This video has absolutely nothing to do with flowers. But it’s so funny. Apparently, this is a Japanese comedy show. The rule is that you can’t laugh, or you would be whipped!
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Md8qQa_cCOM[/youtube]
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2iAmNwGQudA[/youtube]
Linnea Johansson said in a USA Weekend magazine that flower arrangements can be a total rip-off for parties. Now, SAF (Society of American Florists), of which we are a member, formerly protested to both Ms Johansson and USA Weekend magazine. Here’s the quote…
“While SAF understands and appreciates the need to provide readers with decorating options, the negative statement seems unfair and unnecessary, as the advice following the comment can stand on its own,” SAF writes in letters to USA WEEKEND and Johansson. “You may want to consider that some readers enjoy the convenience and appeal of professionally designed floral arrangements, especially during the busy time of party preparation.”
When you place an order for flower delivery at 1-800-flowers.com, FTD.com, or ProFlowers.com, at the end of checkout, they will charge you a fee for their service.
In case for 1-800-flowers, it’s $12.99 and they call it “Shipping and handling fee.”
You might think that the fee is reasonable, because they will deliver your flowers to the recipient. Any florist charge a delivery fee, right?
Wrong. 1-800-flowers’ “Shipping” fee is not a delivery charge. The actual delivery charge is already included in the price of flowers. This fee is a “Service charge”, an additional profit, that they keep and has nothing to do with delivery.
Now 1-800 went a step further. They are offering “FREE shipping and handling.” We believe that this promotion is quite misleading, because the actual delivery charge is not waived (it’s included in the price of flowers you order).
What they are waiving is their mark-up profit called “Shipping and Handling” fee, the extraneous money that you would not pay if you called a local florist directly.
Needless to say, we are one of the signatories.
In Nov 11 issue of USA Weekend magazine, Linnea Johansson, author of “Perfect Parties: Tips and Advice from a New York Party Planner”, offered the following “tip” for Holiday parties.
“Flower arrangements can be a total rip-off,” Johansson says. Instead, buy one kind of flower, in one color, in bulk. “Make your own multiple arrangements,” she says.
First of all, we must appreciate Ms Johansson for her strategically placing the word “can” in front of “rip off”, as it makes her statement impossible to prove wrong. Any merchandise or service “can” be a rip-off for sure.
Yet coming from a (supposed) party expert, we believe that her statement is nonetheless libelous and merits our formal response.
The essence of her accusation is that professional flower arrangements for a party are overpriced relative to the value you get from the arrangements. She goes on to imply that you can create arrangements of the same value, just by going to Costco, buying flowers in bulk, and arranging them by yourself.
She failed to mention, however, that most likely you can’t create professional arrangements, unless you are a pro. Our lead designer (Lori) has over 30 years of experience in this field. She was chosen as one of the best designers in Long Island. By trusting us as a florist for your party, what you are paying for is not just a bunch of flowers, but actually years of professional experience and skills that should make your party a great success.
Apparently, Ms Johansson sees absolutely no value in our professional experience. OK, then, shouldn’t we also skip the service of a professional chef like Ms Johansson, because it “can” be a total “rip-off”? Of course not. Most of us can’t cook like a professional chef.
We believe that Ms Johansson could have made her point across without insulting other profession she apparently knows nothing about.
Also check out “Real Holiday Flower Tips for Linnea Johansson” written by Cathy at Avante Gardens (Anaheim, CA)
Do you know “Direct Shippers” of flowers? ProFlowers.com is the best-known example (1-800-flowers and FTD do Direct Shipping, too). They send the flowers via common courier (such as Fedex). The flowers will come in a cardboard box, unarranged. We also offer a similar service called “DIY” (Do-It-Yourself; see below).
Their flowers are advertised as “Direct from Field”, as if someone would rush to the flower field as soon as you placed the order. Not so. In fact their flowers are stored in a warehouse, waiting for your orders. They do skip the traditional flower distribution channel, i.e., wholesalers and retailers.
Are they a good value? Here are the prices advertised for two dozen roses: $29.99 (ProFlowers), $34.99 (1-800-flowers). They both charge an additional markup called ”Service fee” (about $10). So the total would be about $40-ish, give or take. Still, sounds like a bargain, doesn’t it?
Well, we are a florist, so obviously our opinion is biased. With that said, we think that flowers from “Direct Shippers” may be a good value, but only if you know what you are doing. Here are the things to consider before placing the order with a Direct Shipper.
(1) The roses shipped by Direct Shippers are short-stem (40 cm, 16″) unless otherwise noted. Typical florist-grade roses are long-stem (60 cm, 24″). So their roses will be small…, something you may not realize just by looking at the pictures on their web sites.
(2) Make sure the recipient can arrange flowers. Flowers in a box would be totally inappropriate to send to hospitals, funeral homes, for example.
(3) Remember that Fedex drivers are instructed to leave the flower box when no one is home. If the outside temperature is too high or too low, your flowers will be irreversibly damaged.
Finally, there is a better alternative, if you are interested in buying unarranged flowers at discount. We offer “DIY” (Do-It-Yourself) program by which you can purchase unarranged flowers at a significant discount. In this program, you pre-order unarranged flowers with us and we will get them for you. Check it out!
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o4o0NaXLULg[/youtube]
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