What are the pros and cons of using BloomNation?
BloomNation is an online flower marketplace founded in 2011 that connects customers directly with independent local florists. Unlike wire services that charge florists steep fees, BloomNation lets florists set their own prices and keep more of each sale. But is BloomNation the right choice for you? Here are the pros, cons, and answers to common questions to help you decide.
PROS:
- Orders go directly to independent local florists — you see the actual florist who will make your arrangement, including their portfolio and customer reviews.
- Florists photograph their actual finished arrangements, so the photos on the site show what you will really receive, not a stock image.
- Florists keep a larger share of revenue than with wire services, which means your money supports local businesses more directly.
- Same-day delivery available in most areas through the local florist fulfilling your order.
- Higher customization potential — many florists on BloomNation accept special requests and custom orders.
- No hidden service fees or relay charges. Pricing is transparent between you and the florist.
CONS:
- Smaller geographic coverage than major wire services. BloomNation has approximately 3,500 florists compared to Teleflora's 20,000+.
- Availability varies significantly by location — major metro areas have many options, but rural areas may have few or none.
- No centralized customer service hotline. Issues are handled between you and the individual florist, which can vary in responsiveness.
- Less brand recognition than established names like 1-800-Flowers or Teleflora.
- No gift add-ons like chocolates, stuffed animals, or gift baskets that larger services bundle.
- The browsing experience can feel fragmented since each florist has their own style and inventory.
Is BloomNation legit?
Yes, BloomNation is a legitimate flower marketplace founded in 2011 by Farbod Shoraka, David Daneshgar, and Gregg Weisstein. The company is based in Los Angeles and has raised venture capital funding. BloomNation has been featured in Forbes, TechCrunch, and other major publications. They partner with approximately 3,500 independent florists across the United States. Customer reviews are generally positive, particularly regarding the accuracy of arrangements matching the photos shown online.
How does BloomNation work?
BloomNation operates as a marketplace connecting you directly with local florists. When you enter a delivery address, the site shows you florists in that area along with their available arrangements, reviews, and pricing. You choose a florist and arrangement, place your order, and BloomNation routes it to that specific florist. The florist creates and delivers your arrangement. Unlike wire services where any florist in the network might fill your order, you pick the exact florist you want.
How much does BloomNation delivery cost?
Delivery fees on BloomNation are set by each individual florist, typically ranging from $10-20 depending on the delivery distance and area. There are no additional wire service fees or relay charges on top of the delivery fee. The total price you see at checkout is what you pay. This transparent pricing model often results in lower total costs compared to wire services that add service fees of $15-20 on top of delivery charges.
Does BloomNation offer same-day delivery?
Yes, BloomNation offers same-day delivery through their local florist partners, typically when orders are placed before 1-2 PM in the recipient's time zone. The exact cutoff time varies by florist. When browsing arrangements, you can filter for same-day delivery availability. Since orders go directly to a nearby florist without a relay middleman, same-day orders are often handled efficiently.
BloomNation vs Teleflora
Both connect you with local florists, but in different ways:
BloomNation
- You choose your specific florist and see their actual work
- Photos show real arrangements the florist has made
- No relay/service fees — florists set their own prices
- Smaller network (~3,500 florists)
- Best for metro areas where you want to pick a specific florist
Teleflora
- Orders routed to any available florist in the network
- Standardized arrangements from a catalog
- Service fees of $14.99-$19.99 per order
- Much larger network (20,000+ florists)
- Best for broad geographic coverage and rural areas
Read our full Teleflora review for a detailed comparison.
BloomNation vs 1-800-Flowers
Very different business models:
BloomNation
- Marketplace model — you pick the florist
- All arrangements hand-delivered by local florists
- No hidden fees or relay charges
- Smaller selection, focused on fresh arrangements
- Best for supporting local florists and getting what you see
1-800-Flowers
- Large corporation with multiple fulfillment methods
- Mix of local florist delivery and box shipping
- Huge product range (food, gifts, plants)
- Higher fees but more promotions available
- Best for one-stop gifting and nationwide reliability
Read our full 1-800-Flowers review for a detailed comparison.
Can I request custom arrangements on BloomNation?
Yes, many florists on BloomNation accept custom order requests. Since you are working directly with an independent florist rather than ordering from a standardized catalog, there is often more flexibility for customization. You can contact the florist through the platform to discuss specific flowers, colors, or styles. This is a significant advantage over wire services where customization options are limited to what is in the catalog.