Federal Trade
Commission ALERT
"Petal Pushers: Is Your 'Local' Florist Really
Long-Distance?"
Flowers are a great way to celebrate a birthday,
cheer up a sick friend, or simply brighten someone's day.
Your local florist is just a phone call away, or
so you think.
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 the yellow pages of your telephone directory.
When you call, you're unknowingly forwarded to an out-of-town telemarketing
operation.
The telemarketer takes your order and credit card information for payment,
and forwards your flower order to a
local flower shop!
The telemarketer pockets a processing
fee and usually a percentage of the sale as well.
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 that the flowers weren't delivered to value because the telemarketer
took a large percentage of your money, or your flowers were never delivered
at all!
How to Protect Yourself. Follow these tips before
you order your next pot of posies:
* 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 to be sure.
If there isn't one, consider doing business with another florist.
* Ask the florist to itemize the charges:
In addition to the price of the arrangement, florists charge a delivery
fee and taxes,
but there should not be an extra relay-transfer-or handling charge unless
it is being sent out of town.
* Ask the florist for directions to
the flower shop.
If they hesitate or refuse, consider this a red flag and avoid doing
business with the florist.
When a Rose is a Ruse: What to Do If You've Been Scammed
If you placed an order through a wire service, a
toll-free number, or a local florist,
call that toll-free 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.
Also, sometimes wire services can work with the filling florist to fix
the problem or refund your money.
If your flower arrangement was never delivered,
and you paid by credit card,
you can dispute the charges with the card issuer.
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.
