Next time you’re thinking about sending flowers for a special occasion, to say thank you or to show your love, take the worry out of the choosing the correct florist by logging on to www.direct2florist, the website that connects you with a network of florists across the UK and the rest of the world, all of which have been rated by previous customers.
Thanks to the clear rating system that asks previous flower buyers to provide a score out of five along with written feedback, after entering where the flowers are to be delivered, you can choose which of the listed florists you would like to look after your order. What’s more, photos of floral designs created by each of the florists are also shown, meaning you can place your order safe in the knowledge that it will be in safe hands.
Simon Stirling, Managing Director of Direct2Florist comments: “Too often, when ordering a floral gift, customers won’t even know the name of the shop that ultimately produces the design and completes the delivery. Basically they’re leaving it to chance. We aim to be different by putting the consumer back in control by being open and transparent and sharing the thoughts of real customers. It’s all about giving the customer control, which we think is incredibly important.”
What’s more, unlike other big name flower delivery services, Direct2Florist guarantees that 100% of the cost of the flowers is passed on to the chosen florist, meaning the lucky recipient will receive a bigger, better floral gift.
As well as next day delivery, a same day delivery service is available on all orders placed before 2pm local time, meaning the service is great for last-minute gifts, whatever the occasion, all backed up by real reviews from real customers!
Further information regarding Direct2Florist’s services, including details of the customer rating and feedback system and individual shop selection, can be found by logging on to www.direct2florist.com
Those who can’t make it home to celebrate those big occasions such as birthdays, anniversaries and Christmas can still show how much they care by sending a gorgeous floral gift via www.direct2florist.com
Direct2Florist’s revolutionary service connects those looking to send flowers, wherever they are in the world, with a network of real florists in countries such as the UK, Australia, New Zealand, Hong Kong, Canada and every state in the USA. What’s more, unlike other big name flower delivery services, Direct2Florist guarantees that 100% of the cost of the flowers is passed on to the chosen florist, meaning the lucky recipient will receive a bigger, better floral gift.
By ordering through www.direct2florist.com, consumers can search for a local florist in the town or city where they would like their floral gift to be delivered. The innovative website then allows customers to see photos of the florist’s individual work, find out more about suggested prices and even read reviews from previous customers, before choosing which shop will deliver their order.
Simon Stirling, Managing Director of Direct2Florist and a former florist himself says: “Our service is all about putting those wanting to send flowers directly in touch with the actual florist who will deliver the gift, no matter what time of day it is or where they are in the world.”
Simon continues: “People send flowers for all sorts of personal reasons, so they need to know they will be beautiful and delivered at the right time, especially when they’re overseas. Our unique independent ratings system, where previous customers rate their chosen shop out of five, backed up by the latest website technology, means that customers can choose their florist and place their order with total peace of mind.”
This Christmas, Direct2Florist’s talented florists around the world are able to deliver a wide range of festive gifts, from a traditional Poinsettia plant or festive hand-tied through to a Christmas table centre with the extra wow-factor, at prices to suit all budgets.
Further information regarding Direct2Florist’s services, including details of how to place an order for Christmas delivery, can be found by logging on to www.direct2florist.com.
LONDON–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Direct2Florist, the rapidly growing internet-based floral gift specialist, has recruited newly formed London PR firm Right Lines Creative to help raise their profile in national and international media
The campaign will focus on promoting Direct2Florist’s core strengths of value-for-money and the highest levels of customer service, and will look to build order volumes to its rapidly growing network of florist shops in the UK and overseas in countries such as the USA, Canada, Australia and New Zealand.
The agency’s first task will be to build awareness of the Direct2Florist brand in the lead-up to the key Christmas and Valentine’s Day peak periods. Bolton-based Direct2Florist is one of the UK’s business success stories, with 300% year-on-year growth being enjoyed despite the recession.
LONDON–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Flowers and plants are the perfect way for shoppers to show they care at Christmas, especially when they can’t be with loved ones, which is why floral gift specialist Direct2Florist is launching a campaign to put consumers back in touch with local florists so that they receive better value for money.
By ordering through the www.direct2florist.com, consumers can search for a local florist in the town where they would like their floral gift to be delivered. The innovative website then allows customers to see photos of the florist’s individual work, find out more about suggested price points and even read reviews from previous customers, before choosing which shop will deliver their order. What’s more, unlike other big name flower delivery services, Direct2Florist guarantees that 100% of the cost of the flowers is passed on to the chosen florist, meaning the lucky recipient will receive a bigger, better floral gift.
Direct2Florist’s talented network of local florists are able to deliver a wide range of festive gifts, from a traditional Poinsettia plant or festive hand-tied through to a Christmas table centre with the extra wow-factor, at prices to suit all budgets.
As well as next day delivery, a same day delivery service is available on all orders placed before 2pm local time, meaning the service is great for last-minute gifts, whatever the occasion.
Simon Stirling, Managing Director of Direct2Florist says: “We firmly believe that putting consumers in touch with local florists is the best value solution for all involved as no middleman is taking a cut – 100% of the flower value goes to the florist. Customers will also be taking advantage of the skill and local knowledge of their chosen florist, whilst still enjoying the convenience of being able to order online at any time of the day, wherever they are.”
Simon adds: “Within the professional floristry sector we’re unique in asking customers for their feedback and rating out of 5, which is then added to the website for future customers to see. This helps to keep the service fully transparent, whilst also allowing us to monitor how our network of florists is performing.”
Further information regarding Direct2Florist’s services, including details of how to place an order for Christmas delivery, can be found by logging on to www.direct2florist.com.
Direct2Florist offers consumers the ability to send flowers and plants direct from a network of hundreds of local florists in the UK and across the world. Countries covered include Australia, New Zealand, Canada, USA, South Africa, Singapore, Hong Kong and Spain.
Through www.direct2florist.com, consumers can choose which shop delivers their flowers, after viewing pictures of the floral gift arrangements created by the network of local florists. Ratings supplied by previous customers further support the selection process.
Direct2Florist guarantees that the chosen florist will receive the full amount paid for the flowers, unlike other flower websites where major deductions are made. As a result, going direct to local florists means bigger, more beautiful bouquets and excellent service and unbeatable value-for-money.
All the listed flowers and arrangements are available for next day delivery, whilst same day delivery is available for orders placed before 2pm local time.
Direct2Florist
Austin Clark, Communications Manager
07971 443926
info@rightlinescreative.co.uk
One of the key features of D2F is that florists set their own price on any give product, the florist receives 100% flower value with out any deductions and the florist receives payment before delivery.
For florists, the positive effects of this business model can be seen in the comparison between a Direct2florist order and an order placed with leading wire service:
In the left box we have a wire service order. The figures here have been taken from an actual order published on a US News website who were running a comparison of USA flower services in Feb this year. The figure breakdown was provided by a florist member of leading wire service. As you can see in the examples the customer spent around $44, in the case the wire service order the florist received $23 and in the case of the Direct2florist order, the florist received $38
The difference speaks for itself and highlights the reason why florists should get behind the D2F program.
1. Keep money in the neighborhood
For every $100 spent at a locally owned business, $45 goes back into the community –and the local tax base. For every $100 spent at a chain store, only $14 comes back*
2. Embrace what makes local florists a valuable addition to the local community.
Where we shop, where we eat and hang out – all of it makes our neighborhood home. Chain stores are getting more aggressive throughout major cities and changing the character of every city. One-of-a-kind independent businesses are real. If we wanted to live somewhere that looked like everywhere else, we wouldn’t be living in cities rich in character and personality.
3. Get better service
Local businesses often hire people who have a better understanding of the products they’re selling, and take more time to get to know customers.
4. Buy what you want, not what someone wants you to buy
A marketplace of tens of thousands of small businesses means low prices over the long-term. Small businesses, choosing products based on what their customers love and need – not a national sales plan – guarantees a more diverse range of product choices.
5. Create more good jobs
Small local businesses are one of the largest employers nationally and in most established cities, and local businesses offer greater loyalty to their employees
6. Help out the environment
Independent businesses make purchases requiring less transportation and usually set up shop in commercial corridors and in-town instead of developing on the fringe. This means less sprawl, congestion, habitat loss and pollution.
7. Support community groups
Nonprofits receive an average 350% more support from local business owners than they do from non-locally owned businesses.
8. Invest in the community
Local businesses are owned by people who live here, work here, and are more invested in our future.
9. Put your taxes to good use
Local businesses in neighborhoods need comparatively less infrastructure investment and make more efficient use of public services as compared to nationally owned stores entering the community.
10. Show the country you believe in your local community.
In an increasingly homogenized world, people are more likely to invest in or move to communities that preserve their one-of-a-kind businesses and unique attitude.
*sources: the economic impact of locally owned businesses vs. Chains: a case study in midcoast Maine, the institute for local Self-reliance and friends of midcoast Maine, September 2003; and economic impact analysis: a case study, civic economics, December 2002.
list sourced from local baltimore website
“Floristry is such a nice job!” – Oh yeah? Florists everywhere know the truth. Floristry is a hard job and often in freezing conditions.
“Chrysanths and carnations are cheap , common flowers” Many customers order flowers with the proviso that “common” chrysanths or carnations are to be left out. What a shame public opinion has turned against these harmless long lasting flower varieties.
“Florists make a fortune at Valentines Day” If only! The age old dynamic of supply and demand governs higher prices at the markets. The grower charges more, the supplier charges more, the florist is forced to front it and charge more. The margin stays the same.
“Florists are nice creative people” Whilst it is true, florists are creative. Don’t let the floral connotation let anybody think they are soft! First and foremost florists are tough business people.
“Florists will write anything on the card” Yes, it is true. Florists will write anything on the card message. Just try it!
“National services guarantee best value for money” Order from the nationals and be prepared to pay for their advertising. Infact, the best way to get more flowers for your money is to order from a local florist.
“Flowers are cheaper at the supermarket” Indeed they are. By the same token, a Skoda is cheaper than a Beamer.
“Florists are time lords” Indeed a Tardis would be useful. Sadly, florists are unable to deliver flowers before they were even ordered! However, a quality local florist will often deliver within the hour.
“Florists are mind readers” It’s unfortunate, but there is no “floral ball” advising the delivery driver as to whether the recipient is home or not. As such flowers may be left with a neighbour.
“florists know where everybody lives. Period.” Whilst it’s fair to say, local florists have “the knowledge”. They are not the government and do not have access to everybodies whereabouts at any given time. Hence it is difficult to deliver bouquets when the address provided is “Tracey, London, UK”
On Sunday February 15, 2009 the team at D2F will be celebrating Direct2florists 2nd birthday. Launched in the UK 2 years ago Direct2florist has seen rapid growth of membership and now has representation in 11 countries world-wide. There are approaching 2000 local florists registered in total.
The main objective of the site is to place customers in direct contact with real local florists. The site allows florists to set their own prices, upload their own product pictures & set their own delivery areas. Using Internet technology orders are instantly transmitted to the florist without any intervention from a middleman. The florist receives 100% of their set price with out any deductions. The customer pays a small service fee on top of the price of the flowers and this provides income for Direct2florist.
The site is seeing great success in different territories. In New Zealand for example D2F has achieved full coverage of both Islands and is achieving great positions in the search engine natural listings. As a result order volumes in New Zealand and world wide are steadily increasing. The overall increase in orders in Jan/Feb 2009 equates to 10 times the order volumes of Jan/Feb 2008. Plans for 2009 will see continued improvements that will help grow the order volumes further. D2F is becoming a force in order gathering for local florists who are providing better value for customers.
D2F works like this. The customer chooses a florist and places an order which is instantly received by the florist anywhere in the world. The florist acknowledges the order and an email receipt is sent direct to the customer automatically. With florists and customers in direct contact, D2F is able to boast exceptional levels of customer satisfaction. In fact D2F is the only international florist service that invites customers to “Star Rate” the individual florist and post comments after delivery. Read customer reviews.
Simon Stirling from Direct2florist says “We are delighted with the fantastic comments received on D2F. The service provided is exceptional and it goes to prove the simplicity and integrity of the service is a winner.”
Customer Comments:
“I received a text message from the friend I sent flowers to that she had received a ’huge’ bunch of flowers. I was really pleased that they had reached her on the morning of the day scheduled for delivery. I would definitely use this service again and have already recommended it as far better value for money than other international florist services”
- Mr Rachel Venables
“The flowers i purchased were ordered in UK for a friend in Jacksonville so i didn’t see them but i am assured they were beautiful and arrived 2 hrs after placing the order in UK EXCELLENT SERVICE **** THANKYOU”
- Mr Allan Macrobert
If you wish to order flowers direct from a real local florist visit: www.direct2florist.com
Interested in joining Direct2florist? Email webteam@direct2florist.com
Coverage currently in:
UK
USA
Canada
Australia
New Zealand
Cyprus
Malta
Hong Kong
South Africa
Republic of Ireland
Spain
Following a superb customer feedback, yet again the Direct2florist model is proven again and again to be the right one.
Other well known flower companies gather orders on the internet, take a bit of the value and pass onto a local florist. The problem is nobody knows how much the companies take, but often its 25% – 30%.
If your order is International, the situation is worse. The on-line company may take 25% before passing to a sister company in the destination country. Guess what, the sister company will take their bit too. All in all, the customer will be lucky if 50% of the original order value gets to the florist.
This is where the simplicity of Direct2florist wins everytime. When customers order on Direct2florist, their order is instantly transmitted to the chosen florist. No middlemen, no deductions, no secret charges. 100% flower money goes to the florist and the customer pays a service fee on top. Everything is transparent and clearly stated on every order.
The result? In December alone there were thousands of happy customers delighted with the service provided by their chosen florist and the website.
The beauty of Direct2florist is its simplicity.
We wish to thank all our customers and special thanks to those that star rate the service. Here are just a handful of comments. Florist Reviews
