The BBB advises caution when dealing with online florists for Mother’s Day

Mother’s Day is right around the corner and the Better Business Bureau is advising consumers to be wary when purchasing items like flowers online.

The National Retail Federation says that an estimated 2.7 billion dollars will be spent on Mother’s Day Flowers, according to a BBB news release.

Scammers are ready to take advantage of the situation, which seems to be the case for an Imperial, MO man who, in February, told the BBB that he ordered flowers that were delivered late and were dead when they arrived.

The Better Business Bureau advises you to use bbb.org for your florist shopping, which has both major floral delivery and numerous local floral delivery services with BBB accreditation.

The Better Business Bureau also offers these tips in a news release:

• Allow time for shipping and delivery. Check with the retailer or website to be sure you have allowed enough time for delivery. Make sure that your preferred delivery date is specified clearly and guaranteed when you order. If you order ahead of time, delivery and other charges will be less than last-minute or overnight shipping. Some florists offer discounts for deliveries a couple of days before a major holiday, since that helps them deal with the rush.

• Have a back-up plan. Make sure you understand a store’s guarantee and other policies. Find out how customer complaints are handled and what options you have if the arrangement is not satisfactory. It’s best to use a credit card when ordering online, because you can dispute charges if the vendor doesn’t satisfy you. Charges made on a debit card are the same as cash, and you have no recourse through your bank if there is a problem.

• Don’t click online coupons. If you see a post on social media or receive an email with an offer, don’t click unless you’re sure the source is real. The offer could take you to a malicious website. If you see an offer online, search for it independently. Go to the company’s website and look for the offer there to verify the offer.

• Make sure the business has your information. When it comes to flower delivery, there are times when delivery instructions need to be confirmed or a delivery driver needs additional directions. Make sure the florist has a way to contact you.

Visit bbb.org for assistance or call 888-996-3887.