6 Common Mistakes to Avoid When Ordering Flowers Online (and How to Get the Best Value
Introduction
Ordering flowers online should be easy — but small mistakes can lead to missed deliveries, wilted blooms, or wasted money. As a local Toronto florist, we’ve seen many common issues customers face when sending flowers for birthdays, anniversaries, and sympathy occasions.
Here are the most common mistakes when ordering flowers online, plus how to avoid them so your delivery goes smoothly every time.
1. Not Providing the Recipient’s Complete Information
One of the most frequent mistakes we see is forgetting the recipient’s full delivery information, especially their phone number.
Delivery drivers often need to reach the recipient if no one is home — to confirm if they can leave the arrangement in a safe place or reschedule for later.
Since many people don’t answer unknown numbers, it’s smart to add your own phone number as a backup contact.
This simple step helps ensure successful and timely flower delivery, especially during busy seasons like Valentine’s Day, Mother’s Day, or Christmas when schedules can be tight.
Tip: Always double-check the spelling of the recipient’s name, phone number, and full address (including unit number or suite). This prevents delays or mis-deliveries
2. Ordering Too Late in the Day
We completely understand — life is full of surprises. Sometimes you remember a special birthday, need to send get-well flowers, or want to express sympathy at the last minute.
For occasions like funerals, however, it’s always best to order in advance whenever possible. If you’re unsure of the service hours or location, let your florist know — they can contact the funeral home directly to confirm delivery times and ensure the flowers arrive respectfully and on time. Sometimes we receive orders just an hour before the event — for example, funeral flower orders placed after the service has ended. In such cases, funeral homes may reject the delivery.
If you must order late in the afternoon, always call or message the florist first to check what flowers are currently in stock. Florists are typically very honest about availability and freshness. They may recommend an alternative design that still matches your needs — something fresh, elegant, and meaningful.
Remember, floral design is a form of art. Professional florists take great pride in their work and want each arrangement to represent their best craftsmanship. They would rather suggest a slightly different bouquet using the freshest seasonal flowers than send something that doesn’t reflect their standards.
By ordering early — even a few hours earlier — you give your florist time to create something beautiful, balanced, and long-lasting, sourced from fresh morning shipments from local Toronto wholesalers.
Tip: For same-day flower delivery across Toronto and the GTA, order before 2 PM for residential deliveries or before 12 PM for business and funeral deliveries. Early orders guarantee better selection, design time, and freshness.
3. Choosing by Price Alone
While comparing prices is natural, cheap doesn’t always mean good value when it comes to flowers.
Some florists have a minimum price of $50 because quality flowers, elegant vases, and skilled design take time and cost.
Large superstores like Walmart or Costco might sell arrangements for under $20, but those are often mass-produced with cheaper flowers that won’t last a week.
A true flower lover can tell the difference between cheap and reasonably priced flowers — from the freshness, size, scent, and balance of the arrangement.
When you shop locally from a trusted florist, you’re supporting small businesses that care about quality, design, and customer satisfaction — not mass production.
4. Skipping the Personal Message (or Writing a Generic One)
Even the most stunning bouquet feels incomplete without a thoughtful message. Many customers write the same generic lines like:
“May this day be as amazing as you are.”
While sweet, a more personal note can make the gift unforgettable. Here are a few unique and heartfelt birthday message ideas to include:
-
“These flowers are like me — gorgeous, a little dramatic, and impossible to ignore.”
(Perfect for friends or partners with a sense of humor.) -
“I was going to get you chocolate… but I ate it. So here are flowers instead.”
(Playful and relatable — great for birthdays or apologies!) -
“Flowers don’t last forever… but my questionable sense of humor does.”
(A witty way to send a smile along with your bouquet.) -
“These flowers won’t do the dishes or fold the laundry, but they’ll look amazing while not doing it.”
(A great one for spouses, partners, or busy friends.) -
“Roses are red, violets are blue… I got these flowers so you won’t say I ‘forgot you.’”
(Classic rhyme with a wink — funny and sweet at the same time.) - “If loving you was a job, I’d be the employee of the month — every month.”
(Romantic with a fun twist, perfect for Valentine’s Day or anniversaries.) - When words fall short, may these blooms speak for the love, comfort, and strength we wish for you.”
(Heartfelt and universal — perfect for sympathy arrangements.) - “May God’s peace surround you, and may these flowers remind you that love never truly fades — it simply blossoms in another place.”
(A tender way to express comfort and eternal love.)
✨ Tip: Keep your message short, warm, and personal. A few heartfelt words mean more than any long, generic line.
5. Purchasing from U.S.-Based Flower Websites
Another common mistake is ordering through large U.S.-based flower websites that appear to be local but are not.
When you pay $100 on one of those sites, the local florist who fulfills the order might receive only $65–$70, as the rest goes to fees and commissions. That means the final arrangement is made to fit the reduced budget, not the full amount you paid.
It’s always better to order directly from a local florist in Toronto — like Yunza Florist — to ensure your money goes fully toward fresh, high-quality flowers and not hidden platform fees.
Note: Even well-known wire services like Teleflora or FTD sometimes display product images that don’t match the exact recipe or budget sent to the local florist. While they’re great for connecting florists, ordering directly from your trusted local shop guarantees transparency and the best results.
6. Forgetting to Use Your Discount Code
Everyone loves a good deal! Don’t forget to use promo codes when checking out.
At Yunza Florist Toronto, you can enjoy 10% off your next order with code YELP10 — whether it’s for birthdays, sympathy flowers, or same-day delivery across Toronto & GTA.
Supporting your local florist means better value, better flowers, and personalized service every time.
Final Thoughts
Ordering flowers should be joyful — not stressful. By avoiding these simple mistakes, you’ll make sure your blooms arrive fresh, on time, and exactly as intended.
Whether it’s a birthday, anniversary, or sympathy arrangement, our team at Yunza Florist takes pride in delivering beauty and emotion across Toronto, Vaughan, Markham, Richmond Hill, Durham, and the GTA — with care in every petal.
Explore our Signature Collections or contact us for custom arrangements designed to make every occasion unforgettable.