Why your flowers don’t look like the picture – Part 4

Blogger Chris took FTD.com up on a offer he’d received via Netflix to purchase a Christmas arrangements for his wife. What he was sold:

What he got:

Chris said “I didn’t know it was supposed to be DIY. I figured as much from the way it came in the box, but my wife–who hadn’t seen the original misleading picture–assumed it was supposed to be like that. Couldn’t find anything on FTD.com to suggest that, “Yeah, you’re gonna have to do some work on these.” “

Buyer beware. Despite what the US Better Business Bureau Code of Advertising says about unassembled merchandise 

Unassembled Merchandise
When advertised merchandise requires partial or complete assembly by the purchaser, the advertising should disclose that fact, e.g., “unassembled,” “partial assembly required.”

flower drop shippers continue to advertise professionally designed ‘arrangements’ which require additional elements, tools & assembly by the recipient. Neither FTD nor its major drop ship competitors – ProFlowers, Calyx Flowers and 1-800-Flowers - clearly states on the product pages or in the ads that tools (knives or scissors) and assembly are required on the applicable products.

The BBB relies on the industry to “self-regulate in the public interest”.  Unfortunately, the industry leadership has remained mute on this issue. Self interest wins out over the public interest? 

We believe this advertising is deceptive and misleading and puts real local florists at a competitive disadvantage.  It’s far easier to offer low prices when a large part of the expense – professional design and hand delivery in water – are omitted.  

In Chris’ case, it was a real annoyance to receive an ‘assembly required’ arrangement, but imagine the reaction and embarrasment when a purchaser sends one of these ‘kits’ to a funeral service where a bereaved family has to put it together – or to a hospital where a patient has to find tools to recut the flowers and make his/her own arrangement from a sick bed.

If you have been mislead by a similar ad, let the BBB know and take Chris’ advice when purchasing flowers in the future: ”Buy flowers locally. You know what you’re getting, and you’re likely supporting a local business.”

This post is 4th in a series of articles about why your flowers don’t look like the picture. See also:

Why Your Flowers Don’t Look Like the Picture – Part 1

Why Your Flowers Don’t Look Like the Picture – Part 2

Why Your Flowers Don’t Look Like the Picture – Part 3

Tagged as: advertising, DIY, FTD