There’s this occasional moment where you find yourself in front of a stranger holding a brilliant bouquet of long-stem roses. And, then there’s the split second later when you realize the roses are for you.
Each Valentine’s Day, 1-800-FLOWERS.COM President Chris McCann gets to be the stranger, arm full of flowers, waiting for a smile.
“My brother [Chief Executive Jim McCann] and I go out and make deliveries every year and people are surprised,” McCann said. “They say, ‘You’re making deliveries?’ But we want everyone to make deliveries. It’s important to see personally how consumers react.”
When an employee was slated to begin work with the company last year on Feb. 15, McCann encouraged him to start a day early if he really wanted to understand the company mission.
1-800-FLOWERS President Chris McCann
“He described a delivery in a not-so-nice neighborhood that put a big smile on a women’s face,” McCann said. “He said it was the best thing in the world.”
And, that’s the 1-800-FLOWERS business. “What we have learned is that our customers come to us not just because they want to send a gift, but because they want us to deliver a smile to someone. It’s not necessarily flowers or chocolate or wine…we’re in the business of smiles.”
That’s the kind of attitude that helps a company attain the STELLAService ELITE seal. 1-800-FLOWERS proudly displays their ELITE seal on the homepage.
It’s a great accomplishment for a business full of complexities. For instance, those roses in your Bieber Fever Bouquet likely traveled from South American field to flower shop within 36 hours. And, they’re among more than 11.2 million stems delivered by 1-800-FLOWERS on Valentine’s Day alone.
“There are lots of things that can go wrong,” McCann said. “The thing I’m most proud about is that when something does go wrong we bend over backwards to make it right with the customer. It’s not just a transaction. It’s an emotional occasion.”
STELLAService has assembled a list of its ELITE and EXCELLENT rated stores in categories popular for Valentine’s Day gifts. It’s an easy way to make sure Cupid’s arrow is on the mark.
STELLAService Top Rated Sites For Valentine’s Day Shopping
For Something Floral
1800FLOWERS.com
Teleflora.com
FromYouFlowers.com
JustFlowers.com
48longstems.com
For Something Shiny
BlueNile.com
Superjeweler.com
Overstockjeweler.com
Titanium-jewelry.com
Adiamor.com
Think Outside Of The Chocolate Box
HarryandDavid.com
VermontTeddyBear.com
Winecountrygiftbaskets.com
Hammacher.com
Uncommongoods.com
