FTD Flowers

Full review
Update: I received a call and follow up email yesterday (12/22/2008) from FTD, apologizing for the product I received and the way my concerns were handled. They offered a full refund of my purchase. I appreciate their acknowledgment and efforts, and I consider the matter described below resolved.  In my opinion they have taken the steps necessary to regain my trust and I have therby modified my initial rating in this review.

I was very disappointed in the flowers ordered from FTD that my wife received in the hospital. I ordered an "upgraded" version of a basic "Big Hug Bouquet", raising the price from $39.99 to $59.99 (plus tax and S&H).

What she got was what I consider no upgrade whatsoever. We received a small (about 15 inches in height) bouquet with a clear glass vase (not the opaque china like one represented on the site). It was an attractive bouquet, but one I could have purchased at my local supermarket for $15. My total cost was $80. People who have seen the arrangement were stunned to learn it cost so much.

A complaint to FTD went unresolved. They requested a refund from the florist, "The Flower Place" of Sarasota, FL. They declined to provide one, saying they had used "more expensive flowers". It is important to note that I never asked for a full refund. I was hoping for a reasonable adjustment reflecting the inadequate bouquet we received.

Don't take my word for it. See for yourself and decide. I have set up a one page website so that people can actually see what I am talking about:

http://www.crappyflowers.com (you will need to copy and paste that address into your browser)

On that page I show the FTD representation of the BASIC bouquet, and the ACTUAL UPGRADED one we got.

I recognize that FTD uses local florists, but I bought from FTD, and I expect FTD to resolve the issue. I will not use FTD again, and would never recommend them to anyone else. They apparently will not back their products. How could I ever be sure that flowers I send across the country are what they are supposed to be?