An online war of the roses has broken out, with dozens of florists claiming they're owed thousands of dollars each by an international flower order company slammed for failing to deliver Valentine's and Mother's Day orders.Rita Sakr thought her Wildrose Florist business would bloom when she agreed two years ago to work with online company Ready Flowers, which does not make bouquets but relays orders to local florists and pockets a big commission. Owed $22,500 since August, Ms Sakr has been forced to dismantle her custom-built kiosk at an Eastgardens shopping centre, shift her business into the garage of her Canterbury home and work at her sister's cafe."I miss my customers. They come to you during special anniversaries or difficult times and you become part of their lives," she said."I've spoken with the ACCC, my solicitors have sent a letter of demand and I've sent international debt collectors. I don't know what else to do."Fairfax Media this week revealed consumer watchdogs are considering taking joint legal action against Ready Flowers - run by Perth man Thomas Hegarty in Hong Kong - after a deluge of complaints about the non-delivery and poor quality of Valentine's and Mother's Day bouquets.

Florists said they had ignored or rejected orders relayed by Ready Flowers because it was taking cuts so big - as large as 50 per cent - it hurt their business.A growing number are also severing ties with the "order gatherer" business because it has stopped paying them. Fairfax Media is aware of 23 florists across Australia collectively owed $188,000, sending some of them broke.Amounts owed range from $240 for Priceless Memories in Albion Park to $50,000 for a Melbourne boutique that has asked to remain anonymous.Karlos Hess from Korumburra Florist in Victoria said it was exhausting chasing the $1447 owed because Ready Flowers was based in Hong Kong, where it moved from Perth in 2008 to accelerate its expansion."Once they went offshore, you're kind of stuffed for options in terms of chasing them up, that's what the directors are hiding behind," he said."It's bad enough what they do to the industry in terms of turning $100 they've received for an order into $50 for a florist who also has to cover delivery and other expenses."

Created in 2005, Ready Flowers has grown to process 250,000 orders in Australia each year by luring customers with at least half a million Google AdWords and creating landing pages for every suburb to which it delivers, giving customers the impression they're using a local service.business for sale 2486Mr Hegarty, who is believed to be attempting to sell the company and moving to the Philippines, has not responded to multiple requests for comment.handyman services in northern virginiaIn March, an ASIC notice of the winding up of Ready Flowers Pty Ltd was lodged at the Supreme Court by DSS Law on behalf of a Townsville florist attempting to recover $26,626.It's understood the application was dismissed by consent because it was against Ready Flowers Pty Ltd, a "transaction processing company" sold by his parents Peter and Deborah Hegarty to Ready Flowers Ltd in Hong Kong in 2009.A husband-and-wife florist team in Perth launched court action two handyman in orange county california

weeks ago against the company in a bid to recover $2000. They are now settling the case out of court.At present, the flower retailer claims to serve customers in 172 countries through its worldwide network of 2000 bricks-and-mortar florists.business for sale newquay ukSocial media forums such as Whirlpool and product review websites are littered with complaints, with customers around the world sharing horror stories of non-deliveries, wilted flowers and struggles to obtain a refund.handyman services contractors richmondThere appear to be creditors in China, Korea and France.Concerning "order gatherer" businesses, Joh Dickens, president of the Professional Florists Association of NSW, said florists lose out because they barely make a profit from the order and risk ruining their reputation."starting a handyman business nsw

Say the customer has paid them $80 for flowers, then they'll come to us saying can you do it for $50? And it's not worth it for some businesses, who have to produce a bunch worth $80," she said.She warned consumers to avoid the business, saying they risked receiving sub-standard arrangements.NSW Fair Trading said consumer watchdogs across Australia are considering taking joint legal action against Ready Flowers for breaching consumer law.Kate Carnell, the Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman, said she has so far dealt with one complaint in relation to Ready Flowers."We will of course monitor the situation concerning this online retailer, and certainly encourage those small businesses who believe they have been unfairly treated, to come forward and seek further advice about the assistance available to them," she said.Robyn Hobbs, NSW Small Business Commissioner, said due to the confidential nature of the dispute resolution service she couldn't name specific businesses, but she encouraged affected businesses to step forward."

When a small business in NSW is owed money from a supplier or is experiencing a commercial dispute, we help work toward a solution, such as facilitating a negotiation to recovery monies owed," she said.Small businesses can seek assistance in NSW by calling 1300 795 534, emailing we.assist@smallbusiness.nsw.gov.au or by visiting smallbusiness.nsw.gov.au.Do you know more? Classic long stemmed Colombian red roses. Plus the finest range of Valentine's Day Flowers. Welcome to Jodie McGregor Flowers Looking for sumptuous flowers delivered in Sydney that will knock their socks off? Ladies and gentlemen... you have reached your destination! Buy online and feel free to have a look around. We hope you enjoy your stay... Jodie and the JMF team Your flowers won’t come from a non-descript factory warehouse or a backyard operation. We have talented, passionate florists at the top of their field. And a real shop you can touch. Even smell the roses if you like. Check 'em out here Valentine's Day - order online and you could win $1000 in JodieVIP flowers!

Some places where we've been featured... Flowers Delivered Sydney - Jodie McGregor Florist Sydney's best florist for local flower delivery? That's a big call. But check out what our customers are saying here. If these guys are right, it seems we'd have plenty of support for the title of "Sydney's Best Florist". Not to mention what the good folk at "Time Out Sydney" and "The Knot" say. Yep, they include us in their picks for Sydney's best florist too. Take a peak at our "Media" page. Here, you'll see what's being said about us in the media and some of the places where we've been featured. Plus the awards we've won, making Jodie McGregor Flowers Sydney's most awarded florist and your first choice for sending flowers in Sydney. Popular Ranges: Valentines Day Flowers | Mother's Day Flowers | Latest Posts From Jodie's Blog Smart Tips for Saving on Wedding Flowers Yes, we know they can be expensive. Here's why.... and how you can be smart and save. Getting a Job as  Florist - Smart Ways to Get a Start and Make it Work