Aces High Bulletin Board

General Forums => The O' Club => Topic started by: Nefarious on August 23, 2003, 01:26:25 AM

Title: Why are flowers so expensive?
Post by: 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?
Title: Why are flowers so expensive?
Post by: Gadfly on August 23, 2003, 01:32:21 AM
Because you care.  Buy her a Diamond, next.
Title: Why are flowers so expensive?
Post by: GRUNHERZ 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. :)
Title: Why are flowers so expensive?
Post by: rpm 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.
Title: Why are flowers so expensive?
Post by: Tarmac 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.
Title: Why are flowers so expensive?
Post by: capt. apathy 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.
Title: Why are flowers so expensive?
Post by: Leslie 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



:cool:
Title: Why are flowers so expensive?
Post by: OIO 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 ;)
Title: Why are flowers so expensive?
Post by: Leslie 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.:D



Les
Title: Why are flowers so expensive?
Post by: AKIron 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.
Title: Why are flowers so expensive?
Post by: funkedup on August 23, 2003, 01:21:24 PM
See: Diamonds
Title: Why are flowers so expensive?
Post by: GRUNHERZ on August 23, 2003, 03:27:54 PM
Quote
Originally posted by funkedup
See: Diamonds


LOL :)
Title: Why are flowers so expensive?
Post by: Dnil 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.
Title: Why are flowers so expensive?
Post by: Nefarious on August 24, 2003, 12:20:12 AM
Quote
Originally posted by Leslie
 Rose is a good name, far as I'm concerned.:D



Which happens to be my girlfriends name...

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