Frequently Asked Questions

Find Answers to Your Most Common Questions

Online Ordering & Website FAQs

No, you can choose to check out as a guest for a quick and easy purchase. However, creating an account allows you to save your details for faster future orders, view your order history, and manage your addresses.

If you’ve forgotten your password, simply click the “Forgot Password” link on the login page and follow the instructions to reset it. If you’re still experiencing issues, please contact our support team for assistance.

Yes, you can. During the checkout process, you’ll find a dedicated field where you can enter your discount code or gift card number. Be sure to apply it before completing your purchase to see the adjusted total.

We want to make your online shopping experience as smooth as possible, which is why we offer a variety of convenient and secure payment options:

  • Credit and Debit Cards: We accept all major cards, including Visa, Mastercard, and American Express, for straightforward payments.

  • Digital Wallets: Speed up your checkout with popular digital wallet options like Apple Pay and Google Pay.

  • Flexible Payment Solutions: Make gifting easy with Afterpay – pay later in interest-free installments.

Yes, absolutely. We prioritize your online security. All payments made through our website are processed via a secure, encrypted payment gateway. We do not store your credit card details on our servers.

Yes, you will receive an order confirmation email immediately after your purchase.

We understand that plans can sometimes change. You can modify or cancel your online order up to 24 hours before your selected delivery date.

To request any changes or cancellations, please contact our customer service team immediately with your order number. We will do our best to accommodate your request.

Please note that orders that have already been dispatched for delivery cannot be modified or cancelled. For cancelled orders, approximately 4% of the total amount will be charged as a handling fee, as this fee is incurred when your order is placed via the online shop. For specific details regarding refunds and our policy, please refer to our full [Terms & Conditions] page.

Delivery FAQs

Yes, for your convenience, we provide same-day delivery for most eligible areas within Christchurch and Canterbury.

To ensure your order is delivered on the same day, please note our specific cut-off times:

  • For all Christchurch Suburbs (excluding business addresses): Orders must be placed by 1:00 PM NZST (Monday to Friday).
  • For Business Addresses (all areas) and Outer Christchurch: Orders must be placed by 11:00 AM NZST (Monday to Friday).

For Saturday deliveries, the cut-off time is typically 11:00 AM NZST for most areas, but please be aware that specific delivery rules and earlier cut-offs may apply to certain locations.

Important Considerations:

  • Some remote or specific rural areas may be designated as Next Day Delivery Only and are not eligible for same-day service.
  • Orders placed after these respective cut-off times will be scheduled for delivery on the next available business day.

For precise cut-off times, eligible suburbs, and service availability for your specific address, please refer to our full [Delivery Information] page.

We offer delivery of our fresh and dried flowers across Christchurch and the wider Canterbury Areas. To confirm service to your specific address, please refer to our full [Delivery Information] page.

Delivery costs vary depending on the recipient’s location within our delivery zones.

Delivery prices:

  • Christchurch Suburbs: NZD $15 (e.g., City, Riccarton, Merivale)
  • Outer Christchurch: NZD $20 (e.g., Rolleston, Rangiora, Lincoln)
  • Long Haul: NZD $25 (e.g., Akaroa, Amberley, Kaikoura)

To confirm the exact delivery cost for your specific address and to view all eligible delivery areas, please refer to our full [Delivery Information] page.

We deliver our beautiful floral arrangements from Monday to Saturday. Our standard delivery window is typically between 10 AM and 6 PM for residential addresses, and 10 AM and 5 PM for business addresses. We do not deliver on Sundays  (except Mother’s Day) or public holidays.

We aim for efficient delivery across Christchurch and Canterbury. While we cannot guarantee precise delivery times, we have multiple delivery runs throughout the day to ensure timely arrival.

Typically, our delivery windows are as follows:

  • For Business Addresses: Deliveries are generally completed between 10:00 AM and 5:00 PM NZST.
  • For Residential Addresses: Deliveries are generally completed between 10:00 AM and 6:00 PM NZST.

If you have a specific time request (e.g., for a business closing early or a special event), please include it in the delivery notes during checkout. We will do our best to accommodate your request, though precise timings cannot be guaranteed.

Orders placed by our cut-off times will be included in the appropriate delivery run for same-day service. For more detailed information, please visit our [Delivery Information] page.

While our same-day delivery courier does not currently offer live, real-time tracking for orders, we ensure you stay informed.

You will receive an email notification once your order has been dispatched for delivery.

Should you require an update on your delivery status before this, please feel free to contact our customer service team directly via [info@downiesflowers.co.nz] with your order number, and we’ll be happy to assist you

If the recipient is not home, our courier will first attempt to find a safe, shaded spot to leave the flowers, ensuring they are protected from direct sunlight or extreme weather.

If no safe place is available, or if access is restricted (e.g., gated community, apartment building), our courier will attempt to contact the recipient using the provided phone number.

Should the delivery still be unsuccessful after this attempt, we will contact the sender to arrange either a re-delivery or a pickup from our Christchurch store. Please note that a re-delivery fee may apply if a second delivery attempt is required due to recipient unavailability or access limitations.

To ensure a smooth and timely delivery, please double-check that the recipient’s phone number and any specific delivery instructions are accurate and complete.

Product & Care FAQs:

  • Bright & Bold – Vibrant red, yellow, orange, and purple for cheer up and energy.
  • Classic White – Pure elegance with white, creamy off-white, and green.
  • Jewel –  Rich, deep tones like ruby red, burgundy, dark orange and purple for luxurious style.
  • Softness – Gentle hues of pink, cream/white, lemony, and lavender for calm serenity.
  • Surprise Me – Let our florists create a unique, artful mix of seasonal colours to meet your occasions.

While we strive for absolute accuracy in our product photography, please understand that flowers are natural products, and just like in nature, no two stems or blooms are identical.

The images on our website are designed to represent the overall style, size, and approximate color palette of the arrangement.

Due to seasonal availability and the unique characteristics of each flower, there may be slight variations in color, bloom size, or specific flower varieties used.

However, we always ensure that the value, aesthetic, and quality of your chosen arrangement are maintained, using the freshest and most beautiful flowers available.

In the rare event that a specific flower, foliage, or non-floral item (like a particular vase or wrapping) shown in the picture is unavailable due to seasonality or unforeseen circumstances, our expert florists will substitute it with a similar item of equal or greater value.

We always ensure the overall aesthetic, style, and color palette of your chosen arrangement are maintained, prioritizing freshness and beauty.

To maximize the life of your fresh flowers, please follow these steps upon arrival:

  • As our bouquets are Wet Wrapped for optimal freshness, carefully unwrap them.
  • Re-cut the stems at an angle (about 2-3 cm) using a sharp knife or shears.
  • Immediately place them into a clean vase filled with fresh water.
  • Change the water and re-cut stems every two days to ensure continuous hydration.
  • Keep your flowers away from direct sunlight, strong heat sources (like radiators), and ripening fruit, as these can shorten their lifespan.

Yes, every fresh flower delivery includes a detailed care guide to help you keep your blooms looking beautiful for longer. Our bouquets are Wet Wrapped to ensure optimal freshness upon arrival, meaning you can place them directly into a vase of water when you receive them.

Dried and preserved flowers are designed for longevity with minimal care. To maintain their beauty, keep them away from direct sunlight, high humidity, and water. A gentle dusting with a soft brush or hairdryer on a cool, low setting occasionally is all they need.

In-Store (Physical Shop) FAQs

Yes, absolutely! We offer a convenient in-store pickup option for your online orders.

To select this, simply choose the “In-Store Pickup” option during the checkout process. Your order will typically be ready for collection within 2-4 hours for orders placed before our same-day cut-off time, or the next business day if placed after. You will receive an email notification as soon as your order is ready for pickup.

Please bring your order confirmation (digital or printed) and a valid ID when collecting your flowers from our Christchurch store during our regular business hours. For our store hours and location, please refer to our [Contact Us] page.

While we always have a beautiful selection of fresh cut flowers in-store, we typically do not keep stock of pre-made fresh bouquets ready for immediate grab-and-go. Our fresh flower arrangements are custom-made to order by our florists to ensure the utmost freshness and to perfectly suit your preferences.

For fresh or dried flower arrangements, we recommend placing an order in advance through our website, or you can speak with our florists in-store to have a custom bouquet created for you.

Yes, absolutely! We love creating unique, custom flower arrangements tailored to your specific needs and preferences.

You are most welcome to visit our Christchurch store and speak directly with one of our experienced florists. They will guide you through our beautiful selection of fresh flowers, discuss your occasion, desired style, colour palette, and budget, to craft a truly personalized bouquet or arrangement just for you.

To ensure we can provide you with the best service and have the necessary blooms ready for your custom design, we recommend contacting us at least half a day in advance of your visit. Depending on the complexity of your request and current store busyness, custom arrangements can often be made on the spot or within a short timeframe. For more elaborate designs or during peak seasons, contacting us in advance is particularly advised to discuss your requirements and ensure we have all the necessary flowers to bring your vision to life.

Absolutely! We encourage you to bring in your own vase if you have a special one you’d like to use. Our florists will be happy to create a custom arrangement using your vase, ensuring it complements your chosen blooms perfectly.

For your convenience, we offer a variety of payment methods at our Christchurch store. You can pay using:

  • Credit Cards: Visa, Mastercard, American Express
  • Debit Cards: EFTPOS
  • Mobile Payments: Apple Pay, Google Pay
  • Cash

If you have any questions regarding payment, feel free to ask our friendly staff when you visit us!

Yes, we aim to make your visit as convenient as possible!

Our Christchurch store offers dedicated off-street parking directly outside our shop.

Flower Wholesale FAQs:

Yes, our Christchurch store is open to both the general public (retail customers) and our approved wholesale partners.

Retail customers are most welcome to visit our shop during our regular business hours to browse and purchase our beautiful selection of fresh and dried floral products.

However, please note that wholesale pricing, specific product ranges, and payment terms are exclusive to businesses with an approved wholesale account. If you are a business seeking wholesale services, you will need to apply for an account through our [Flower Wholesale] page to access wholesale benefits.

We don’t have a minimum spend limit for either our retail or wholesale customers, offering flexibility for all purchase sizes.

However, for our wholesale partners, we believe in rewarding loyalty and volume. The more frequently you purchase from us, the greater the benefits and discounts you’ll receive. We also conduct monthly reviews of wholesale accounts to ensure you’re consistently getting the best possible terms and offers tailored to your purchasing frequency.

We welcome wholesale inquiries from businesses interested in our fresh and floral supplies. To apply for a wholesale account, please [contact us] online. We’ll then send you our Wholesale Application Form to complete. Our team will review your submission and get in touch within 3-4 business days.

A: Once your wholesale account is approved, you’ll receive our detailed wholesale price list via email on a weekly basis. This list will include all currently available fresh products.

To place an order, simply email your selections to us. We recommend submitting your order by 2 PM the day before your preferred delivery day to ensure optimal availability and timely processing.

For our approved wholesale partners, we offer both convenient delivery and in-store pickup options:

Wholesale Delivery: We provide wholesale delivery services across Christchurch and major centres in Southland, from Monday to Saturday. To ensure the freshest product and efficient service, lead times vary, with most orders requiring at least 24-48 hours notice. Specific delivery routes and cut-off times will be communicated upon account approval.

In-Store Pickup: Alternatively, you can arrange for in-store pickup directly from our Christchurch location. Pickup times are during designated wholesale pickup hours, which will be provided to you upon your account approval.

Detailed delivery schedules, specific delivery regions, and any associated fees will be outlined upon your wholesale account approval.

For new wholesale accounts, payment is typically required upfront for the first three orders. Following this, qualified businesses may apply for credit terms, such as Net7, Net 14 or Net 30, subject to a credit application and approval process. We accept bank transfers and major credit cards for wholesale payments.

General & About Us FAQs:

Downies Flowers has been a proud part of the Christchurch community since 1968. With more than 50 years of experience, we’ve built a reputation for crafting beautiful floral arrangements and providing exceptional service, becoming a trusted local florist for generations.

We pride ourselves on sourcing the freshest and highest-quality blooms available. We work closely with trusted local growers in Canterbury wherever possible, prioritizing seasonal and sustainably grown flowers. For specialty blooms or those out of season locally, we partner with reputable national and international suppliers who meet our strict quality standards, ensuring a diverse and beautiful selection year-round.

Our website showcases our most popular designs, signature collections, and a broad representation of our style. While our online selection is extensive, our physical store often features a wider variety of individual fresh blooms, unique vases, and seasonal specials that change daily. We encourage you to visit us in Christchurch for the full experience and to see our freshest daily offerings.

Your satisfaction is our top priority! We take immense pride in the freshness and quality of our flowers and the artistry of our designs. If you are not completely satisfied with your order, please contact us within 24 hours of receipt with details and a photo. We will do our utmost to understand the issue and work towards a satisfactory resolution, whether through a replacement or appropriate solution.

Our physical shop in Christchurch and our online support team operate during the following hours:

  • Monday – Friday: 9:00 AM – 3:30 PM (Showroom hours)
  • Saturday: 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM (Showroom hours)
  • Sunday & Public Holidays: Closed (except for special occasions like Mother’s Day – please check our website or social media for updated holiday hours).

For any online inquiries submitted outside of these hours, our team will get back to you promptly on the next business day.

We’re always happy to hear from you! For general inquiries, you can reach our team via email at [info@downiesflowers.co.nz]. You can also call us during business hours at [03-962 5995], or visit our Christchurch store for in-person assistance. For specific order-related questions, please include your order number for faster service.

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