MSE News: Mother's Day couriered flowers late, missing or damaged? Know your rights

Not late but not as described. I carefully chose a bouquet that would be florist delivered (hopefully on the verge of opening). The delivery page confirmed that when I checked out. Instead I got a bunch of buds posted and delivered days early and no word of response to my complaint to eFlorist. At least I know to avoid them in future - you get what you pay for (or significantly less in the case of eFlorist)

These internet florist sites are NOT florists!! They are known in the trade as 'order gatherers'. They have a petty website, take your orders, and your money, then find a florist to pass on your order to. They ask the florist to make something near to what you order, usually have not got enough money to spend with the florist,( because they offer cheap deals,) then so as not to lose face, they will subsidise some orders in order to get them completed.
The money you spend with them does not all go on flowers - because they take a 'cut', some florists have to pay them commission, and there may be a larger delivery charge than the one they advertise, so all in all, it is no wonder your flower bunches look pathetic.
No 1 LESSON - BUY FROM A LOCAL FLORIST. PHONE THEIR SHOP DIRECT (usually google or yell.com) talking to the florist themselves will let you know exactly what you are getting. YOU WILL GET MORE FLOWERS FOR YOUR MONEY, and the flowers won't get thrown about by careless courier delivery firms.