FORT MYERS, Fla. - Flowers say to your sweetie how much you care. But what we ordered online didn't get much love from our receptionist Jackie.

"That ain't no 47 dollars," said Jackie when seeing one flower arrangement, "You just got robbed."

We ordered flowers using popular websites.

On 1800FLOWERS.com, the picture showed a beautiful purple variety for only $29.99. By the time we checked out, the company added a $13.99 service fee and another $2.64 in tax. The arrangement arrived much smaller than the picture and in a plastic vase. It cost us a total of $46.62.

Next, JUSTFLOWERS.com offered a pink flower arrangement for $29.99. They also charged us $12.99 for a service fee and another $1.99 in tax for a total of $44.97.

Our most expensive order came from PROFLOWERS.com. There we were charged $29.99 for 18 roses, $6.99 for a vase, a $9.99 service charge and $2.82 in tax. After paying $49.79, they arrived in a box.

"They better be worth it," said Jackie as she opened the box, "... I can get this at Wal-Mart for $9.95."

Jackie's guess was close. At Wal-Mart roses, a vase, and ribbon cost us $13.97 AND no box.

Online florist TELEFLORA.com had an ad that mocked flowers coming in boxes. We ordered from them, too. A bowl of daisies cost us $29.99 plus a $13.99 service charge, but it was our least expensive order at $43.98.

Teleflora and other online florists send their orders to local florists like Barb Gerow. She owns "Our Creations Florist" in Lehigh Acres.

"I see probably about less than 30," Gerow told CALL FOR ACTION, "Under 30 dollars and that's the high end of it."

Gerow showed us what happened with our order through Teleflora.

Of the $43.98 we paid, Teleflora took the $13.99 service fee, then knocked off another $7 fee. By the time Gerow received the order, she had $23 to cover flowers, vase, cost of delivery and her profit.

"So you can see how the money gets eaten up very quickly," said Gerow.

The companies also tell her what flowers and how many to use limiting her creativity. To get more for your money, she says call the florist direct.

"We ask them 'Do you want a vase or a basket? Do you want it round or one sided? Does she have a specific flower that she'd like? Yeah, you can get more personal," Gerow explained.


Here are the responses from each online flower website:

STATEMENT FROM TELEFLORA:

"According to Teleflora rules and regulations, fulfilling florists must fill all orders to full value (100% of the amount received) minus applicable delivery charges. We would like to reassure you that all items sent through the Teleflora network are 100% guaranteed and our florists are expected to cooperate to provide customer satisfaction, without exception, on every Teleflora order. Teleflora does have a substitution policy and occasionally, substitutions of flowers or containers are necessary due to temporary, regional availability issues."

"All retail prices on teleflora.com include a $7 delivery charge. This means that the florist is expected to fill each order to 100% of the "recipe" value less $7. For example, if the arrangement you ordered was priced at $29.99 it included the $7 delivery fee thus giving your floral order a value of $29.99. If you had walked into a floral shop to place the same order, the cost of the arrangement would have been the same, $29.99, plus the florist's delivery charge. If a florist cannot fulfill a wire order from teleflora.com as specified to its full value, they are required to reject the order and pass it to another florist who can fulfill the order at the suggested retail price. As stated in our substitution policy, occasionally, substitutions of flowers or containers are necessary due to temporary, regional availability issues. If this is the case with the gift you've selected, our experienced florists will ensure that the style, theme and color scheme of your arrangement is preserved and will only substitute items of equal or higher value."


STATEMENT FROM PROFLOWERS:

SAN DIEGO, CA - February 5, 2009 - The following statement from ProFlowers can be attributed to Bill Strauss, CEO:

"ProFlowers' mission is to delight our customers by sending the highest quality, freshest flowers - and we'll do whatever it takes to accomplish that. Our flowers are shipped fresh from the growers in our proprietary, specially designed box to the recipient's doorstep. Because our flowers avoid extended stays in warehouses, trucks and florists' coolers - and because they remain protected and cared for within our signature delivery box - we are able to guarantee the freshest flowers available.

In fact, ProFlowers guarantees that our flowers will last at least 7 days or customers can get their money back or receive a replacement bouquet.
ProFlowers is recognized time and time again as having the highest customer satisfaction rates among flower companies - confirmation, we believe, that when it comes to ensuring flowers arrive happy, healthy and fresh, "the box is best."


STATEMENT FROM JUST FLOWERS:

Melissa, Our products can look different from the picture because we work with many florists who have their own style when they arrange flowers. That is usually the reason for any differences. However we will forward this to a manager for further response. Please expect a response within 24-48 hours. Thank you, JustFlowers.com Inc.


1800FLOWERS.com called WINK News Monday morning to say they were sending a statement. As of news time, we had not received their response.

We received this response late Monday:

"At 1-800-FLOWERS.COM, we pride ourselves in helping our customers express themselves and connect with the important people in their lives by providing exceptional quality, value and customer service. Our florists select the freshest flowers available; therefore, colors and varieties may vary. Since, we offer a 100% satisfaction guarantee, if a customer is not completely satisfied with their order, we will redeliver, refund, credit or offer a comparable exchange

"1-800-FLOWERS.COM hand selects only the nation's finest florists to support with innovative products and services. We are proud to partner with these local floral artisans and actively promote them, as we want their business to flourish. Their success is our success"