Your local florist is just a phone call away, or so you think. Some unscrupulous telemarketing firms are posing as local florists, charging you higher fees and taking business away from legitimate florists in your town.

Selling flowers through a wire service or order taking service is a legitamate way to do business. Many top growers and florists use this business model.

However, deceiving customers into thinking they are ordering from a local florist is not legitamate.

Heres how the deception works. A telemarketer takes out a bogus listing in the white pages of your telephone directory. The company may use your towns name in its own to make you believe its local. Or, the name of a legitimate local florist may be listed with a different local phone number. For example, Anytown Florists.

When you call, youre unknowingly forwarded to an out-of-town telemarketing operation. The telemarketer takes your order and credit card information for payment, and forwards your order to an area florist. The telemarketer pockets a processing fee and usually a percentage of the sale as well. You dont realize youve been scammed until you get higher than expected charges from an out-of town company on your credit card statement, or learn that the flowers werent delivered as ordered, or were never delivered at all.

Follow these tips when ordering flowers:

• Order through well know floral wire service or website.
• Ask neighbors, family, friends, and co-workers for recommendations.
• Deal only with shops that list a street address with their phone number. If youre asking directory assistance for a number, also ask for the street number and address. If there isnt one, consider doing business with another florist.
• Check out the florist youre considering with the local Better Business Bureau and consumer protection officials in your area. Or, if youre ordering flowers from a local shop in another city or state, contact the consumer protection officials there. Ask if they have any unresolved consumer complaints on file. Also ask them to verify the street address.
• Ask the florist to itemize the charges. In addition to the price of the arrangement, most florists charge a delivery fee and taxes if you live in the same state.
• Ask the florist for directions to the shop. If they hesitate or refuse, consider this a red flag, and avoid doing business with the florist.