Pemberton's Florist & Gift Shop — Local services in Salem

My Matron of Honor had recommended Pemberton’s from when they did her wedding flowers, so she set up an appointment for us to go back in May, 2022. When we arrived, the staff were confused because the person we were meeting with had called out sick (but we weren’t notified).

Someone else ended up helping us (Anita) and we showed her specific photos of what I was looking for along with the ideal price range (one cascading bouquet, and 7 bridal bouquets) with a terracotta palette. When we told her our price range she said “for 8 arrangements? The bridal bouquets are going to be very small then.” which we agreed (again, because she had mentioned it before already and it was starting to feel a little awkward) was fine based off of what look I was going for. She took pictures of what we had brought in, and took notes as well. I paid, and we set the time for pickup for 9/2/22 (my wedding date).

The week of my wedding I received a voicemail stating my flowers weren’t ordered yet because I never paid. Later, I received another voicemail saying to disregard and they found the payment information.

My day of person went to pick up the flowers on 9/2/22, and gave me a call because there was one wedding bouquet for the bride, and 7 table centerpieces (instead of 7 bridal bouquets for my bridesmaids). They stated I had ordered those, which is incorrect. They were able to wrap twine around the flowers, but the flowers were shorter and stubby because they had already been trimmed (to about 3-4”).

Due to it being the day of, the flowers just had to do. It worked, but it was frustrating to problem solve an issue like that hours before an event especially when it was clearly communicated with what I was wanting and I spent $300 to receive a product I didn’t order. I wasn't offered any sort of solution or compensation aside from offering to wrap the flowers in twine, which there were thorns poking through from them being quickly wrapped.

I’m not sure if this is a one time issue with a staff member, or if it’s an organizational problem, but it was very disappointing.

Follow-up: I received a voicemail from Patty the manager requesting a call back, she was incredibly apologetic and kind. I gave her a call back and she walked me through what had happened (not excusing, just explaining) and offered her apologies and financial compensation to what had happened. She was very warm and understanding on the phone, you can tell she cares about the work she does and customer service. I changed my rating to a 4 star after speaking with her, I felt validated and affirmed with what my experience was. She will still have my business...

I discovered them last week as I was about to make an arrangement for a friend of a friend's funeral. She was understanding that I wanted some quality focal flowers and had to fill in with less expensive ones from the grocery store. She even offered to lend me their flower tub to get them home! Trusted me to return it soon. She cared more about taking care of my flowers and me as a customer than just profit.

This week, I made an arrangement that needed a little white for my friend in nursing rehab. Returning the container, I brought in my nearly-finished arrangement, wondering how they would react. Once again, super friendly and helpful...amazingly so, in fact! I was on my way to deliver them, so he let me finish arranging them right there. Offered to clean the stems first, don't worry about the mess, offered a box to transport, and even changed the water with flower food! Despite most of the flowers bought at the grocery store! I was treated with respect and kindness.

Pemberton's, you've earned me as a customer for life! I will go out of my way to buy from you since you went out of your way to help me. This is the place to go if you want quality flowers with excellent...

This use to be my go to place for plants. But recently I bought two plants from the greenhouse that were doing well the first couple of days. However, two days later my plant babies started showing signs of being over watered. Mind you I had not watered the plants at all since buying them, because I saw that they had been watered prior to purchasing. Be careful when you buy plants here because they don’t seem to care about the products that they are selling to customers. I hope that they hire someone that actually knows what they are doing, because right now it seems that this business only cares about making a quick buck!! Or at least that’s my personal experience interacting with Deb these last few purchases. Did I mention that I would always tip her too, like come on you don’t treat people like that. I no longer will be doing business with them anymore!! And, to Deb one of the people that takes cares of the plants in the greenhouse. What goes around comes around. You don’t make justifications for your mistakes. Your professionalism and interpersonal skills are lacking, and your going to run this business into the ground with that type...