I chose a flower shop with a big footprint that stretches across a few states with the hope and expectation of getting really high-end, attentive service to help me find the right gift for my needs.

My sister and brother-in-law moved into a new home, and I wanted to send a gift. As I often do, I stressed that I was calling from out of town and really needed this gift to be special since I couldn’t be there. I never gave a budget and let the clerk set the price. In essence, I handed over a blank check.

The order was for a sister who had been in the hospital for a while and was on the mend. The clerk, like many, was warm, friendly, and attentive — a great start, as these are natural qualities. But let’s look deeper: Delivering a ‘“warm and fuzzy”’ experience doesn’t necessarily mean providing great service!

Some wins and misses for Golden Anniversary Order

Tim Huckabee tackles one of the most frequently placed orders: a birthday gift.