I dislike you FTD

[ramanth]

I've had similar issues with Flowers.com. My MIL's birthday is Feb. 14th. Joy! When I ordered the flowers they said since it's a high volume time they couldn't guarentee the flowers to be delivered on her birthday, but they would try, however they ended up delivering them a day early. No biggie.

So I ordered flowers for my Grandma's birthday the same year. Her birthday is Dec. 26th. They delivered them 2 weeks early!! My grandma called asking if I knew when her birthday was.

Then on the 26th, I get an email from Flowers.com telling me my grandma's flowers were delivered on time. Yeahhhh. Haven't used them since.

[Cataholic]

I would have been disappointed, too. An order for Valentine's Day is an order for Valentine's Day. It isn't like FTD and the local florist don't know the day is one of the busiest of the year. They surely didn't offer her husband a choice of prices: top dollar for punctual delivery, or, $20 off for tardy delivery, eh?

[Cinder & Smoke]

I learned my Flower lesson many years ago = DON'T trust the Big Guys -
the FTDs, the Flowers 'r Us, the Flowers.com ... ANY of them!

They charge a heavy "handling charge" and really offer very little in exchange.
Their "pictures" of the arrangement you think you're sending are at best a
*ruff* approximation of what the local shop actually throws together. The farther the
'giver' lives from the city of delivery, the poorer the arrangement seems to be.
They seem to rely on the fact that the 'giver' will usually never see what he gave.

I have had *excellent* results when I search out and call >>Directly to<< a local flower shop
VERY close to where the flowers are to be delivered = Same city, same side of town,
same Neighborhood, if possible. Then be sure you're speaking with the SHOP and not
their answering service --- if it's the service, ask them to take your number and have the
SHOP call you back ASAP.
You'll get the opportunity to discuss *exactly* what you'd like, and possibly get suggestions on
what's especially nice and available. The shop can offer you either a better price or
more 'stuff' for the money when the National Chain markup and fees aren't involved.
And usually the "little guys" really do try harder!
Order from them a second or third time, and you'll be surprised how often they Remember you
or your Recipient.

/s/ Phred

[Edwina's Secretary]

Just food for thought...I'll stay out of the refund vs. discount discussion but...FTD subcontracts to a small local florist....who has to rent an extra truck for Valentine's Day ( it is a huge truck rental day.) The florist doesn't make alot of money on FTD but it is a way to increase traffic.

It V Day...and the guy they hired to do the extra deliveries calls in sick...got the flu...drank too much last night...doesn't feel like working today...or someone at the truck rental called off last night and the truck they had reserved didn't get fixed. Or someone on the rental counter made a mistake and there is no truck for them to use. Or the truck breaks down.

There are so many things that can go wrong. I am not excusing the florist but suggesting a bit of understanding as to what can go wrong. I too, would be most unhappy.

Recently I almost missed a flight because the line through security was so long. The reason...a couple employees didn't show up for work.

Whose fault is that?

[Freedom]

Yes, I do what Phred wrote. I don't think I have ever used the FTD / Flower.com / Teleflora.

I use the Internet and find a local florist -- local to the delivery. Never had a problem!

[Catty1]

I ran into a friend of mine today - she works at a florist in town. I asked her if the maniac week was over!

One of her co-workers was with her...they described a beautiful $150 roses-and-goodies arrangement ordered by a man, and the woman was to be called to come pick it up.

They called her, and told her who it was from.

She never showed up.

Oh, dear! Poor lad.

[AdoreMyDogs]

I ran into a friend of mine today - she works at a florist in town. I asked her if the maniac week was over!

One of her co-workers was with her...they described a beautiful $150 roses-and-goodies arrangement ordered by a man, and the woman was to be called to come pick it up.

They called her, and told her who it was from.

She never showed up.

Oh, dear! Poor lad.

That hurts my heart. Poor guy. Maybe he was not a nice fella, but still....ouch!

[Catty1]

Or - maybe he was chasing her and was a bit too thick to realize the lack of interest on her part. Poor sap may have been trying to impress her.

Um....you did already, dear. Writing is on the wall in HUGE LETTERS - and it's done with spray paint...