Maine florists warn customers about third-party order gatherers [Video]

MANCHESTER, Maine — As the holidays approach, online ordering systems can feel like a lifesaver for busy customers and businesses. But for local florists, this convenience often comes with a catch.

Many are finding their orders intercepted by large corporations.

Hopkins Flowers, a Manchester staple for 72 years, has built a reputation on trust and quality.

Angela Cormier has worked alongside Gary Hopkins, son of the shop’s founder since she was a teenager.

“We do beautiful flowers every day,” she said.

Together, they proudly carry on the store’s legacy.

“We can guarantee the quality of the arrangement, the beauty of the arrangement, and the cost of the arrangement,” Hopkins added.

Yet recently, Hopkins Flowers and other local shops have found themselves losing control over this promise due to third-party order gatherers like 1-800-Flowers and Ava’s Flowers.

Cormier recounted a frequent frustration: “We’ll get that call, ‘I’m on your website.’ …