costco, fake flowers and conscience issues.

midgemoto

Ok so I know we tend to be big consumers here in America...Just food for thought here...

There are so many people going for sams club, costco, hobby barn and michaels stuff on these boarda I just want to make a comment on a philosophical level. 

What about the good old local flower shop ...

With all the talk about sustainability and the difficulty of the American economy can't we perhaps take this opportunity to do the right thing and stop  supporting near slave labor and big business and stay pure and local... 

Just saying maybe it's time to put your heart into it and NOT buy cemically toxic chinese silk fakies and equadorian slave made bouquets and actually help contribute to a local hard working American buainess.   

Seems big consumption and cheap prices keep on keeping on with these board issues and questions..

juwst sunday morning deeper than the just me mentailty thoughts.... 

Sue-n-Kevin

I don't necessarily disagree with you. However, when I looked into local floral shops, it was nearly impossible to find someone competitive. I was on a budget and had to cut costs where I could.

Ironically, when driving around one day about a year before my wedding, there was a local floral store going out of business, probably because they could not compete. I did purchase my silver bowls, cylinder vases and other items from them. I talked in depth to the owner who was closing her "dream" and yes, it did have an impact on me. I took her home phone number with me when I left, but when I called her later, she said she was not doing anything like that anymore.

Off topic: my own personal way to protest the "low priced foreign market" is to buy my own personal (never gifts for others) clothing at resale stores like Goodwill and Salvation Army. (Not talking underwear here, LOL) My boss jokes about how I walk into work with my designer "duds", detailing my $10 designer blazer, etc. Some of these clothes still have the original tags on them. While the original item may not have been manufactured in the US, at least I am not giving my money to foreign manufacturers for something new, it's been purchased before and now I'm supporting a charity.  

tldh

For my wedding I actually did go with a small florist and her prices were reasonable.  Were they the cheapest? No.  But all I ask for is reasonable.

Off topic also - whenever DH and I need to buy something, we go online and google the item with "Made in the USA."  We'll gladly pay a little more for something made in this country and honestly, the quality so far has far exceeded what you will find in the big box stores.

flower_diva

Everyone assumes that a florist will not sell bulk flowers.........WRONG.....most of us can and do and for a price that is competitive with some of the online  sellers.....I agree with maggie tho....if you don't support your small businesses they will be gone. As a small business owner I know that in the united states small business employ's 73% of the work force.   If you lose the small businesses you are going to lose the jobs and it will force an even  greater resession than we have ever known.

It is all up to the consumer........choose small business's...your future depends on it.

teralicious

I am using a local florist, personally I would never consider Costco or Sam's Club just because I do not like their business practices. If i could only afford flowers from Sam's or Costco I would think of plan B for centerpieces and bouquets.

pillsburyaj

Amen, sister.

MsLindseySue

I'm for sure using a local florist, and leaning towards a small business, not the bigger well known one.  There is also a floral market in my hometown that sells great quality fresh flowers and they do bulk orders for weddings, etc, too.  That's where I'm getting all the flowers for my centerpieces.  I don't even know that it'll be more expensive that Costco since I can order the exact number of stems that I need, and I know for sure it'll be better quality, since I can go pick it up from their cooler and make sure they all look good before I leave, not hope the boxes don't get banged up on their way through FedExland. 
PP's are right, too, though - I work here in the US for a Korean company.  They make my comfortable life here possible.  My parents own a small business and they are forced to compete with big box stores, it's reality.  I'll pay a small premium to shop local, but everyone has to compete for my business, and if I pay a premium I expect something for it - a better product or better service.