Online flower delivery

Services are broadly divided into three categories: Local Florist, Order Broker and Courier.

Local Florist
Local florist websites offer arrangements and bouquets for direct delivery in the geographic areas physically serviced by their companies' own vans and personnel. This service is also known as 'hand delivered' and has the advantage of presenting shoppers with the precise items available for delivery on a same-day basis. Local delivery charges are generally displayed as a separate fee.

Order Broker
Order brokers are third-party agents that display arrangement and bouquet images and then transfer orders to affiliated local florists for fulfillment and hand delivery. Shoppers pay additional service fees as well as the local delivery charges which are generally included in the price displayed with each product. The advantage of this service is the consolidation of purchases for delivery to multiple locations through a single website.
Most local florists also offer order brokering services for national and international delivery.

Courier delivery
Courier delivered flowers (also sometimes called Grower Direct or Flowers By Post) are assembled into bunches at the farm or in the warehouse of an importer or distributor; they are then placed in cardboard boxes and shipped direct to the recipient via over night couriers such as FedEX, UPS and DHL. The advantage of such a service is that because the flowers are shipped direct from the farm/importer they can be fresher although temperature fluctuations en-route and shipping conditions may negate the benefit. Recipients are responsible to unpack, clean, condition and arrange courier delivered flowers.

Most online floral delivery services accept payment through Visa, MasterCard & Amex

Major online flower delivery services1800Flowers - Brokers order to franchises and local florists and offers courier delivery in the US ProFlowers - Provides boxed flowers by FedEX FTD - Brokers orders to local florists for fulfillment Teleflora - Brokers orders to local florists for fulfillment

Order Flowers - Choosing A Quality Online Florist

Choosing A Quality Online Florist by Bobbie McKee


The first thing to look at when choosing an online florist is whether or not the company is a real florist. There are actually many companies that claim to be but are not. Instead, these companies are resellers or affiliates. This means they just take your flower arrangement order and send it to a florist. As a result, your flower arrangement might not be the best quality. You will also probably spend more to send flower arrangements this way. This is because you are paying the commission for the reseller.

Choose Local

An online florist can have a flower shop anywhere in the world. For flower arrangements to stay fresh, they cannot travel great distances. Therefore, choose an online florist with a shop in the area where you plan to send flower arrangements. That way, your flower arrangement will be fresh when it gets to the person you are sending it to.

It is actually easier to choose a local florist than you might think. First, go to a search engine, such as Google. Then, type in "florist" and the name of the city where you wish to send flower arrangements. This will bring up many different florists for the area. Some will then allow you to complete your order online.

If you still aren't sure about the florist, call. Ask the worker if they are a local business. Then, ask for directions to the shop. If the person is unable to give you directions, it's a sure sign it isn't really a local flower shop. You might also want to check with the Better Business Bureau to make sure the florist has a solid reputation.

Choose Secure

When shopping online for a beautiful flower arrangement, you also want to be sure you are safe. This means you should only order a flower arrangement from a florist with a secure server. A secure server guarantees no one will be able to steal your credit card information. To be sure the web site is secure, look for a small "lock" symbol on the computer screen. It is usually in the bottom left corner of the browser. Sometimes, it can be found in the top right corner instead. If you don't see this symbol, don't shop with that florist. Your personal information will be open for anyone to find and to read if you do.

Choose Honest

When choosing a florist, you also want to work only with one that is honest with its customers. For example, a florist who claims to offer free flower delivery or to be tax-free is not being honest. The flower delivery driver has to be paid somehow. At the same time, taxes have to be paid. You will pay for the flower delivery and taxes one way or another. Either the flowers will be more expensive or, worse yet, you might get a low quality flower arrangement. A good florist will have all of this information on the website. You should be able to easily find out how much delivery costs and how much tax you will pay.


About the Author
FloralPatch.com is committed to quality Flower Delivery. Find the perfect floral arrangement to send to your loved one. Copyright 2006 Bobbie McKee. This article may be reprinted if the resource box is left intact.

Online Flowers Melbourne

Online Flowers Melbourne by Kellee Pham

Like love, flowers speak a universal language. People across the globe understand it, cutting across culture or background, echoing the same sentiments of love, happiness, desire, faith, hope or loyalty. Words cannot express what a bunch of exotic fresh flowers in full bloom can.

Be it your birthday, anniversary or Christmas celebrations, choosing the right floral arrangement require time, and can be frustrating if after a long drive your local florist doesn't have what you desire.

Even though dried and artificial variety is available in the market, nothing compares to the charm of fresh, fragrant and inviting blooms. Buying fresh flowers online is the most favourable alternative to get what you want from the very comforts of your home. Online stores display photographs or illustrations of their flower arrangements so that you can actually view them before placing your order. Placing an order with Kellee Flowers will ensure in getting the freshest flowers always.

Kellee Flowers is one of the leading service providers for flowers online, the trusted name for quality, creativity and value for money. Kellee Flowers guarantee you prompt delivery, quality service and fresh flowers with a life-span of 5-10 days depending upon the online flowers in Melbourne ordered, and at reasonable prices. We even offer free delivery of delectable chocolates with our Special Melbourne flower delivery order.

From Bridal Bouquets which may be designed in any shape, size or colors, to Corsages, Button Holes, we at Kellee Flowers offer you a wide array of flower arrangements to choose from. Along with Flower Deliver in Melbourne, we even have arrangements to adorn the reception or church and decorations for candelabras and cakes.

While ordering online flowers in Melbourne, you can select the package you want--small, medium or large size, we have it all. If you are a lover of roses, you can opt for our Roses300 arrangement for - Small A$180.00, Medium A$220.00, and Large A$250.00. You can also opt for our Basket collection such as Flower Baskets432, the small size priced at A$65.00, Medium A$80.00, & Large A$95.00. Sympathy Flowers are available for - Small A$90.00, Medium A$110.00, & Large A$150.00. Flower Bouquet such as the Flower Bouquet232 is available - Small A$75.00, Medium A$85.00 & Large A$95.00. Corporate Flowers as Corporate Flowers503a are priced at A$30.00. Indulge someone special with an assortment of goodies such as Helium Balloons & Soft Toys presented elegantly with or without flowers.

Whether you want to buy daffodils which signify sunshine and happiness, or irises that stands for faith, hope and wisdom, or any other kind of flower, buying online from Kellee Flowers will offer you the best available choice at the most competitive prices. So, be any celebration, special event or festival, we at Kellee Flowers have the perfect gift for every occasion.

About the Author
Kellee write articles for Kellee Flowers. For more information log on to http://www.kelleeflowers.com.au

Fresher Roses by Next Day Air

Fresher Roses by Next Day Air by John E Williams

Sending Roses and Saving Money with Overnight Flowers Shippers

Sending beautiful roses at a significant discount is easier than ever, thanks to a variety of direct-ship flowers sources on the Internet. These innovative flower companies import the best rose varieties and colors fresh from growers around the world. Then, they deliver them by overnight air direct to your special someone. The result is often fresher, longer lasting flowers, all at substantial savings. While overnight flowers arrive unarranged and don't offer the finished touch of a local florist delivery, they're fast becoming an extremely popular and reliable alternative for budget-conscious flower-lovers. We set out to test three of the better sources for flowers by overnight air, placing orders for one dozen red roses at hallmark.com, flowers-delivery-florists.com, and proflowers.com. All three orders arrived as promised on the morning of the appropriate day. All three were well packaged with quality roses that opened nicely and lasted the better part of the week. Which one was the best? You decide. Here is what we found.

Hallmark
When the Hallmark flowers arrived some people thought they looked a little unimpressive due to a dark color and tight buds. They hadn't opened much yet, but when they did two days later they had a pretty shape. The heads were firm, indicating healthy blooms and good hydration, and they lasted all week. Including a vase and shipping, our purchase came to $60.94. The vase was metal and didn't appeal to everyone in our office but served surprisingly well for displaying the roses. The bouquet included a couple of sprigs of Babies' Breath that didn't add much. The purchase also credited us with 500 Gold Crown points that we'll probably never use. Ordering was easy with a choice of available gift cards displayed online. The flowers arrived with a packet of flower food, and the whole box was decked out in an eye-catching purple color scheme. On the whole, this was a great product, even if it did come at a premium price.

Total Cost: $60.94 Delivered Summary: The highest price, a stylish vase, the most attractive packaging, and roses that arrived a bit tight but lasted all week.

Flowers Delivery Florists
The roses from flowers-delivery-florists.com were quickly hailed as the office favorite due to their vibrant red color and large blossoms. At only $40.90 total, they were also the best bargain of the bunch. The stems were thick and sturdy, indicating healthy, well-developed flowers. After a few days the roses were still going strong, although one bloom may have been damaged in shipping as it was beginning to drop petals. Cliché Babies' Breath was not included. Instead, there was some tasteful foliage to complement the flowers. While basic, the free glass vase made displaying the flowers quick and convenient. The packaging was nice, and the roses were the only ones to come with cold packs to help preserve them during shipping. This bouquet was an eye-catcher for five to six days. So, at 30% less than the first order, it was definitely our pick for the best overall value.

Total Cost: $40.90 Delivered Summary: The lowest price, best blossom size, and most impressive flowers upon arrival, still lasting most of the week.

Proflowers
The roses from Proflowers arrived before noon, which made us glad we didn't spend the extra money for "guaranteed morning delivery." The flowers themselves were pretty, with ample fluffy white Babies' Breath included. The price was reasonable at $44.97 delivered, but the roses arrived without any container, which made us wish we had spent the extra $9.99 for a vase. The flower heads seemed a little soft. After two days they looked fine, but by the end of the week they were in the poorest condition. Ordering was easy, although we didn't like the fact that our total purchase amount was not clearly displayed until the end of the process. The light green packaging was compelling, and flower food was included. On the whole, the Proflowers roses were definitely good quality but just not quite as nice as the other two.

Total Cost: $44.97 Delivered (vase not included) Summary: A quality product at a reasonable price that was very satisfactory but not the most economical or long lasting.


Conclusion
While our test is just a one-time sampling, it dramatizes how easy and inexpensive it is to send a message of love, congratulations, or thanks with roses. All three sources performed exceedingly well, delivering superior flowers on time and without a hitch. The stems had to be cut and dropped in water, but that was relatively easy, and all the bouquets were beautiful for at least five days. Hallmark's flowers were particularly long lasting, as they arrived with tighter buds, but Flowers Delivery Florists was our favorite due to its strikingly vibrant flowers and particularly low price. All three online services offer a wide selection of bouquets, vases, and delivery options. So, check them out. Regardless of which you choose, you're sure to find the perfect gift for someone you love.

This article was written by John E. Williams, a writer and flowers lover in Chicago, Illinois and may be republished in its entirety on the Internet as long as this credit and the link above are included.

Order Flower

Floristry or flower arranging is the art of creating bouquets and compositions from flowers, foliages, herbs, ornamental grasses and other botanical materials into floral designs; often the terms "floral design" and "floristry" are considered synonymous. A person who designs flower arrangements is known as a florist.

A notable example is ikebana. The latter term actually became an informal synonym for this type of art, nevertheless many nations have their own distinctive traditions of flower arrangement. Ikebana represents the Oriental style of floral design, which features simplicity and purity of lines and colors. In contrast, European style features mass and color richness and variety.

Floristry is most often understood as referring to the cultivation of flowers as well as their arrangement, rather than to the business of selling them. However, the floral industry is the basic drive behind floristry. Florists are people who work with flowers, generally at the retail level. Florist shops, along with telephone sales and online stores, are the main flower-only outlets, but supermarkets and garden supply stores have gotten into the business, selling flowers as one of their large range of products.

The World Wide Web has had a significant impact on traditional florists within the North American market; experiencing a more than 20% decline in traditional independently owned flower shops since 1998. Brick and mortar retail arrangement purchases for gift giving are slowly being overtaken by online flower delivery ordering and floral wire services.

Generally, a florist shop will contain a large array of flowers, often spilling out into the street, or will have a large plate glass window to display the flowers. To keep them fresh, the flowers will likely be kept in water, generally in plastic bulbs, sleeves, or other containers.

The craft of floristry involves various skills. These include selecting flowers that will look good together (based on principles of design or general instinct), knowing how to cut, treat, and arrange flowers and other stock plants so they will remain fresh as long as possible, and (as explained above) selling them, which involves knowledge of customer requirements and expectations. Knowing how to form wreaths, bouquets, and other more complicated arrangements is also important. The flowers sold in florist shops typically represent the varieties abundantly available in the season but also include blossoms flown in from around the world. Basic varieties include roses, tulips, irises, and lilies.

Fashion plays a very major role in floristry; what is considered the flower that everyone needs to have today can change very quickly.

The floral market is seasonal and is heavily influenced by the following holidays and events: Christmas, Valentine's Day, Mothers' Day, weddings and funerals. [1] These occasions make up the largest part of the business, with the sale of house plants and home decor being a much smaller, but more constant, part. Flowers for personal enjoyment as well as those selected to celebrate birthdays, anniversaries, thank-you's and to send get well wishes are also a significant portion of a florist's business.

Another basic requirement of florist shops is the purchasing of flowers to replenish their stock. The flower market, like other agriculture markets, is subject to many fluctuations due to natural factors, supply and demand, and fashion. Learning how to buy in such a way as to continue to make a profit is not a simple skill.

Wreaths can be made out of many different types of flowers and plants. Typically, a florist will organize flowers by season and holiday. Most shops branch out into gift baskets, fruit, and chocolates as well as flowers and wreaths.