Disappointed with FTD...

[Charade]

I ordered these flowers from them (samples for our wedding)

And what we got were these.

Not only are the a different color (their subsitution policy states they might do this) but you should see (I'll try to post a pic) what we got in regards to quantity and size. They came in that square vase but the picture shows larger flowers and more of them (we got 10 but the picture looks like about 12-15).

I wrote them a note stating my displeasure and asked them to send the correct color or a refund.

 

[ImarriedGrumpy]

Yep, those substitutions with the flower delivery places are disappointing. I placed an online order with 1800flowers for a flower arrangement in a terracotta pot that included a cluster of 3 colorful roses and some filler. Everything was trimmed down so that no stems showed above the edge of the pot, if that makes sense. (Sorry, I don't have a picture)

What was delivered was a tall glass vase with 3 red roses, some babies breath, and two fern fronds. So not what I'd ordered! When I called to complain and request a refund or the correct item delivered, they said that the orders were fullfilled by the local florists contracting with them, and that substitutions were made based on availibility of stock at the local end. I called the florist that delivered the flowers, and they said they'd never been given a photo of the ordered arrangement, just a description that said "3 roses and filler in seasonal container".

It was frustrating! I now always do floral orders in person and skip the online stuff unless I don't care what shows up.

Hope you can get samples of the flowers that you want...did you order online, phone, or in person? Maybe if you took the photo of what you do want in to a local florist they could help you out better.

 

[clh2]

I always try to contact the local florist for help. I don't know anyone who has been thrilled at their orders from FTD.

Another problem with FTD - if you are ordering an arrangement for $50, if it is coming from a major metropolitan area, your $50 will not go nearly as far as it would in a smaller town.

FTD's customer satisfaction policy (from their website is):

The FTD 'Good As Gold' Guarantee

We guarantee fresh, beautiful floral arrangements and plants that will last at least seven days.

If you are not satisfied with the freshness of your flowers, please contact us within that time period and we will replace your item or refund your money.
I love how it only covers "freshenss of flowers", not if you are unhappy with the substitution.

 

[Christine]

Our local news did a segment on the various "worldwide" florists and rated what they ordered as opposed to what they got. FTD did the worst.

I believe the best rated one was Pro Flowers (not sure of the way the actually spell that on line www.proflowers.com???). The only drawback to them was that you had to assemble the arrangements yourself. But most people were extremely please with the quality of the flowers plus they delivered exactly what they had depicted.

 

[Loverly]

ProFlowers comes wrapped in tisssue & you have to pay more for the vase. I looked at their web site and the featured flowers looked gorgeous for $39. It was stated that "vase was extra" and the flowers came "in bud form"-so the flowers were not opened. It was two lily stems and 10 iris stems. I can buy stems of flowers at my local grocery store for much less!

I always google a local flower shop and talk to them directly when sending flowers, or ask my favorite shop in town to send locally.

Edited:

http://www.ftd.com/pink-pirouette-mini-calla-bouquet-prd/fu86/

I went to their website & this is how FTD "tricks" you-the picture always shows a better version of what the cheaper price listed...in this case more flowers ARE shown! But read the fine print-it says 10 flowers. Deceiving!

 

[Mouse House Mama]

I have used FTD, 1800flowers, and Proflowers. I will say that Proflowers were the best out of all 3.

 

[denisem]

I'd guess FTD sent the order to a local florist who may not have had the pink calla lillies available at the time.

I used to work for a florist, and not all flowers are readily available (IOW, for same or next day delivery) in all areas of the country at all times of the year, even from local suppliers.

Your best bet for specific flowers is to take the photo to a local florist who can order the flowers in advance for the "sample", and later for your wedding.

 

[Christine]

I'd guess FTD sent the order to a local florist who may not have had the pink calla lillies available at the time.

I used to work for a florist, and not all flowers are readily available (IOW, for same or next day delivery) in all areas of the country at all times of the year, even from local suppliers.

Your best bet for specific flowers is to take the photo to a local florist who can order the flowers in advance for the "sample", and later for your wedding.

I agree. It was always my impression that if you wanted a specific type of flower for a wedding, you needed to deal directly with a florist who would order and ensure that the exact flowers were there. They can also tell you if your specific type of flower is hard to find that time of year and help you choose something different.

 

[Katlyn]

I'd guess FTD sent the order to a local florist who may not have had the pink calla lillies available at the time.

I used to work for a florist, and not all flowers are readily available (IOW, for same or next day delivery) in all areas of the country at all times of the year, even from local suppliers.

Your best bet for specific flowers is to take the photo to a local florist who can order the flowers in advance for the "sample", and later for your wedding.

Very true. I worked at a wholesale florist and all wedding orders were suuposed to in to us by the florists at least a week to 10 days. Didn't always work out that way as we always had last minute orders and the florists expected miracles. Sometimes it worked out and sometime it didn't

 

[Stitchfans]

I might sound stupid for saying this, but we ordered flowers from Phillips Flowers, don't know if they are nation wide, for DD's wedding this past June. We were so dissapointed many were bruised and most died before the day was over. For what we paid I thought they should of lasted at least until the end of the day.

 

[fltwinmom]

I counted 14 flowers in that vase.

What a rip off!!

 

[liamsaunt]

I don't like FTD. They send the wrong thing so many times, and I don't care for a lot of their styled arrangements.

For people in MA, my favorite florist is Winston's flowers. They ship, and if it's further away and they have to contract out, they do give special instructions to the florists--they have a ban on carnations, for example. You can see their flowers here:

http://www.winstonflowers.com

OP, I really like the color of your original flower choice!

 

[Skatermom23]

I had really good luck with 1-800flowers recently. I placed an order a week in advance for delivery on my mom's Birthday, the following week. Two hours after I placed the order my mom received the flowers. She said they were beautiful, but I really wanted them delived on the right day. I called them back and they said no problem they would resend them on the correct day! They even sent a nicer bunch the second time! I was pleased!

 

[NYBlue1]

I'd guess FTD sent the order to a local florist who may not have had the pink calla lillies available at the time.

I used to work for a florist, and not all flowers are readily available (IOW, for same or next day delivery) in all areas of the country at all times of the year, even from local suppliers.

Your best bet for specific flowers is to take the photo to a local florist who can order the flowers in advance for the "sample", and later for your wedding.

Bingo, those are not flowers that a florist has readily available and more so in a specific color. Personally I dont think that they should advertise you sending the more unusual flowers and in a specific color. If the market does not have those flowers there is no way the florist can get them for you on short notice.

Unless you want someting generic from a wire service like FTD or one of there holiday specific arrangement I would take this posters advice and go to your local florist and have them order them for you.

I agree this stinks. Honestly the place you ordred from should have made sure the florist they were sending to get this special order done to your specifications because of the situation.

 

[damo]

I sent the same Christmas arrangement out to 4 people at Christmas from FTD. The differences were amazing. One family didn't get anything close to what was ordered. One family's arrangement was huge and gorgeous and another one was small and pitsy and that was the one we had paid more money for the deluxe version!!!

 

[bushdianee]

I've switched to Hallmark for flowers now. They do great! We had 2 bad experiences with FTD with in a year when trying to send flowers for funerals in different states. The flowers were never delivered. In the first case they called me and said that there had been a problem finding the funeral home (small town in SD) and it was too late by the time they figured out where the funeral home was so I wasn't charged. Honest mistake that time. The second time we had flowers supposedly sent to Rochester N.Y. They never arrived. There were only a few arrangements so it wasn't a case of being overlooked (the family publicly requested no flowers and only had a few sent (we had been told it was ok for us so we weren't going against the wishes of the family)I had to send several letters before the charge was removed from my card.

 

[ryka]

I've only used proflowers and they were great everytime. If you ordered flowers now and use the code valentine you get a free vase.

 

[Fizzgig]

Another person who prefers Proflowers here. The shipments always last for over a week.

They are advertising a "Kids" code right now.

 

[crazyforgoofy]

I've only used proflowers and they were great everytime. If you ordered flowers now and use the code valentine you get a free vase.

I've used them for a lot of orders and have NEVER been disappointed.

 

[lsyorke]

I've switched to Hallmark for flowers now. They do great! We had 2 bad experiences with FTD with in a year when trying to send flowers for funerals in different states. The flowers were never delivered. In the first case they called me and said that there had been a problem finding the funeral home (small town in SD) and it was too late by the time they figured out where the funeral home was so I wasn't charged. Honest mistake that time. The second time we had flowers supposedly sent to Rochester N.Y. They never arrived. There were only a few arrangements so it wasn't a case of being overlooked (the family publicly requested no flowers and only had a few sent (we had been told it was ok for us so we weren't going against the wishes of the family)I had to send several letters before the charge was removed from my card.

I sent flowers to a wake from FTD. Large arrangement for a very close friend. When I go there the flowers were there, but the card was blank. The family had no idea who they were from. I called the local florist to tell them and I was told "We always sign the card". Well, I'm calling from the funeral home looking at the card and it's blank. Their response "Well the card is signed". Never again for FTD or that local florist!
1-800-flowers was even worse on an order that I picked up personally. The arrangement was half the size that I ordered(IN PERSON) and not one of the flowers nor the basket were as pictured. There excuse was that they didn't have the basket in stock. Well, why not tell me that when I ordered it IN PERSON 2 hours earlier! I left it there.