Go to this site first and take a moment to understand the scams by online and wire service companies:

http://www.floristdetective.com

After you have done this, you can usually go online and enter - Florist in "town name and zip code" - and you will usually have a choice of several local florists that have websites you can visit.

  Make sure to ask a few key questions to be sure that they are not order gatherers or call houses.

Tips to Avoid Being Fooled by Flower Order Gatherers

• Check the Home and About Us pages for the physical address of the business.
• Ask 'What is Your Address?' when you call on the phone. If they decline to provide it, consider calling another florist.
• Check the Contact Us page for a local phone number.  It should match the area code of the location to where your flowers are being delivered. If the contact information consists of an email address only, be suspicious.
• Call the local phone number. If it is answered 'Flower Shop' without providing the name of the florist, ask which shop you've called. If they provide a different answer than the one you've dialed, you may have reached a gatherer/broker.
• On the phone, ask for the business' location and driving directions. If they fail to provide these details, consider calling a different florist.
• Ask the florist to itemize all charges. Be especially cautious about companies that charge relay fees, same-day fees, service fees, shipping fees and handling fees.  Local florists generally charge for delivery (which you also pay through a broker) but the other surcharges are completely avoidable when ordering direct from the florist who will actually make your arrangement.
• Google the phone number. If it appears under many different business names with different locations, be suspicious.
• Be aware that just because an ad or website name says "City Name Florist", it doesn't mean the company is located in or actually delivers to that city.
• If following a link from a search engine ad, find the site's home page. Order gatherer sites often contain directory-like links named after states, provinces and cities.  Each page will appear virtually the same except for the city name.
  
  When you use FTD or Teleflora florists they are bound by contracts to use only other florists that are members of that affiliation. All members are required to pay a hefty membership fee so that they are guaranteed work. The problem lies in that these florists have to make up for the fees they pay by lessening the cost of the flowers they produce or by passing along service fees to you directly.
  
  I am in total support of the small companies getting their work by just being good at what they do! No one should have to pay the middleman without understanding the cost of doing so! Happy ordering!

Tips to Avoid Being Fooled by Flower Order Gatherers

• Check the Home and About Us pages for the physical address of the business.
• Ask 'What is Your Address?' when you call on the phone. If they decline to provide it, consider calling another florist.
• Check the Contact Us page for a local phone number.  It should match the area code of the location to where your flowers are being delivered. If the contact information consists of an email address only, be suspicious.
• Call the local phone number. If it is answered 'Flower Shop' without providing the name of the florist, ask which shop you've called. If they provide a different answer than the one you've dialed, you may have reached a gatherer/broker.
• On the phone, ask for the business' location and driving directions. If they fail to provide these details, consider calling a different florist.
• Ask the florist to itemize all charges. Be especially cautious about companies that charge relay fees, same-day fees, service fees, shipping fees and handling fees.  Local florists generally charge for delivery (which you also pay through a broker) but the other surcharges are completely avoidable when ordering direct from the florist who will actually make your arrangement.
• Google the phone number. If it appears under many different business names with different locations, be suspicious.
• Be aware that just because an ad or website name says "City Name Florist", it doesn't mean the company is located in or actually delivers to that city.
• If following a link from a search engine ad, find the site's home page. Order gatherer sites often contain directory-like links named after states, provinces and cities.  Each page will appear virtually the same except for the city name.
  
  When you use FTD or Teleflora florists they are bound by contracts to use only other florists that are members of that affiliation. All members are required to pay a hefty membership fee so that they are guaranteed work. The problem lies in that these florists have to make up for the fees they pay by lessening the cost of the flowers they produce or by passing along service fees to you directly.
  
  I am in total support of the small companies getting their work by just being good at what they do! No one should have to pay the middleman without understanding the cost of doing so! Happy ordering!