Overheard a customer at the shop say 'real florists use oasis foam' - had to bite my tongue

I was working a wedding order last Saturday when this lady browsing said it to her friend. I just kept trimming stems. Took everything not to turn around and explain how that stuff doesn't break down and gets into waterways. My local supplier in Portland stopped carrying it last year and I switched to chicken wire and tape. Takes longer but I sleep better. Any of you dealing with customers pushing back on foam alternatives?

2 comments

2 Comments

oliviahenderson18d ago

Show them how the chicken wire holds, offer a mini demo next time.

andrew_miller904d ago

Oh man, I've been there. A buddy of mine who runs a small shop down in Eugene had a customer ask for a foam arrangement last spring and when he explained why he doesn't use it anymore, she got all huffy and said "well that's what the good florists use." He just smiled and showed her a side-by-side of two arrangements he had in the cooler - one with foam from a previous order and one with chicken wire. She picked the chicken wire one without even knowing which was which. He told me later he felt like a smug jerk but honestly, sometimes people just need to see it works before they believe you. It's frustrating that foam has this reputation for being the professional choice when really it's just the convenient one.