Aug 29

Discount florists are great for a number of reasons. First of all, if you need something to surprise your special lady and you need it now (but maybe don’t have the cash to splurge), discount florists have got your back. Secondly, if you need flowers in bulk for a party or any other sort of event, you can get discounts for larger purchases.

Discount Florists

Discount Florists Photo by Nieve44/La Luz via Flickr

But of course “Discount” anything usually gets you thinking “Why is it discount, exactly?” and florists are no exception. So, what, do they sell knockoff brand flowers or something? Are these roses actually tulips painted red? There are a lot of myths and misconceptions about the discount end of any market, including flowers, so let’s clear a few of those up.

The Flowers Are Fresh

Some discount outlets, they get stuff that was overstocked, stuff that’s outdated, and they sell it cheap because that’s the only price anyone will pay for it. When it comes to something like flowers though, well, overstock isn’t out of the question, but they’re definitely not going to be selling flowers that are a day away from wilting unless they want to guarantee no return business ever. The discount prices allow these companies to stay competitive, because whatever you might think, the flower business can be pretty cutthroat, especially since most people will only go with the big names, so the low price is a great advantage, especially if you need flowers fast and would like to buy flowers online.

And on that subject: No, they’re not selling flowers that are remarkably weak to parasites, they’re not selling flowers that have already been infected by parasites, and they’re not selling some “off brand” of rose, as if there is such a thing. What you can expect from a discount flower dealer is exactly the same quality of flowers as you can expect from anyone else, just at a lower price, simple as that. It may seem shady when you look at the prices, but you know what? At these prices, you can afford to buy a dozen just to sample them before giving them to your sweetie.

They’re On The Level

This is kind of a ridiculous misconception, but sure, some discount outlets and services, yeah, they might be little more than a front for some sort of criminal enterprise. When it comes to flowers, though, think about it: Does a criminal really want to spend all day raising plants? The kind of businesses that serve as fronts for something else rarely deal in any commodity with an expiration date. You won’t see a front selling fresh produce, dairy, or flowers.

They’re Professional

Discount flowers doesn’t mean “You get the service you pay for!”. It’s not as if their card writers all have English as a second or third language, it’s not as if the delivery men are always late and don’t care if they trample a few buds on the way over. In any industry, a business that can’t perform their duties to some degree of professional standards simply won’t last long, so look for a discount florist that’s been around for a bit and put some trust in them. Not everyone is out to rip you off, you know.

Aug 24

Typically, if you’re buying flowers, you’re probably going to be browsing the phone book to find someone local to deliver them, right? Well, you know, the web has revolutionized every other aspect of the economy. People even order their pizzas via the web these days, so why not buy flowers online? Here are just a few of the advantages.

Buy Flowers Online

Buy Flowers Online Photo by elbfoto via Flickr

You Can Shop For Lower Prices

Probably the best thing about shopping on the web is the simple fact that you can get things cheaper than ever before. Let’s say you want to buy a VHS tape of a favorite movie. Maybe you’re just nostalgic, that’s not the point. The point is that ten years ago, you’d be paying whatever the local video store asked. Today, you can get online and buy one on an auction site for a few cents (because honestly, VHS isn’t worth much anymore). What we’re getting at is this: There’s a lot of price warring going on these days, and even if a company won’t get involved with the one-cent one-upmanship scene, dropping the price a penny every time the competition does, you still have to price low to stay in business.

You Can Shop a Wider Variety

Ever been to the only florist in driving distance to find that they don’t have the violets your wife would love to get for her birthday? Well, when you shop online, you’re sure to find exactly what you’re looking for. No matter how obscure your tastes, nothing is hard to find now that we have the web. You may want to order them ahead of time to make sure they get there in time, but then again, most online florists can deliver quick, which brings us to the next point.

They Can Deliver Quick

Online discount florists don’t necessarily have to ship you a box of flowers every time you order. They may have a station set up somewhere nearby where they can take the order and deliver it locally. You didn’t see them in the phone book? Well why would they even bother listing in the Yellow Pages when so much of their customer base shops online these days?

They’ll Get The Card Right!

When you email them the note you want written on the card, there are no excuses for them to get it wrong. They won’t say “Well your voice didn’t come through clearly on the phone!” They won’t say “Sorry pal, your hand writing is kind of sloppy!” They have the text right there in your order form, so as long as you proofread it, it should say exactly what you want it to say. Of course, there most important reason to shop for flowers online is quite obvious.

It’s More Convenient Than You Know

And by proxy, more convenient than your special person knows. When they see flowers, it’s sweet that you went out of your way and thought of them. They don’t know, and they don’t need to know, that you actually ordered those flowers on your lunch break with your cell phone and that they were delivered to your office and you never so much as drove an extra half mile out of your way to pick them up. It’s still a sweet gesture, either way.