GOA-WORLD - EXPRESSIONS - THE FLOWER SHOP

1.What is 'To Goa With Love'?
'To Goa With Love' is a service which allows Goans from all over the world to send floral greetings to their loved ones back in Goa. This service is offered by EXPRESSIONS - The Flower Shop, a Panjim-based business owned and run by me, Beatrice Pinto, and my husband Cecil.

EXPRESSIONS main business is the preparation, selling and delivery of fresh flower arrangements. 'To Goa with Love' is an extension of this business to make flower delivery accessible over e-mail. This service has been in existence since 1998 and has been used so far by hundreds of Goans from all corners of the globe.

2.How do you accept orders?
Orders are accepted only over e-mail. Orders over the phone are unreliable, faxes often undecipherable and normal postal mail takes much too long. So only e-mail!

3. What exactly do you deliver?
We deliver fresh flower arrangements. These may be in a basket or in an earthen vase or something more ornate depending on your budget . The content and type of the arrangement is based on the value of your order and special instructions if any. Our flower range is from Rs. 350/- to Rs. 3,500/-. The more your order-value, the better the arrangement. Expensive - hence longer lasting flowers, better accessories, a stand to hold the arrangement, etc. are added as per the value of your order. We understand that you're not just sending flowers, you're sending a personal message to someone very special and dear to you. So we take the trouble of using the best flowers, greens and accessories to give you the best value for money, and the receiver something to cherish.

4. What else do you include?
Every arrangement is accompanied by a greeting card specific for the occasion. Inside this greeting card we write the message from the sender.

5. Do you deliver other items too?
We are a flower shop and not a delivery service. The delivery part is a value added service we provide our clients. Occasionally requests come in for the delivery of a cake, or chocolates, or a stuffed toy or a champagne bottle. We comply with these requests only if the additional item is an ‘accompaniment’ to a flower arrangement. You will have to specify what additional item you desire to be sent and we will quote you how much additional it will cost.

Over the years we have delivered varied items ranging from a simple remote controlled car for a little boy (Rs. 250/-) to an entire electric guitar set with ampli-speaker and effects pedals (Rs. 24, 400/-). Obviously the more complicated the item the more time we need to get estimates etc. And of course we will need advance payment for items involving large amounts of money.

And no, we do NOT deliver cash – under any circumstances. We are not a money transfer firm. The thumb rule being that, other than cash, we can deliver almost anything – but we are best at flowers!

6. How do you deliver?
Our delivery rates are given on the main page. Normally delivery is done by our delivery staff who use two wheelers. In the case of big arrangements, or multiple deliveries to the same address, we use a Maruti van.

7. When do you deliver?

Under normal circumstances we deliver between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m. on all working days. We try and do all deliveries in the morning itself but this is not always possible and depends on our delivery schedules for the day. If you want delivery at a specific time (e.g. at 11.30 a.m.) or before a specific time (e.g. before 1 p.m.) or beyond normal hours (e.g. 9 p.m.) then we levy a surcharge of Rs. 100/- for this facility. Same applies for Sunday or Public Holiday deliveries (Public Holiday list for Goa available at http://www.goa-world.com.

8. How much advance notice do you need ?
Ideally we need at least 3 (three) days advance notice for an order. On many occasions we have delivered at much shorter notice but the risk is yours. Remember Internet connections and telephone lines here in Goa are not as reliable as they are abroad. So suppose on the day you send your very important order, we are unable to connect and check our mail, then we do not get your order and therefore are unable to process it.

9. Can I cancel an order?
Yes. But we have to receive notice of cancellation at least one whole working day before the scheduled delivery. Otherwise delivery will proceed and you will be charged.

10. How do I know that the delivery has taken place?
Our delivery is accompanied by a delivery challan (note) which is signed by the receiver. This challan is kept in our records as proof of delivery. We can scan and send this signed challan as an attachment to you by e-mail if you so desire. If for some reason we were unable to deliver we will write back to you with an explanation. But this almost never happens. We deliver come rain or storm.

11.Suppose the recipient refuses to accept delivery?
Too bad. You still have to pay.

12.Suppose the recipient is not at home?
Ideally we ask the receiver to sign the delivery challan. In the absence of the receiver we take the signature of a responsible person present who is accepting the delivery on behalf of the receiver. Could be another family member.

13. What if nobody is at home?
This happens sometimes. That is why we insist on a phone number so that we can call up to ask for directions as well as to ensure someone is at home. If nobody is at home we normally get the delivery accepted by some friendly next door neighbour (remember this is Goa). Or we ask the neighbours for directions to an alternate residence. If there are no friendly neighbours around we will leave the arrangement in a visible place at the entrance to the residence. What more can we do? Therefore do try and give us a phone number, even if it is a care-of number.

14. Can I send an anonymous floral greeting?
Yes. You can send a flower arrangement without us revealing your identity. However if there is any complaint of harassment/abuse of this facility, we will be forced to reveal your identity.

15. What if I do not have the full address?
Do not expect us to even attempt a delivery. Please give us the full and detailed address and directions. Include landmarks and names of popular people in the vicinity as well a telephone number (even if it is of a next door neighbour or a care-of). Give us the names of other family members for reference. If we are unable to deliver because of an incorrect address or insufficient directions you will still be charged the full amount. Again remember that this is Goa. Sometimes even the resident does not know his own house number. More important than the house number is all the other stuff used to identify a particular house/family.

16.How do I pay?
Right now these are the possible modes of payment.
1) Send the money to us through someone or tell a friend/relative here in Goa to pay us.
2) Pay one of our 'contact persons' abroad.
3) Send us a cheque/Demand Draft/money order in the name EXPRESSIONS, payable at Panjim. The envelope is to be addressed:

To, Cecil Pinto, First Floor, Opp Sea Homes,

Plot No.22, Lake View Colony, Miramar,

Panjim, Goa 403 001 - India
4) A direct transfer to our bank account.
5) Pay Pal
We deliver your flowers within a few says of your order (and sometimes
just a few hours). An equal speed in you sending the payment would be
appreciated. If we do not receive payment within 6 weeks of processing
and delivering an order then a reminder will be sent.

17. Do you accept credit card payments?
Right now no. At some future date we plan to set the mechanisations in place to accept credit card payments. But till the security issues are sorted out we would not like you to take the risk.

18.Do I have to pay in advance?
Not necessarily, although this is preferable. But make sure you pay in a reasonably OK time. So far no Goan from anywhere in the world has defaulted on payment. We gamble on the fact that Goans are basically decent in their business dealings, wherever in the world they might be. Please do not spoil this unblemished record and spoil the name of Goans everywhere!

19.Is my privacy protected?
Your name, e-mail address and all communications and transactions are recorded solely in our books. You can be assured that we will not reveal or sell your details to any individual or firm.

20.What about refunds?
Since we don't always charge you in advance, the word refund is a misnomer. But if you have paid in advance we will give a full refund of your money if you are not satisfied with the quality of our service. No questions asked. Just inform us why you were not satisfied and you get your money back. This is the best guarantee you will ever get.

Over the years we have slowly built up a small but satisfied international clientele. They know that they can depend on us to provide very good value for money. That is why we get so many repeat orders and such high recommendation from existing clients. Our reputation depends on the high quality of our service. To ensure this and to keep strict standards for ourselves we make this offer of a full no-questions-asked refund if you are dissatisfied.

21.Do you have any 'schemes' for promotion?
Occasionally for special events such as ‘Christmas Day’ or 'Valentine's Day' we offer special package deals where the flower arrangement and delivery is done at an all-inclusive very-reduced rate. This is done as a promotion and publicity exercise and we are able to break even due to volumes. These special event deals are very popular. Send us an e-mail and we will keep you on our mailing list to inform you about any special schemes.

22. What’s this about photographs?

In March 2001 we purchased a digital camera which we send along on every delivery. If the receiver is present, and willing to pose, then we send back photos by e-mail the same day or the next. We are the pioneers in this concept of ‘photos of receiver’ and no other flower service provider in the world offers this facility. Someday it might become a standard procedure for all service providers but remember we started it!!

We do not charge anything extra for this service and also we do not publicize it much. We are committed to providing what we promise. If we promise photos and the person is not present when we deliver, or is not willing to pose, then we will not be able to keep to our word. Hence we do not promise photos.

Obviously on special days like Christmas, Valentine etc. because of sheer volumes and tight delivery schedules we do not take any photos. And if you send an anonymous greeting then definitely we will not be taking photos.

23. Why are your prices so low?
We use the best flowers and other materials available in the preparation of our flower arrangements. No 'susegado' attitude here. Yet our prices are about one fifth of what international florist networks charge for the same service. This is possible because there is a direct link between you and us. There are no layers of middlemen. Even our 'contact' persons do not take any 'kator' for themselves but rather forward orders to us gratis (may they always be showered with the Almighty's blessings!).

We spend precious nothing on advertising or marketing. For example this webpage was designed and hosted for us absolutely free of cost by Goa-World ( http://www.goa-world.com/ ). All we sent them was the photographs and a write-up about our services. Most of our marketing is done by our clients. Satisfied clients recommend our service and thus the word spreads. And all the support and encouragement from Goenkars like Mr. Gaspar Almeida, Mr. Ulysses Menezes, Mr. G. Crasto, Mr.John De Sa and our hundreds of satisfied clients all over the world, is what keeps us going.

Being staunch Goenkars ourselves we provide this service as a means of helping overseas Goans keep in touch with their loved ones back home.

Yes, we do make some money in the process but our business philosophy has always been 'Make a living, not a killing'.

Mog asundi.
Dev borem korum.

Thank You

Credits

Contact:
<expressionsgoa@gmail.com> or <cecilpinto@gmail.com>
Phone: +919822164364 / +919822482025 / +918322465793

Web page design: Ulysses Menezes - Goa-World Team.

"Expressions - The Flower Shop" is promoted by Gaspar Almeida - Goa-World Team.

[HOME]