Consumer Power: Order from Small Businesses and Support Local Business
When you want to order flowers or a gift, for a loved one, whether it is a birthday, anniversary, wedding or just to say thank you, we have a tremendous choice of where we go to order. If we are looking for let’s say, an online florist, it is easy enough to find something quickly. Unfortunately, as the bigger “corporate companies” are taking over the marketing, even on line it takes a little more effort to find the smaller companies. As consumers, we usually want to purchase something quickly, easily and from a convenient source. If we take the time to choose a smaller company, we will often find excellent customer service. Most websites are easy to navigate through, however, if you do wish to speak to a person with some knowledge of the products, it usually only happens anymore with smaller companies. Most large companies have an answering service that will take your order and yes, they could be in India for all you know. That person may know the arrangement you’re interested in from a picture they see on their computer, but they probably will have never seen the flowers they’re selling and they cannot offer ideas based on budget, preference, or seasonality because they are working from a script! What you save in price you may end of paying for in sub-par flowers and impersonal customer service. We all bear responsibility as consumers for contributing to the success of these corporate companies. We contribute every time we buy from a Wal-Mart or Barnes and Noble instead of our smaller flower companies, local grocer, and cozy bookstore. Whether we purchase flowers from 1-800-Flowers, Just Flowers, Next Day Delivery or Martha Stewart (who is owned by 1-800), we are effectively turning our backs on smaller companies who take great pride in their service and quality of product. If we are interested in the finest quality products, in supporting local families and local economies, lets start with products from Hawaii! Below is a list of local companies who are making a difference in our Islands, helping to preserve the Aloha spirit with local products, made by local people, and supporting our local economy Hana Flower Company www. hanaflowers.com Fresh Hawaiian Grown flowers, farm fresh, overnight delivery, with a gorgeous variety of Tropical Hawaiian Flower Arrangements, Protea Baskets and Wreaths, Orchid Plants and Fresh Hawaiian Flower Leis. Send the Gift of Aloha Today! 1-800-952-4262 (HANA) Kula Lavender Company- Sustainable Grower/Retailer of Lavender Products Farm Grown in Kula Maui www.aliikulalavender.com Kona Soap and Coffee Company- Sustainable Business Hawaii made soaps with a combination of Olive Oil, Palm Kernel Oil, Coconut Oil, Hawaiian Kukui Nut Oil, and natural Hawaiian rain water, along with natural essential oil scents. Also Kona Grown Coffee and Cacao. http://www.konanaturalsoapcompany.com
As consumers, we usually want to purchase something quickly, easily and from a convenient source. If we take the time to choose a smaller company, we will often find excellent customer service. Most websites are easy to navigate through, however, if you do wish to speak to a person with some knowledge of the products, it usually only happens anymore with smaller companies. Most large companies have an answering service that will take your order and yes, they could be in India for all you know. That person may know the arrangement you’re interested in from a picture they see on their computer, but they probably will have never seen the flowers they’re selling and they cannot offer ideas based on budget, preference, or seasonality because they are working from a script! What you save in price you may end of paying for in sub-par flowers and impersonal customer service. We all bear responsibility as consumers for contributing to the success of these corporate companies. We contribute every time we buy from a Wal-Mart or Barnes and Noble instead of our smaller flower companies, local grocer, and cozy bookstore. Whether we purchase flowers from 1-800-Flowers, Just Flowers, Next Day Delivery or Martha Stewart (who is owned by 1-800), we are effectively turning our backs on smaller companies who take great pride in their service and quality of product. If we are interested in the finest quality products, in supporting local families and local economies, lets start with products from Hawaii! Below is a list of local companies who are making a difference in our Islands, helping to preserve the Aloha spirit with local products, made by local people, and supporting our local economy Hana Flower Company www. hanaflowers.com Fresh Hawaiian Grown flowers, farm fresh, overnight delivery, with a gorgeous variety of Tropical Hawaiian Flower Arrangements, Protea Baskets and Wreaths, Orchid Plants and Fresh Hawaiian Flower Leis. Send the Gift of Aloha Today! 1-800-952-4262 (HANA) Kula Lavender Company- Sustainabl -->