| Some
unscrupulous telemarketing firms are posing as local florists - Watch
Out!
Please
support your local independent florist.
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 business away from legitimate florists
in your town.
Here’s
how the deception works.
A telemarketer
takes out a bogus listing in the white pages of your telephone directory
or spams the Internet with made up flower shop names. The company may
use your town’s name in its own to make you believe it’s local.
Or,
the name of a legitimate local florist may be listed with a different
local phone number. For example, Minneapolis Florists.
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 order to an area florist.
The telemarketer
pockets processing fees and rebate fees as well.
You don’t
realize you have 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 as ordered, or worse, were never delivered
at all.
How
to Protect Yourself
Follow
these tips before you order your next pot of posies so that you do not
get bloomin mad!
- Ask neighbors,
family, friends, and co-workers for recommendations.
- Deal only with
shops that list a street address with their phone number. If you are
asking directory assistance for a number, also ask for the street
number and address. 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,
most florists charge a delivery fee and tax.
- Ask the florist
for directions to the shop. If they hesitate or refuse, consider this
a red flag, and avoid doing business with the florist.
- Ask the florist
if they can deliver to other cities, pick one in advance, on the other
side of the country. Ask them if they can deliver this them selves
or do they have to "wire it out" - Then ask them if they
have to "wire out the order you are calling to place. Ask them
if they charge a convenience fee or service charge - No Local Flower
Shop Will Ever Charge This Type Of Fee For A local Delivery! If you
are suspicious, move on to another shop. Be especially careful of
Internet florists
- Check out the florist
you’re considering with the local Better Business Bureau and consumer
protection officials in your area. Or, if you’re ordering flowers
from a local shop in another city or state, contact the consumer protection
officials there. Ask if they have any unresolved consumer complaints
on file. Also ask them to verify the street address.
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 the toll-free number of the florist and describe
the problem. All wire services will work with the filling florist to
fix the problem.
If your
arrangement was never delivered, and you paid by credit card, you can
dispute the charges with the card issuer.
Make
sure the bill is not more than you bargained for!
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