Flowers Not Delivered - Now Two Days Old In Van...

Tea3

On Sunday 3rd May I ordered some flowers for a relative living in Norfolk (in town, not rural). I arranged for delivery on Wed 6th May (by courier, not royal mail) and received email saying I would receive confirmation of tracking number etc when they were dispatched. No email was received on Tue or Wed so I contacted relative who said nothing had been received - she said her and her husband were both at home, in their 80's but both with good hearing, and loads of neighbours around as is a quiet 'elderly' cul de sac area. I contacted the flower company today who said the courier received the flowers on the 5th May and attempted delivery that same day (a day early) and also on the 6th but no reply each time - this is rubbish, as they were both in with tons of neighbours around.

Why would they attempt delivery the same day when the flowers were for the following day? What courier company attempts delivery the same day (normally a much more expensive service) when its booked and paid for the next day? Both relatives were in both days with nothing attempted delivery and nothing left with neighbours. And no email with tracking number was sent to me (have checked spam and junk folders also) so I doubt any delivery was booked or attempted anyway.

The company are now saying delivery will be attempted today, however I feel that my spring bouquet will not look 'fresh' after two days in a box in a courier van and company and would instead like a refund as its also a day too late - any idea of my rights? (remember no tracking number email was sent also so I dont think its a normal case of delivery attempted but they were not in - they are both in 80's, her husband is very ill just now and so are not out often at all, and nothing was left with any neighbour - who are also all very elderly and not likely to have all been out at the same time).

I have a very upset 80 year old lady - her son (only child) recently died and my husband is her only grandson and as we live 350 miles away these flowers mean so much to her - the thought of her getting flowers a day late and probably wilted and dried out anyway is horrible - I would rather get a refund and pay more for a more special bouquet elsewhere.

Tea3

UPDATE - they admit now that delivery was not attempted on the 5th - apparently that was a glitch on their system. And delivery was also NOT attempted on the 6th (required day) as despite the flowers being on the van from 8am to 8pm the courier ran out of time so took them back to his depot and they then went out for delivery again today. I explained I was not happy with this as no matter how good they claim their flowers are they were dispatched on the 5th, spent one half day and a night in courier warehouse (ok thats normal) but then one full day in a van being ferried about, another night in a courier warehouse and then another half day on a van - they did not even try to deliver them in the morning to make up for the mistake. And all this after the claims that delivey was attempted twice!!

Have now told them to forget it and give me a full refund as 3 day old flowers that have travelled twice all over norfolk in a courier van are not likely to be the lovely fresh bouquet ordered. Will name and shame the company when (or if) I get my refund.

Have now ordered a same day delivery bouquet from elsewhere which cost me twice as much as the original one to make up for letting hubbys 80 year old granma down. The funny thing is the original company make a great fuss in their name and website about being a next day delivery company!!