AUSTIN, Texas (KXAN) -- The
pain at the pump could be putting a damper on Mother's Day
this weekend.
A study by Biz Report showed more people are planning on
purchasing their gifts online this year than last, up 6
percent to 20 percent. Though some surveyed said online
shopping was more convenient, others said it's because of
the high gas prices.
Those higher gas prices are also driving up the cost of
flowers.
"It's affecting us a lot, because we had to fill up
the tanks every day on our delivery vans, and so we have
to increase our delivery charge," said Monica Jimenez,
who works at the Enchanted Florist.
"I find myself noting gas prices as I try to catch
the cheapest when I do have to fill up," said Vince
Cowan, a delivery driver at the Enchanted Florist.
Many flower shops have upped the prices on bouquets, vases
and other surcharges.
Yet Jimenez said for now the Enchanted Florist is only charging
for deliveries.
"Fuel charge is affecting everything, even for a small
business like this, flowers are shipped from all over the
world, so the fuel charge affects the price of flowers and
then also we have to deliver, so for some people it's a
little bit hard to spend a little extra money," Jimenez
said.
In 2000, the Enchanted Florist charged about $5 to deliver
in the downtown area.|
That charge has doubled in eight years, and for a delivery
to North Austin, the service will cost about $14.
Florists said the higher prices haven't kept the customers
away as of yet -- the orders are still coming in for Mom.
|
Select a Florist
