Where Can You Buy the Best Fruit Baskets? A fruit basket is one of those gifts that can really make someone's day, no matter the occasion. Picture this: your best friend just moved into a new house, and you want to send something thoughtful but practical - something more unique than flowers, but just as special. A fruit basket could be the perfect answer.
Fair
As part of the 1-800 Flowers family of gift-giving companies, Fruit Bouquets sells fruit platters, gourmet berries, and flowers in addition to their namesake offering - although most fruit basket companies offer these and more (like plushies and savory items). Since our last review, they've added a few fruit basket options, though you'll need to dig for them.
No filter function
Your browsing options include categories like Occasion, Best Sellers, Same Day Delivery, Sympathy, Other Gift Categories, and Size. We recommend hovering over "Other Gift Categories" where you can select "All Fruit Arrangements" or shop by a more specific type. The browsing experience here is one of our least favorites. After navigating to the general category you want, there's no way to filter by price, contents, or any other criteria. You can sort by price and best sellers, but that's about it.
90-ish fruit baskets starting at $40
In the fruit basket category, you've got 93 options to sort through, and there are some fruit bouquets tossed into the mix. (Again, filter functions would be much appreciated. What year is it?) Prices start at $39.99 for the Thank You Fresh Fruit & Sweets Gift Box and reach $159.99 for the Ripe River Harvest Basket. When we shopped, the bestseller was the Autumn Harvest Fruit & Sweets Box for $50, with 20 reviews between 4 and 5 stars. Need some savings? You can get 20% off your first order by providing them with your email address.
Under-explained local florist order fulfillment
To place an order, add items to your cart, enter your zip code, and choose a delivery date. (Next day delivery was available to us for only an extra $2.99, which was a nice surprise.) You can bulk up your order with extras like Godiva chocolates or dipped pretzels at this point. After entering your address, you may be confused by a significant increase in the total cost due to a "service charge." This charge, which goes to the local florist fulfilling your order, can be substantial ($17.99 for a $90 basket). We wish Fruit Bouquets offered more information about this - our first thought was, "are florists qualified to handle food?" The company only states that these service charges vary based on merchandise price, delivery address, and date.
Products don't always look like promo images
If you're shopping at Fruit Bouquets, chances are good you were attracted by the name. So let's take a look at these ready-to-eat arrangements. The $85 Sweet & Delicious bouquet has pineapple daisies, melon, chocolate-dipped strawberries, honeydew, and more. However, there are a few concerning reviews. Some customers say the fruits went bad quickly, were mostly sour, or that the arrangement didn't look like the pictures. This last complaint is consistent across many of Fruit Bouquets' products. Since these orders are apparently fulfilled by independent florists, it's unlikely that their processes can be standardized. Looking at the reviews with pictures can be entertaining - you'll see arrangements where florists have taken a different creative approach to the product image (like smiley faces drawn with slightly different expressions), all the way to sparse fruit towers with big gaps of kale leaves. (While these leaves are present in the product images, they're usually hidden by closely crowded fruit.)
Passport Program for free shipping
The Celebrations Passport Program, offered by 1-800-Flowers and its brand family (including Fruit Bouquets), gets you free standard shipping and no service charges on eligible products for a fee of $19.99 for your first year and $29.99 for subsequent years. Members enjoy perks like free weekday standard delivery and rewards points on purchases. While your membership could pay for itself within 1-3 orders, we're not convinced Fruit Bouquets has demonstrated consistent enough quality to make it a wise choice. (What if your first order is great, but the second arrives spoiled?)
Reputation in shambles
Fruit Bouquets' reputation is in dire straits. We found numerous reports of undelivered orders, unexplained charges, and subpar products. (Moldy fruit for hospital patients? Yikes!) Customer service seems to be a major pain point, with complaints about unresponsive AI chatbots and inadequate refund policies. One particularly scathing review highlights a $190 same-day delivery order that never arrived, resulting in a mere $20 discount offer as compensation.
Probably better to steer clear
Our overall impression of Fruit Bouquets is that it's challenging to find information about shipping rates, order fulfillment, or customer recourse when things go wrong. They don't seem to prioritize the giftee's or customer's experience, given the frequency and embarrassing nature of order mistakes. Despite its affiliation with 1-800 Flowers (whose companies are usually an easy win), Fruit Bouquets ranks below average among the options for fruit baskets.
Continued from above...
A fruit basket is one of those gifts that can really make someone's day, no matter the occasion. Picture this: your best friend just moved into a new house, and you want to send something thoughtful but practical - something more unique than flowers, but just as special. A fruit basket could be the perfect answer.
Fruit baskets are a fresh, beautiful, and delicious way to show you care - and makes for a quick and easy snack for someone who might not know where their kitchen boxes wound up. Whether it's for a birthday, a thank-you, a sympathy gesture, or just because, sending a fruit basket is a personal way to brighten someone's day with something they can enjoy right away. Plus, it's a great option for the person who already seems to have everything.
But not all fruit baskets are the same. Some companies offer simple, straightforward baskets filled with the basics - think apples, pears, and oranges. Others take things up a notch with gourmet touches like exotic fruits, chocolates, and even cheeses. These added details can turn a basic basket into something extra special.
A basket with perfectly ripe, organic apples and pears might be ideal for someone who's health-conscious, while a basket featuring tropical fruits like mangoes and papayas, along with some chocolate-dipped strawberries, could be perfect for a sweet-toothed friend. With so many options out there, the right choice depends on the occasion, the recipient's tastes, and how much you want to spend.
When shopping for a fruit basket online, keep a few things in mind:
At Top Consumer Reviews, we've done the legwork and evaluated the best fruit basket companies out there. We hope this guide helps you find the perfect service to send a thoughtful, delicious gift that will make someone smile.
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What are some things to consider before you buy a fruit basket?
Whether you are searching for the perfect gift to send as a thank you, to offer congratulations or for other special occasions, a fruit basket is always a thoughtful gift that will be gratefully received. Often, fruit baskets are received via special delivery, and this experience alone can be meaningful and exciting. Fruit baskets are usually filled with an excellent mix of fruits, so the different colors and textures may be a beautiful sight while the basket is displayed in a home or office. More than that, a good fruit basket will have ripe, quality fruit that is loaded with flavor. Savoring the sweet or tangy flavors of favorite fruits is a treat that could be repeated for days.
Deciding to buy a fruit gift basket may be easy to do, but selecting the perfect basket for the recipient may be far more challenging. After all, if you are not familiar with the provider, you may wonder about matters like size, quality and other important factors. At the same time, you understandably want to choose a basket that the recipient will love. What should you pay attention to as you make your selection?
The Types of Fruit
Initially, your attention may naturally turn to the types of fruit in the basket. If you are familiar with the preferences of the recipient, you could find a basket that has at least a few of his or her favorites. Otherwise, it makes sense to choose a basket filled with a variety of both sweet and tangy fruits. Rather than focusing on one type of fruit, such as citrus or apples, choose a basket that has more options for the recipient to enjoy. If you are aware of dietary restrictions, such as allergies, those restrictions should also be taken into account as you make your selection.
Keep in mind that some fruits can easily be damaged while en route to the recipient. For example, bananas bruise easily, and berries can easily be squished. Generally, you can expect the basket provider to protect the fruit as much as possible. Even with this in mind, the best options are those that are relatively durable and easy to transport.
The Fruit Basket's Size
Any time you order a gift basket online, you should pay special attention to its size. Some baskets look larger in a picture than what they actually are, and vice versa. Rather than trying to determine the physical dimensions of a fruit basket, look at the quantity of fruit provided. Most basket descriptions will itemize the quantity of each type of fruit, and this takes the guesswork out of the process.
Regardless of the type of gift basket selected, you want the basket to be reasonably sizable so that it makes a great impression. With a fruit basket, however, size also matters for another reason. A person can only eat so much fruit before the items go bad. Consider how many people will be enjoying the basket. A good rule of thumb is to purchase several pieces of fruit for each person. For smaller baskets, consider purchasing enough fruit for each individual to have a piece of fruit daily for a week. You have some flexibility to make adjustments here. For example, one pineapple can easily account for several servings. A kiwi, on the other hand, may be enjoyed as a half of a serving because of its small size.
Be aware that each type of fruit has a different shelf life. Pineapples, apples and citrus fruits are common in fruit baskets because they have an extended shelf life. If you are buying a fruit basket with cut fruit rather than whole fruit, the shelf life of that fruit may only be a few days at best. With this in mind, a basket of cut fruit should generally be smaller than a basket of whole fruit that will stay fresh for a longer period of time.
Some fruit baskets contain other treats as well. For example, you may find a fruit basket that also has meats, cheeses, crackers, sweets or even a bottle of wine. Generally, other foods in a gift basket will remain fresh for a much longer period of time than fruit. As you determine the right basket size for the recipient, it is not necessary to ensure that all of the foods can be eaten within a week or so. Instead, ensure that the individual or group of recipients have ample time to eat the variety of foods in question before they may go bad.
The Type of Basket or Container
There are three primary factors to consider when you select a basket or a container for the gift, and these are its style, its functionality, and its size. Whether the gift will be sent to an office, a home or somewhere else, the basket is meant to be displayed. More than that, its style should complement the fruit in some way so that it is aesthetically pleasing. The basket itself can be a gift. Choose a basket that the recipient may be able to repurpose for another use after the fruit has been consumed. Consider finding a style that appeals to the recipient personally and that may correspond well with his or her home or office décor.
The primary initial purchase of the basket, however, is to hold the fruit while it is being transported and until the fruit has been eaten. Fruit generally should not be pressed firmly against a hard container. This can lead to premature spoilage or rotten spots. Look for a container that leaves some space for the fruit to breathe, such as a wicker basket or a decorative fruit box. Other containers, such as a bowl or a pot, may also work well if the fruit is properly placed in a protective tray or with shredded paper.
The size of the container also should be considered. Be aware of space limitations. Are you sending the basket to a dorm room or an efficiency apartment? Will the basket sit on one person's desk in an office, or will it be shared in a large office break room? You understandably want your gift to be appreciated fully rather than to be an inconvenience, so keep the recipient's available space in mind.
The Delivery Method
A final and critical factor to consider is the delivery method. Because cut fruit has such a limited life, it should generally be hand-delivered. Ensure that the provider has a solid reputation for delivering packages in a timely manner so that the fruit arrives fresh and looks appetizing. Special delivery is also crucial if the basket contains strawberries, grapes, or other fragile fruits.
For baskets with whole fruits and other treats, parcel delivery may be acceptable. Be aware that the provider cannot control shipping conditions for parcel deliveries. It can be difficult to gauge how well a basket may be packaged simply by looking at a picture online. With this in mind, you should read reviews to ensure that baskets have arrived in a timely manner and in good condition. In addition, always check the shipping time. Be wary of shipment times that exceed a few days.
While a fruit basket can give the recipient something to smile about for days, you can see that many factors will impact the recipient's full enjoyment of the gift. You understandably want your gift to be well-received on all levels. With this in mind, focus on these important factors as you explore the exciting possibilities and make your final selection.
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