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National research reveals that shoppers will spend an estimated $2.9 billion on flowers this Mother’s Day, with 72% of respondents planning to buy flowers for the mothers in their lives.
Unfortunately, scammers may attempt to take advantage of consumers during the busy buying season. Michelle L. Corey, BBB St. Louis president and CEO, says not every online florist is reputable.
“Consumers have to be vigilant when ordering merchandise from online vendors,” Corey said. “While some people are happy with their online floral arrangements, others are disappointed when flowers don’t arrive on time, are not as advertised or don’t arrive at all.”
In February 2021, a Missouri, man told BBB that the flowers he ordered were delivered late and were dead on arrival. The florist has not responded to the man’s request for a refund.
Last year, more than 193,000 consumers searched for trustworthy florists at BBB.org. Many major floral delivery services are BBB Accredited Businesses.
When shopping online, BBB recommends adhering to the following:
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
For assistance, go to BBB.org or call 888-996-3887
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