HB 989 - Governor Perry Signs - Protecting "Real" Local Florists

Texas has passed the Deceptive Floral Listing Bill (H.B. 989).  Governor signed the bill into law on June 17, 2011 and it takes effect September 1, 2011. 

Here's the lowdown:  When you want to order flowers to send to your aunt in, let's say, Bastrop, Texas, you would do a search for "Bastrop florist".  Now, Brenda Abbott Floral Design's website might pop up, but also, there might be other "florists" who appear to be able to deliver to Bastrop, and their ad might even say, "same day delivery to Bastrop".  Weelllll, those are not necessarily truthful ads.  They are deceptive.  Those florists are not even florists at all...they are "order gatherers", a room full of telephone order takers somewhere in a metal building, who have no knowledge of flowers, no florist license, and are probably not even in your state.  They take the order, claim they can fill it, and take your money.  Then they start calling real florists in, for instance, Bastrop to fill the order, on short notice, and for less than you paid for the flowers!  "That ought to be illegal" we scream!  Well, thanks to the Texas State Florists Association and many many complaints from real florists and real consumers, Texas has taken steps to stop this scam!  Wahoo!  Beginning September 1, 2011, these floral scammers can no longer misrepresent their geographical location in a telephone directory, other print directory or on an internet website.  But still be mindful of who you're ordering from!  Best practice:  don't order from the online flower superstores...google real florists in real towns, talk with them on the phone, ask what's in their cooler, don't order by a stock photo!

Brenda Abbott Floral Design....a real family-owned, local florist
1902 Chestnut
Bastrop, Texas 78602
512-985-5359
http://www.brendaabbott.net/

It's Bound to Rain Soon!

I know you're thinking it's never going to rain again here in central Texas, but be PREPARED, and in STYLE!  (Or perhaps, you need shade on the golf course!)  To assist you, we have a great selection of gorgeous umbrellas!  Pink Gerbers, Purple Dahlias, and of course one of the crowd favorites "Raining Cats & Dogs"....You just have to see that one!  Matching tote bags make these unique and unforgettable gifts. 

Red Gerber

Blue Morpho Butterfly

Sunflower

Purple Daisy

Raining Cats & Dogs

Matching Totes: W 19.5" x L 14.5" x D 6"

The umbrellas come in a full size with nice wooden handle or a compact version with a very nice push-button automatic opening and closing feature. 

Most have matching tote bags.

Umbrellas are $25 and the totes are $30 + tax.

Brenda Abbott Floral Design
1902 Chestnut
Bastrop, Texas 78602
512-985-5359
http://www.brendaabbott.net/