At Hignight Florist in East Moline, we’ve seen it happen far too often. A customer thinks they’ve ordered from us, but the order was actually placed through a third-party company known as an order gatherer. These companies take a large cut of the total, pass the rest to a random florist, and in some cases, the order never even makes it to the shop at all.
The result? You lose value for your money, the florist loses a customer, and the personal connection that makes local flower shops special is gone.
What Is an Order Gatherer?
Order gatherers are middlemen in the flower industry. They build websites designed to look like they belong to local florists. They use our shop names, addresses, and even real reviews to seem legitimate. But they are not florists.
When you place an order through their site, they route it to whichever florist they choose — sometimes one across town, sometimes one in another city entirely. They keep a big portion of your payment, leaving less for the florist to work with. That often means a smaller arrangement than you expected.
How Order Gatherers Hurt You and Your Florist
The harm is twofold:
- You lose quality and value. Because the florist gets less money for your order, the arrangement is often smaller or uses lower-cost flowers.
- You lose trust. If something goes wrong, you’ll likely call the florist who received the order — but they may not even know your name because the gatherer withheld your information.
It also means the florist misses out on a direct customer relationship. They can’t follow up, send you specials, or personally thank you, because they don’t have your contact details.
The Easiest Way to Avoid Being Tricked
One of the simplest, most important steps you can take is to look for a local physical street address on the florist’s website.
A legitimate local florist will proudly list their shop address, often with photos of their storefront or design space. If the address matches the city where your flowers will be delivered, you’re almost certainly working with a real florist.
If the site only lists a vague service area or no address at all, consider that a big red flag. Many order gatherers hide their location because they’re not based in the city they claim to serve.
Why We Don’t Work with Order Gatherers
Years ago, Hignight Florist made the decision to completely stop working with any order gatherers. When you order directly from us — either by phone or through our official website — you know your flowers are designed right here in East Moline, by our own hands, with the same care and creativity we’d give to our own family.
This way, you get exactly what you paid for, and we can give you the full local florist experience, from custom designs to personal delivery.
Why Ordering Local Matters
Ordering from a local florist does more than guarantee quality flowers. It:
- Keeps your money in the community
- Supports local jobs
- Ensures you can speak directly to the people creating your arrangement
- Helps you get exactly what you want, without middleman markups
It’s the difference between buying from a neighbor who knows you and sending money to a faceless company.
FAQs About Order Gatherers and Flower Delivery
How can I tell if a florist website is real?
Look for a local street address, a local phone number, and photos of their shop. Real florists are proud to show their location.
Are order gatherers illegal?
Not usually. They operate within the law, but their practices can be misleading. Many customers don’t realize they’re not ordering directly from a florist.
What happens if I order from an order gatherer?
Part of your payment goes to the gatherer, not the florist. This often results in a smaller arrangement than you expected and removes your ability to work directly with the shop.
Why does the arrangement sometimes look smaller than the photo?
Because the gatherer keeps a portion of your payment, the florist has less to work with. That means fewer or less expensive flowers.
How can I make sure I’m ordering from Hignight Florist?
Visit our official website or call us directly. Our East Moline address is clearly listed, and our friendly staff will confirm your order details personally.
Final Tip
If you ever have doubts, call the shop directly before placing an order online. Ask if they are the florist who will be designing and delivering the flowers. That simple step can save you money and ensure your flowers are made exactly as you envisioned.
At Hignight Florist, we believe ordering flowers should be a joyful experience — not a gamble. Order direct, shop local, and keep your flowers (and your dollars) in the hands of people who care.
