Who Are You Really Calling?

A little hometown truth from Stems from the Heart Floral & Gifts

This past weekend, I was tucked into the bleachers at my son’s summer hockey contact day tournament — you know, the kind where the whole rink smells like popcorn and determination — when my phone buzzed. It was one of my employees, asking about an order a woman said she placed with “a local florist” for the hospital.

Right away, something didn’t feel quite right. And as I stepped away from the glass to talk it through, it hit me like a puck to the shin:

People don’t always realize who they’re actually calling when they order flowers.

🌼 The Problem: “Gatherers” (and why they’re not your hometown florist)

There are companies out there — we call them “gatherers” — that pretend to be local florists. Their websites look beautiful, full of big promises, fancy arrangements, and sometimes even “FREE delivery!” They let you pick out something gorgeous for a certain price… and then they call us.

Except they don’t give us the amount you paid.

They give us half (or less), along with a tiny list of flowers that may or may not match what you chose online. Then they expect us to recreate the arrangement you thought you were getting.

And when the customer calls upset?

Do they answer their phones?

Do they take responsibility?

Nope. Not even a little.

🌸 The Tricks Get Sneaky

When florists started refusing their calls, gatherers got creative — in the worst way.

They began using customer names instead of their own

One day, they even used a relative of mine

They started calling from hospital phone numbers to trick us into thinking it was a real local order

I mean… in a small town, using someone’s family name? That’s crossing a line.

Florists talk, and many of us stand together. We care too much about our customers — and our craft — to let gatherers take advantage of people who just want to send something kind.

🌿 How to Make Sure You’re Calling a Real Local Florist

Here’s the easiest way to avoid the gatherer trap:

Google the florist

Scroll down until you see the map

Look for the actual shop address

Call and talk to the florist directly

Ask about their store — trust me, real florists love talking about their shop

For example:

If you search Amery, WI florist, you’ll see a “James Cress Florist” listed as offering same‑day delivery. They do not exist here. Not even a smidge. Yet they show up online as if they’re right down the street.

💐 Why This Matters in a Small Town

Florists aren’t just businesses — we’re part of the rhythm of the community. We’re there for:

New babies

First dates

Proms

Weddings

Funerals

“Just because” days

And every moment in between

We pour our hearts into every arrangement because we know how much these moments mean. We want your flowers to look exactly how you imagined — full of love, beauty, and intention.

Gatherers get in the way of that.

And in a small town, where people know each other, where kindness matters, and where every bouquet has a story… that just doesn’t sit right.

So from our little shop on Keller Avenue to wherever you’re reading this:

Make sure you’re calling a real local florist. We’re here, we care, and we want your flowers to be exactly what you hoped for.