Choosing Your Florist

 With all the different  types, colors, textures, shapes and sizes of flowers, choosing the right kind of  flowers can seem like an overwhelming task. Fortunately there are some simple  tips to help you find just the right florist for your needs.

For many people, choosing a  florist is based on convenience. They may find themselves gravitating towards a  particular florist simply because it is close to their homes or because their  supermarket has a flower department. However, if you truly want the best, you  have to be a little bit savvier when selecting your florist. Try looking one for  one who is affiliated with a professional group. Professional florists who  always try to be the best at their craft and business will belong to at least  one of several groups such as wire services like FTD, Teleflora, etc. They will  also be more likely to belong in other organizations such as a growers  association, civic groups and the local chamber of commerce. Affiliation with  these groups, especially wire services, not only say they are committed to their  craft but this will allow customers to send flowers just about anywhere.

Look for a florist with  quality products and good selection. The flowers should be fresh, the colors of  the flowers should be rich and the plants should look healthy. Don’t go for  florists whose flowers are already starting to show brown edges or wilting  plants. Look for product selection variety as well. Florists that have cut  flower arrangements, exotic flowers and tropical plants are usually considered  to be of better quality than those who don’t stock as many flowers. Florists  with a larger stock of flowers usually rotate freshness better as well.  A good  florist is also somebody highly creative. Their artistic expression should show  through the shop. If the florist has nothing else but the usual, ordinary bud  vases, the customer should start looking for other florists with a more artistic  flair. Creativity should be part of every good florist’s credentials.  We  believe this happens through accreditation with Floral Associations such as the  American Institute of Floral Design (AIFD), a prestigious organization that  tests and certifies florists with exceptional talent for design.

Aside from creativity, a  good florist also knows how to establish rapport with the customer. They must be  very good at customer relations because this is an important component of the  floristry business. They must able to answer customer questions well and be able  to provide customer with the same proper care and attention that he does to his  flowers.  A good florist should also remember the types of bouquets or  arrangements you prefer, he must be able to keep track of your occasions and  send you reminders about them. This happens with the use of modern floral  technology.  A good florist will also ask questions so they will know exactly  what your needs are.

Another vital part of the  business is the service. The florist must have his stall or establishment at a  place that is clean and easily accessible and he must be open at convenient  hours. A florist should also have a professional opinion ready, just in case  customers have a hard time deciding what he wants. In addition to having quality  flowers, a good florist will also have other complimentary products available,  such as nice, decorative vases, floral food, and other gifts such as teddy  bears, balloons, cards, etc.

A great florist will have  years of experience and many returning happy customers.  It’s really great to  find exceptional florist that you can always come back to whenever the occasion  calls for it.