Ordering Flowers: In-Store vs Online

Ordering Flowers and Flower Delivery

Flowers are fascinating things that have captured the interests of humans for centuries.

They are a common subject of poems and paintings — an artistic object which has remained a prized gift for many years.

People love receiving flowers. Whether you have an occasion in mind or just want to show you care, ordering flowers for someone is a great way to express your feelings and brighten up someone’s day.

It is a rather universal custom, one shared throughout countless cultures and generations. They are colorful, smell nice and have generations of tradition connected to them.

Why Do We Gift Flowers?

The rich history of giving your loved one's flowers dates back to ancient times. There is evidence that ancient Greeks, Romans, Egyptians and Chinese all viewed flowers as objects with high significance.

It’s believed that the practice of gifting flowers was done all the way back then; it is a tradition that carried on strongly through the middle ages until today.

As early civilizations began exploring other cultures and trading, the exposure to new types of flowers popularized gifting flowers.

In Victorian times, where emotional expression was frowned upon, flowers were used to convey one’s feelings in a more appropriate manner.

Even today, flowers represent a romantic gesture to let your loved ones know about your undying affections. They are so much more than something to be shared between lovers.

They are a great way to let your children, parents or friends now you are thinking about them.

Flowers are a typical gift for many different occasions; they are a popular gift for graduations, birthdays and holidays. They can even make quite a nice apology present.

Beyond chipper and romantic purposes, they can also be a nice gesture of support during more trying circumstances such as surgeries and funerals.

How Do I Get Flowers Delivered?

Although it may seem more traditional to give flowers in person, there is a certain charm to having flowers delivered.

Unfortunately, modern times are busy. Getting time off to go visit the hospital or pop by your spouse’s job is not as easy as it used to be. People have demanding jobs or live far away.

This doesn’t mean you shouldn’t be able to send flowers to your loved ones, though. This is why ordering services are becoming increasingly popular among florists.

How Do Florist Ordering Services Work?

Ordering services work by purchasing flower arrangements beforehand, then having them delivered to a designated location.

You can attach a note to the person and chose whether you want to sign it from yourself or leave it anonymous.

Companies will normally offer a large assortment of pieces that will be made to order. You can choose from as things as basic as a simple bouquet to an over-the-top creation full of candles, decorations and even candy!

Where you order from will determine the selection you have available (as well as where you can send it).

Pros and Cons and Delivery Services

There are two ways you can order flower deliveries. The first is through an actual store. Some floral shops will let you walk in and place an order for delivery when you give them certain notice.

If you don’t have the time to bring your loved one's flowers yourself, you can ask your local florist if they can do it for you.

Ordering flowers for delivery is a great way to support local businesses (if this is a service that is offered). Plus, you often get the opportunity to see the arrangements before you send them.

Because there is a personal element of talking face-to-face, it is easier to request small personalizations. Overall, though, the selection will likely be limited to what you see at the location.

Unfortunately, local companies can’t always perform flower deliveries to distance places. If you use online businesses when sending flowers to friends, the sky is the limit. You can even send flowers overseas with some services.

Online stores also offer an extra element of convenience. You don’t need to go to a physical location; in fact, you can do it from the comfort of your own home. This means that you can order them at 2 am from your phone, or from your laptop in the middle of your busy class.

This also means that you will not be able to see the arrangements before they are sent out. However, online stores do normally have wider selections.

There is also something to say about supporting online businesses as opposed to small, family-run shops. (Although some online retailers use local flower shops).

Your decision really comes down to what you need.

Ordering Flowers for In-Person Deliveries

Pros:

• You get previews of the products.
• You are supporting local business.
• You get a personal experience.

Cons:

• There are limited delivery routes.
• You still need to take time to visit the location during working hours.
• There is a comparatively limited selection.

Ordering Flowers Online

Pros:

• It is super convenient (you can order anytime, anywhere with internet access).
• They have larger selections.
• There are broader delivery options.

Cons:

• You don’t always support local business.
• You can’t see products beforehand.
• All customer service must be done online.

Which Online Companies Should I Use to Send Flowers?

You can avoid a lot of the cons of ordering flowers online by researching the companies beforehand.

Doing business only with trusted, established services will allow you to reduce risks and get a product you are happy with.

Consider the following online flower delivery companies:

• 1-800-Flowers

  Order from a very wide selection of products. They emphasize how they incorporate local florists into the process.

• From You Flowers

  From You, Flowers boasts several awards for their customer satisfaction. It scores best among online flower retailers according to J.D. Power.

• Teleflora

  With very classy and elegant designs, Teleflora signature arrangements really stand out. They currently deliver to over 165 countries.