What is the difference between shipped and florist-delivered flowers?

Florist-delivered flowers are hand-arranged in a vase by a local shop and can arrive the same day; shipped flowers travel in a box by courier, usually in bud, and you arrange them yourself. Florist delivery is better for a ready-to-display, last-minute gift, while shipping can offer value and a longer vase life if you order ahead. Neither is universally better.