Ever ordered flowers only to find they weren’t quite what you were expecting?! Here’s a look at your rights.
Update 15/02/2021
Did you receive a sorry-looking bouquet this Valentine’s Day? Or were you left empty-handed after your delivery didn’t arrive on time?
Lockdown restrictions might mean florists and delivery services are busier than usual this year.
And with Mother’s Day only a month away, we want to make sure you know your rights if something goes wrong.
Let us know your experience in the comments below.
Do you know your rights?
Nothing says romance quite like a withered bouquet. But did you know that plants and flowers are covered by the Consumer Rights Act 2015?
Just like other items bought online, you’re within your rights to ask for a full or partial refund if your flowers arrive in a sorrowful state.
With Valentine’s Day this Friday there’ll be a big increase in the number of flowers ordered online, and they’ll need to match the description given of them.
In fact, unless the retailer has specified that the flowers may vary, it must provide you with exactly what you ordered.
Matching the description
If the colour or type of flower doesn’t look right, make sure you let the retailer know you’re not happy.
And if the flowers look a little lacklustre, check to see that you’re not missing any. Cut flowers are usually priced per stem, so if you think there aren’t enough, you may be entitled to a partial refund.
It can of course be tricky to know if there’s a problem if you’re not the person who ordered them, but you should be able to spot if there are any obvious problems.
If you’ve received flowers that don’t seem up to scratch, you could also consider letting the sender know – tactfully!
What if my flowers turn up late?
If you’ve ordered flowers for Valentine’s Day then it goes without saying you’ll need them for the day itself!
If they do turn up after the 14th, you may be entitled to a refund, depending on the type of delivery you selected.
If you paid to specify the date or time of the delivery, then this is an agreed part of your contract.
If they arrive outside of this timeframe, you have the right to terminate the purchase and get a full refund.
But if you used estimated delivery, this means you don’t have an automatic right to refund.
Estimated delivery isn’t guaranteed by a certain time, so a retailer could argue that it’s reasonable for an estimated delivery to be a few days late.
Complain to the retailer
Until the flowers have been delivered, the retailer is responsible for their condition, not the courier, so be sure to take up any issues with them, rather than the delivery firm.
Take a photo of the flowers if you’re unhappy, as this is useful evidence if you’re asked to provide proof to the retailer.
The retailer may offer to send you a replacement rather than a refund, but if they were specifically for Valentine’s Day, you’re entitled to ask for your money back.
Under the Consumer Rights Act, you must be refunded within 30 days of you rejecting the flowers.
Have you ever had a Valentine’s Day or any other event ruined by flowers that weren’t up to standard or a delayed delivery?
Let us know your story below and we’ll try to help if we can.
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