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Saturday, June 22nd
2024 Gift Basket Company Reviews
Hickory Farms
- Nearly 175 gift baskets and boxes to choose from
- Prices range from $19.99 to $275
- "A+" rated and accredited by the BBB
- In business for over 70 years
Hickory Farms has been in business since 1951 and is well-known for its meats and cheeses. After acquiring California Delicious, the company's gift basket options expanded to a total of almost 175: not just meats, cheeses and desserts but also spa arrangements and other non-food gifts.
Get a gift box for less than $30
Trying to give a gift while sticking to a budget? Hickory Farms has several choices under $30, like the Favorite Flavors Gift Box (on sale for $19.99 at the time of this review) and the A+ Teacher Thank You Gift Box ($29.99 on sale). Many of Hickory Farms' gift baskets and boxes come with free shipping, and you'll see that clearly labeled on each thumbnail image as you browse.
Save a lot with limited-time offers
Hickory Farms often has sales that can make your gift-giving even more affordable. For instance, during our most recent visit, the Ultimate Gathering Wine Gift Basket was discounted from its everyday price of $275 to just $165. It's an impressive collection of sweet and savory treats, like three kinds of sausage and salami to brownie bites and caramel corn, plus five bottles of wine and a cheese knife/board set. Not everything ships for free at Hickory Farms, but this gift basket does. Just remember that any gifts with alcohol, no matter where you buy them, may not ship to your recipient's state; you'll see which states are eligible in the dropdown list on the product page.
Gifting features are lacking
When you get to the checkout stage, you can enter a gift message - but that's the only feature you'll see. There's no ability to add extra treats, personalize the packaging, or even set a desired delivery date: your recipient will get the gift whenever it's available for shipping. That's a downside compared with many other gift basket retailers that let you choose a date for delivery.
Shockingly high number of complaints
Unfortunately, despite having an "A+" rating and accreditation from the Better Business Bureau, Hickory Farms seems to fall down on the job with respect to customer satisfaction. Time after time, we found complaints about the service received (or lack of it). Deliveries gone missing, waiting on hold for an hour to speak to a representative, items shipped in separate orders (with no advance notice that it would be delivered that way), and problems getting the website to work are just a few of the rants we found about Hickory Farms.
Not recommended for gift baskets
Having a great selection and a well-known brand aren't enough to compensate for a poor customer experience. As much as we wanted to like Hickory Farms for buying gift baskets, shopper feedback puts this retailer near the bottom of our rankings. You'll probably get more for your money - and happier results for your recipient - if you shop with one of the higher-rated gift basket retailers in our review.
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The Best Gift Baskets
Where Can You Buy the Best Gift Baskets?
Gift-giving can be a daunting task. It can be challenging to find the right gift that is both thoughtful and appropriate for the recipient. Gift cards may be an easy option, but they can come across as impersonal and boring.
This is where gift baskets come in. They are beautifully arranged and full of a variety of items that are tailored to the occasion. Whether it's a child's birthday or a colleague's promotion, there's a gift basket for every occasion. Fine wine and cheese? Absolutely! Teethers and burp cloths for your friend's first baby? You got it! There's a gift basket to suit just about any budget, from popcorn tins under $25 to jaw-dropping arrangements priced at $400 and up.
Continue reading below
Gift Basket Company FAQ
The answer is Yes! Most all Gift Basket companies allow you to inform the receipt that you sent the package and include a short message. For business gifts, personalization options can come in many forms. Many gift basket companies can place a company name on a ribbon or wine crate. Some also offer engraving for an extra fee.
There as so many to choose from. Gift Baskets can include Fruits, coffee and teas, spa, wine, chocolate and, much more. Whether it is a care package, birthday basket, birthday basket, to name a few, there are gift baskets for every occasion.
Companies, for the most part, do not offer subscription gift baskets. Some companies do, however, have services that will call the customer typically a year after purchase and ask if you (the customer) would like to repurchase.
The cost of gift baskets can fluctuate in cost depending on the type and size. Gift baskets typically range from affordable $20 to luxurious $900+.
Of course, a gift basket is wonderful for any occasion whether it is for a birthday, office party, or seasonal holiday. If you aren't sure what kind of gift basket to get for a certain occasion, there's no need to worry. Most companies allow the customer to sort through/view the gift baskets by gift type, price, and/or occasion.
As far as the companies reviewed, the only limitations that may occur are the gift baskets that contain alcohol. Most of the companies allow for international delivery but some require certain ways to place orders for international delivery. Some companies may require the customer to purchase by the phone if the order has an international address.
Depending on the company, the price of shipping can be organized by ordered amount and whether it is standard, 2nd day, same day, or overnight shipping. The price varies largely on where the gift is going and how soon you want it to arrive.
Research has shown that the most popular type of gift baskets are spa, gourmet, and chocolate themed gift baskets. Some companies offer baskets that include alcohol, but shipping restrictions may apply.
Continued from above...
Gift baskets hit all the right notes no matter the occasion: expertly packaged, beautifully arranged, and full of an assortment of the perfect snacks, toys, or other items designed to match the moment. The sky is truly the limit, with budget-friendly gift baskets that might have a small toy and a candy bar for a child's birthday, all the way up to the most decadent, luxurious array of fine wine and gourmet cheese to commemorate a long-anticipated promotion.
However, not all gift basket companies are created equal. Some offer a wide variety of options, including customization down to the color of the ribbon, while others may provide only a few overused basket designs.
Consider these criteria to help you narrow down the possibilities and find the perfect gift basket for your recipient:
- Variety and Quality. What's included in your gift basket? Are the items high-end or gourmet, or just cheap things you could get at a local supermarket or dollar store?
- Price. What will you spend to send the gift basket you're considering? Is it a good value for the money? Don't forget to compare it with similar options at other stores. Will the gift basket store offer free shipping or any other benefits to sweeten the deal?
- Personalization. Do you need something bespoke for a special occasion, or just to add your own flair? Most gift basket stores let you add extras or a theme (like birthday or condolences), and some invite customers to reach out if they'd like to create something from scratch.
- Customer Service. Check out the company's reputation. Do customers say that the experience was a positive one - both for themselves and for their recipients? Is there a satisfaction guarantee if the gift basket doesn't live up to your expectations?
To help you find the best baskets for your gift-giving occasion, Top Consumer Reviews has reviewed and ranked the most popular companies on the market. So, the next time you're struggling to find the right gift, consider a gift basket. It's sure to impress and delight the recipient!
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