The Wild Violette — Local services in Osceola

I called to order an arrangement of flowers for a funeral for a loved one. I was emphatic that I wanted a large arrangement that would fill a space (since it would be delivered to a church). I saw (sympathy) arrangements on one page of their website that were large and priced at the most at $175. I was quoted $250 (plus tax and delivery) and I agreed without seeing the specific arrangement, on the understanding that it would be a sizable arrangement. We discussed that it would have a substantial amount of carnations, a notoriously less expensive flower (I expressed that I wasn't a fan of carnations but that my loved one was). We briefly discussed the vase. I stated five to six times, I just wanted it to be a very large arrangement that would fill up space - that was the priority.

On the day of the funeral, I received a picture of the arrangement from my family. I could easily see the size of the arrangement and it looked substantially smaller than any arrangements posted on their website for $175 and substantially smaller than I had envisioned. I could easily tell from the types of flowers and the note in the arrangement how big the total arrangement was from the picture.

I called to speak to them about the arrangement and spoke to the person I originally placed the order with. She essentially told me that the picture was deceiving and it was bigger in person. I said it was clear from the picture that this arrangement was the size of one I would buy my mother-in-law for mother's day (i.e. pretty but modest). She said that the vase was quite expensive. I said that that was nice, but I didn't ask for an expensive vase, I asked for a large, space filling arrangement. At this point in the conversation I tried to talk about the fact that I couldn't be at the funeral, which was that day, and wanted to pour my heart into sending a large arrangement instead and I found this one to be disappointing, but I embarrassingly ended up breaking down on the phone and had to end the phone call.

I've shared this picture with several people who all agree this arrangement is a $100-$120 arrangement - not $250. It doesn't match anywhere near the size of the arrangements on their website which are larger and STILL only priced at a max of $175. I feel like my grief and my absence were taken advantage of perhaps in the hopes that I would never see the arrangement at all. And I feel like when I called to politely and gently give the opportunity to have it made right, I was made to feel like the crazy one - like I can't identify the size of an arrangement that's clearly smaller than what it should be. At the very least, I hope this happens to no one else who uses...

My experience was almost exactly like that of Nina. However, I have not called to discuss the situation bc it will just frustrate me more and dealing with a death in the family has me maxed out. I also picked the arrangement up do I saw firsthand how small it was. I asked for a large arrangement, asked if $250 would suffice and they indicated that was definitely enough. When we picked it up, I couldn’t believe how small it was.

A quick side note, a few years ago, I went in while the shop was under different ownership and ordered 5 valentines arrangements. As with this time, I asked if $50 would get a decent sized arrangement and they said “perfect”. Those $50 arrangements were over half the size of this $250 arrangement. When you consider 5 vases as opposed to 1, that seems to equate to the latest arrangement being worth around $100.

Back on track: they gave us the arrangement in a large clear vase with a small bottom full of just water (none of the stuff that keeps it from sloshing around). Before we even left wild violets driveway it had spilled all over my vehicle and the lap of the person who was holding it. Most embarrassing was that the flowers that were already at the church (I.e. had nothing to do with this memorial - they were just there for decoration - dwarfed the one arrangement that was purchased for $250). Frankly, I feel as though they have a standard funeral type size they use and take whatever someone is willing to offer bc I don’t know how much smaller you could make this for $150 or even $100. If someone says they have a $250 budget they get the same arrangement as someone who says they have a $250 budget. It’s a shame bc I want to shop local but the local shops need to, at least, try and be good members of the community - ripping us off doesn’t accomplish that goal.

I feel terrible for the friends and family who sent us flowers in condolence. They did the same thing, shopped local. I cant imagine how much they paid for the small arrangements we received. Worse is that one of those from a friend came in the same vase as the one in Nina’s arrangement - the one wild violet claimed was expensive.

Final note: unless specifically requested, why would wild violet use expensive vases when cheap ones do just fine. People want the flowers to be the focal point. A basic vase helps keep it that way.

Sad to say, I will be ordering flowers online from now on and will be sure it’s not just a gateway to send more business to...

My partner ordered me flowers for Valentine’s Day delivery. He had notes - with the best delivery time (before 2:30p) & my contact info. to make arrangements.

I never got my flowers delivered on Valentine’s. I did received ONE phone call at 530p. from Wild violet flower shop. A voicemail was left and no further contact on their behalf. The following day my partner contacted WV - to get a refund as they did not deliver the product in a timely manner. They said they called me multiple time’s to set a delivery & would not refund his money 😞

What’s most interesting is that I only had ONE phone call in my cell phone records from this flower shop. I’m truly disappointed in this new shop & will not be returning or...