My family called Joanne's yesterday asking if it would be possible to order a basket of flowers for a funeral today - and that, due to the tube strike, it had to be ready to pick up first thing in the morning. We were told that this was no problem, the basket would be ready for 9.30am and full payment was taken.
When I arrived this morning (at 10.10am) I was told the basket hadn't even been started because the staff had been delayed getting in because of the strike - the same one we'd been assured yesterday wouldn't be a problem. I asked why they weren't working on it now in a bid to get it ready, and was told they'd had to put the flowers out the front of the shop first - despite the fact this was actually already finished, and the staff member in question was instead stood at the counter eating croissants when I arrived.
I asked how long it would take to make up and was told 15 minutes - which would have meant missing the first of two strike buses I had to catch, and then my train to the funeral. All I was offered was more excuses and a half-hearted apology.
I don't normally leave negative reviews, but on this occasion it's a different story. I find it unacceptable that a service was promised, with all the facts of the strike known in advance, and no provision was made to ensure this promise was kept. Had we been told this may have been an issue, we could have made other arrangements that it's now too late for.
Florists deal solely in emotional transactions, arguably none more emotional than a funeral - and one which I am now going to empty-handed, rather than with the final declaration of love that had been intended.
I won't be coming back here again. read more