Struggled with a request for blooms from a farm with poor worker pay

A client came in last week wanting a large centerpiece for a wedding, and she specifically asked for lilies from a certain wholesale farm. I know from a friend who worked there that they pay their workers way below minimum wage and have bad conditions. I had other lilies from a local grower I trust, but they cost a bit more. I didn't want to lose the sale, but it felt wrong to support that farm. Tbh, I told her about the issue and showed her the ethical option. She got a bit annoyed but went with my suggestion in the end. It left me wondering if I did the right thing by speaking up. How do you handle it when you know the source isn't fair?

3 comments

3 Comments

loganperry7d ago

Stumbled through a similar talk with a client last month. Made it so awkward I almost wished I'd just kept my mouth shut. But hey, at least we're not supporting slave wages, right?

thomas_adams7d ago

After my second time bringing up ethical sourcing, I started keeping a short list of fair-trade suppliers on hand. It helps to have concrete alternatives ready, so the client doesn't feel like you're just criticizing their choice. I mean, it's still uncomfortable, but showing the actual impact, like how much better the local farm pays, can make a difference. Idk, maybe it's just me, but over time, clients who care about this stuff end up being more loyal.

coleman.gray7d ago

Last year, I read about a flower farm in California that was sued for wage theft. It shows how common these bad practices are, and it's easy to ignore if we don't talk about it. By telling your client, you turned a simple sale into a chance for real change! That initial annoyance might just be surprise, and now she knows better for next time. Building a reputation for caring about sources can actually draw in clients who share your values. It feels tough in the moment, but you're helping shift the whole industry bit by bit.