If you are thinking of using iFlorist please read this and be warned.
My mother passed away just before Christmas 2011 and the funeral was arranged for 4th Jan. I decided to order the Luxury wreath as the picture on the website looked beautiful.
However as the ordering process completed I realised that at no time was I asked for a time for the funeral, something I know is important for florists for obvious reasons. Mum's funeral was in the morning so I was anxious to make sure this information was passed on as the funeral was four days later. However, it was only then I discovered that there is no telephone service available for iFlorist, something they say is due to them being an 'online company'. So, I tried the Live Chat which wasn't working and also sent some emails. There was no response from them at all in reply to my original query and I left home for the funeral (which was 200 miles away ) the day before totally uncertain as to whether the flowers would be delivered.
You can imagine my distress at the thought of my Mum's funeral tribute not arriving in time. So, I decided to order some more flowers from Interflora online, spoke to an assistant and was reassured that the flowers would be delivered on time which they were and were absolutely beautiful.
So the day of the funeral arrived and I still had no contact from iFlorist. The flowers did arrive at the funeral but this is where insult was added to injury. The flowers bore no resemblance at all to the advertised picture or the description. What should have been 'Beautiful calla lilies, delicate spray roses and a mass of lush, vibrant greenery make up this stunning designer wreath arrangement. Carefully crafted and finished with loops of grass' turned out to be a sad arrangement of just five roses, padded out with cheap chrysanthemums, daisies and assorted 'garage forecourt' offerings - and costing £84.99.
I have uploaded both the iFlorist picture and the actual wreath here - judge for yourselves:
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10150597551449612.445862.700044611&type=3&l=5730a3ee49
Now I understand that there may well be some variation in blooms available but this is a joke - what I purchased was a Luxury wreath and the variation was so far off the original advertised wreath if this wasn't for such a sad occasion it would be laughable.
In contrast, the arrangement that I ordered from Interflora was exactly as advertised on line - I wish I'd used them to begin with.
Buying a wreath for your Mum's funeral is literally a once in a lifetime event, it's not a thank you gesture, a birthday treat or even a Mother's Day gift - it's a solemn and distressing occasion and to be subjected to this kind of insensitive service and poor quality product is appalling.
iFlorist should avoid causing this kind of distress and stop selling funeral flowers online. They should hang their heads in shame.
