Don’t Let Florists Wilt Your Valentine Plans

Valentine’s Day means big bucks for florists, and this year the Better Business Bureau serving Chicago and northern Illinois warns that complaints filed against florists increased 47 percent to 588 complaints in 2011, compared to 2010’s 398.

“When buying flowers consumers should be especially careful when making the purchase online or over the phone,” said Steve J. Bernas, president & CEO of the Better Business Bureau. “Consumers need to review the description of the floral arrangement or any other gift purchased online or in conversation with the florist or sales person.”

Know what options the florist is offering, such as the actual size of the arrangement, color of  the flowers and vase. The Better Business Bureau also recommends checking to see whether the arrangements will be delivered in a box or vase, and if they include a gift card you want. Be sure to ask if your order will be incurring any additional charges.

The Bureau fields complaints that the “local florist” customers think they are speaking to actually lives hundreds or thousands of miles away. Customers have then received different flowers than the ones they thought they ordered, since the variety of flowers available can differ by region of the country.

Here are tips from the Better Business Bureau for shopping for Valentine’s Day:

• Do your homework. Before ordering flowers, chocolates or any other gifts for Valentine’s Day check out the company’s Business Review at www.bbb.org or your local chamber of commerce in order to help prevent disappointment with the product or customer service.

• Allow time for shipping. Check with the retailer or check the web site to make sure that you have allowed enough time for delivery by your specified date. Make sure that this date is specified clearly and guaranteed when you order.

• Be wary of any email received from an unknown sender.Do not open any unsolicited email and do not click on any links provided. Fake e-cards coming from scammers/hackers may send you an infected card or send you to a link where you are could compromise your computer’s safety.

For more information on shopping with companies you can trust, visit www.bbb.org