Alternative Flower Delivery Options

[jmana]

Does anyone know of any options for delivering flowers to Russia (St. Pete in particular) that don't involve the online sites that have a 1,000% mark up?  And before I get an barrage of people calling me "cheap", don't even go there.  If I'm cheap because I would rather spend my money on meaningful things than a few flowers that cost over $100, then so be it, but at the same time I'd like to occasionally surprise my fiancee and I am sure there are honest flower shops over there that would love a chance to make a modest profit, and sidestep these middle man websites that make out like bandits on delivery fees.  There has to be flower shops that I can call, that are able to accept direct payments from the US, I just need to be able to find one    Anyone ever deal with such a place before?

[Faux Pas]

Does anyone know of any options for delivering flowers to Russia (St. Pete in particular) that don't involve the online sites that have a 1,000% mark up?  And before I get an barrage of people calling me "cheap", don't even go there.  If I'm cheap because I would rather spend my money on meaningful things than a few flowers that cost over $100, then so be it, but at the same time I'd like to occasionally surprise my fiancee and I am sure there are honest flower shops over there that would love a chance to make a modest profit, and sidestep these middle man websites that make out like bandits on delivery fees.  There has to be flower shops that I can call, that are able to accept direct payments from the US, I just need to be able to find one    Anyone ever deal with such a place before?

No. Forget flowers

[jone]

Flowers are one of the few items that don't translate into a lower cost structure in Eastern Europe.  Once I have established that I will be 'doing business' in a city, and have visited there, I will establish a local florist who can deliver flowers cheaply.  But the base cost is similar to that of Western Europe or the States.

I use an online site prior to meeting a woman or being in her city.  If this added expense is so prohibitive now, you better rethink your dating strategy - FSUW are probably out of your financial reach.

So the answer you need to hear is get your feet on the ground, do you own local discovery.  I have never been to Petersburg.  It is one of the great shortfalls of my travels.  But had I done so, and have a florist locally, I would be happy to share that person with you.

Jone

[GQBlues]

Back in the days when the US domestic stamp went up to 33 cents, I remember there was a huge public furor and outrage. Then I heard a funny commentary to put that silliness in proper perspective.


It said (paraphrased), "...if you're paying a bill by check, you write your check and stick it inside an envelop. Then you stick that very expensive 33 cents stamp on the envelop. This entitles you to have a man come to your house, pick up the envelope, then fly it to the city where your bill needs to get to, then have another man there waiting for your envelop to arrive - so he can then have someone else drive to the exactly address shown on your envelop. In general, for 33 cents, this will be done on an average of 2 days. Is this service really an unfair and outrageously expensive exchange? What's wrong with you people?.."


jmana, don't kid yourself. You ARE being cheap. If 100 bucks is too much, don't send the flowers because obviously you don't believe your fiancee (?) and your thoughts is worth the going rate. How much less from the 100 bucks do you suppose it should be? Once you determine that, ask yourself what that residual amount is really worth these days? $10, $20, $30, $40? Where do you draw the line?

[jmana]

Back in the days when the US domestic stamp went up to 33 cents, I remember there was a huge public furor and outrage. Then I heard a funny commentary to put that silliness in proper perspective.


It said (paraphrased), "...if you're paying a bill by check, you write your check and stick it inside an envelop. Then you stick that very expensive 33 cents stamp on the envelop. This entitles you to have a man come to your house, pick up the envelope, then fly it to the city where your bill needs to get to, then have another man there waiting for your envelop to arrive - so he can then have someone else drive to the exactly address shown on your envelop. In general, for 33 cents, this will be done on an average of 2 days. Is this service really an unfair and outrageously expensive exchange? What's wrong with you people?.."


jmana, don't kid yourself. You ARE being cheap. If 100 bucks is too much, don't send the flowers because obviously you don't believe your fiancee (?) and your thoughts is worth the going rate. How much less from the 100 bucks do you suppose it should be? Once you determine that, ask yourself what that residual amount is really worth these days? $10, $20, $30, $40? Where do you draw the line?

Look, I have been there, and I know I can buy a nice bouquet for less than $20.  Maybe tack on a $20 delivery fee, but screw charging me $80 to deliver something that they probably have a deal with the florist to get for $10.  And you know damn well they aren't paying the delivery guy much either.  It's not just the cost, it's the point of giving money to these companies that have a stranglehold on the online delivery business.  They are all the same company, they all charge the same price and advertise the same exact flowers and gifts.  I imagine it's mafia run.  I just don't like feeding that kind of business so I don't send her flowers, but I would if I could sidestep this insane middleman that is in the way. 

[Faux Pas]

Look, I have been there, and I know I can buy a nice bouquet for less than $20.  Maybe tack on a $20 delivery fee, but screw charging me $80 to deliver something that they probably have a deal with the florist to get for $10.  And you know damn well they aren't paying the delivery guy much either.  It's not just the cost, it's the point of giving money to these companies that have a stranglehold on the online delivery business.  They are all the same company, they all charge the same price and advertise the same exact flowers and gifts.  I imagine it's mafia run. I just don't like feeding that kind of business so I don't send her flowers, but I would if I could sidestep this insane middleman that is in the way.

Well, just explain this to her every time you "would have" sent her flowers and see how wonderfully understanding she is 

Because you have been there means dic. Obviously you do not understand. You are being cheap. If the woman deserves flowers, she deserves them at whatever the cost is or, she doesn't deserve them at all.

No they are not all mafia run. Most are legitimate businesses that only survive if they make a profit. When you buy a bouquet right out of a shop you've bought what they had there for you to buy. When you buy a perishable item like a specific bouquet online, this conceivably can come with more expense for the florist thus, a higher rate you'll have to pay.

It's a competitive industry just like most industires online or off. The old saying is "penny wise and pound foolish" certainly applies here. Forget flowers

[LAman]

Alternative Flower Delivery Options
Yea, you could fly into St Pitre and go to the local flower shop you visited( ~~ $20 bouquet)for your inexpensive flowers and deliver them personally and save yourself that 1000% mark up!!!!
OR if you can speak fluent Russian and talk personally to the flower shop on the phone..... order flowers and haggle with them on prices.............oh just came to me, have your fiancée call the flower shop and have her haggle the flower shops prices to get you the lowest rate.........
 
Otherwise, pay the piper the going rate.....or should I say the online going rate....

[GQBlues]

Look, I have been there, and I know I can buy a nice bouquet for less than $20.  Maybe tack on a $20 delivery fee, but screw charging me $80 to deliver something that they probably have a deal with the florist to get for $10.  And you know damn well they aren't paying the delivery guy much either.  It's not just the cost, it's the point of giving money to these companies that have a stranglehold on the online delivery business.  They are all the same company, they all charge the same price and advertise the same exact flowers and gifts.  I imagine it's mafia run.  I just don't like feeding that kind of business so I don't send her flowers, but I would if I could sidestep this insane middleman that is in the way.

I see. So you want to 'spend' 40 bucks to order the flowers from the US to send to your fiancee(?) in Russia because you believe the cost should only be $20, plus your generous addition of $20 bucks for delivery. You feel this is equitable for all parties involved. Somehow you equate you should only be charged the COSTS of the item AND delivery.

I've an idea jmana...send your woman $20.00 and tell her to buy the flowers for herself and they're from you. Just let it be known that sending her 20 bucks may incur transfer charges cost to you, too...but at least the cost won't compel you to walk around the neighborhood looking for and collecting aluminum cans.

Or here's another idea:  Just send her one of those 'free' online FLORAL greeting cards. Just don't stay too long writing the greeting though because it'll cost you more in electricity to keep your computer turned on a little while longer.


So yes, call it anyway you want, I call it being *cheap* if not downright ridiculous.

FYI. USCIS also *raised* the filing costs for K-1s not too long ago and also for the AOS adjustments. You may want to look into that as it may proved too much money for you., too.

[Anotherkiwi]

Why should jmana be called "cheap" when he's simply trying to find an alternative to the extortionate prices charged by so many on-line floral delivery companies?  I have no objection to buying flowers over the internet for someone in Russia (I've done it more than once), but I still think that the charges are ridiculous when I know what the prices on the ground are like.
 
Prime example - on my first trip I bought the lady I went to see a beautiful bouquet of roses from a florist in one of the underground street crossings in Naberezhnye Chelny.  The roses were 80 roubles each, and I spent nearly all the cash on me at the time (maybe 1200 roubles - roughly $40 for 15 flowers - I would have spent more if I had it, but we weren't anywhere near an ATM).  These were such high-quality flowers that they lasted nearly three weeks, until after I was back in New Zealand, and she said they were the best roses she had ever seen.
 
About a year later I ordered a bouquet over the internet for a lady's birthday.  Same size bouquet, delivered to an address in a sizeable town not far from a large city - $220! 
 
Sorry, but "cheap" or frugal doesn't come into it - it's pure extortion of a market which has no alternative.  So, getting back to jmana's original grumble, a florist (or perhaps a network in different cities) which can make up the sort of items that Western guys like to buy for their lady friends would make a killing if they had realistic charges.

[calmissile]

I think sometimes spending a lot of money on flowers is overplayed.  I thought all women are crazy about receiving flowers and felt it was money well spent.  My experience with my present wife was quite different.  Not sure if it is an aberration, but I learned later that she had a less than excited reaction to receiving flowers.

On our first date I bought flowers in Kiev prior to our first meeting.  She graciously accepted them but it did not produce the reaction I expected.  Prior to our marriage while we were alone, my MIL told me that her response to the flowers was "Why did he buy flowers, I can't eat flowers?"   I am sure there was something lost in the translation, but I later learned that she is much more practical than I could have imagined.

The cost of delivery of flowers ordered from the  U.S. is ridiculous.  I have sent flowers to various FSUW over the past few years, and now wonder how much they were appreciated.

[ML]

I am not a flower buyer.

But, on a (very) few occasions, I suggested that I might buy some.
Except for one woman, they all said it was a waste of money.

[calmissile]

I am not a flower buyer.

But, on a (very) few occasions, I suggested that I might buy some.
Except for one woman, they all said it was a waste of money.

Sort of my experience also.  My previous wife would have much preferred a romantic dinner at a nice restaurant with a glass of wine rather than spending a lot of money on flowers.   I don't necessarily think this is universal, but I learned to inquire ahead of time what their preference would be.  Might as well spend the money on what is most appreciated.

It also applies to surprise gifts.  Many years ago I purchased an ourstanding dress for my wife.  The salesgal assured me that my wife would go crazy over the dress.  We were living in different states due to my employment in the field.  My wife's response was that she would not be seen in this sexy dress anywhere.

I gave up second guessing women!!!   It might not be so romantic as a surprise, but at least my new wife would rather know and choose what I buy her than wasting money on something she does not like.  To each their own......  I feel very lucky to have a wife that is practical and does not expect me to read her mind or taste in clothes.

The lesson I learned is that all women (including FSUW) can accept some degree of practicality in gifts.

[steveboy]

Well actually I also sent flowers to Russia many times! And me being a penny pinching Brit also did want to spend stupid money on a bunch of flowers!! Its the thought that counts????? and a "Real" women who is interested in you personally will not be interested in the size of the bouquet  !! Of course unless your one of the typical guys who think they can "Buy their women"
I used "Interflora" from the Uk and for $50.00 you could send a very nice bunch of flowers

I would forget about using any Russian based flower delivery firms direct or any firms offering the service from any dating sites, they will cheat on you as usual!
Im sure their is a global service offering flower delivery from US. I could of helped you you out on this, but Im out of St Petes at present((

[jmana]

Well I did some digging and found a site outside of Russia that seems to be the "cheapest" called floraqueen.com.  I can send flowers and a card including delivery for just over $60, not too bad    But the site I ended up ordering from is flamingo.ru (russianservice.com), most of the stuff on this site is typically overpriced, but their roses are fairly reasonable, and for whatever reason they didn't charge me delivery fees to St. Pete, and didn't charge extra for a card!  So 5 roses only cost $42 and it says they will deliver today, which is nice.   You other guys who like to prove yourselves by spending as much possible on your high maintenance GF, continue to use the other companies that charge well over $100 for flowers  

[steveboy]

You don't need to spend a fortune on any Russian women to find a beauty to marry, only the stupid ones are High maintenance and most of them are pretty rough in the morning with no make up!
There are plenty of beautiful young Russian women looking for a normal guy, as I found myself

[ML]

There are plenty of beautiful young Russian women looking for a normal guy, as I found myself

You are a normal guy!!!

I would never claim that for myself.   

[jmana]

You don't need to spend a fortune on any Russian women to find a beauty to marry, only the stupid ones are High maintenance and most of them are pretty rough in the morning with no make up!
There are plenty of beautiful young Russian women looking for a normal guy, as I found myself

I agree 100%.  And really it's not even all about beauty for me, what I was looking for was a kind, normal, thin, and rather plain jane type of girl.  Those are the ones that hold up over time in my opinion, the ones that are really pretty when young seem to be the ones that hit the wall the hardest when they get around that 45 year old mark

[steveboy]

You are a normal guy!!!

I would never claim that for myself.   

Normal'ish 

[GQBlues]

...
Why should jmana be called "cheap" when he's simply trying to find an alternative to the extortionate prices charged by so many on-line floral delivery companies?...

Because IMO he is...It's a small matter of supply and demand. Call it anyway you want, I call it as I see it. *Used phone*, *cheap ring* (his own classification), etc...all to a *fiancee* about to be tested if she passes his litmus test so he can decide whether or not he'll marry her. If not, then off she goes and the *engagement*.

Where I came from, you first decide if the woman is the right one for you before asking her to marry you - not the other way around. So, I can call that/him a few more other description, but why bother.

...I have no objection to buying flowers over the internet for someone in Russia (I've done it more than once), but I still think that the charges are ridiculous when I know what the prices on the ground are like....

Neither do I, and I have. *All things considered* the prices are relative to the situation. Period.
 

....Prime example - on my first trip I bought the lady I went to see a beautiful bouquet of roses from a florist in one of the underground street crossings in Naberezhnye Chelny.  The roses were 80 roubles each, and I spent nearly all the cash on me at the time (maybe 1200 roubles - roughly $40 for 15 flowers - I would have spent more if I had it, but we weren't anywhere near an ATM).  These were such high-quality flowers that they lasted nearly three weeks, until after I was back in New Zealand, and she said they were the best roses she had ever seen.
 
About a year later I ordered a bouquet over the internet for a lady's birthday.  Same size bouquet, delivered to an address in a sizeable town not far from a large city - $220!...

I'd certainly hope you had enough conviction not to subscribe to something you didn't believe was right, correct? Otherwise, if you did, then bitch about it, that's more about 'you' than anything else? Just like the OP...
 

...Sorry, but "cheap" or frugal doesn't come into it - it's pure extortion of a market which has no alternative. So, getting back to jmana's original grumble, a florist (or perhaps a network in different cities) which can make up the sort of items that Western guys like to buy for their lady friends would make a killing if they had realistic charges.

Wrong. Again, supply/demand. A very simple concept you can't seen to grasp.

The alternative is, don't buy until you get there and buy it from the vendor and deliver it yourself. Otherwise, fogeddaboutit. I'm surprised none of you are bitching about 'foreigner's tax'. You despise extortion, that's a good one right there. Now, if you have an ounce of conviction and don't believe that's right, then stay home, eh.

There's an endless alternative options to most things in life. If not all. Just like whining, moaning and bitching. Anyone and everyone has the option NOT to put themselves into that box so they wouldn't have to...

 

You don't need to spend a fortune on any Russian women to find a beauty to marry,...

Describe a *fortune*? A hundred bucks a *fortune* to you?

....only the stupid ones are High maintenance and most of them are pretty rough in the morning with no make up!...

You know this because.....?
 

...There are plenty of beautiful young Russian women looking for a normal guy, as I found myself...

I'm very happy to hear that. Just like flower services, deliveries, attitudes, conviction and character....we all gravitate to comfortable compatibility. 

Well I did some digging and found a site outside of Russia that seems to be the "cheapest" called floraqueen.com.  I can send flowers and a card including delivery for just over $60, not too bad    ...

*ONE* rose for 60 bucks, but you bitch about 9+ roses at a hundred bucks. Okidokee...

...But the site I ended up ordering from is flamingo.ru (russianservice.com), most of the stuff on this site is typically overpriced, but their roses are fairly reasonable, and for whatever reason they didn't charge me delivery fees to St. Pete, and didn't charge extra for a card!  So 5 roses only cost $42 and it says they will deliver today, which is nice.   You other guys who like to prove yourselves by spending as much possible on your high maintenance GF, continue to use the other companies that charge well over $100 for flowers    

A hundred bucks is HIGH maintenance for you, eh? Little wonder about your present professional state if you can't seem to grasp a very simple & basic linear relationships.

 

Here's what I think.....I think it's idiotic to be spending this much anxiety and drama over a woman who you're not prepared to marry, much less sure about, yet calls her a *fiancee*.

[steveboy]

Quote
....only the stupid ones are High maintenance and most of them are pretty rough in the morning with no make up!...

You know this because.....?

Because I have woke up in the morning with many High maintenance women:) very high indeed!

"describe a fortune" ? $100 is a $100

As I keep saying, its "The thought that counts" NOT THE COST Any way I thought all you yanks are broke?

[Shadow]

Quote
....only the stupid ones are High maintenance and most of them are pretty rough in the morning with no make up!...

You know this because.....?

Because I have woke up in the morning with many High maintenance women:) very high indeed!

"describe a fortune" ? $100 is a $100

As I keep saying, its "The thought that counts" NOT THE COST Any way I thought all you yanks are broke?

I once told a woman I thought of giving her flowers as that is what counts but she did not give a f*ck

[steveboy]

I once told a woman I thought of giving her flowers as that is what counts but she did not give a f*ck

give a f*** about what? Not receiving any from you? or your excuse?

[Shadow]

give a f*** about what? Not receiving any from you? or your excuse?

As a British guy living in Russia you should catch the word play there

[jmana]

Because IMO he is...It's a small matter of supply and demand. Call it anyway you want, I call it as I see it. *Used phone*, *cheap ring* (his own classification), etc...all to a *fiancee* about to be tested if she passes his litmus test so he can decide whether or not he'll marry her. If not, then off she goes and the *engagement*.

Where I came from, you first decide if the woman is the right one for you before asking her to marry you - not the other way around. So, I can call that/him a few more other description, but why bother.



Neither do I, and I have. *All things considered* the prices are relative to the situation. Period.
 


I'd certainly hope you had enough conviction not to subscribe to something you didn't believe was right, correct? Otherwise, if you did, then bitch about it, that's more about 'you' than anything else? Just like the OP...
 

Wrong. Again, supply/demand. A very simple concept you can't seen to grasp.

The alternative is, don't buy until you get there and buy it from the vendor and deliver it yourself. Otherwise, fogeddaboutit. I'm surprised none of you are bitching about 'foreigner's tax'. You despise extortion, that's a good one right there. Now, if you have an ounce of conviction and don't believe that's right, then stay home, eh.

There's an endless alternative options to most things in life. If not all. Just like whining, moaning and bitching. Anyone and everyone has the option NOT to put themselves into that box so they wouldn't have to...

 


Describe a *fortune*? A hundred bucks a *fortune* to you?


You know this because.....?
 

I'm very happy to hear that. Just like flower services, deliveries, attitudes, conviction and character....we all gravitate to comfortable compatibility. 



*ONE* rose for 60 bucks, but you bitch about 9+ roses at a hundred bucks. Okidokee...



A hundred bucks is HIGH maintenance for you, eh? Little wonder about your present professional state if you can't seem to grasp a very simple & basic linear relationships.

 

Here's what I think.....I think it's idiotic to be spending this much anxiety and drama over a woman who you're not prepared to marry, much less sure about, yet calls her a *fiancee*.

I love it how you pick and choose what you want from my conversations to make a point    For one, yeah I bought her a "cheap ring", and she's the one that picked it out!  I replaced it with a much nicer one that I sent over with her dad.  For two, yes I did buy her a used phone, to replace the one she's been having problems with.  Why would I buy her a new phone when she is going to be coming her in a couple months and I will more than likely put her on my cell plan, which is Sprint and doesn't even use GSM phones??  Now onto flowers which I guess is a touchy subject for you.  You're right, I feel I shouldn't have to pay $100 to have a decent bouquet of flowers delivered just because she lives in Russia!  It's not about supply and demand, in fact I think the supply of online delivery places is far greater than the need for them, and that is probably WHY they charge so much because they each have fewer suckers like you willing to pay their exorbitant prices, so they are probably working off the principal of selling less, but for more money.  What needs to happen is for the local florists to set up their own websites, and set up a paypal account.   Or some enterprising person set up one website and get together a network of florists to update on that one website what they have available, and NOT charge outrageous prices, and they will completely shut down all these other sites!  That's my point.  You can continue to say your girl is worth whatever, I could care less.  Go buy her a Ferrari if it makes your dick tingle, but I work hard for every dollar I make, and I can make my own choices about who profits and how much from my earnings. 

[GQBlues]

I love it how you pick and choose what you want from my conversations to make a point    For one, yeah I bought her a "cheap ring", and she's the one that picked it out!  I replaced it with a much nicer one that I sent over with her dad.  For two, yes I did buy her a used phone, to replace the one she's been having problems with.  Why would I buy her a new phone when she is going to be coming her in a couple months and I will more than likely put her on my cell plan, which is Sprint and doesn't even use GSM phones??  Now onto flowers which I guess is a touchy subject for you.  You're right, I feel I shouldn't have to pay $100 to have a decent bouquet of flowers delivered just because she lives in Russia!  It's not about supply and demand, in fact I think the supply of online delivery places is far greater than the need for them, and that is probably WHY they charge so much because they each have fewer suckers like you willing to pay their exorbitant prices, so they are probably working off the principal of selling less, but for more money.  What needs to happen is for the local florists to set up their own websites, and set up a paypal account.   Or some enterprising person set up one website and get together a network of florists to update on that one website what they have available, and NOT charge outrageous prices, and they will completely shut down all these other sites!  That's my point.  You can continue to say your girl is worth whatever, I could care less.  Go buy her a Ferrari if it makes your dick tingle, but I work hard for every dollar I make, and I can make my own choices about who profits and how much from my earnings.

Have you spent that 60 bucks for your *fiancee* yet, Dude. Better hurry because your *today* is actually *tomorrow* there...