Envision a fruit basket delivery, where the contents appear fresh. Upon unveiling the gift basket and closer inspection, the fresh fruit bouquet reeks of a distillery, the honeydew melon appears translucent as oxidation turns the pineapples, strawberries and bananas brown. Such has been reported by a reviewer on December 19, 2011.  (Source: Complaints.com).

But while some consumers complain about such unsavory fruit basket delivery fiascos,  certain facts and delivery terms often reveal  the potential for an edible fruit bouquet order to go wrong.

Fruit basket deliveries, just like any other consumer purchase can go awry. Regardless of the merchant, the fresh fruit basket is not impervious to rotten scenarios. Nonetheless, consumers can forgo fruit basket delivery travesties by reviewing each gift basket company’s delivery policies.

Be sure to place fruit basket delivery for the holidays well before the rush.

On the FAQ page of the Edible Arrangements’ website, delivery terms recoomend ordering well in advance during busy periods such as Valentine’s Day, Christmas and Mother’s Day.

In cities, where Edible Arrangement franchises are located, many rely on ecommerce to bolster sales. However, the fruit bouquet company depends  on UPS to fulfill fruit basket deliveries, which may or may not influence the freshness of fruit basket delivery.

When possible and to save a minimum of $12, schedule an in store pick-up. This way the consumer can evaluate the quality of the gift basket’s contents.

Edible Arrangements, Harry & David and other gift basket purveyors with brick and mortar shops can prepare gift baskets for you to deliver.

A spoiled  gift basket is sometimes the byproduct of ordering the wrong fruit basket for an unsuitable recipient. An example is the edible fruit bouquet, resembling a flower arrangement  delivered to a remote address.

Given other deliveries and distance, these fruit basket deliveries can go awry, particularly in warmer climates.

To ensure sending a fresh fruit basket, select a fruit bouquet company, where the gift basket consists of full pieces of fruit (not sliced). Sliced fruit bouquets have an abbreviated freshness window, before oxidation sets in.

Finally, make sure that the gift basket company guarantees the fruit basket delivery. Cherry Moon Farms, a sibling of ProFlowers does not guarantee deliveries in rural routes. Moreover, the company submits order to partnered gift shops,