If you have ever been disappointed by an online flower delivery — the bouquet didn’t look like the picture, arrived late, or seemed smaller than expected — you’re not alone. Every day, customers are misled by online floral order gatherers, companies that look local but aren’t.

At Centerville Florists in Centerville, Ohio, we see the effects of this every week. Many people believe they’re supporting a local shop, but their order is actually placed through a corporate middleman that takes a large cut, leaving the real florist short-changed and you disappointed.

Here’s what really happens — and why you should always order directly from a trusted local florist.

1. You’re Paying More and Getting Less

When you order through an online gatherer, a significant portion of your payment never reaches the florist who actually designs and delivers the flowers.

A $100 order might leave only $60 or less for the real florist after the gatherer takes their “service fees” and commissions. And here’s the catch — delivery still comes out of that $60, leaving even less for the flowers themselves.

The so-called “service fee” that the gatherer charges is not for delivery — it’s simply profit they keep. So while you think you’re paying for delivery and flowers, you’re really just funding a middleman who never touches a single bloom.

The result? Smaller arrangements, substitutions, and frustration for everyone involved. Local florists want to wow you — but it’s hard to deliver a premium design when they’re only given part of the budget you thought you were spending.

2. Deceptive Websites That Pretend to Be Local

Order gatherers use local-sounding names like Centerville Flower Delivery or Dayton Floral Gifts, plus local area codes and stock photos of storefronts, to look like genuine hometown shops.

In reality, you’re speaking with a call center hundreds of miles away. If the site doesn’t list a real address, real photos, and a local phone number, that’s a major red flag.

3. No Accountability When Something Goes Wrong

Because a third party sits between you and the florist, fixing a problem becomes a maze. If flowers arrive late or look nothing like the picture, the gatherer blames the florist — and the florist can’t help because you aren’t technically their customer.

When you order directly from a local florist, you’re working with real people who care about their reputation and will make it right.

4. They Change Your Order Without Telling You

Here’s one of the biggest secrets in the floral industry: 100% of the time, when you order a specific arrangement and the local florist tells the gatherer it’s unavailable, the gatherer automatically changes the order to a “Designer’s Choice – Filled to Value.”

They don’t tell you, they don’t ask your permission — they simply do it to get the order placed. Their only concern is processing the sale.

That means you might order “Sunshine & Roses,” but the florist receives an instruction that just says, “Designer’s Choice for $75.” The customer is never informed, and the end result often looks nothing like what was pictured.

5. Cookie-Cutter Designs and Lower Quality

Order gatherers treat flowers like a mass-produced product. They push the same catalog photos and cookie-cutter recipes nationwide, regardless of local flower availability or seasonality.

Real florists, like Centerville Florists, design each arrangement with fresh, in-season blooms — creating something unique and heartfelt, not factory-made.

6. Local Dollars Stay in the Community

Every dollar you spend with a local florist supports real people — designers, delivery drivers, and small-business owners who live and work in your community.

When you order through an online gatherer, that money disappears into corporate marketing budgets and call centers.

Local florists support schools, charities, senior centers, and neighborhood events. When you shop local, you’re not just sending flowers — you’re sending kindness right back into your community.

How to Avoid Being Fooled

Here’s how to make sure you’re ordering from a true local florist:

• Look for a real street address and local phone number

• Check for photos of actual work, not stock images

• Search the business on Google Maps to confirm it’s a genuine shop

• Call and ask, “Can I pick up my order in person?” — if the answer’s vague, it’s not local

The Bottom Line

When you order directly from a local florist in Centerville or Dayton, like Centerville Florists, 100% of your payment goes toward what matters most: beautiful flowers, expert design, and exceptional service.

You’ll get a better value, a more personal gift, and the peace of mind that comes from knowing your order was made — and delivered — with care.