harry and david

[Colleen]

I was just trying to find the harry and david website. I know that someone was discussing it in one of these threads. Anyway, I can't seem to pull it up in my search engine. Does anyone have the address so I could check it out?

[Natasha]

Hi Colleen,

Check out http://www.harryanddavid.com . Enjoy!

[SoCal]

Just wanted to recommend the Royal Riviera Pears from Harry and David...they are the best!

[SusanL]

A second vote for the Royal Riviera Pears as well as the flowers, wreaths, and trees!

[greta]

i recommend the dried fruit assortments...i've sent these as gifts a couple of times to friends who love dried fruit and they raved!

oh, i have a question about the pears. what do they taste like? i'm a big fan of anjou pears. and i especially like them when they aren't too ripe. i always pick the ones that are most firm.

[SoCal]

Hmmm, how do I describe the pears? Very creamy, almost like you want to eat it with a spoon. Best tasting pear I have ever eaten but am at a loss to put a finger on the taste. SusanL, how would you describe the taste (it's been a year since I had any!)?

[Colleen]

Thank you all for the information. I took a look at the pears and they look WONDERFUL!!!
I think I may order the pears and havarti cheese for my sister-in-law...However, I may have to order some for myself...

Greta, The dried fruit does look very good. Is it sweet (sugary) or is it dried without sweeteners?

Thanks for the input
Colleen

[slknight]

I ordered the Christmas peaches (flown in from South America) for my in-laws a few years ago. They loved them, and now I have to order them every year. They drop hints all year long because they like them so much. I also send the nectarines, and this year I'm sending the strawberries to my parents. The prices for some of these fruits in December is very high. However, you can't really get decent fresh peaches or strawberries in northern Mass this time of year, so the cost is worth it for a gift.

[greta]

colleen, they definitely aren't too sugary sweet...i'm not sure if there is any added sweetener, but it sure doesn't taste like it!

[Colleen]

Thanks Greta, that is good to know.
I like dried fruit on its own merit not overly sweetened.

The bing cherries look really great to me. I don't know. I looked at this site for the first time last night and now I can't seem to tear myself away. How wonderful would it be to have fresh fruit delivered to your door every month...what a luxury! http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/eek.gif

[SusanL]

I agree that the pears are creamy sweet not gritty. We send items from Harry and David every year and have not been disappointed.

[greta]

colleen,
i forgot to mention that i went to trader joes this w/e and they have dried fruit gift assortments...they look yummy, and if they're anything like their dried berry mix in a bag, they'll be great!
hope you have a tj's close by.
take care, greta

[Gina O]

I am considering purchasing a Harry and David gift basket as a Christmas gift. Based on shipping information, it looks like I will receive it around the 17th. It has apples and pears, will they still be fresh for giving on Christmas? Gina

[56grapeape]

last time this topic was brought up (office gifts) i went to this website, and got thier catalog!! VERY NICE stuff!!

Me and my sis, couldnt figure out what to get our dad, and I mentioned this Mag. to her (this weekend), and she's heard of them, and loves them too! Funny thing, my dad called her this weekend, and told her he'd love fruit all yr round (fruit of the mo club) hehe, he didnt even know we were looking at the magazine!!
But they are VERY $$$ for the 12 mo club! ($300!!)

We may do a mix basket for him, he loves the meats and cheeses things.

So we're deciding what to do!

rachelle ~:0)

[Colleen]

Greta,
Thanks for thinking of me, but unfortunately I do not have a Trader Joe's near me. When I lived in Boston I used to visit it every other week. Now I miss it. So sad.

Gina O,
I was wondering the same thing myself. Is it possible to have the fruit delivered on (or near) christmas? If so do we need to wait until a certain date to order it?

Can you all tell that I am getting excited about this Harry and David thing?

[Gina O]

Colleen- In the catalogue it has a chart of "For Arrival by" and "order by". Using stardard 7 day delivery, for arrival by Christmas Eve, it says to order by Dec. 17. I called the 800 # just now and asked them my question. I received an answer of basically "ummmm, uuuhhhhh, I think so". She also mentioned that she thought that the pears were picked in such a way that they ripen in transit. Not the overwhelmingly positive response I was hoping for. I just tried calling customer service as well, attempted to explain my problem, he kept interupting me and asking for an "item number or what you what me to check on". I finally gave up said "nevermind" and hung up. Hmmmm, not getting warm fuzzy feelings about this whole thing. I really do what to order (well not as sure right this second) but want to know if it will be fresh for xmas. That stuff is too expensive to have it go bad before I ever get to give it as a gift. Gina

[Gina O]

Okay, when all else fails, check the website... after reading the entire corporate history, I found this: "Guarantee satisfaction 100%. Not just the condition of the package. Not just on-time arrival. Our guarantee goes one step further to cover the unconditional satisfaction of everyone involved. If the giver and the receiver aren't delighted, we'll make it right with either a replacement gift or a full refund - whichever you think best. No delays. No questions asked." That is good enough for me... just wish the phone staff had been a little easier to deal with. Gina

[Ralph]

[QUOTE]Originally posted by Gina O:
[B]I am considering purchasing a Harry and David gift basket as a Christmas gift. Based on shipping information, it looks like I will receive it around the 17th. It has apples and pears, will they still be fresh for gD

[SoCal]

I posted this reply but it didn't show up. I apologize in advance if my first reply eventually appears!

Gina-O,

I was surprised to hear about you experience with customer service but then I thought, I've never asked a question. Perhaps they are just trained to take orders and don't know about the products?! Maybe try calling again and ask to speak to a supervisor?

I do agree with Ralph though about being reluctant to order for delivery on Dec. 17th, especially with the pears. When I have received them they have always been ripe and ready to eat. I wouldn't think the apples would be a problem though. Not much help I know! Good Luck.

BTW, I don't think the pears would stand a chance with me for a week. http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/wink.gif

[Gina O]

Well, unless one of my sisters comes up with a better idea of what to get my dad for xmas, I am going to go ahead and try it. We will know for certain for next year! http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/smile.gif Gina

[Colleen]

I think that I will join you Gina. I am going to order the pear and havarti cheese package. I think that I may have to send it to where I will be staying...
I will let you know how it goes.

[JennyLiz]

Harry & David really do mean business with their 100 percent satisfaction. Last year I received a tower of treats with Royal Riveria Pears. The pears were not as beautiful and blemish-free as the ones we had in the past, but they tasted great. I called the company and they replaced the ENTIRE tower, not just the pears. They now have me hooked as a customer.

BTW, the pears usually take about 2 days to ripen to the "juice running down your chin" stage of perfection.

Hope you enjoy them as much as we do! JennyLiz

[SoCal]

FYI...Don't know if anyone else saw it but tonight on Food TV's 'Inside Scoop' they did a half hour show on Harry and David. Quite an impressive operation, I must say. I need to start deciding which gifts to order from them!!

[carolyn.1]

I realize it has been several days since this topic was posted--but I wanted to share that last night I saw on FoodTV Network they did a 1/2 hour segment on Harry and David--very impressive. The reason they are so popular and have been in business since the depression is because of LOVE and QUALITY! They have employees that have been there for 35 years packing...
Their pear trees are dwarf size so that its easier for the pickers!! The pickers have been trained to pick the pears at the right time. When they have that blush on one side, what their famous for. Also to pick it off the tree a certain way so that the stem is left on the pear. And they handle them as little as possible as not to bruise them. After they are picked and put on the truck for transportation, it is loaded on a air truck so that there is hardly any shock.
Their confections are actually made by hand. They have 3 shifts. I was so impressed by this documentary. If they have a repeat of this show, you should try to watch.
I just wanted to share this information to you since so many were interested.

Carolyn--

[shoefling]

My husband and I were at the outlet mall south of Indianapolis today, and I saw that they had a Harry and David outlet store. So you think that this is the same stuff as the web site? I didn't have a lot of time to look around in there but they did have a gift boxes of shocolates, dried fruit, regular fruit and such. I may have to go back down there!

[SoCal]

Shoefling---

I was just going over their catalog last night and saw that they had outlet stores..
never knew that! I'm sure it's the same products as the web site. For Indiana it shows that they have 'Prime Outlet' stores in Edinburgh and Michigan City. Wish there was a Harry and David store near me!