We don't use any certain rules, but we always try to work with someone w/in our community that has an affiliation to our school. They are more apt to give that way. I'm surprised that they all came in at exactly the same price. Another option besides a florist (we sell plants too) Is to try a wholesaler. Your local grocer usually has a plant department and may be willing to donate the plants "at his cost" to you. We do this with a very small grocery/convenient store (family owned) and in our own community. It is a way he can help the local elementary schools w/o any out of pocket expense. Since he sells much more plants than us annually he is able to get a better deal than we would on our own. We also advertise the fact that he is helping us in our school paper and local paper and send him a thank you. This may work with your local grocery chain (Stop/Shop) or Walmart type of place. I also bow the plants we sell for special occasions, and usually get these supplies donated by local florist or fabric store. FYI--we actually don't make all that much on these.

We are a small community with few businesses. Last year we did a Mother's Day flower sale using our local florist. She is now out of business. We need to pick a florist. We have found 3 that all have the same price, in two neighboring cities. One of them is owned by the grandparents of a student, another is a one-woman small shop. The other is also a small shop. How do we decide which florist to use? This could also be extended to other things, such as a landscaping business or any time we need to do a purchase of goods and services. Should we go with someone in our city, and if there isn't someone, should we use someone who has a connection to one of our students, or is that a conflict of interest, or giving preferential treatment? How do other PTOs make this decision? Is there any criteria we can use? Thanks!