MilesBuzz! - 1-800-flowers

let's start with a miles-question (for not being classified OMNI): 1-800-flowers credits 300 (UA) miles for each order above $30.

Two weeks ago I ordered a special gift, to be deliverd to baobab's new working place, delivery date: friday, april-9. The order was duly confirmed and charged to my credit card.

baobab never received the gift - but a first inquiry with 1-800-flowers (giving them the order-# and asking for informations) wasn't answered.

Yesterday I did inform a third-party-US- marketing-company to help to inquire (and did send a copy to 1-800-flowers).

Here is todays (10 days after promissed delivery date) the first/latest information of 1-800-flowers and my comment to them:

Thank you for your inquiry to 1-800-FLOWERS!
This product that you have ordered is out of stock and will not be back in stock for some time. You may, hoever, choose another product and we can have this delivered as soon as possible. As of now you have been issued full credit back to your card for the inconvience. I apologize for this and with a quick reply we will be able to have your order delivered. 1 800-FLOWERS is committed to 100% Customer Satisfaction. If you have any questions or need further assistance, please do not hesitate to contact us via e-mail or you may call us at 1-800-468-1141.
Sincerely, Samantha

********************************************
Subject: Re:Inquiry Response
Date: Mon, 19 Apr 1999 08:49:39 +0200 (MET DST)
From: rmartel@access.ch (Rudi Martel)
To: custserv@800-flowers.net

Madame

I am very surprised (= furious) about the fact, that I am informed only now, 10 days after the promissed delivery date, that you can't deliver my gift to Miss Hoffmann. May I recall, that we exchanged several emails before the delivery date, where you proposed, (and I agreed) for early delivery (with an extra charge of $9).

As the specified, and promissed delivery date was a very special date, a late delivery now makes little sence.

I ask you to write a personal letter to Miss ........., explaining and excusing.

Greetings from far away Switzerland

Rudi Martel (Address)

P.S. And, at least, I hope that you will let the credit of the 300 UA miles for this order being transfered to my UA mileage plus account #..........



[This message has been edited by Rudi (edited 04-19-99).]

This is amazing! The very nature of the floral delivery business is driven by dates. Do these incompetent morons deliver Valentine's Day roses in March? Anniversary presents the following year? Wedding arrangements after the honeymoon? Funeral lilies after the widow has remarried?

If this company is "committed to 100% Customer Satisfaction" you should insist that they send the original arrangement free of charge AND send a dozen roses to Gisela for causing you such aggravation.

I have used this service, last year on Mothers Day. I ordered a dozen white roses for delivery that day. Well, my mother got them 2 days later, and guess what, the roses were red and wilted and almost dead. Calls to the the 1-800 number resulted in little satisfaction. Apparently, the roses came from a place north of the city (my mother lives in the central part of the city) and thus was the explanation was why they were not looking too healthy. The whole thing was lacking in delivery and service, and I would never use that service again. 300 miles for a bunch of dead roses doesn't work for me.

Rudi, now I know why 800 Flowers is in a marketing partnership with United. Neither of them seem to be able to read a calendar or get the goods out on time! http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/frown.gif

My last two orders to 1800Flowers went well. (Since I sent the Mother-in-law flowers when she was ill, I thought I'd send flowers to my Mom for not being ill!) In both cases the flowers arrived on time and were perfect.

A few years ago, I did try their birthday cake floral arrangement, and that did not arrive due to inventory. And I had to track that error down on my own..they did not tell me.

P.S. My miles and bonus plantinum miles posted promptly.

I had a negative experience with 1800Flowers last year. Flowers for my grandmother's birthday arrived two days late. They offered me an additional 300 miles for the poor service. Of course, I took the miles but 600 miles total is not enough enticement for me to use their services again.

I have been lucky with 1-800-Flowers although I always order from them with caution (and if the recipient is hundreds or thousands of miles away.)

In a short span I sent two plants, flowers to Holly for her birthday and a get well bouquet to her friend and mine Claire. All luckily arrived on time and from I can surmise in good LIVE condition.

1-800-Flowers is supposed to SEND an immediate e-mail saying that your order was processed of if there's a delay.

My experiences with them have been hit or miss in the past. Once another friend's plant got delivered to the wrong address IN THE WRONG STATE!!! I was furious. And I got my 600 miles!

Currently I've been shopping 1-800-Flowers through Click Rewards to get the double points. Points credited within a few days.

I assume there are other floral companies that give miles. Any suggestions (because 1-800-Flowers customer service seems wilted.)

it wasn't flowers this time - it should have been a special "emergency"-kit for daily business-troubles, just the things you need when starting a new job ... (I am so furious!)

I've been using 1 800 Flowers for about three years. Overall have found them to be good. Quality has never been a problem. I think 2 out of about 20 orders were late; but in both cases they called me and asked if I would accept late delivery or if I wanted to cancel the order. I'd rate them about the same as local florists when I have called them directly