Linda,
No expert here but I think one difference is that floral coolers maintain high humidity and other coolers maintain low humidity. I use a fridge for for storing things and it works well but I keep things wrapped or covered so they don't dry out.
Kirk

Dear Kirk,

I didn't even think about the humidity - no wonder there is a price difference. I do have an old frig I can use, but I wanted a small cooler with a clear door for inside my little gift shop where I could keep arrangements and they could be seen by customers - I might have to wrap them with saran wrap or something - if I get one. I thought about one of those wine coolers but they are expensive and usually very small - I never see used floral coolers - I might just try calling some florists and see if any have small ones for sale.

Thank you so much.

Linda

Hey Linda
I see that this is an old post, so this information may be getting out to deaf eers :-)

Well here goes.
Floral cooling is much more complex than you would think.
Using any other cooling device than one created for flowers would ruin your flowers

1. Humidity is one thing, to high and the flowers will get condensation and rot.
Too low humidity and they will dry and wither.
2. Cooling is about getting the temperature down to 2-5 degrees celcius. But doing so must be with low velocity air otherwise the flowers will dry. A simple soda vending machine is like a fridge and doesnt use much air cooling making it impossible to reach low temperatures, that is unless its a closed one.
But you can get an open floral cooling display that suits needs perfect. I know this because it is my job.

Try checking www.floratech.net or the company i work for Floratecheurope.com (same company different location)

Best of luck

Here is a link that might be useful: Floratecheurope