There’s only a week and a half until Mother’s Day, and we have a goal. We do not want to publish any disappointing wire service flower photos on Monday, May 13. None. Because everyone reading this right now who plans to order flowers will proceed to the friendliest, best-reviewed local florist they can find and order directly.

For the biggest, freshest arrangement for the mother figures in your life, call the florist up directly and ask for a designer’s choice bouquet. This works best if the recipient has no allergies or colors that she hates.

Brandy did not do that. She had always been happy with the service and flowers she got from Teleflora, so she surfed over to the national site and placed an order. What she got is nice enough, but doesn’t look anything like what she thought she had ordered.

Brandy writes:

I ordered flowers for my sister in New York, to cheer her up. I am in Georgia. I went to the Teleflora website and ordered a Premium arrangement. I understand the substitution policy, etc. However, what is the point of ordering an arrangement with a certain “look” if the florist is just going to put something together and send it, completely disregarding what was actually ordered.

I spoke to a customer service rep that did not speak english. I opened an online chat and was told Teleflora was attempting to contact the local florist and they would be calling me shortly with at resolution. I sent them an email and photos of the unsatisfactory arrangement. I have heard nothing from them.

I use Teleflora because they are a large company and I have been relatively satisfied with their service in the past. I am not impressed with this transaction.

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