Federal Trade
Commission FLORIST ALERT!!!
"Is Your LOCAL
Florist Really Long-Distance?"
Some unscrupulous telemarketing firms are posing
as local florists,
charging you higher fees and taking
flower business away from legitimate florists in your town.
Here's how the deception works.
A telemarketer takes out a bogus flower
listing in your yellow pages or on-line yellow pages.
When you call, you're forwarded to an out-of-town telemarketing operation.
The telemarketer takes your order and credit card information for payment,
and forwards your flower order back
to a LOCAL flower shop!
The telemarketer pockets a processing
fee AND a percentage of the sale!
You don't realize you've been scammed until you get higher than expected
charges
from an out-of town company on your credit card statement,
or learn the flowers weren't delivered to value because the telemarketer
took a huge percentage of your money!
How to Protect Yourself against Fake Florists:
* Ask neighbors, family, friends, and co-workers
for florist recommendations.
* Deal only with flower shops that list a street
address with their phone number.
* If you're asking directory assistance for a number, also tell them
you want a LOCAL FLORIST and ask for the street number and address for
the flower shop.
If there isn't one, consider doing business with another florist.
* Ask the florist for directions to
the flower shop.
If they hesitate or refuse, consider this a red flag and avoid doing
business with that "florist".
What to Do If You've Been Scammed:
If you placed an order through an on line service
or a toll-free number,
call that number and describe the problem.
Find out where your money went!
Did a large percentage of your money come out before the florist who
filled your order received payment?
This may be why your flower arrangement is not what you expected.
If you feel the order-taker skimmed more than his fair share, say so!
Request a portion of those service fees
be refunded to you.
But remember, your
best protection comes from dealing directly with the florist who will
be filling your order!
Most local florists have toll free numbers and web sites,
alleviating the need to give your order to an on-line service or telemarketer!
To file a complaint or to get free information
on consumer issues, visit ftc.gov
or call toll-free, 1-877-FTC-HELP (1-877-382-4357); TTY: 1-866-653-4261.
Know WHAT
FLOWERS you are ordering!
On line and 800 number "order-takers"
often use "photo-shopped"
pictures that mislead!
They may feature a flower arrangement that is meant to be all-around,
but face ALL the flowers to the front for the photo, giving the impression
of a much larger arrangement!
CALL A LOCAL
FLORIST!
SPEAK
TO A REAL PERSON IN A REAL FLOWER SHOP
WHO WILL ACTUALLY HANDLE YOUR ORDER FROM ORDER TAKING, TO PRODUCTION
,TO DELIVERY!
You will have a personal relationship with someone who cares about your
order and can track it from start to finish.
You can find local florists in
any city by using on-line yellow pages such as
yellowpages.com
CAUTION! Avoid "florists" who do not list their local
address, but instead list "Serving Your Area".
Discuss
what you really intend to send!
Your local florist will be able to make suggestions for an item that
suits your needs best!
If a small, compact arrangement is what you are looking for,
a trendy small cube arrangement may be just what you want!
If you want to make an impression with a larger and showier arrangement,
let your florist suggest containers and styles that will really show
off that same amount of flowers ... usually
at about the same price!
Your local florist can make suggestions as to style, size, availability,
lasting quality, and more!
Call us for your San Diego flowers and gifts,
but remember ...
We can also wire your flower
or plant delivery throughout the United States, and even most of the
world!
CALL US instead of those HUGE on-line
order takers!
We do the SAME job, but offer
you
PERSONALIZED SERVICE, & TAKE LESS OF YOUR MONEY!
We will be your local florist advocate if you have any concerns about
your out of town flower order!
(619) 584-8984 or (800) 749-1066
ABOUT US: 
. . . . . . . . . . . . 
. . . BED BUGS?
The following are links to sites you may enjoy exploring. 
Molly
Malloy's Floral Company