Zoie F.
Yelp
I seriously spent two weeks researching flower shops and flower delivery within the Los Angeles/Beverly Hills area. It all started when my great-uncle and aunt spoiled me rotten after my college graduation and I knew I wanted to give them something amazing to blow them away. Some John Kelly Chocolates (http://www.yelp.com/biz/john-kelly-chocolates-los-angeles#hrid:ymmk9ugYCTJVlGdBmOC0Gw) solved part A, but I needed another wow factor for part B.
Cue the Conservatory. At first I started out by researching flowers online. I was looking for something in the $50-80 dollar range + delivery to Beverly Hills + good reviews + good quality for the price. I noticed that a lot of the typical 1-800-flower sites had good pictures, but not much else, and I didn't want to go that route in general - I wanted to look like I put some thought into it.
The Conservatory stood out to me because of their impeccable Yelp record - although there are not many reviews the quality of the reviews stand out (cue words like "beautiful", "amazing", "chic", "stunning" - you get the point!).
I also noticed that in several reviews Yelpers mentioned how helpful Van was. The Conservatorys website does not list prices, and I know that some flower shops are more "higher budget" so I emailed Van late one night to see if he could work with a specific price range I had in mind (around $100). He said he would be able to, and informed me of a $50 minimum order, the $20 delivery fee, and that sales tax (8.75%) would also be added but that he would be happy to help me out. With that I was set. I can't afford the $300 bouquets that some other stores offered, and all those crappy pro-flower sites seemed to start around $40 anyways - so I appreciated that the Conservatory not only had competitive prices but that they are a close walk to my work and that I could go in and check out the quality and meet Van the man.
So next up it's the trip to the store itself. First of all as you walk up you see how beautiful all the flowers are - secondly they smell amazing. I knew as soon as I saw them this would be a place that I'd want to drop my cash at. At first I spoke to a man who I assumed was Van, but then Van came around the corner and remembered my email, and asked what I had in mind. Pretty much I said "something that says thanks for the champagne, that's around $70 not including delivery, and that old people would like." With that in mind Van immediately showed me a cute arrangement that he could remake for me on the delivery day with Hyacinths, Roses, and other flowers whose names escape me but they sure were pretty. Top that off with a cute little bow, and the availability to deliver them at practically anytime on a Saturday (I chose mid-afternoon) and I got myself one happy great uncle and aunt. Not only did I get an email, but a phone call and a text from a lady who doesn't even text. I can tell that she loves them.
So in short . . . : VAN IS AMAZING, THE FLOWERS ARE GREAT QUALITY, ALL OF THE STAFF ARE AMAZING AND EASY TO TALK TO, AND THE CONSERVATORY DEFINITELY DESERVE YOUR BUSINESS BECAUSE THEY DO HIGH QUALITY WORK AT GREAT COMPETITIVE AND BUDGET FRIENDLY PRICES.