Door steps salesman issue Post Reply

[Mum2Monkey]

Hi,

wondering if anyone else has had a similar experience.

Freddie's flowers (who I have previously heard nothing but good things about) knocked on my door right in the middle of bathtime. I passed over my name and phone number but was clear that I did not want to sign up at that time (as we had lots of weekends away planned) but in due course I'd sign up online. I probably meant it - but also just wanted to get back to bathtime! (I did not sign anything - just passed over phone number).

Lots of text messages followed from the salesman. I responded to one saying please don't send flowers at this time.... but flowers arrived anyway. I was called up to pay and explained that I didn't want them as I was away at the weekend and I'd sign up online in due course. Three weeks later, more flowers arrive.... again, on a weekend when I really didn't want them. I have now had a call asking for payment details. I was genuinely thinking about signing up in June - after half term when we are in London at weekends to enjoy them. However, I don't feel that I should be paying for the flowers that have just arrived without me requesting them.

However, on the phone I was told that because I had provided a phone number that I had signed up for the service! That certainly wasn't made clear at any time. As far as I am concerned, I have always been clear I don't want to sign up at this time, but they disagree.....

Has this happened to anyone else? What did you do?

Thanks.

[GuyD73]

This is dreadful, and completely wrong. You have signed nothing, committed to nothing. I only hope this is one rogue salesman rather than a tactic endorsed by the company. I'll tweet them for you and see what they say. Tell them not to send any more and don't pay them anything, simples!

[Mum2Monkey]

Thanks both. I guess I feel guilty - as they are a small, local company and usually I would be really supportive - but I genuinely didn't want the flowers at that time and definitely didn't sign up. They have left me feeling really guilty and also quite harassed at the same time. Will stop feeling guilty and enjoy the flowers!

[GuyD73]

I had a reply from them on twitter and they have promised to look into it (screengrab attached), I will suggest they owe you both an apology for the coercive tactics and some extra flowers to make amends! Well done for calling out such bad behaviour, by doing so, I suspect you have spared a few others the same annoyance...

[Mum2Monkey]

Thank you for all your help. I received a message from them asking me to call - which I will do soon.

I will say, they are beautiful flowers and lasted well - despite me not being home to put them in water for 3 days. So if the customer service side of the business can be worked out, then I think the company has a bright future! And, this might well be a single rogue trade - after I posted, a friend mentioned that she had an issue with her flowers once and they couldn't have been more apologetic. So maybe I just got unlucky.... I do feel bad moaning about a local business as you can see!

[Fisherprice]

I've never heard of this company but if they do lovely bouquets then I would be very keen to try them (subject to them being confirmed as not pushy salesmen stalkers).
Please do keep us posted how it turns out.

[misstemple]

I had a slightly dopey young girl ring my bell from this company & it was very difficult to shake her from my porch.
Sorry but I don't like signing up for these schemes.
I get given beautiful albeit simple bunches regularly. I'm not a "house & garden" person though...
Glad to hear the flowers are lovely though! Maybe FF should give 1st delivery free so we can all try them?

[Fisherprice]

mistemple, i remember how hard it was shaking abel & cole and hellofresh so Im a bit nervous about these sign ups also.

[misstemple]

I rarely even answer the phone during family time also. We have caller id but nothing - or hardly anything - can be as important as uninterrupted family time at home each evening.
No amount of flowers, organic vegetables or meal kits can replace family life. OK it's sometimes endless squabbles & mayhem but I still wouldn't tear myself away.
I do feel quite strongly about it.
DH has gone to the door to find our elderly neighbour needing a hand, so it's hard to make a judgement on what to do each time it rings.
What a hassle for the OP to leave bathtime though (kids comfort, safety, delaying your evening) - I wouldn't!

[Alchemy]

abel & cole

Freddie's Flowers was started by an ex-employee of Abel & Cole, and has been majority-owned by Keith Abel and Ted Bell (ex-Abel CFO) since April 2015, so I would expect similar business practices.

I used to get flowers from Freddie's Flowers when they started out, but wasn't impressed enough with what £20 got me, so I cancelled relatively quickly.

[Ferrywind]

Totally agree re calling out unacceptable doorstep tactics However just to provide a review of the flowers- I currently have 3 vases full of beautiful flowers at home as they last so well. I genuinely never see a bunch for £20 in shops that is half as nice. Friends always comment on them and everyone else I know who uses Freddie's also loves their flowers. Is a shame they're using these tactics and putting people off but I've been a customer for year or so now and had no problems. If you're thinking of trying them I'd say give them a go as hopefully they'll learn from this and the flowers themselves are fab.

[dudette]

I'm really surprised to hear this. I've been using them regularly for at least 18 months and they've always been really friendly and helpful and if I ever complain about something I get a free bunch. I'm sure this is just a rogue salesman. You should let them know who it is so they can let them go or do some retraining.