Beware if ordering for postal delivery

I ordered a Christmas puppy as a gift for someone for delivery mid to late December. It was sent on Monday via first class but with Christmas delays it took 3 days to arrive. This I understand is beyond the business owners control. However, the puppy which is in an aqua box and made out of flowers was placed loose in a box which was much too big. As a result the flowers were shaken around the box and when it was opened the flowers were loose in the box and looked nothing like a dog! Please note there was NOTHING on the box to showing it contained flowers hence you couldn't really blame Royal Mail. I called the shop straight away and was most upset as it was a Christmas gift. The owner was apologetic and advised she would get another done and sent out Special Delivery. I thought this was a good resolution but sadly not. The following day it arrived and though my parents had to sign for it there was still nothing to show it had flowers in it. Even the postman said if they put 'Flowers' or 'Keep upright' on it we do our best to treat them more carefully. The Christmas puppy this time came with no Christmas hat, no nose and no Christmas bauble. When I called I was advised I already had the bauble and the hat on the other so should use that. (something I felt wasn't really acceptable when it was a gift for someone!) Furthermore, when we felt the oasis of the second one it was clear it was bone dry and had never had any water. We noticed this with the first one but thought in light of it taking three days to reach us this was the reason for the oasis being dry. It would however appear that the oasis is not soaked at all hence saving postage costs as they are lighter. Even a limited amount of water would give these flowers a chance. I rang her again and after offering to send a third the owner advised she would refund but that she would be out of pocket. I could understand her frustaration but felt her sending a third would be pointless and just cause us both further frustration. I will advise it was being delivered to South Wales which is a distance but I recieved flowers in the post the same day from a distance but being placed in a correct shaped and protective box whilst clearly marked with Flowers meant they arrived in perfect condition. Nevertheless, I agreed for the refund but was very disappointed as the pictures of the flower puppies were brilliant. Later that day I checked my bank account (being a mature nursing student funds are of course limited) only to see £25 had been taken out of the account. I called my bank and was advised it had been taken out by Little Petals. I called the shop yet again and was told, 'Sorry I did it wrong and took a further £25 instead of refunding it. Due to this I have now refunded £50, £25 for the original flower puppy and the £25 I took accidentally..' Sadly this wasn't showing in my bank account. As it is so close to Christmas my limited funds were carefully planned hence the extra £25 being taken was frustrating. I once again called my bank who advised it would show in my account at midnight. (Friday) It is now 11pm on the Saturday and the £50 still hasn't reached my account causing great upset and difficulty so close to Christmas. I hate to leave poor feedback for anyone especially at this time of year but sadly the service has been poor and the lack of refund extremely frustrating. The owner has advised many people had recieved their flower puppies in perfect condition. I cannot dispute this because it was the good feedback on her Facebook page which made me feel comfortable ordering but to then send a second flower puppy in such poor packaging, take further payment and delay the refund so close to Christmas is poor. When I asked about a more suitable box the owner advised she had run out. Maybe this is what caused such problems however I feel there is no excuse for the error in taking further payment and delayed refund so close to Christmas. At times the tone of the owner and employee appeared a little angry but this may have been frustration but as a result I felt bad for raising my concerns even though they were valid! Bottom line if you live close enough to collect the flower arrangement of your choice they look beautiful from the pictures I have seen, if you don't live close think carefully before ordering as a gift for someone as it could be very embarrassing.

Anonymous 1985 - 23/12/2012 | report this review