ftd

Groupon faithful mad about Valentine's flower deal

Do Groupon deals tempt you? Or are you so committed to causes like Tibet and the rain forest that you have switched your allegiance to LivingSocial?

This vital question is placed into strong relief because of some owl-like hooting and town crier hollering that has engulfed Groupon's Thursday deal of $40 worth of flowers for $20.

Was this deal, unlike so many that flood our e-mail in-boxes, too good to be true love? Some seem to think so.

Though the flowers in my house all accidentally fell from other people's gardens, I confess that I was tempted by … Read more

Shame on Vitaly Borker, three cheers for Amazon

commentary Plenty of Web sites this holiday season are offering tips about how to shop online without getting burned by dishonest merchants or con men.

Here's my advice: if in doubt shop at Amazon.

Amazon isn't perfect. I don't know any perfect stores online or off. But after 15 years of providing consumers with a safe shopping experience on the Web, the e-tailing pioneer deserves some applause. Don't believe me? Just read the testimonial given by Vitaly Borker, the man who operates what is now likely the most notorious retail store on the Internet.

On Friday, … Read more

Another e-tailer named in probe changes course

Another e-tailer criticized by federal lawmakers two weeks ago for profiting from "misleading" and "deceptive" marketing practices appears to be rethinking its position.

VistaPrint, an online printing company, announced Monday it has "terminated its contract" with Vertrue, a so-called post-transaction marketing company that has come under scrutiny along with competitors Affinion and Webloyalty. This summer, the U.S. Senate Commerce committee began looking into scores of consumer complaints about the marketers--some going back years.

VistaPrint said in a statement that the company's contract with Vertrue ends December 20.

The three Connecticut-based marketing firms … Read more

E-tailers snagged in marketing 'scam' blame customers

First, the good news for consumers: the U.S. government's investigation into how dozens of well-known online stores worked with controversial marketers to "deceive" customers out of $1.4 billion has prompted some retailers, including Continental Airlines, to sever ties with the marketers.

Now, the bad news: the marketers--Affinion, Vertrue, and Webloyalty--are still in business and judging from the responses of many of the retailers involved, such as Priceline, Classmates.com, FTD, Shutterfly, and Orbitz, it will be business as usual. They see nothing wrong with the marketing practices that millions of angry online shoppers and members … Read more

From Net access to flowers: United Media buys FTD

What does an Internet service provider have in common with a florist?

Seemingly not much. But United Online, which owns dial-up Internet service provider NetZero, said Wednesday that it's spending $456 million to buy FTD Group, the floral and specialty gift provider.

I don't think I'm alone in thinking this seems like an odd pairing. FTD is one of the largest floral companies in the world, providing products to consumers as well as retail florists throughout the U.S., Canada, U.K., and Ireland. But United Online, which owns Internet properties such as Classmates.com, Juno, NetZero, … Read more