On the morning of March 7, there is the traditional pre-holiday rush at Rizhsky Market in Moscow. Muscovites are lining up for tulips, mimosa, and roses ahead of International Women's Day, hoping to buy fresh bouquets at the lowest prices.
However, this year buyers and sellers were caught off guard by disruptions in mobile communications. Because of this, card payments and bank transfers are not going through for many people, and terminals are working intermittently.
Sellers admit that after several unsuccessful payment attempts, some buyers simply leave.
Wholesale orders usually bring in the main revenue before the holiday — for companies, hall decorations, or large families. Right now clients cannot get through by phone, and couriers cannot even use navigation apps
Sometimes it is still possible to pay for a bouquet, but only after several attempts. For example, one buyer managed to pay only with the sixth seller — and even he himself doubted whether the terminal would work.
Nearby ATMs do not always help either: according to visitors, many of them have already run out of cash.
At the same time, flower prices remain quite affordable:
- tulips — 80–100 rubles,
- a mimosa branch — about 400 rubles,
- roses — from 150 rubles.
And the line at the market entrance takes only a few minutes.
The main piece of advice buyers are giving each other today is simple: if you are going to Rizhsky Market for flowers, bring cash.
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