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.
Over 100 retail florists around the country signed a complaint letter to FTC (Federal Trade Commission) to investigate.
Needless to say, we are one of the signatories.
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