Not that I wish to be “political” as I’m far from it, but recently national media began a story regarding online florists giants 1800Flowers.com and FTD.com. The news was regarding customers who had used online ordering and were “duped” into signing for webloyalty and other so called “programs”. The customers (whose credit card numbers were transferred to the second parties) discovered far beyond their original transaction, monthly charges for a program they knew nothing about. Worse, both 800Flowers and FTD made millions of dollars in “bounties” for giving their customers information.
As an FTD member (but an independant website owner), I find it incredulous that many mom & pop florists who trusted FTD to handle their websites are now part of the equation. To be truthful, many unknowing flower shop owners probably did not know about these programs either. Notice “may” have been sent to them from FTD in any number of electronic messages from headquarters – some of which were never received by some shops as their general messages from headquarters are not retrieved if their computer system is “offline” for any reason.
You can read more about the ongoing investigation here
Also Proflowers, although not a part of this specific investigation has a myriad of complaints regarding their association with EZSVER as found here
With Congress addressing just 1800Flowers.com and FTD.com, maybe the search should widen to include ProFlowers association with EZSVER also due to the amount of complaints regarding monthly charges.
Whither the ethics indeed… Paging Senator Rockefeller. Online Florists: Whither the Ethics?
More coverage of the Senate hearings:
PC Magazine: Is Your Favorite E-Commerce Site Ripping You Off? by Chloe Albanisius
Information Week: Lawmakers Slam Deceptive Marketers by Thomas Clayburn
The Associated Press: Senators Blast Web sites for Scamming Shoppers by Lolita C./ Baldor
Washington Post: Rockefeller takes on aggressive online sales tactics, report finds firms misleading consumers by Cecilia King
As an independant florist with an independant website, I wish to be able to fulfill my customers need of giving or sending beautiful designs in my delivery area. I have sought out my website host to be sure I would have access and control of what happens on my website and therefore, there would nor should not EVER be any type of “program” attached to ordering from Millinocket Floral Shop’s website.
Edit: Added news as of today from CNET News today:
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Your post about this issue is very well written and timely. As an owner of a brick and mortar florist business, I think that getting the word out about deceptive marketing practices by “trusted” names in the floral industry will help make your customers aware of who they should really doing business with. That is, truly local florists that have a real vested interest in providing the best value and a trusted customer service.
Thank you for informing us of the problems associated when ordering flowers online. We all have to stay aware not to get taken by crooks.
Your post states the facts clearly thank you. We too are independant and have our own web site. We have been a member of FTD since 1966 but are very angry that their greed could tarnish our image.