Purchasing Flowers On The Internet
“Instinct tells us that flowers lift our spirits, but, their effects on seniors are especially profound, if not surprising,” said Jeannette Haviland-Jones, lead researcher on a 2001 Rutgers behavioral study linking flora with senior citizen happiness. In their findings, 81% of seniors reported a reduction in depression following a flower delivery; 41% reported broadening their social contacts; 72% scored very high on memory tests in comparison with those who did not receive any. “Happier people live longer, healthier lives and are more open to change,” said Haviland-Jones. “Our research shows that a small dose of nature, like flowers, can do a world of wonder for our well-being as we age.”
There are numerous occasions to buy flowers, the most obvious being Valentine’s Day and Birthdays. However, never underestimate the power of an unexpected delivery! To really impress someone, send an arrangement to acknowledge a job promotion or to express sympathy during a difficult time. For family members, Mother’s Day, Thanksgiving and Easter are popular times too. It’s customary to send flowers gifts of to newlyweds to wish them well. Of course, there are also flower faux pas to be aware of.
For instance, it’s not customary to send flowers to Muslims following a family member’s death. In Asian culture, white blooms are given only during mournful and unhappy occasions. In the US, it’s customary to send the flowers in arrangements of one dozen, but in some European countries an even number is considered inappropriate. Also, Asians have superstitions about receiving four blooms (which signifies “death”) and many countries are superstitious about the number thirteen.
If you are planning to send flowers to your mate, then you will want to choose just the right ones. At www.avantegardens.com/design-your-own-flowers.html you can choose your style, size, colors and favorites, and then you will be sent a picture of your creation before sending! Similarly, www.myfloralplace.com allows you to browse signature floral bouquets, then customize by using an interactive tool to add or remove blooms and view online before ordering. While each flower has its own meaning, do not feel limited to this type of arrangement. Rather, create a message that says something about your loved one. Perhaps you will put together a fiery combination to match her fiery personality or you’ll want a rare, exotic bouquet to match your rare love. Is your lover free-spirited or traditional? What is her favorite color or variety of flower? The best bouquets of flowers show that you truly know your partner.
Web Mystery Shoppers International Inc. recently ran a study rating online flower sellers like Proflowers, FTD, 1st In Flowers and Urban Florist. Seventy-three percent of the mystery shoppers said the shipping costs were “hidden” and once discovered, they found that 30% of the retailers had such high shipping prices that they wouldn’t even consider purchasing. Often prices are not in fact higher online, but consumers are left feeling dissatisfied when they have to enter their personal credit card information before receiving the total cost including shipping. Additionally, error rates ranged from 20-34% while trying to book a delivery, so web responsiveness is another area where the top online flower shops need to improve. Despite all this, fresh blooms are one of the top online sales, yet for some people, the occasion is worth the trip to the local flower shop.
