LivingWaterPlease Posted May 12, 2015 Posted May 12, 2015 I received flowers from one child and edible fruit in mug arrangement from another for Mother's Day. Both were beautiful but the fruit in the edible arrangement was awful! It was the worst fruit I've ever had, though not rotten it had NO flavor at all. I hate that my kids spent money on this. How do I handle this graciously? I have thanked him for the beautiful fruit arrangement and hate to mention how awful the fruit was but don't want him to spend his money on this again. Do I call the company who arranged it? If so, what do I say? Thanks!
clia Posted May 12, 2015 Posted May 12, 2015 If I were the kid who paid for the edible fruit arrangement, I would want to know that the fruit was not good. Those arrangements aren't cheap. It's not your fault it was bad, so he shouldn't be mad at you over it. You should just say that you appreciate that he bought it for you, but they might want to know that the company didn't use very good fruit. Then let him handle it. If he wants to call and complain, he can do so. 2
Jessie1231 Posted May 12, 2015 Posted May 12, 2015 The guy I'm seeing sent me one of those edible arrangements on my birthday too. I was nervous as I had heard that sometimes the fruit they use is questionable. I guess I got lucky because mine was delicious. It was just so much fruit I couldn't even put a dent in it before it started to go bad. Anyway, I would definitely let your son know. It may help if you took pics of it showing it was bad that you could forward him (for him to show the company). I don't see where he would be hurt by that, and if he contacts them maybe he could get a refund. 1
Author LivingWaterPlease Posted May 12, 2015 Author Posted May 12, 2015 Thanks for the feedback, it makes sense! After I posted and before I read feedback I called the company and explained very nicely what happened. The manager was great and told me they'd replace the arrangement and she'd make sure the fruit was good. Then called later and told me she tasted some of the fruit and it was, as I'd told her, like cardboard. She said it wasn't ripe. I suggested some local places to buy fruit; this is interesting and understandable and why I'm posting back about it. They have to buy their fruit from one farm their company does business with so that if someone gets sick from the fruit they can trace it back to where the fruit came from. Too bad they can't buy local as our local fruits are delish by now. But, I can understand the legal ramifications if someone should claim to get sick from one of their arrangements. Also, buying for all of their franchises from the same place may give them a rate ($$$) they couldn't match if each franchise bought on it's own in small quantities, idk.
Gloria25 Posted May 12, 2015 Posted May 12, 2015 Well, thankfully, my experiences with Edible Arrangements has been positive when it comes to the quality of the fruit... Where they did suck was prompt and accurate delivery of the order I had placed with them and of one that was placed for me. They also lacked customer service courtesy when dealing with them. But, I'm sure that each is independently owned, so like a franchise - everyone is different. Even though the fruit was bad, not sure if mentioning it will be taken the wrong way by your kids. I mean, for one of my birthdays, I was bought a set of cooking pans and I regifted it cuz I don't like those types of pans. Boy, the gift giver was upset - didn't matter me trying to explain that I didn't care for those types of pots/pans...they took it as me having an issue with "them". So, I'm glad you contacted the store directly, that way you put them on notice they need to do something and maybe you an also do an online review to keep them honest. About your kids? Just tell them that 'You love them a bunches and while you enjoy the gift(s) just their sweet voices on the telephone on the day of and/or a sweet card is all you need to make your heart swell with joy'...I think that'll get the message across and if they still spend money after that, oh well just let it be. 2
Author LivingWaterPlease Posted May 13, 2015 Author Posted May 13, 2015 Thanks, everyone! Well, hahaha! Got a call from the manager after she said she was sending a new arrangement out. She told me she went to prepare it, tasted the melon and it was, as I'd told her, like cardboard! Ha! Told me she had three crates of the melon she'd have to send back and that she'd keep my name and number and get me a new arrangement when the good fruit comes in. She's been great to work with the whole way through........ 1
whichwayisup Posted May 13, 2015 Posted May 13, 2015 I received flowers from one child and edible fruit in mug arrangement from another for Mother's Day. Both were beautiful but the fruit in the edible arrangement was awful! It was the worst fruit I've ever had, though not rotten it had NO flavor at all. I hate that my kids spent money on this. How do I handle this graciously? I have thanked him for the beautiful fruit arrangement and hate to mention how awful the fruit was but don't want him to spend his money on this again. Do I call the company who arranged it? If so, what do I say? Thanks! You be honest and tell your son about the rotten fruit so he can get his money back from the place he ordered it from. They need to know! Your son won't be upset or angry at you, he'll be angry at the people who put it together. Just reaffirm that you totally appreciated the fruit basket and love him. 1
Author LivingWaterPlease Posted May 13, 2015 Author Posted May 13, 2015 You be honest and tell your son about the rotten fruit so he can get his money back from the place he ordered it from. They need to know! Your son won't be upset or angry at you, he'll be angry at the people who put it together. Just reaffirm that you totally appreciated the fruit basket and love him. Good point wwiu! The fruit wasn't rotten just not ripe and had no flavor at all. I'll let him get his money back if they don't send a good arrangement within a week. The other part of this is that my son is an extremely busy person who has a lot on his plate and it would be easier for him if he didn't have to deal with this, so I'm taking his time and effort into consideration. I'm, by nature, a person who doesn't mind dealing with these types of issues and I'll see it through, whereas it's possible he'd never get around to dealing with it, idk for sure. But, yes, I may have them return his money.
TaraMaiden2 Posted May 13, 2015 Posted May 13, 2015 ...She's been great to work with the whole way through........ I think it might be appropriate to discuss the possibility of her refunding your son's payment, rather than waiting for any more fruit. She could even put a covering note advising him that it's a goodwill gesture on her part, as they feel the fruit was sub-standard at the time, and the issue was only noted after distribution. Your son will then contact you with the "Mom, how was your fruit?" question, and you can tell him you have been in discussion with the company, due to the quality because they'd had a bad batch delivery and yadeh yadeh yadeh.... that's why the company decided to refund him. Howzzat?! 1
d0nnivain Posted May 13, 2015 Posted May 13, 2015 You praise the child who gave you the fruit for their thoughtful healthy gift but then you tell that person that he/she did not get his/her money's worth. 1
spanz1 Posted May 13, 2015 Posted May 13, 2015 Thanks, everyone! Well, hahaha! Got a call from the manager after she said she was sending a new arrangement out. She told me she went to prepare it, tasted the melon and it was, as I'd told her, like cardboard! Ha! Told me she had three crates of the melon she'd have to send back and that she'd keep my name and number and get me a new arrangement when the good fruit comes in. She's been great to work with the whole way through........ Good to see a local business owner standing behind her product!!! I have had those edible arrangements, and they were great. I guess they are just at the mercy of the fruit shipments on a week by week basis 1
Author LivingWaterPlease Posted May 14, 2015 Author Posted May 14, 2015 I think it might be appropriate to discuss the possibility of her refunding your son's payment, rather than waiting for any more fruit. She could even put a covering note advising him that it's a goodwill gesture on her part, as they feel the fruit was sub-standard at the time, and the issue was only noted after distribution. Your son will then contact you with the "Mom, how was your fruit?" question, and you can tell him you have been in discussion with the company, due to the quality because they'd had a bad batch delivery and yadeh yadeh yadeh.... that's why the company decided to refund him. Howzzat?! Great, I think you're right and was thinking the same thing today. I've already thanked my son (before I tasted the fruit) as it was a beautiful arrangement. But, was thinking today they need to figure out a way to make this right soon or I'm going to request a refund to be sent to my son.
Author LivingWaterPlease Posted May 14, 2015 Author Posted May 14, 2015 He's sent me berries dipped in chocolate before and they're great! Different company, though.
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