I have lived in Cedar Falls for about 20 years, and I have never ordered flowers from Bancroft before, so I thought I'd give them a try. I was traveling on business and I thought I would send my wife a nice arrangement "Just Because." I spent $48.00 on a Deluxe arrangement to have them delivered while I was away.
I got back from my trip the day they were supposed to be delivered, but no flowers had arrived. I immediately called and left a message and also shot Bancroft an email. Found out there was a message on the machine that they were trying to deliver them, but wanted to verify that my wife was going to be home for delivery - no problem, completely understand that. Our internet phone service was down all day and didn't come back up until that evening, so my wife never got the message. No biggie.
The flowers arrived the next day and my daughter answered the door to retrieve the flowers and the delivery person was extremely rude. Unfortunately, I was traveling again, and my wife sent me a picture of the flowers thanking me for the arrangement. I immediately noticed that the arrangement were all carnations, not roses (with some carnations) like I ordered. In addition, the vase was much smaller.
I shot an email to Bancroft requesting a refund on the flowers. I would never have spent $48 on a carnation-only arrangement. This is the response email I received from Bancroft copied verbatim:
"We sent you an email several days ago regarding our mistake in not putting the roses in your bouquet and asked you at that time if we could make it right with you -- just now getting your response. ???
Again, unless you would want your flowers left outside in Iowa at this time of the year to freeze we do not attempt to deliver to the recepient until we know via phone that they will be home to receive them. Your wife did not respond to our phone call until the next day -- That is why they were delivered the next day. What else are we to do?
I will refund your money completely. Please use another florist in the future since nothing we have offered to do seems to please you..
Philip Batchelder,
owner - Bancroft' s"
There are several things wrong with this email. They never sent an email telling me they made a mistake with not putting roses in the arrangement. Never. Secondly, I sent them an email on Monday, and like I said, I was gone all weekend from Friday until Monday. I wrote him an email requesting a refund when I returned after not hearing anything from them. I have no problems with the fact that flowers were not left on the porch, in fact, I am thankful.
So the comment about offering me something is completely false. They never offered to make this right until I had to call their bluff on the fact that there were not any roses in the arrangement at all.
He's right, I will go elsewhere and tell everyone else around me to do the same. Worst customer service I have experienced in my entire life and I am in sales! read more