(UPDATE: After reading my blog post- Teleflora contacted me & agreed to refund my money. I appreciate the gesture-just wish my Mom would’ve rec’d the flowers I originally paid for.)
Flowers, my Mother loved flowers. When I was growing up, she had a beautiful rose garden out front that she would tend to every chance she got. I inherited my love of roses from her…but not just any old roses- they have to be big and fragrant. A rose shouldn’t just look beautiful, but it should fill a room with it’s aroma…don’t you agree?
When my Mother passed away a few weeks ago, I knew I wanted my last gift to her to be the biggest, most beautiful floral arrangements possible. I took to the internet, scouring different websites looking for floral arrangements that were fit for my Mom. Over the years, I’d always used 1-800-Flowers to send her bouquets for her birthday & Mother’s Day…but this time around Teleflora caught my eye. The flowers on their website looked amazing! I should have stayed with what I know…
I placed my order on Wednesday-needed them to be delivered to the funeral home on Thursday- I paid an extra $15 (per arrangement) so they could be delivered before 1PM. I wanted to make sure they were there in time for my Mom’s rosary (wake). I ordered three arrangements, here are the photos from the Teleflora website:
The Lavender Reflections Spray ($124.95)
Take a walk through the garden of memories with this lush spray of lavender and purple blooms, accented with fresh green ti leaves. It’s a joyful expression of sympathy sure to be appreciated.
- This regal spray includes lavender roses, lavender alstroemeria, lavender gladioli, lavender stock, purple cushion spray chrysanthemums, purple sinuata statice, green ti leaves, flat cedar, oregonia and lemon leaf.
- Approximately 29 1/2″ W x 43 1/2″ H
- This item is hand-arranged and delivered by a Teleflora florist.
- All prices in U.S. Dollars.
Graceful Wreath ($232.95)
Family and friends will recollect how special their loved one was with this gentle ring of pastel blooms. Highlighted with a pink satin ribbon, it is a lovely reminder of sweet memories and beautiful times shared.
- Peach roses, gerberas and carnations, pink asiatic lilies and lisianthus, along with purple limonium and lavender larkspur – accented by greens woven throughout – are presented on an easel-mounted wreath, ideal for a memorial occasion.
- Approximately 22 1/2″ W x 22 1/2″ H
- This item is hand-arranged and delivered by a Teleflora florist.
- All prices in U.S. Dollars.
Finest Farewell Spray ($204.95)
This abundant spray of soft, feminine spring colors feels as calming as a walk in the countryside. Sheer organza ribbon is threaded through lavender, purple and pink blooms that are accented by trailing greens.
- Includes soothing flowers such as lavender roses and larkspur, plus pink alstroemeria.
- Approximately 22″ W x 50″ H
- This item is hand-arranged and delivered by a Teleflora florist.
- All prices in U.S. Dollars.
I ordered the first one, because it was huge & the colors were so … me … I knew my Mom would have loved it! The colors in the 2nd & 3rd one complimented each other- I thought they’d look great together. The wreath was so full of flowers, just overflowing- my Mom would have “oohed” & “ahhed” over that one! (The wreath was from me & my sibling to my Mom. The bottom one was from my kids, her grandchildren.)
This is what was delivered to my Mom’s rosary… after 1pm mind you!
Fail!
Wrong flowers, wrong colors, wrong shapes, not the right size, not enough flowers … I was devastated when I saw what had been sent to my Mother…devastated! I contacted Teleflora via their website, sent them multiple emails to complain, and it took them days to respond.
They offered me 40% off a future order. REALLY?! A future order? Why would I ever want to order from them again? FAIL! I told them I wanted a refund. They said since it had been more than 48 hours since the flowers had been delivered, they could not give me a full refund. I told them that was their fault for not getting back to me sooner, as I had filed my complaint within the 48 hour time limit. Teleflora didn’t wanna hear it…and said they would refund a mere 20% of my total charges.
I have NEVER experienced such poor customer service. These were flowers for my Mom’s FUNERAL – not a birthday or anniversary – a FUNERAL! I will never do business with Teleflora again. My Mom deserved to get the flowers I ordered for her, not some cheap crap that looked like it’d been put together by a 5 year old!
Teleflora had a chance to make this right, and if they had- I’d be singing their praises right now. It’s not even about the money, although I do expect to get what I pay for. It’s the principle of the matter- this was my last gift to my Mother- that should mean something to Teleflora. It’s my duty as a consumer to share my experience – and that’s what I’m doing. I’m not the only one that’s been unhappy with their Telflora experience, check this out from the Better Business Bureau:
I know my Mom is proud of me for speaking up, she would’ve done the exact same thing…where do you think I learned it from?!
I’m disappointed in Teleflora, very disappointed.
