Author Topic: Why are flowers so expensive? (Read 408 times)

Nefarious · « **on:** August 23, 2003, 01:26:25 AM »

I'm getting my girlfirend 21 Red Roses, and 21 Red balloons, for her 21st birthday....

$71 Dollars, I'm not a botanist nor am I a florist. But Good Lord thats a lot of money!!!

I figured it would be up there...But am I paying to much for some latex and 21 flowers with spikes?

What are flower prices in your area?

Gadfly · « **Reply #1 on:** August 23, 2003, 01:32:21 AM »

Because you care. Buy her a Diamond, next.

GRUNHERZ · « **Reply #2 on:** August 23, 2003, 01:50:18 AM »

Yea! That evil monopoly 1-800-Flowers has warehouses and warehouse full of the things but they are restricting supply to make them seem rare, thus valuable and so drive prices up and up! It's evil, pure evil! Plus they are acquired through slave labor in african warzones... They arent called blood red roses for nothing.

Thankfully some decent american companies have figured out to grow them in florida so soon prices will come down.

rpm · « **Reply #3 on:** August 23, 2003, 02:20:06 AM »

They grow 'em in all over the US. They cost so much because that's what the market will bear.

Tarmac · « **Reply #4 on:** August 23, 2003, 02:21:27 AM »

Yep it's what the market will bear. When you pissed off the woman and only flowers or jewelry have a chance of fixing it, well, the market will bear a lot when jewelery is the alternative.

capt. apathy · « **Reply #5 on:** August 23, 2003, 02:35:34 AM »

depends where you live. this part of the country they are dirt cheap.

the other day the wife picked up 2 bouquets of 25 long stem roses for $10.

Leslie · « **Reply #6 on:** August 23, 2003, 06:34:21 AM »

Flowers are expensive because they are a perishable commodity. They're shipped overnight from long distances and sold quickly. Very hard work, if you're an employee, because you have to move fast, fast, fast....when the shipment arrives. They have to be cut and cleaned of unsightly parts. Then wrapped in bunches in paper and tied with string. Then they're ready for the delivery truck, which is sometimes waiting for you. Lots of pressure to work fast and do it right the first time. It's like assembly line work, in a way, with about three people on the line.

Les

OIO · « **Reply #7 on:** August 23, 2003, 10:03:12 AM »

Leslie is right.

Flowers arent expensive because of a monopoly or conspiracy or anything. Its their to-sell lifetime.

Flowers are perhaps the only commodity that HAS to be sold within 2 to 3 days after its picked from the 'plantation'.

And most of the flowers you buy come from overseas. Be them from Colombia, Holland, Ecuador, etc... they have to not only cross the ocean but also pass inspections, be transported via air and ground...and all of this in special containers that keep them looking fresh as long as possible (which is only 2 days or so).

That fast shipment is expensive. The special containers are expensive. And then they have to be sold quickly and making a profit. Not all flowers will be sold before they wilt so out of the 1000 flowers a store may sell, maybe only 400 will be bought 'in time'. So the price goes up accordingly.

Go and buy flowers and see how long they last in your house. Heck, put them in a glass of water and put it in the fridge and see how long they last before they wilt. Not more than 3 days after you buy it, and the flower will be wilting and losing color the whole time.

21 red roses for $71 is expensive though. Dont buy flowers from florists or love muffines that will charge for you 'flower arrangement'. Just buy them at wal-mart

Leslie · « **Reply #8 on:** August 23, 2003, 11:44:21 AM »

Yeah,I know what you're sayin OIO. I bought a rose that lasted 2 weeks, from the local Gulf (BP) station. Ya take your chances with roses. First one I bought didn't last long, but the second one did. Rose is a good name, far as I'm concerned.

Les

AKIron · « **Reply #9 on:** August 23, 2003, 12:10:36 PM »

Most of the grocery stores around here carry flowers that are much less expensive than the local florists.

funkedup · « **Reply #10 on:** August 23, 2003, 01:21:24 PM »

See: Diamonds

GRUNHERZ · « **Reply #11 on:** August 23, 2003, 03:27:54 PM »

Quote

Originally posted by funkedup
See: Diamonds

LOL

Dnil · « **Reply #12 on:** August 23, 2003, 03:32:03 PM »

uggh diamonds, shelled out big cash for a rock for the wife.....6 months later we divorced. No more rocks for me.

Nefarious · « **Reply #13 on:** August 24, 2003, 12:20:12 AM »

Quote

Originally posted by Leslie
Rose is a good name, far as I'm concerned.

Which happens to be my girlfriends name...

Oh, and she liked them...very much.