Every year, especially as holidays approach, we see it again: “flowers in a box” deals that sound too good to be true. And more often than not, they are.
Recently, my son had a customer call in asking for a bouquet she saw online for $19.95. Her immediate reaction? Your flowers are too expensive. He did what many florists would do — paused, questioned himself, and wondered how anyone could possibly deliver quality flowers at that price.
So I decided to find out.
Following the $19.95 Deal All the Way to Checkout
I placed the order myself to see exactly how these offers work. At first glance, it looked straightforward: a $19.95 bouquet advertised as a great value. But as I moved through the checkout process, things started to change — fast. By the time the order was complete, that $19.95 bouquet cost $58.
Extra charges appeared for:
A vase (not included)
“Extended freshness”
Handling and packaging add-ons
This is where many consumers get caught. They enter the process expecting one price, only to discover — too late — that they’ve spent two to three times more than planned.
What Actually Arrived
The flowers arrived days later — not same-day delivery like a local florist provides. They came in a box, unassembled, with instructions inside.
That meant:
The recipient had to assemble the bouquet themselves
Exposed wires that could easily cause injury
No greenery
A small number of flowers that, at retail, would sell for $10–$12 in a local shop
When everything was laid out, the result was a modest arrangement that any florist would price around $50 — yet it was marketed online as a $19.95 bargain.
What Local Florists Deliver — That Boxed Flowers Don’t
This comparison highlights what professional florists offer every single day:
Same-day delivery
Hand-designed arrangements
Quality-controlled flowers
No assembly required
Transparent pricing
Personal service
None of that happened with the boxed order. Instead, the customer paid more, waited longer, and received less — all while believing they were getting a deal.
Why This Matters for Florists
Florists are constantly competing against misleading online marketing, not fair pricing. These companies rely on low headline prices to hook buyers, knowing the real cost won’t be clear until checkout. The result?
Florists appear “expensive” by comparison
Customers feel confused or disappointed
Trust in the floral industry erodes
This isn’t innovation. It’s deception.
A Reminder as Holidays Approach
As sales volume increases around major floral holidays, these boxed-flower promotions will only become more aggressive. Florists shouldn’t feel pressured to race to the bottom — because quality, service, and honesty still matter. And for buyers: if a deal looks too good to be true, it probably is. Local florists deliver real value. No fine print. No assembly required.
If you’re tired of competing against misleading online flower deals and want to position your shop on value, transparency, and trust, Bloomerang Solutions is built specifically for real florists. From our Florist Website Design services and SEO for Florists, to email marketing strategy and consulting, we help shops stand out for the right reasons. Learn more about Bloomerang Solutions, explore how we help florists compete online, read additional insights on our Blog, or contact us to talk about your goals and challenges heading into the next floral holiday season.