Flower bouquet reviews: How to buy flowers
You can order flowers over the phone and online, as well as in person
Ordering flowers online or over the phone
All the florists in our test offered online ordering, and many also allowed you to buy over the phone or in a member florist branch.
We ordered flowers both over the phone and online and found pros and cons to both methods. However you choose to order flowers, make sure you leave plenty of time for a big occasion like Mother’s Day (Sunday 22 March in 2009).
Though many suppliers give their last order dates as a day or two beforehand, it's common for florists to run out of flowers or delivery slots very quickly, so it’s best to order a week or two in advance. Don't forget that many florists do not offer Sunday deliveries, and those that do often charge an extra fee.
Ordering flowers by phone – pros and cons
- You're sometimes kept on hold, but it can be quicker and easier than filling in online forms.
- You can ask extra questions if you want to or request customisations to bouquets where available.
- It’s easier to opt out of marketing material (rather than having to tick a well-hidden box).
Ordering online – pros and cons
- You should receive a confirmation email, so you know everything’s OK – if you order by phone, get a reference number just in case.
- You can browse pictures of available bouquets and read descriptions of the types of flowers on offer.
- You can order 24 hours a day using any computer with access to the internet.
- You may still have to ring if you have a particular question that is not answered in the customer support section of the website, or want to change your order.
Courier delivery is ideal if you want flowers to arrive on a particular date
Postal or courier flower delivery
Most florists and retailers in our assessment offer two types of delivery: by a courier or by post. Postal bouquets are often cheaper than comparable courier-delivered bouquets, but you are not offered the same guarantees about delivery date.
Postal delivery
Postal delivery is ideal for when flowers do not need arrive on a certain date, for example if you want to say congratulations or send flowers to someone recovering from a hospital visit. You will be offered the chance to select your ideal delivery date, and flowers will be posted with this delivery date in mind.
Courier delivery
Courier delivery is perfect for occasions when you want flowers to arrive on a certain date or by a certain time. Flowers are usually delivered by hand to the intended recipient, but may be left with a neighbour, in a porch or at a reception desk if the recipient is unavailable.
Ordering flowers for delivery – issues to consider
Most online florists offer detailed customer support pages on their websites with information about delivery and payment details. Some of the most important things to check include:
Local and seasonal availability. Most larger florists and flower companies provide pictures of bouquets online to help you choose flowers. However, it's worth noting that most companies reserve the right to substitute particular flowers and sundry items (such as vases) depending on seasonal and local availability. If you want to ensure a particular flower or theme is in the bouquet, it's worth ringing the flower company to confirm.
Delivery times. Even courier services don't offer cast-iron guarantees about delivery dates and times. Check the florist or retailers' terms and conditions before ordering – most florists say they will make 'every effort' to deliver on a requested date but cannot guarantee delivery.
What happens if the recipient is not available? Some florists let you choose what should happen to flowers if they can't be delivered to the person they are intended for. You may be able to request they are left with a neighbour or in a safe place.
Next day delivery terms. Be wary of ordering flowers online for next day delivery late at night or over the weekend. Weekend orders are often not processed until Monday and orders made late at night may be processed the following day.
There's a wide range of florists offering flowers for every occasion
Types of flower delivery retailers
There are four key types of retailers that offer flower delivery services.
Relay companies
Relay companies use a network of independent member florists to offer nationwide flower delivery. Customers order over the phone, online or through a member florist branch. Details of your order are then passed on to another member florist close to the address of your recipient. They select the flowers and make up the bouquet before delivering it.
If you order a bouquet in this way, remember that the picture you see may be just a guide rather than a blueprint of a particular bouquet. The actual flowers delivered may depend on local or seasonal availability. If you want to ensure certain flowers or designs are included, it's usually worth ordering by phone to discuss your requirements.
Interflora, Flowers Direct and Teleflorist are all relay providers tested in our our snapshot assessment.
Direct florists
Some companies grow, import or buy flowers, and send them to customers by first-class post or courier without involving any other florist or retailer.
Flowers sent by post are packed in boxes with moist wadding or a plastic bubble of water around the stems.They have to be reasonably long lasting, with the main varieties being carnations, chrysanthemums, freesias, roses and alstroemerias. Clare Florist, Arena Flowers and Serenata Flowers are direct florists in our review of Mother's Day flowers.
Supermarkets and high street shops
Some supermarkets and high street shops have contracts with flower suppliers, which make up bespoke bouquets and deliver them by courier. Aldi, Clinton Cards, Next, Asda, Marks and Spencer, John Lewis all offer their own flower-delivery services and were tested in our assessment.
Other high street retailers have contracts with relay florists, who provide delivery bouquets on their behalf. In this scenario consumers order through a high street retailer, but the range of flowers and bouquets is provided by a third party. Debenhams and Boots operate in this way and are supplied by Flowers Direct.
Local florists
Local florists are the obvious choice if you are sending flowers to someone in your local area, but they can also be used to send flowers to other areas.
Some are members of relay services such as Interflora, but you can save some money by creating your own relay service. You do this by finding a florist near to where the recipient lives – try the Yellow Pages website You can then phone your order direct to the florist.