Scams of buying flower on line and How to avoid them
"It is very easy to extract $1 from million people than extracting million dollars from a person."
This old saying is extensively used by scammers of the world.
When people are duped, there are very few people who complain to the authority. So scammer goes on cheating people endlessly.
Basically when you order flower online, there are two types of scams prevailing today.
1. When you order flower online to be delivered to someone via the scammer's web site than either your recipient won't receive the flowers at all or they will receive flowers of very cheap variety and poor quality.
2. Scammer will spam your email box and they won't hesitate to use your credit card information for their benefit.
Second one is more serious and requires criminal investigation and if you are not alert, you will loose considerable amount of money and by the time you know of this fraudulent practice it may be too late, the horse may be eloped from the stable.
How to avoid the scams while buying flower on line?
1. Don't select the local florist from the google or yahoo or any other search engines since what they are showing may be scammers web site disguised as your local florist.
2. If you have to use the search engine to find a suitable florist than always visit their about us and contact pages. If they provide you with a P.O. Box no., AVOID that company also google their Telephone no. If it appears under many different business names with different locations than AVOID that company.
3. Always ask where the flower shop located. Ask for the land mark etc, If he/she fumbles and gives you lots of excuses or try to change the subject than HANGS UP
4. Don't give your credit card information until you are sure that the site is secure. If the web site is secure. The address will be "http://www" or there will be a little closed lock on the corner of your web browser. Make sure one of these conditions true before entering your personal information.
5. Always disputes the bill with your credit card company as soon as you know that flowers are not delivered. Or it is of poor quality.
6. It is good idea to ask your friends or relatives for selecting the proper florist.
Modus operandi of scammer
First of all they form many companies and launch many web sites. With titles like Local area florist, local area flower shops etc.
Next they rent a small office with computer, internet and telephone.
When you order flowers through their web site they will pocket the money or send very small amount to some actual florist, so with so much less amount, actual florist has no choice but supply very poor quality cheap flowers.
If you give them the order by phone than that phone no. is in reality a call center no. The call center will divert your call to them, without your knowledge. So what you think as local florist of U.K. may be in reality sitting at the office in the Taiwan Korea, India etc. Who does not know the difference between Iris and lily. They are receiving your money via credit card and did not hesitate a second to promise you everything. Including what ever flower you have selected will be delivered and at whatever time you want it to be delivered!!
About the Author
The Author runs a website http://www.buyfloweronlineguide.com which help one to select the Arrangements of flower delivery for different occasions While protect one from the scams of ordering flower online. This article may be reprinted as long as the resource box is left intact and link is hyperlinked.