prices often prices go up. Order early to ensure your order arrives on time.
- Be a savvy shopper. When shopping online, take your time and read the fine print before submitting your order. Look for the return policy and be sure you understand the delivery process. Look for added fees like shipping, handling, and delivery. Review your order and verify the total before confirming your purchase. Find out how the business handles customer complaints and what recourse you will have if the floral arrangement is not satisfactory.
- Pay with a credit card. Credit cards provide additional protections and it’s easier to dispute charges. Debit cards, prepaid cards, or gift cards don’t have the same protections as a credit card.
- Know the delivery method. Some online florists have different delivery methods: same-day, international, standard, guaranteed delivery. Be sure you know which delivery service you are paying for and that you have allowed enough time. Some florists may offer a discount if you send your flowers to arrive a few days early, since that helps them with the rush on the actual holiday.
- Make sure the business has your contact information. When it comes to flower delivery, there are times when a driver will need additional information or directions. Make sure the florist or retailer has a callback phone number to help them reach you and ensure your loved one gets what you expect.
- Read the description. Online photos use a perfect setting and professional lighting to make the products look as attractive as possible. Your final product may not look quite the same. Make sure you know what you’re getting.
- Don’t be deceived by promotions. During especially popular times like Mother’s Day or Valentine’s Day, you may come across online promotions. Most have terms and conditions, so check that you’re getting the savings you expect.
- Track your purchases. When using a third party to deliver flowers, it’s hard to tell when, and if, they were delivered. Sign up for confirmation emails so you have proof the order was placed, and an alert when the order is delivered.
- Take a photo. Ask the recipient to send you a photo of the delivered arrangement so that you can compare it to the online photo or what was promised in the shop. If the product differs considerably, you may want to ask for an adjustment in the price.
Find a florist near you in the BBB directory.For more information or further inquiries, contact the Wisconsin BBB at www.bbb.org/wisconsin, 414-847-6000 or 1-800-273-1002. Consumers also can find more information about how to protect themselves from scams by following the Wisconsin BBB on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube. ABOUT BBB: For more than 100 years, the Better Business Bureau has been helping people find businesses, brands and charities they can trust. In 2020, people turned to BBB more than 220 million times for BBB Business Profiles on 6.2 million businesses and Charity Reports on 11,000 charities, all available for free at BBB.org. There are local, independent BBBs across the United States, Canada and Mexico, including BBB Serving Wisconsin which was founded in 1939 and serves the state of Wisconsin.
