Wednesday, November 3, 2010

The Differences between Big Box Stores and a Specialized Gift Basket Company

They can be tempting.  You're shopping at the local big box store and the shelves are simply bursting with holiday gift baskets at unbelievable bargains.  But is it really a bargain?  Lets compare...

Big box stores have their gift baskets in the store by early fall.  Due to the quantities they need, manufacturers often build and assemble these baskets beginning in early summer.  Result: Product in these baskets is already 6 months old when you are presenting them as a gift.

Specialized gift basket companies begin planning their next years designs almost as soon as the holiday is over.  They shop for containers beginning in January, but their shelf stable FOOD product do not arrive until late October to Early November at the earliest, so your gift are the freshest possible.  Fresh product like cookies, cakes, etc are baked to order.

Big box stores use curling ribbon or pull bows and clear, fragile (inexpensive) cellophane to wrap and top their gifts giving the baskets a more "production" look that takes away from the message you want to convey when giving a gift basket.

Specialized gift basket companies such as Boodles of Baskets use higher grade decorative cellophane and hand-tied bows made from scratch giving the gift a warm, homey feeling.  The basket looks like you took the time to select something special rather than picking it up during your weekly shopping excursions.

Big box stores do not offer a delivery service, which means you either have to deliver the gift yourself, or pay a courier to do it for you.  It takes a lot of planning and organizing on your part to get the baskets delivered further than your city.

Specialized gift basket stores have experience in shipping and deliveries.  Many times throughout the country or continent.  They know how to carefully package and ship your gift so that it arrives in beautiful condition. 

Big box stores do not allow any customization.  You buy what they have and that's it.  Most specialized gift basket companies will be only to happy to customize your gift to ensure you are receiving exactly what you are looking for.

So you see, the age old adage "you get what you pay for" is truly pertinent here.  What message do you want to send to your family, friends and important customers?

No comments: