How do I check a flower shop’s cooler temperatures and maintenance records?

Start with paper. Ask for invoices for repairs, scheduled servicing and any replaced parts. A cooler with frequent repairs, or none at all on an old unit, tells you something. If the shop records temperatures, look at the pattern. If it does not, ask how staff know the cooler is working.

Then inspect it yourself. Visit at different times of day, including a busy period when the door opens often. Check seals, shelving, drainage and any ice or condensation buildup. Notice the smell, and look at the condition of the stock inside. Ask staff what they do when it struggles, and whether they have lost stock to a failure.

Next, think about the unit’s age and replacement. Ask the seller how old it is and who supplied it. Get a quote from a qualified refrigeration technician for an inspection, and ask them what replacement or major repair might involve. Consider what a failure during a peak week would do to the business. A hired technician’s view is worth more than a guess. Ask the seller what happens to stock if the cooler fails overnight, and whether there is an alarm or a backup arrangement. A good answer shows the shop has thought about risk, and a poor one shows what to budget for in the first season.

Key takeaways

• Ask for repair invoices and any temperature records.
• Inspect the unit yourself during a busy period.
• Have a refrigeration technician assess its condition and likely replacement.