topic Fake Flower Representations - When will it stop? in Garden

Fake Flower Representations - When will it stop?

Carolinaking — Wed, 07 Feb 2018 21:18:03 GMT

I am disappointed to see the continued use of fake, silk, plants and flowers on QVC again this year. They have gotten sneakier, now mixing the fake blooms in with the plants that are somewhat in bloom. M-49134 is a perfect example today and it SOLD OUT. There were clearly some small viola blooms that were real, but the majority of those BIG yellow/purple/bright orange blooms were FAKE and stuck into the real plants. Why do they keep setting customers up with false expectations? Why don't they acknowledge it more openly, if they see nothing wrong with selling us with FAKES?

Re: Fake Flower Representations - When will it stop?

ValuSkr — Wed, 07 Feb 2018 21:26:29 GMT

Last week, during the full day of garden programming, I did see occasional on-screen statements saying some of the plants shown may be artificial due to seasonality, blah, blah. I guess it's better than not acknowledging it all.

Re: Fake Flower Representations - When will it stop?

makena — Wed, 07 Feb 2018 21:34:26 GMT

You can't expect them to have full-grown blooms.

Re: Fake Flower Representations - When will it stop?

Carolinaking — Wed, 07 Feb 2018 21:40:01 GMT

These are million-dollar growers with huge greenhouses and staffs. Yes, I can most certainly "expect" them to grow a viola (for example) in a greenhouse and show it live on air in bloom. A viola is very simple to grow. I have them growing outside in pots throughout the winter in zone 7, with blooms. Not rocket science. In many cases, they CHOOSE to show fake flowers instead of real flowers because the real flowers are not as impressive. Just moments ago, Roberta's showed three REAL tuberose flowers and they were slightly brown, not completely straight. They were real. They were available. But the three pots of flowers making up most of the display were pure white, straight, fake flower stems stuck into pots to make a big, impressive presentation.

Re: Fake Flower Representations - When will it stop?

Kachina624 — Wed, 07 Feb 2018 21:41:00 GMT

How do you expect them to sell plants when it's the middle of February and there's insufficient sun to product big, colorful blooms naturally? I don't blame them; people who may be contemplating a purchase want to see how the plant will look when it blooms. Do you expect them to showcase an all-green plant and say, "oh, by the way, it gets beautiful blooms"? Television is a visual medium and prople want to see.

Re: Fake Flower Representations - When will it stop?

StillStandin — Wed, 07 Feb 2018 21:41:48 GMT

wrote:
I am disappointed to see the continued use of fake, silk, plants and flowers on QVC again this year. They have gotten sneakier, now mixing the fake blooms in with the plants that are somewhat in bloom. M-49134 is a perfect example today and it SOLD OUT. There were clearly some small viola blooms that were real, but the majority of those BIG yellow/purple/bright orange blooms were FAKE and stuck into the real plants. Why do they keep setting customers up with false expectations? Why don't they acknowledge it more openly, if they see nothing wrong with selling us with FAKES?

😲 OMG I thought they were real at first then I asked myself would they really have came flowers growing out of a lot no way...WOW how dishonest to not tell the public these are not real but they will really lok like this..The host here is IMO the only one that could get away with this charade she Is Dramatic With Everything She Pushes. Another you Guys Repeating Diva!

Re: Fake Flower Representations - When will it stop?

proudlyfromNJ — Wed, 07 Feb 2018 21:45:34 GMT

Over the years, I have heard mention or have seen words on the screen stating all flowers may not be real. I would buy from my local garden center anyway. But at least I have been aware of what they show on QVC.

Re: Fake Flower Representations - When will it stop?

Caaareful Shopper — Wed, 07 Feb 2018 21:54:54 GMT

Really??? This is TV sales, not a greenhouse documentary. I can only imagine all the moving around in different warehouses, on & off screen, different sets, hot lights, blowing air conditioning, handled by who knows how many employees backstage until the setting and staging is just right. The first petal that falls off on screen will have so many people up in arms that the “flowers are no good!”

It isn’t that it’s difficult to grow the flowers under controlled circumstances. It’s that it’s ridiculous to even try to present real flowers and have them look exactly like they should once fully grown. Put yourself in the seller’s shoes.

Re: Fake Flower Representations - When will it stop?

Carolinaking — Wed, 07 Feb 2018 22:00:34 GMT

I'm happy that you are content seeing fake flowers that are more colorful, 3X larger, 5X more plentiful, and 100% open blooms, as these characteristics will never be reproduced in the customers' gardens. Novice gardeners might as well just buy photographs of these plants or purchase silks at the craft store; they'll be less disappointed.

Re: Fake Flower Representations - When will it stop?

Gsmom — Wed, 07 Feb 2018 22:06:34 GMT

They should film the show from the green houses where these flowers could be grown off-season !

The fake flowers are a huge misrepresentation !

Re: Fake Flower Representations - When will it stop?

chessylady — Wed, 07 Feb 2018 22:23:46 GMT

If at all possible, go to a struggling nursery near you and see/buy what is in season. You will likely get a heartier plant at a lower price. It will also grow well in your area.

Re: Fake Flower Representations - When will it stop?

Caaareful Shopper — Wed, 07 Feb 2018 22:26:30 GMT

I’m sure there are instances where the customer’s flowers did not grow to the expectation given in the TV presentation.

However, I have a very hard time believing those are the majority or even near the majority of customers. QVC is in the business of money. Plain & simple. Those two major flower vendors have been selling on QVC for decades. I think they’d be long gone if the real flowers were such a huge disappointment to everyone in their own gardens.

Re: Fake Flower Representations - When will it stop?

kaydee50 — Wed, 07 Feb 2018 22:27:30 GMT

I've never watched an entire presentation--5 minutes at most--but it never occurred to me that what they were showing were fakes. Cold weather or not I think whatever they show should be the real thing. They do remotes from Italy, NYC, etc. do a remote from a greenhouse and show the real plants and how they would really look. Another reason to buy locally and not from TV.

Re: Fake Flower Representations - When will it stop?

hopi — Wed, 07 Feb 2018 23:03:05 GMT

@Carolinaking wrote These are million-dollar growers with huge greenhouses and staffs. Yes, I can most certainly "expect" them to grow a viola (for example) in a greenhouse and show it live on air in bloom. A viola is very simple to grow. I have them growing outside in pots throughout the winter in zone 7, with blooms. Not rocket science. In many cases, they CHOOSE to show fake flowers instead of real flowers because the real flowers are not as impressive. Just moments ago, Roberta's showed three REAL tuberose flowers and they were slightly brown, not completely straight. They were real. They were available. But the three pots of flowers making up most of the display were pure white, straight, fake flower stems stuck into pots to make a big, impressive presentation.

It amazes me how many forum members encourage smoke and mirrors presentations that amount to fraudulent representation. Living in Chicago it has been below freezing for weeks with large amounts of snowfall and yet you can go into any grocery store and see major presentations of all type of live flowers that are stunning, exotic, simple, potted, cut from the area or not.

We're talking stores that sell food - not greenhouses.

Re: Fake Flower Representations - When will it stop?

fthunt — Wed, 07 Feb 2018 22:52:11 GMT

I haven't read all the postings - so forgive me if I'm late with remarks:

For years and years - me stupid - thought all of those flowers were real. Yesterday Phillip was on selling hydrangeas - and got over excited - and with both arms reached out to the plant and hugged it - and CRUNCH was the sound. So funny - I have a Bose' surround sound so there was no way my TV was going to miss that CRUNCH.

Re: Fake Flower Representations - When will it stop?

hopi — Wed, 07 Feb 2018 22:56:25 GMT

@fthuntwrote:
I haven't read all the postings - so forgive me if I'm late with remarks:
For years and years - me stupid - thought all of those flowers were real. Yesterday Phillip was on selling hydrangeas - and got over excited - and with both arms reached out to the plant and hugged it - and CRUNCH was the sound. So funny - I have a Bose' surround sound so there was no way my TV was going to miss that CRUNCH.

If it wasn't so deceptive it would actually be funny.

Re: Fake Flower Representations - When will it stop?

kelsey17 — Wed, 07 Feb 2018 22:57:45 GMT

I never realized it til i heard Pat J.D. say it to Philip the other day...how they were faux flowers.......as other posters have said i think they should show the real things....there are hothouses for plants all over .....i am sure they could manage to grow the particular plants they are showing and have them bloom at this time of year.....

Re: Fake Flower Representations - When will it stop?

Carolinaking — Wed, 07 Feb 2018 23:02:20 GMT

Retailers count on people being lazy after the sale. Example: gift card purchasers (or reccipients) who never get around to using the gift cards. If you look at the reviews, you'll see many 1 and 2 star plant reviews. I've noticed that when the reviews on a QVC item get too low, that item is removed and returns in a different 'configuration', thereby deleting all the past reviews. Also, many people comment that the plants died but they never got around to returning them or calling for a refund, or it was too late. If the seller says it will take 2 years for a plant to reach the on air size, most people would have long forgotten how big and bountiful the fake representations had been. These are all possible explanations for how QVC keeps selling plants that do not perform as advertised in their 'representations'.

Re: Fake Flower Representations - When will it stop?

pupwhipped — Wed, 07 Feb 2018 23:37:55 GMT

wrote:
I haven't read all the postings - so forgive me if I'm late with remarks:
For years and years - me stupid - thought all of those flowers were real. Yesterday Phillip was on selling hydrangeas - and got over excited - and with both arms reached out to the plant and hugged it - and CRUNCH was the sound. So funny - I have a Bose' surround sound so there was no way my TV was going to miss that CRUNCH.

@fthunt, I saw/HEARD the exact same thing. I don't even have Bose sound and heard it. Those puppies were crunching! Toooooo funny.

Re: Fake Flower Representations - When will it stop?

Carmie — Thu, 08 Feb 2018 00:01:51 GMT

It never been a secret that most of the flowers are faux. There’s no way to get a full grown plant blooming on air in West Chester, PA to show the viewers. If they imported them say from California. The prices would have to go up. We are in the middle of a a snow storm with icy conditions. Even our government offices were closed today.

Also, 10 people can buy the same plant and the plants will preform differently for everyone. Some people water, fertilize and have the ideal soil for plant to grow. Others plant something and say a Hail Mary and do nothing else.

As consumers, we should all know that all business show faux things on TV. Does your Big Mac or Whopper at your local McD or Burger King even remotely look like the ones on TV?

Most of the food shown in magazines is fake. We live in a world where mostly everything photographed for a commercial or photo is faux or photo shopped.

if you don’t already know this, then where have you been?

If it bothers you, don’t watch or buy. It is not going to go away no matter how much anyone complains. This is life now and in the future.