Every time you order flowers, you could get ripped off instead. “Hank Investigates” a nationwide flower fakeout that’s set up to trick you into paying more and getting less. Will you be the next victim of the “Phony florists?”
Three feet tall and brimming with a dozen orchids, this is the impressive bouquet Randall wanted to send.
So how did he wind up with this? Just two orchids and half the size.
Hank Phillippi Ryan, 7News
“Did you get what you paid for?”
Randall
“No, I don’t think I did.”
Randall had searched the phone listings for a local florist and found a “florist in Quincy” at 816 Willard St. He called their “617″ Quincy phone number.
Hank Phillippi Ryan, 7News
“Is there a florist here?”
Business owner
“No.”
We found this is 816 Willard St.: an apartment building under construction, not a florist.
Hank Phillippi Ryan, 7News
“The building’s empty?”
Construction worker at building
“The building’s empty.”
The “local” number Randall called was actually forwarded to a phone center a thousand miles away in Wisconsin. They kept a $20 “service charge,” then they contacted this real Quincy florist.
Hank Phillippi Ryan, 7News
“So really, what’s happening is customers are paying for someone else to make a phone call?”
Donna McGuire, Abigails Flowers
“That’s right.”
Bank statements prove Randall paid $67.99. But the florist records show the phone center placed Randall’s order for just $49.
Randall
“It seems like it’s a total scam.”
The real florist, unaware of the long distance deception, delivered the bogus bouquet.
Donna McGuire, Abigails Flowers
“In the end, the local florist ends up getting a bad reputation or a black eye, and people just don’t realize what’s going on.”
It’s a nationwide flower fraud. Our investigation found dozens of addresses are being used without permission by out of state companies to make callers think they’re contacting a local florist.
Instead, they’re tricking customers into paying more and getting less.
Look, this listing says 879 Beacon St. is a florist. Not true.
Hank Phillippi Ryan, 7News
“Has there ever been a florist here?”
Real estate company employee
“Never.”
This little park in Wellesley is listed as a florist. This Norwood office building is listed as a florist.
Hank Phillippi Ryan, 7News
“Is there a florist here?”
Office worker
“No, there’s no florist in this building.”
Someone’s house in Belmont is listed as a florist!
Hank Phillippi Ryan, 7News
“Is this a florist?”
Resident
“A florist? No!”
Call these places to order flowers and dozens more local looking listings, and we found you’ll be connected to an order taker in another state, and not a florist. They’ll take your money and make a phone call.
The Federal Trade Commission says there’s nothing wrong with flowers by phone, but you can’t have a fake location and charge customers an undisclosed fee.
Barbara Anthony, FTC
“Taking consumers money when they are unaware of it, through deception, that’s against the law.”
Fake florists are under fire in some states. This lawsuit charges a Pennsylvania call center was “unfair and deceptive” for pretending to be in Tennessee. The Attorney General there got refunds for hundreds of consumers.
Because of that lawsuit, Sybil got her money back. Most people will never see the flowers they’ve purchased.
But after Sybil ordered a $70 Schefflera like this, she was shocked to discover a measly version like this was actually delivered.
Sybil
“I felt like I was deceived, and I don’t want his to happen to other people.”
But it will because there are still so many deceptive listings, it’s impossible to show them all. But you can keep from being fooled, ask to come see the flowers at the address they listed. If they say no: red flag.
How can you be sure you’re using a legitimate local florist when you order your next pot of posies?
- Ask neighbors, family, friends, and co-workers to recommend florists.
- Deal only with florists that list a street address with their phone number.
- Ask the florist for directions to the shop. If they hesitate or refuse, consider this a red flag.
- Ask the florist to itemize the charges. Most florists charge a delivery fee and sales tax in the state where the order is being taken, in addition to the price of the arrangement.
- Check out the florist you’re considering with the local Better Business Bureau and consumer protection officials.
Others Tips to Avoid Being Fooled by Flower Order Gatherers
- Check the Home and About Us pages for the physical address of the business.
- Check the Contact Us page for a local phone number. It should match the area code of the location to where your flowers are being delivered. If the contact information consists of an email address only, be suspicious.
- Call the local phone number. If it is answered ‘Flower Shop’ without providing the name of the florist, ask which shop you’ve called. If they provide a different answer than the one you’ve dialed, you may have reached a gatherer/broker.
- On the phone, ask for the business’ location and driving directions. If they fail to provide these details, consider calling a different florist.
- Ask the florist to itemize all charges. Be especially cautious about companies that charge relay fees, same-day fees, service fees, shipping fees and handling fees. Local florists generally charge for delivery (which you also pay through a broker) but the other surcharges are completely avoidable when ordering direct from the florist who will actually make your arrangement.
- Google the phone number. If it appears under many different business names with different locations, be suspicious.
- Be aware that just because an ad or website name says “City Name Florist”, it doesn’t mean the company is located in or actually delivers to that city.
- If following a link from a search engine ad, find the site’s home page. Order gatherer sites often contain directory-like links named after states, provinces and cities. Each page will appear virtually the same except for the city name.
Sources: www.floristdetective.com | www3.whdh.com | www.flowerchat.com | www.ftc.gov