There’s no way around it; a computer screen is not very personal, and when buying an item that is so personal, such as flowers, we like the human touch. For this reason, it’s good to understand the reality behind the screen of an online florist. Most online florists (certainly the most reputable ones) have a physical address and are a "real" florist as well as providing online services. This is reassuring in itself, as the website has a "home" and isn’t just some virtual address floating in cyberspace. The way an online florist works is completely parallel to the way an actual florist works - your flowers, after all, are real, and not virtual! Thus, when you choose the type of bouquet you want, the florist orders them from the wholesalers, and the flowers are sent very carefully - at the right temperatures, with adequate moisture, and with utmost care - from all over the world to the florist’s location.
Knowing that the process of buying online and store flowers is the same is comforting, but every online shopper must take care to check that the online shop is both valid and honest. There are ways to check the integrity and quality of a shop. Again, a physical address is a good sign. This indicates that the shop actually exists, and that behind the screen is an experienced florist, rather than a sales clerk taking online orders. Most often, a physical address will be found in the "about us" section of the webpage. If the address is local enough, you can even go and check it out to reassure yourself, and from then on, you will have more faith when buying from this particular store online. Testimonials are helpful in getting an idea of what type of customers buy there and what their opinion is. Of course, here too, one must be careful, because a dishonest website may create some. However, generally, testimonials are written by true clients and can reassure the potential buyer as to the quality of the shop’s work.
Once you feel comfortable with the idea of online flower shopping, you will happily welcome the other benefits. Namely, online flower shopping is less expensive than buying directly from a florist. This is due mainly to the fact that buying online eliminates the need for a show room, and the cost is eliminated. In addition, with online shopping, the connections are more direct between producer and buyer. Online florists cut out many middle men, making communication more direct between the flower farm and the online florist. The flowers arriving via virtual florists are often in even better condition than flowers from a florist’s shop, as they physically pass through fewer hands. These flowers are fresher and have fewer blemishes. In the end, online shopping is more economical, and you get more value for what you pay for. Just because flowers are an expensive gift does not mean that you have to pay more than necessary for a beautiful bouquet. Internet florists make it possible to pay reasonable prices for beautiful flowers.
Buying flowers online is really not so different from buying directly from a florist in his physical shop. You are choosing from just as wide a variety, and the quality will equal, if not excel, those that you see in the shop, thanks to online flower sales passing through fewer hands before getting to their final destination. If you worry about trusting an online shop that you can’t visit, upon checking some credentials you can find yourself feeling much better about the online shop. Finding a physical address and a phone number are positive reassurances as well. Lastly, economical benefits of online shopping are notable. On those occasions when you cannot get out of the house or the office, a brief online search can yield a beautiful bouquet delivered to the person deserving it. The joy we can bring to family and friends via such a flower delivery is in itself proof that the internet does have positive influences over our lives.
