FULL BLOOM

Valentine’s Day flowers delivered damaged or late? Your right to a refund explained

By Levi Winchester

14th February 2024, 11:58 am

Updated: 14th February 2024, 12:43 pm

WHEN it comes to Valentine’s Day, one go-to gift for many is a beautiful bouquet of fantastic floral offerings.

But what happens if the flowers you have purchased arrive damaged or if they’re not delivered to your door on time? Here’s everything you need to know.

Valentine’s Day is here – but what happens if your romantic flowers don’t arrive in time?

What happens if my Valentine’s flowers arrive damaged?

According to consumer group Which?, if your flowers are delivered damaged or in poor condition ‘’you should be able to get a full or partial refund’’.

If the flowers you have purchased arrive wilting or come with browning petals or leave, you should be entitled to a refund.

This is because when flowers are ordered online, customers then enter into a contract with the retailer.

Under the Consumer Rights Act (2015) the retailer is responsible for the condition of the flowers until you take delivery of them.

Top tips to get a refund for damaged flowers

HERE's what you need to do if your flowers are delivered in poor condition, according to consumer group Which?

Take a picture as evidence of poor condition or damage to your flowers as this will help support your complaint.
If a loved one or friend has sent you flowers that have arrived in a poor condition or late, make sure you tell them.
Otherwise the retailer may say they can’t access the order information and won’t resolve the problem.
If you order a specific number of flowers but fewer than this amount are delivered to you, you’re entitled to a partial refund for the missing flowers.

To start the process, you need to take a picture of your flowers to support your complaint – this goes for whether you’re the sender or receiver.

Then provide the florist with as much information about your order as possible, including any order numbers and the delivery address.

Most Read in Money

CHOC LOT

Major supermarket slashes price of Quality Street tubs to just £3

NO THANKS

People are already selling unwanted Christmas presents on eBay and Facebook

What happens if my Valentine’s bouquet is missing flowers?

In addition to eligible refunds for damaged products, shoppers are also entitled to a partial refund if their Valentine’s bouquets arrive with missing flowers.

For example, if you order 20 roses and only receive 15 – you should request a refund for the missing five flowers.

Providing the flowers arrived when they should have, this likely won’t include any delivery costs.

Flower expert shares the 10p hack to keep Valentine’s Day roses lasting up to TWO weeks longer & it's in your cupboard

Again, you would need to contact the florist directly with photographic evidence to back up your claim.

What happens if my Valentine’s flowers arrive late?

It is important to note that if your Valentine’s Day flowers arrive late, the retailer is liable for the services provided by the couriers it employs.

That means that the delivery firm is not liable for the late delivery.

Under the Consumer Rights Act, a retailer has a maximum of 30 days from when an order is placed in which they must deliver the goods – unless a different delivery time is agreed.

This applies if you have paid for ‘’estimated delivery’’.

However, if you have paid for a specific date, then it is up to the retailer to guarantee that your order arrives on time.

So for example, if you paid for next-day delivery, or guaranteed delivery on Valentine’s Day, then the retailer must follow through with this part of the sale.

If they don’t, and your flowers fail to arrive on the delivery date you paid for, then you should be entitled to a full refund.

You’ll need to complain to the florist, providing as much evidence as possible including order numbers and delivery addresses.

The Consumer Rights Act also states that a retailer must refund you within 30 days of you rejecting goods that are faulty, not fit for purpose, or not as described.

The retailer may also offer to send out a replacement instead of providing a refund.