Who do you use to send fresh flowers?

[Baz]

I used to use a local floral shop here but the owner retired and the business closed down (good for them!) There was another place and they re-located further away.

Looking for an online vendor.

Your suggestions are very welcome!

[PorscheGAL]

Do not use an online vendor.

I once to own a flower shop that closed with the downturn in 2008.

If you use an online vendor, they do 1 of 2 things: Send the flowers in a box for the recipient to do it themselves or they send the order to a local florist, taking 40-60% off the top. The local florist will adjust based on what they are making. Their margins are slim.

If you want the best, find a local florist and call them.

[gtc]

+1 to the above. I use google maps to find a shop near the recipient, check their reviews/photos online to make sure their arrangements look decent, then call and order over the phone. Much better results than 1800flowers.com or whatever.

[abisel]

1-800-FLOWERS

https://www.1800flowers.com/

... has always worked for me. Spend a little or spend a lot. Your choice.

Orders are placed online and sent to local florist. Give yourself at least a couple days for the process to work.

[Scott Douglas]

Based on the flowers my wife has received lately for her birthday, this is good advice.(not 1-800-flowers)

None of them were from me either. I don't do flowers and haven't for over 40 years.
She totally understands as her reaction to an early attempt by me to give her flowers is what formed my position on doing it.

[PorscheGAL]

Originally Posted by abisel

1-800-FLOWERS

https://www.1800flowers.com/

... has always worked for me. Spend a little or spend a lot. Your choice.

Orders are placed online and sent to local florist. Give yourself at least a couple days for the process to work.

You have the same option with a local florist. The difference is the local florist doesn't work for free.

[vash]

one eight hundred flowers will send your reminders and spam email forever.

I quit them, and simply look up a local shop in the target town. one shop even sent me a text with a photo of the final product.

of course I got a call from my mom immediately saying how flowers are …"such a waste of money...blah blah blah"..

[herr_oberst]

It's easy to find the recipients neighborhood florist thanks to google and I always (gently) ask the recipient to send me a photo of the delivered flowers so I can compare the delivery against the web page.
I've never been disappointed when I go this route; flowers ain't cheap and I expect my moneys worth.

[Baz]

Originally Posted by PorscheGAL

Do not use an online vendor.

I once to own a flower shop that closed with the downturn in 2008.

If you use an online vendor, they do 1 of 2 things: Send the flowers in a box for the recipient to do it themselves or they send the order to a local florist, taking 40-60% off the top. The local florist will adjust based on what they are making. Their margins are slim.

If you want the best, find a local florist and call them.

You make a compelling argument, Steph. I wrote in the OP that I've always been loyal to our local florists, but little by little they seem to be leaving me - not the other way around.

Nature of the beast, I suppose.

But out of respect for your passion I will renew efforts to use a local florist as much as possible.

I'm still interested in opinions on online vendors as it never hurts to have options.

BTW, I took a floral class back in the 80's when I was a horticulture vocational instructor and enjoyed it. One of my students ended up buying one of our main florist shops here and I enjoyed giving her as much business as I could. I always try to use our local businesses.

[Baz]

Most of the folks I send flowers to always email me a thank you along with photo(s) of delivered product.

Not a bad tradition and nice way to say thank you......

[Nostril Cheese]

I always thought Conroys just HAD to be a giant money laundering gig for the mob

[Sooner or later]

Local. Every time.

Support your community.

[cassisrot]

I’ve used USAA for many years with no problems. Never compared pricing but they seem reasonable.

[wdfifteen]

Originally Posted by vash

of course I got a call from my mom immediately saying how flowers are …"such a waste of money...blah blah blah"..

Sons can be such spendthrifts.
Even when I was supporting my mother in the last few years of her life she was chastising me about spending. How many times I bit my tongue as I wanted to say, “Mom, if you were such a fookin financial genius you could pay these bills yourself.”

[TCracingCA]

The Cemetery!