It seems that in today's economy, most of us have to work a lot harder for our take home pay.  That's why it always frustrates me when I see hard working Americans throwing away their money.  That's pretty much what consumers do when they "hire" order grabbers to place their fresh flower orders.  There are a lot of these order grabbers out there so buyer beware!!!
    Obviously, your best choice for fresh flowers is your local florist and when ordering out of town, find the local florist in that zip code.  When looking for a florist, make sure that you find a brick and mortar shop, a shop that actually exists!!  If you take our county phone book for example, most of the large adds under "florist" are order grabbers.  These ads don't include an address, and they do that for a reason.  They want you to think that its a flower shop but in reality, they are a point and click, order grabber who charges you a service fee and sends the order onto the shop in that zip code.
    Everyone has internet now days so go to "find a florist.com" or simply google a shop in your selected zip code.  Whenever I send flowers out of town, I call the shop and that way I can ask what kinds of flowers are in their cooler that day or what kind of keepsake containers they stock.  Florists are "creative pleasers"  they enjoy using their creative and artistic talents and strive to keep their customers happy.  In our shop, the list is endless on how we have gone the extra mile for a customer.  (We call it "Making the Magic" and we do it everyday!!)
     It always amazes me when I see a local person's order come off of our computer printer, having been channeled through an order grabber.  I get it, on the internet they offer coupons or obscenely low prices.  This usually is too good to be true.  When you get to the checkout point, there is usually a hefty delivery fee added on, one that the delivering florist rarely ever sees.
     Case in point, there was a local woman who ordered from 1-800-(you know the rest....).  She wanted two vase arrangements for a back yard party.  I received the order over my computer, having the order grabber choose my shop to fill their order.  I have a total of $140.00 for the two vases, arranged and delivered.  The special instructions were to call the recipient prior to delivery to set up a delivery time.  When we did this, she told us that she had placed the order from her home here in town.  When I met her face to face with the flowers, she loved them, thanks goodness, but it gave me the opportunity to ask one question.  "How much did you pay for these arrangements?"  She had paid over $200.00 with tax and delivery.  I was stunned and saddened for her.  She paid an internet order grabber over $60.00 to simply capture the order off of their web site and send it to my computer.  Can you imagine???  I don't know about you but I work pretty hard for $60.00!!!
     On another occasion, I had a local "gentleman" order from an internet grabber web site to send flowers to hmmmm, how do we put this delicately, ...to another man's wife.  He paid extra as well, simply because I think he was too embarrassed to call the shop.  Well, if that is the case, order from your local florist's web site.  (Do you think this never happens???  If I could spill the beans in my little town about all of the people who order flowers for other people that they shouldn't be sending flowers to....wow!!  the town would freak!!)  As a florist, what we see in our shops is sacred information.  (We really don't care to know it, trust me.)
    My point is that with the holiday quickly approaching us, your local florist expects you to wait until the last minute, your local florist expects to work long hours for you and your local florist wants to do everything in their power to give you the finest piece of floral art at the best price that they can offer for you so....order with them.  Save yourself some money and support your local economy in the meantime!!!
     Everyday my computer spits out these internet grabber orders and it is really hard to stand by and not comment when that huge corporation is pocketing hard earned wages to simply point, click,,,send!!

     This is my first blog so please bear with me.(and I have to readily admit...I NEVER thought I would ever take the needed time to blog!!  Besides, who would find my daily musings about life to be interesting???)
     Yesterday was a rough day for my family and I.  We watched two of our friends bury their dad.  Seeing as how this is the second friend's dad to pass in three months, it doesn't get easier watching those whom you care about suffer through such a loss.
     In each case, I did the family funeral flowers.  While making the casket spray for my friend's dad on Monday, I truly contemplated the importance of flowers.  As a florist, I understand that flowers express emotions.  In the case of a death, there aren't words to truly express how you are feeling when you face the family of the deceased.  It's easier to send a lovely floral piece and let your flowers do the talking for you.
     With each red rose that I placed into the casket spray, I thought of what that rose meant to his surviving wife.  Each fond memory, every trial and tribulation overcome, each life event that holds a special place in her heart.  (Whenever I do remembrance flowers, because that is what funeral flowers are, a remembrance of a life well lived, I try to create a tribute to the deceased through the lovely natural blooms of the flowers.)
     Exactly a year ago, I had a friend lose her dad.  In the obituary they put that phrase, "In lieu of flowers...", which has a good intent, don't get me wrong, but families need to be careful when they print that.  There were barely any flowers there, a barren funeral parlor with the open casket being the focal point in the room.  There weren't stands of gorgeous flowers that the tongue-tied guests could comment upon, thus taking the awkwardness of what to say to the grieving family out of the..."Oh no, what do I say..." equation.
     Yesterday the funeral home was filled with flowers, indeed a wonderful tribute to a  man who had touched so many lives.  As family members came forward with their memories and lovely words of remembrance, the wall of flowers became the backdrop adding color to their heartfelt stories.  It was then that I realized that through my hard work and Mother Nature with God's guidance, the flowers were bringing comfort to everyone there in their time or such deep, deep sorrow.
   

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