Wow. I haven't even used this place and I can tell you their customer service is so lacking it almost hurts!
I was referred to Madison Flowers by my wedding venue, Terrace on the Park (located in Queens). I am unable to use the phone for personal calls from work so I went to their website (I do get many moments where I can use a computer). I was not impressed - its BLACK (when I think flowers I think light & bright, fresh, colorful, happy, not BLACK) and the flowers all looked exactly the same - very heavy, over done, 1980's style massive centerpieces. None of the modern, super-trendy-right-now flower balls or terrariums, or clusters of small arrangements, nothing funky like bird cages or floating blooms. But they are familiar with my venue, so I figured I'd give them a try. I filled out a very long and detailed questionnaire and hit submit. I noted in the questionnaire there was a question about what my budget was - selections *started* at $2,000. That was Monday.
Within 10 minutes my cell phone started to ring. But I can't answer because I'm at work. I wait a few minutes and check my email. Nothing. The next day, still no email. Wednesday, again during business hours, they call. Still, I can't answer and still no email.
This is a huge pet peeve of mine - in business one should always respect the customer's communication preference and answer in kind. If they email, email them back, don't call; If they call, call them back, don't email. Its pretty easy.
Thursday I send them an email through their website saying I can't speak on the phone, please email me back. Several hours later I get a very generic email from Robert with essentially no information - no hours, no comments on my detailed questionnaire responses, just an offer for "a complimentary interview to discuss [my] wedding needs" at one of "2 locations for [my] comfort." Only neither location is very convenient - Brooklyn with street parking only or mid-town Manhattan (ok I work in mid-town, but unless I know they have evening hours, coming from Queens to mid-town on a weekend isn't very pleasant a proposition). And what on earth is a "complimentary interview"? Does that mean sometimes they charge prospective customers for the privilege of discussing flowers?
The email refers me to check out their website for more information. The website that doesn't list hours or show any modern floral ideas.
I haven't even spoken with anyone from this place and already I'm pissed off at them. I get it they aren't journalists and maybe writing isn't their preference, but hot dang, if you don't want to do written communication don't offer it! I can forgive the grammar and formatting errors the email was riddled with, but not the lack of any useful information whatsoever. And if you are the "house florist" for a venue in Queens, having a location in Queens, or at least accessible via Queens subways, should pretty much be a given. read more