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Original poster

Flower delivery gone wrong??

26 replies

AlwaysHopefull89 · 31/07/2025 23:03

Please hear me out. Maybe it’s just me.

Myself, DP, and DD went to his Nan and Grandad’s for a lovely BBQ a few weekends ago.

The next day, to say thanks, I sent a beautiful bouquet of flowers to their house with a card. Me being me.

I ordered from a local flourist, small company who have been amazing in the past.

They delivered the flowers on the date and time they said they would. were left on the doorstep as DP’s grandparents were out for most of the day (little did I know as I wanted the flowers to be a surprise for them).

I received a message from DP’s grandma a few days later (as hadn’t heard on the delivery day) to say thanks but 2 of the heads were drooping/ had died as they were out for the day etc. she had rang the company at 6pm, the same day they were delivered but no answer. So she then proceeded to send me another message the day after that to say she had got hold of the company and got them to send another replacement.

So really she has £60 worth of free flowers? She has binned the supposedly “dead ones” and kept the other 80% “alive” ones and gained even more!

I don’t know why it’s really bothering me. I thought it’s at least the thought that counts? Like it wasn’t good enough. Maybe it’s me !!??

I think it’s bothered me a bit also as I held a bbq a couple of months ago and grandma didn’t bring so much as a bottle of wine. I just feel it’s a bit ungrateful? To request for a small company to send another bunch free of charge but it’s your fault as you were out all day?

OP posts:
SkintSingleMumm · 31/07/2025 23:05

Imo the flower delivery person shouldnt have left them on a doorstep at all

Spotthering · 31/07/2025 23:06

You spent £30 on a bouquet. Really lovely gesture but both you and her deserve to have a bouquet that lasts rather than one dying. It shouldn’t matter it was left out all day - if the florist had packaged it properly they would have included water to ensure the flowers stayed fresh.

I don’t think she did anything wrong and I wonder if your annoyance is more with her not ringing you on the day to thank you.

purpleme12 · 31/07/2025 23:07

Yes I wouldn't be impressed with that

Original poster
AlwaysHopefull89 · 31/07/2025 23:07

i didn’t know the bouquet had even got to her, was more of a concern and I was going to pick it up with the company I wasn’t really annoyed at the no thank you

OP posts:
Original poster
AlwaysHopefull89 · 31/07/2025 23:08

purpleme12 · 31/07/2025 23:07

Yes I wouldn't be impressed with that

With the fact they had left them on the doorstep?

OP posts:
Original poster
AlwaysHopefull89 · 31/07/2025 23:08

SkintSingleMumm · 31/07/2025 23:05

Imo the flower delivery person shouldnt have left them on a doorstep at all

I was thinking that also. But I did check and they were delivered with a plastic water dish

OP posts:
purpleme12 · 31/07/2025 23:08

AlwaysHopefull89 · 31/07/2025 23:08

With the fact they had left them on the doorstep?

Show quote history

I mean I agree with you that I wouldn't be impressed with her text to you

Original poster
AlwaysHopefull89 · 31/07/2025 23:09

purpleme12 · 31/07/2025 23:08

I mean I agree with you that I wouldn't be impressed with her text to you

Show quote history

Oh ok! I would share the text but worried it may be a bit outing on here

OP posts:
Youcanpayit · 31/07/2025 23:13

That would make me feel a bit 😕 too.

Quick to complain but no thought to thank.

Katkins17 · 31/07/2025 23:15

Of course the florist should replace them!!
what if someone had nicked them off the doorstep and she had no idea you’d even sent them?

she was out all day, but did she know you’d sent flowers or was it a surprise?
If it was a surprise, not being a mind reader, she’d have no idea would she?

regardless of whether it’s a big or small company, every business has the responsibility to deliver products that are fit for purpose and safely.
They didn’t achieve this, so it’s on them…not grandma.

Original poster
AlwaysHopefull89 · 31/07/2025 23:16

Youcanpayit · 31/07/2025 23:13

That would make me feel a bit 😕 too.

Quick to complain but no thought to thank.

I think you’ve literally just said it for me

OP posts:
Original poster
AlwaysHopefull89 · 31/07/2025 23:17

Katkins17 · 31/07/2025 23:15

Of course the florist should replace them!!
what if someone had nicked them off the doorstep and she had no idea you’d even sent them?

she was out all day, but did she know you’d sent flowers or was it a surprise?
If it was a surprise, not being a mind reader, she’d have no idea would she?

regardless of whether it’s a big or small company, every business has the responsibility to deliver products that are fit for purpose and safely.
They didn’t achieve this, so it’s on them…not grandma.

I think it was literally one head that had died. But yeah it just made me feel a bit shitty I don’t know why.

OP posts:
purpleme12 · 31/07/2025 23:19

Do people not think it would have better to maybe not tell OP there was a problem with the flowers?
And just say to OP how lovely it was to get flowers...

And if the grandma really felt the need to have them replaced she could still have done that couldn't she by liasing with the flower company

Maybe that would have better

Instead of what's happened in the OP

Barney16 · 31/07/2025 23:20

Years ago I sent my aunty a very lovely bunch of Christmas flowers. She rang me and said they were awful quality and perhaps I should get a refund. I was really quite hurt.

AutumnLover1989 · 31/07/2025 23:20

I'm not sure if bother sending someone flowers when they didn't even bring something to a barbeque you hosted 🤷‍♂️

Original poster
AlwaysHopefull89 · 31/07/2025 23:23

AutumnLover1989 · 31/07/2025 23:20

I'm not sure if bother sending someone flowers when they didn't even bring something to a barbeque you hosted 🤷‍♂️

Lesson learnt trust me.

OP posts:
Original poster
AlwaysHopefull89 · 31/07/2025 23:24

Barney16 · 31/07/2025 23:20

Years ago I sent my aunty a very lovely bunch of Christmas flowers. She rang me and said they were awful quality and perhaps I should get a refund. I was really quite hurt.

Sounds exactly like DP’s Grandma. I can’t say I’d make the effort again. DP never does

OP posts:
Vitrolinsanity · 31/07/2025 23:28

Well grandma did say thank you, you said that yourself.

She also likely knew you’d spent a fair bit, and was cross on your behalf they’d gone over.

The florist could have left them with a neighbour or even tried to deliver again the next day, which would’ve negated the need to replace. It’s been very hot, even in water that’s not great conditions.

As it is, they’ve gone beyond on the customer service front, so you’ll want to use them again. Plus, it stops Granny from bad-mouthing them to all and sundry.

PS I’m a florist.

saltinesandcoffeecups · 31/07/2025 23:37

Oh no, this is ok!

You need to know if the flowers weren’t ok as it may change who you use in the future. And she was fine calling them if the flowers were drooping.

It wasn’t a slight on you…it wasn’t her being unreasonable… this is normal in the flower realm.

The unspoken rule about flowers is that the recipient knows you have no control over the state of the flowers delivered. You only get the gratitude for sending them, but if there is a problem, of course you want to know.

I’m really expressing this poorly, but I can’t stress enough it’s ok/normal and really shouldn’t cause bad feelings. Your gift was appreciated!

Original poster
AlwaysHopefull89 · 31/07/2025 23:44

saltinesandcoffeecups · 31/07/2025 23:37

Oh no, this is ok!

You need to know if the flowers weren’t ok as it may change who you use in the future. And she was fine calling them if the flowers were drooping.

It wasn’t a slight on you…it wasn’t her being unreasonable… this is normal in the flower realm.

The unspoken rule about flowers is that the recipient knows you have no control over the state of the flowers delivered. You only get the gratitude for sending them, but if there is a problem, of course you want to know.

I’m really expressing this poorly, but I can’t stress enough it’s ok/normal and really shouldn’t cause bad feelings. Your gift was appreciated!

Thanks ! I feel bad for the florists though as it wasn’t their fault. I wanted the delivery to be a surprise and usually they are at home most days

OP posts:
Youcanpayit · 31/07/2025 23:50

I don't think it's fine to call the florist on the day they were recieved to complain, but not bother to call or text the sender to say they'd got them and thank you until the next day, 2 days later, 3 days...

I'm horrible for just accepting things even if they're not as they're supposed to be, and I get that other people are more exacting or proactive. But when someone’s first priority is to moan rather than acknowledge, I think that's rude.

shiningstar2 · 31/07/2025 23:54

I send flowers quite frequently for all sorts of reasons. They are an expensive gift which don't last long even when they arrive in perfect condition. Sometimes people are inclined to say 'they are lovely' even if they are not. Personally I would much rather know if the flowers I ordered weren't up to scratch. Otherwise companies get away with substandard goods which just wouldn't be acceptable in other circumstances. If everybody accepts the sun standard goods the company constantly gets away with it. However if I've sent the flowers I would prefer to be told of any problem and get in touch with the company myself as I am the customer, rather than the gift receiver doing it. I don't think it's wrong though to expect every flower stem to be in good condition.

Kimmeridge · 31/07/2025 23:55

AlwaysHopefull89 · 31/07/2025 23:09

Oh ok! I would share the text but worried it may be a bit outing on here

Show quote history

I cant really imagine it would be

Original poster
AlwaysHopefull89 · 01/08/2025 11:24

Thanks all!

OP posts:
Redkatagain · 01/08/2025 19:16

I would be pleased if she did that.
companies get away with crap service because people don’t complain.

I would also like to know because I might not use them again in the future if they didn’t rectify their mistakes

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