Here's what happened to me. You all can make your own mind about it…read more
I first spoke in person with the shop owner about a year ago, (I hoped to order flowers for my wedding that happened just this week). I asked about bouquets and leis with local flowers. I agreed to order 2 sets of leis for parents, 1 lei for the groom, 1 bouquet for the bride, and 5 bouquets for the bridesmaids. I asked if we could stay within budget, as I prefer to go simpler instead of extravagant. I was asked to email this order, and I did, and I was told that it was possible to stay within budget.
In March, I called the shop hoping to stay in touch and ended up leaving a voicemail. Several days later, I finally got a call back. Uncle Bucky confirmed my order and budget.
Last week (a week before the wedding), I expected a courtesy call from the shop and never received any. So, I called the shop. I also wanted to pay for my order ahead of time. I called several times, but no one answered the phone. Online, when I googled the shop, it said that the shop was permanently closed. I asked several friends if they knew another way to contact the shop owner, but no one had an alternate phone number (not even the friend who knew someone who used to work there). So, I tried calling the shop again and finally got a hold of someone who gave the phone to the shop owner after asking who was calling. The shop owner said, "I was about to call you." We agreed to meet in person one more time.
I came in later that day. We reviewed the order that was written on the email. We confirmed the order. Uncle Bucky told me that the whole thing would cost about $670, $700 at the most. Then, he wrote down my credit card number.
On the day of the wedding (about 3 hours before the ceremony and about half an hour before the agreed upon pick up time for the flowers), the shop owner called me and said, he forgot to charge me for 2 things in the order. He forgot that there were 2 sets of parents and only made 1 set of leis. He also said that he could make another set by the pick up time with no problem. It's been a long, crazy day so I wasn't about to argue and risk my bridesmaids' bouquets and my parents' leis, so I just said "ok."
Today, I looked at my credit card charges and I was charged $813.09.
Here are the concerning things:
1. Why was it so difficult to get in touch with the shop owner, or anyone from the shop? Why did it take several days to get a call back, after I left voice messages? Related to this, are courtesy calls not a thing for this flower shop? Not even for an order for a big event? I would have thought they'd be better at this, since they were located in a well-known hotel, the Sheraton.
2. How did they "mistakenly" forget to make the 2nd set of parents' leis? I spoke with the shop owner in person twice, via phone multiple times, and emailed my order (twice). I left multiple voice messages. Related to this, why was the estimate $143.09 off?
3. Does it really only take half an hour to make a set of leis (1 maile lei and 1 orchid lei)? Just wondering.
The bouquets and flowers turned out very pretty. But, it was such a hassle working with this shop. And, I really do feel ripped off and taken advantaged of. I should have asked for an itemized receipt, so I guess it's partly my fault, too. I should have insisted to pay at the time that I wanted to pay. I trusted the people at this shop, and things didn't turn out well for me.
I STRONGLY DO NOT RECOMMEND THIS SHOP! I'm sure there are other shops out there with more professionalism!