Flowers not getting what you paid for?

I had an azalea delivered in January a few years ago from Waitrose as a gift from an elderly aunt. The Azalea and I looked at each other for 3 weeks, I watered it carefully but it didn't open its buds and was a disaster. I phoned Waitrose and complained and a second plant arrived. This time the plant had fallen over in its box and half the buds and leaves had been knocked off. Rather than phone again I took the plant to our local store and three members of staff worked very hard to resolve the problem.
One man organised for gift vouchers to be sent to. me and even arranged for an extra £5 to be added to allow for my petrol costs. Another colleague asked me to wait a few minutes for some flowers to be arranged for me and I walked out of the store with a massive bouquet.
Waitrose got it right!

Yesterday I had 2 stunning bouquets given to me- one supermarket and one M & S - The are both lovely. The M & S one was £18 (price on !), the value for money was outstanding. I would guess that delivered they would charge £50. So I do think that if they are charging for delivery then you should get full Value for Money

My youngest son once sent me a freesia bouquet and at a cost of nearly thirty pounds I received what looked worse than a £3.99 bunch from a supermarket. I took a photo and complained to the provider and told them I did not want them to contact my son. They sent me a replacement, but to be honest I suggested to my son that he should only buy me flowers if he can deliver them himself. For Mothering Sunday he bought (and delivered ) a beautiful M&S arrangement and they are only just on the turn now.

Telly, I would complain to the company especially as you've seen what it should look like online, your generous sender doesn't need to be involved. I often send flowers by post and must say I'd prefer to know if there's a problem simply so I would contact the company and know if they intend to put it right.

Thank you, MA and Telly.

I think the whole concept of letterbox flowers is very clever, especially if they're for somebody who is likely to be at work. I hate it when someone tells you to look out for something arriving. You guess it's going to be flowers, especially if you have a birthday coming up so you have to stay in if you don't have someone who can take them for you.

B&W put little net sheaths over delicate flower heads like roses and alstroemeria and after a good drink everything really perks up. You also don't have to dispose of a lot of packaging or wonder what to do with the vase/basket/trough once the flowers have died.

For years I used to send my Mother flowers, by phoning a florists shop near her and paying by credit card. They used to ask if I wanted particular types or colours and I always asked them only to send flowers that would last a good long while, which they did.

I think we got better value for money than by using Interflora or any other big company and Mum was always delighted with them.

I was sent an azalea via Bloom and Wild for Mothering Sunday. It was a sort of flat-pack affair!! The idea is that it will fit through the letterbox (which it did) and I think it's very clever.

It's difficult to explain this, but it's as though they've sliced down two 'sides' of the rootball of the plant and these offcuts are placed in the packaging alongside the plant. Enclosed is a woven pot with a soft plastic interior, which you pop up and place your plant in, together with the offcuts. Moss is provided for the top. Voila! Water the plant and that's it!

I was a bit dubious about how the plant may have been affected by the slicing of its rootball, but it's still full of blooms and looks great.

I could write a book on the appalling flowers and arrangements from a certain other Very Well Known flower sending company!!

merlotgran - they look lovely. I am not shy of complaining but I guess time and place.

I have had this happen too; not just sent flowers, but from a florist. My OH once bought me a bunch that lost all its petals as I put it in the vase - they saw him coming!

That looks lovely, merlot. the whole thing, the dresser, ornaments, the lot!

I was sent some letterbox plants from Bloom & Wild last Thursday. They were packed carefully and soon revived in a large jug of water. I arranged them properly about an hour later.

I've had some disappointments in the past and of course you don't like letting the person know who has gone to the trouble and expense of sending them that they're poor quality.

Flower farms like, Common Farm Flowers are doing a great job promoting flowers that are grown in this country, not treated with chemicals and not having any air miles attached to them.

This happened to me with a bunch from Next. I rang them and said they were in a pitiful state and should I let my daughter know that her gift to me was a waste of her money.

They apologised profusely and sent me another bunch by courier.

I have had this happen to me, when my son ordered from Moonpig. I contacted Moonpig direct and told them who had ordered, and where sent to, but I was adamant that I didn't want my son notified. I sent photos of what I'd received.

They were apologetic. They were going to re send the same order but in better condition. I asked them instead to send me a pot of bulbs of similar price, as I thought it would travel better and last longer. So I think it's worth complaining.

My mum told my sister that the flowers she had been sending were poor.
My sister was pleased not to waste her money with that particular company anymore.