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Thursday, November 7th
The Fruit Company, located in the picturesque Hood River Valley, has been in the business of fruit cultivation and gift-giving for over 70 years. Fun fact: the Hood River Valley, where The Fruit Company's orchards are located, is positioned between two massive stratovolcanoes: Mount Hood (11,249 feet) and Mount Adams (12,276 feet). They attribute their success to this unique microclimate, which provides ideal conditions for growing exceptional fruit.
13 options between $99 and $349
The Fruit Company now offers 13 fruit baskets, an increase of two since our last review. You probably won't be surprised to hear that their prices have risen: the lowest-priced option, the Simply Fruit Basket (containing 12 pieces of fruit and a dried fruit medley), now costs $99, up from $84. At the high end, the Oregon's Cascade Fruit Basket - featuring sausage, salmon, various cheeses and preserves, crackers, cookies, candies, nuts, and fruits - is priced at $349, up from $299. To see what's in any given basket and any agricultural restrictions that may apply to where it can be delivered, just click the "Contents” button on its product listing.
Reviews on product listings are dated oddly
A handful of The Fruit Company's baskets feature customer reviews, which you can sort by date. When we visited, the most recent reviews on each basket were at least a year out of date. Due to the seasonal nature of produce and varying harvest qualities from year to year, where the quality and taste of fruits can change significantly between seasons, we'd really like to have seen up-to-date reviews. On top of that, the reviews we did find were a bit odd. The bulk of them were dated the year previous - and all the same day. While we can't say for sure if this is review manipulation or just a glitch on the website, we do find it unlikely that hundreds of people were compelled to review their fruit baskets on March 5th and on no other date.
No more personalized ribbons or add-ons
You used to be able to add additional touches to these gift baskets, like a ribbon with a personalized message or an extra treat, but this feature is apparently no longer part of The Fruit Company's offerings. We wonder what motivated this change - in this competitive industry, it was something that used to give them a slight leg up.
Standard sorting and filtering options
With only 13 baskets to choose from, being able to filter and sort their offerings isn't of utmost importance, but we suppose it's still nice to have. You can view The Fruit Company's baskets by occasion/holiday, by type of product (baskets, business gifts, crates, flats) or choose to see only those baskets that are on sale. (Three baskets appeared in this category, although how much we were saving was not indicated anywhere, so it wasn't very useful.)
No free shipping even on expensive orders
The Fruit Company isn't entirely transparent about their shipping fees. We had to go through all the checkout steps and give them our address before we could get an estimate - $14 shipping for a $350 basket to be shipped to the Midwest. That's not awful, but free shipping on their most expensive basket would not go unappreciated. As a slight bonus, you can get 10% off your first purchase when you sign up for The Fruit Company's newsletter.
No returns, but damaged goods are replaced
The Fruit Company doesn't accept returns on their perishable products, which includes fruit baskets, gift towers, and other food items. However, they do offer a satisfaction guarantee. If your items arrive damaged, they'll replace them at no cost to you. (In one case, this looked like a customer being shipped a single replacement mango.)
Delivery options to suit your schedule
The Fruit Company offers flexible delivery options to meet your needs. For most U.S. destinations (excluding Alaska and Hawaii), if you place your order before 11 PM PST Monday through Thursday and choose overnight shipping, your gift will arrive the next day. Standard shipping is also available, with orders placed before 12 PM PST on weekdays shipping the same day. They even offer Saturday delivery for an extra fee. However, keep in mind that they don't recommend sending gifts to hospitals, hotels, or college campuses due to potential delivery complications. (Looks like your dorm room fruit party might need a Plan B.) If you need to cancel an order, it has to be done before the order is closed or shipped.
Few third-party reviews, all negative
The last time we reviewed The Fruit Company, they had an excellent "A+” from the Better Business Bureau. These days, their BBB listing seems to have gone the way of their add-ons - it's gone without a trace. We were able to track down a Trustpilot listing for the company, but there they had a total of 8 customer reviews, and 88% of them were 1-star ratings. There were complaints about $9 oranges that aren't even as good as the ones you'd get at the grocery store, bruised fruit, and refund/replacement promises that never materialized. (Orange you glad you read this review before buying from The Fruit Company?)
The Fruit Company falls short of expectations
Despite their long history, The Fruit Company fails to deliver on its promise of exceptional fruit gifts. While their fruit baskets certainly look nice in pictures, rising prices, outdated reviews, limited customization options, and concerning customer feedback make this company out to be more of a lemon. For now, you might want to consider alternative gift options that offer better value, fresher produce, and more reliable customer service.
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.
Select any 2 Fruit Basket Companies to compare them head to head