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| Flowers Online |
But giving flowers can be tricky, especially if you order online. So before you order flowers online, check out what Consumer Reports found when they compared flower photos advertised on websites with the flowers they actually received.
Demand for flowers on Mother's Day is so huge thousands of flowers have to be imported from other countries. Since it's not always possible to select flowers in person, shopping online is an increasingly popular option.
So Consumer Reports ordered from three national websites - ProFlowers ,1-800-Flowers, and FTD.
"We wanted to see if the arrangements they deliver look like the arrangements they picture online," said Consumer Reports researcher Bernie Deitrick.
Deitrick opened two dozen deliveries and arranged them in vases -- roses, tulips, mixed flowers, and orchids that arrived in pots. Prices ranged from $57 to $87, including delivery. Judges compared their own photos of the flowers to the pictures on the florist's website.
Some of the bouquets were a good match. But other arrangements did not measure up.
On FTD's website, the mixed flowers looked lovely. But the flowers FTD sent looked a lot different.
And Consumer Reports says the mixed bouquets were the most disappointing overall.
"There were more substitutions of flowers, different colors, different sizes," said Deitrick.
1-800-Flowers was best at sending what was ordered. Its tulip bouquet was the best match of all.
If you're ordering online, save the internet picture and have the recipient snap a picture of the flowers they receive. If there's too big a difference, let the florist know.
You should also ask when the flowers arrived and keep track of how long they lasted to help determine whether you want to use the same online service again.
If you have to send flowers out of the area and have a local florist you trust, give them a call. They often have great referrals to quality florists in other cities and states.
