Comments on: Fruit by Mail: Why? http://bly.com/blog/general/fruit-by-mail-why/ bly.com direct marketing blog Thu, 09 Sep 2010 08:16:50 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.3.1 By: Jean http://bly.com/blog/general/fruit-by-mail-why/#comment-678270 Jean Tue, 03 Nov 2009 17:19:11 +0000 http://bly.com/blog/general/fruit-by-mail-why/#comment-678270 Haven't you noticed that the fruits purveyed by your local supermarket have absolutely no real flavor any more? I think it's because the growers feed their trees and plants with petroleum-based fertilizers. Whatever the reason, H&D's products always tasted far better and juicier than the A&P's. Granted, I haven't had any H&D lately but if they're smart enough to make that much money, they're probably smart enough to buy their products from organic growers, who rebuild the soil constantly, providing all the ingredients necessary to insure delicious produce. Anyone shopping for my Christmas present can send me the Fruit of the Month any time! Haven’t you noticed that the fruits purveyed by your local supermarket have absolutely no real flavor any more? I think it’s because the growers feed their trees and plants with petroleum-based fertilizers. Whatever the reason, H&D’s products always tasted far better and juicier than the A&P’s. Granted, I haven’t had any H&D lately but if they’re smart enough to make that much money, they’re probably smart enough to buy their products from organic growers, who rebuild the soil constantly, providing all the ingredients necessary to insure delicious produce. Anyone shopping for my Christmas present can send me the Fruit of the Month any time!

]]> By: Karen Carter http://bly.com/blog/general/fruit-by-mail-why/#comment-674892 Karen Carter Thu, 30 Oct 2008 04:41:05 +0000 http://bly.com/blog/general/fruit-by-mail-why/#comment-674892 I used to work at H&D in Medford, Oregon packing those fruit baskets. The big secret is that the fruit is the same as the fruit you get in the stores. We workers were trained to pick out the ones without bruises and if there were bruises how to hide them from view. My favorite thing to do while I worked there was to go shopping in the outlet store near the production factory. At the time I could not believe someone would pay such high prices for a pretty basket of colorful fruit. I think that the reason for the high sales is that the displays are very attractive. It isn't that you get better fruit, it is just that the overall effect is delicious looking. I used to work at H&D in Medford, Oregon packing those fruit baskets. The big secret is that the fruit is the same as the fruit you get in the stores. We workers were trained to pick out the ones without bruises and if there were bruises how to hide them from view.

My favorite thing to do while I worked there was to go shopping in the outlet store near the production factory. At the time I could not believe someone would pay such high prices for a pretty basket of colorful fruit. I think that the reason for the high sales is that the displays are very attractive. It isn’t that you get better fruit, it is just that the overall effect is delicious looking.

]]> By: Jared Sidwell http://bly.com/blog/general/fruit-by-mail-why/#comment-674854 Jared Sidwell Wed, 22 Oct 2008 00:46:49 +0000 http://bly.com/blog/general/fruit-by-mail-why/#comment-674854 Fruit gift baskets are perfect for birthdays, get well, or holidays, delighting all your recipient’s senses, from appearance and aroma to sound and taste. Nothing makes as dramatic a statement of how much you care then sending a fruit gift basket overflowing with large, unblemished, ripe fruit, complimented with award winning wines, gourmet cheeses, and irresistible chocolate covered dried fruits and nuts. For detailed information about the online fruit gift basket companies, visit http://www.fruitbasketreview.com. Fruit Basket Review is dedicated to providing insider information about the online fruit gift basket industry and will help you find the highest quality gourmet fruit baskets at the best prices as well as provide you valuable discount coupon codes. Fruit gift baskets are perfect for birthdays, get well, or holidays, delighting all your recipient’s senses, from appearance and aroma to sound and taste. Nothing makes as dramatic a statement of how much you care then sending a fruit gift basket overflowing with large, unblemished, ripe fruit, complimented with award winning wines, gourmet cheeses, and irresistible chocolate covered dried fruits and nuts.

For detailed information about the online fruit gift basket companies, visit http://www.fruitbasketreview.com. Fruit Basket Review is dedicated to providing insider information about the online fruit gift basket industry and will help you find the highest quality gourmet fruit baskets at the best prices as well as provide you valuable discount coupon codes.

]]> By: SpongeBob Fan http://bly.com/blog/general/fruit-by-mail-why/#comment-674816 SpongeBob Fan Tue, 14 Oct 2008 21:09:10 +0000 http://bly.com/blog/general/fruit-by-mail-why/#comment-674816 I know the answer here - it's "Not too much." (!) A colleague of my husband's sent us a Harry & David gift basket last Christmas. Some fruit and some chocolates. Wonderful stuff. We ate it all up and wanted more. So I got the catalog a month or so later, and ordered us a box of pears. Of the 10 pears, I think we ate 3. The gift box had excellent quality stuff, and not too much of it. (I hope his pal sends us another box this Christmas. Needless to say, I won't bother to order more pears!) I know the answer here - it’s “Not too much.” (!)

A colleague of my husband’s sent us a Harry & David gift basket last Christmas. Some fruit and some chocolates. Wonderful stuff. We ate it all up and wanted more.

So I got the catalog a month or so later, and ordered us a box of pears. Of the 10 pears, I think we ate 3.

The gift box had excellent quality stuff, and not too much of it.

(I hope his pal sends us another box this Christmas. Needless to say, I won’t bother to order more pears!)

]]> By: Katherine Chalmers http://bly.com/blog/general/fruit-by-mail-why/#comment-674809 Katherine Chalmers Sun, 12 Oct 2008 19:44:41 +0000 http://bly.com/blog/general/fruit-by-mail-why/#comment-674809 It's REALLY good fruit. My grandparents used to receive the Fruit of the Month club from a client each year. Each month we waited to see what delicious treat would be arriving. I don't think Harry and David's quality is quite as good as it used to be then - they're so big now that it's probably difficult to maintain that level of selectiveness. But they still offer a much better product than we can buy locally. Our grocery stores in the DC area have AWFUL produce. (Even Whole Foods' produce is often mediocre - and they are the best in the area.) The Harry and David's fruit seems to be picked closer to ripeness and arrives fresher. It's definitely more flavorful than the tasteless, expensive stuff we have to choose from in our local stores. It’s REALLY good fruit. My grandparents used to receive the Fruit of the Month club from a client each year. Each month we waited to see what delicious treat would be arriving. I don’t think Harry and David’s quality is quite as good as it used to be then - they’re so big now that it’s probably difficult to maintain that level of selectiveness. But they still offer a much better product than we can buy locally. Our grocery stores in the DC area have AWFUL produce. (Even Whole Foods’ produce is often mediocre - and they are the best in the area.) The Harry and David’s fruit seems to be picked closer to ripeness and arrives fresher. It’s definitely more flavorful than the tasteless, expensive stuff we have to choose from in our local stores.

]]> By: Steve Rainwater http://bly.com/blog/general/fruit-by-mail-why/#comment-674805 Steve Rainwater Fri, 10 Oct 2008 15:43:33 +0000 http://bly.com/blog/general/fruit-by-mail-why/#comment-674805 Hi Bob, I have a good client in Michigan who has provided a significant portion of my revenue over the last several years. I live in Florida, so two years ago for Christmas, I sent a case of oranges and a case of grapefruits to their office (from a mail-order fruit company here in the Sunshine State). I received the usual e-mails of appreciation sent in the holiday spirit. So last year, just to mix it up I decided to send them chocolate - not just any chocolate, but Mickey's Chocolate from Disney World (not cheap either). While I did get a message or two of thanks, I did actually receive the same candid question from several in the office...Where's the fruit??? Maybe Harry and David are on to something... slr Hi Bob,

I have a good client in Michigan who has provided a significant portion of my revenue over the last several years. I live in Florida, so two years ago for Christmas, I sent a case of oranges and a case of grapefruits to their office (from a mail-order fruit company here in the Sunshine State). I received the usual e-mails of appreciation sent in the holiday spirit. So last year, just to mix it up I decided to send them chocolate - not just any chocolate, but Mickey’s Chocolate from Disney World (not cheap either). While I did get a message or two of thanks, I did actually receive the same candid question from several in the office…Where’s the fruit???

Maybe Harry and David are on to something…

slr

]]> By: Cynthia Maniglia http://bly.com/blog/general/fruit-by-mail-why/#comment-674783 Cynthia Maniglia Tue, 07 Oct 2008 13:16:35 +0000 http://bly.com/blog/general/fruit-by-mail-why/#comment-674783 I think Sunnyland Farms, inc. (www.sunnylandfarmscom) says it best, in their catalog letter from Jane Willson, part founder of the company, when talking about their "FAMOUS-FOR-FLAVOR" Pecans. She says they're "a bit better." She goes on to explain, "We take a little more time buying and processing. And we try to serve our customers a little bit better." Indeed, Sunnyland Farms ships "more boxes of pecans, other nuts and fruits by mail than anybody in the country." Even Harry & David? (I confess, I've made it a holiday tradition to send my favorite clients Harry & David towers as gifts.) A different company, but the same idea of selling something by mail that, yes, you can get at the supermarket - but it's just "a bit better." Or perhaps Jane should say "a bite better!" I think Sunnyland Farms, inc. (www.sunnylandfarmscom) says it best, in their catalog letter from Jane Willson, part founder of the company, when talking about their “FAMOUS-FOR-FLAVOR” Pecans. She says they’re “a bit better.” She goes on to explain, “We take a little more time buying and processing. And we try to serve our customers a little bit better.” Indeed, Sunnyland Farms ships “more boxes of pecans, other nuts and fruits by mail than anybody in the country.” Even Harry & David? (I confess, I’ve made it a holiday tradition to send my favorite clients Harry & David towers as gifts.) A different company, but the same idea of selling something by mail that, yes, you can get at the supermarket - but it’s just “a bit better.” Or perhaps Jane should say “a bite better!”

]]> By: Bob Bly http://bly.com/blog/general/fruit-by-mail-why/#comment-674774 Bob Bly Fri, 03 Oct 2008 19:18:32 +0000 http://bly.com/blog/general/fruit-by-mail-why/#comment-674774 Philip: that's a great question. I would guess 75% gifts and 25% personal use. Why? For gifts, you are right: they are selling the packaging, shipping, and convenience. But the catalog copy and photos make the fruit look so luscious, many people also order for themselves. The copy and photography is so good, I often run out and buy pears -- that's how mouth-watering they look and sound! Philip: that’s a great question. I would guess 75% gifts and 25% personal use. Why? For gifts, you are right: they are selling the packaging, shipping, and convenience. But the catalog copy and photos make the fruit look so luscious, many people also order for themselves. The copy and photography is so good, I often run out and buy pears — that’s how mouth-watering they look and sound!

]]> By: Philip McLean http://bly.com/blog/general/fruit-by-mail-why/#comment-674773 Philip McLean Fri, 03 Oct 2008 17:53:52 +0000 http://bly.com/blog/general/fruit-by-mail-why/#comment-674773 Does anyone know how much of their sales are gift orders, as opposed to people ordering for themselves? If it's largely gifts, then in a sense, they're not selling the fruit ... they're selling the packaging and shipping. Does anyone know how much of their sales are gift orders, as opposed to people ordering for themselves? If it’s largely gifts, then in a sense, they’re not selling the fruit … they’re selling the packaging and shipping.

]]> By: Dianna Huff http://bly.com/blog/general/fruit-by-mail-why/#comment-674772 Dianna Huff Fri, 03 Oct 2008 13:58:40 +0000 http://bly.com/blog/general/fruit-by-mail-why/#comment-674772 Because they make nice gifts. I've received two H&D fruit baskets. The fruit wasn't anything different from what I'd get at the supermarket; however, the presentation was nice and the fruit itself was in superb condition given it had been shipped. I'd send an H&D fruit gift if say someone I knew had purchased a new home and lived thousands of miles away from me. Because they make nice gifts. I’ve received two H&D fruit baskets. The fruit wasn’t anything different from what I’d get at the supermarket; however, the presentation was nice and the fruit itself was in superb condition given it had been shipped.

I’d send an H&D fruit gift if say someone I knew had purchased a new home and lived thousands of miles away from me.

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