Hey there, fellow gift-giving enthusiasts! If you‘re anything like me, you‘re always on the hunt for the perfect way to show your loved ones how much you care. And what better way to say "I‘m thinking of you" than with a decadent, handcrafted treat delivered straight to their door? That‘s where Shari‘s Berries comes in.
In this ultimate review, I‘m diving deep into everything you need to know about this gourmet gift company. From the quality of their famous chocolate-covered strawberries to the overall customer experience, I‘m sharing my honest thoughts (and plenty of mouthwatering photos).
But first, let‘s start with a quick overview of what you can expect from this Shari‘s Berries review:
- Background on the company and their signature products
- My personal experience ordering and taste-testing several popular items
- Detailed pros and cons based on my orders and customer reviews
- Comparison of Shari‘s Berries to similar gift delivery services
- Answers to common questions about pricing, delivery, and more
- My final verdict on whether Shari‘s Berries is truly worth the hype
Sound good? Let‘s dig in!
What is Shari‘s Berries?
If you‘re not familiar with Shari‘s Berries, allow me to introduce you. This gourmet food delivery company has been delighting gift recipients since way back in 1989, when founder Shari Fitzpatrick first started selling her signature chocolate-covered strawberries to local stores in Sacramento, California.
Fast forward 30+ years, and Shari‘s Berries has become a go-to destination for anyone looking to send a truly special, indulgent gift. In addition to their famous berries, they now offer an extensive selection of treats like hand-dipped cheesecake bites, cake truffles, gourmet bakery items, and even fruit bouquets.
In 2019, Shari‘s Berries was acquired by industry giant 1-800-Flowers, which has only expanded their gifting possibilities. But the heart of the company remains the same: delivering joy one perfect bite at a time.
My Shari‘s Berries Ordering Experience
Now, I know what you really want to know: are Shari‘s Berries actually as amazing as they look? I‘m here to give you the inside scoop, based on my own personal experience ordering a variety of their most popular items.
The Famous Chocolate-Covered Strawberries
Let‘s start with the product that put Shari‘s Berries on the map: their signature chocolate-covered strawberries. These extra-large, perfectly ripe berries are hand-dipped in your choice of milk, dark, or white chocolate, then drizzled with a contrasting chocolate for a stunning presentation.
I ordered a dozen of the "Gourmet Drizzled" strawberries for a friend‘s birthday, and I was blown away by the quality. The berries were huge (each one was almost the size of my palm), and the chocolate coating was thick, creamy, and tasted like pure luxury. At $45 for a dozen, they‘re definitely a splurge—but I can see why Shari‘s Berries has built their reputation on these babies.
Cheesecake Bites and Birthday Cake
Next up, I tried the "Celebration Cheesecake Bites" and the "Birthday Cake" for a little variety. The cheesecake bites come in two flavors (New York style dipped in milk chocolate and chocolate truffle dipped in dark chocolate), and they‘re decorated with adorable rainbow sprinkles. They were rich, creamy, and satisfyingly bite-sized—a perfect complement to the larger strawberries.
As for the birthday cake, I was impressed by how fresh and moist it was, considering it was shipped from across the country. The vanilla cake had a nice buttery flavor and the chocolate-covered strawberries that came with it were the perfect finishing touch. At $65 for the cake and a half-dozen strawberries, it‘s not an everyday treat, but it would make any birthday girl or guy feel extra special.
Fruit Bouquets
Lastly, I wanted to see how Shari‘s Berries stacked up in the fruit bouquet department. I ordered the "Sweet and Delicious" arrangement, which includes a variety of fruit favorites cut into flower shapes. I‘ll be honest, I was a little skeptical about how fresh the fruit would be upon arrival, but I was pleasantly surprised. The pineapple, honeydew, cantaloupe, and of course, strawberries, were all perfectly ripe and tasted like they had been cut that very morning.
My only complaint about the fruit bouquet is that it didn‘t quite have the "wow factor" I was expecting for the price ($73 plus shipping). It looked a bit smaller in person than it did online. However, the taste and quality of the fruit itself was top-notch.
The Unboxing Experience
Of course, presentation is a huge part of the gifting experience, so I was eager to see how Shari‘s Berries packaging measured up. I‘m happy to report that everything arrived in perfect condition, thanks to the sturdy boxing and insulated cooler packs. The chocolate-covered strawberries were neatly nestled in individual paper cups to prevent any smushing or damage in transit.
One small detail I appreciated was the personal note included with my order. Even though I knew it was a printed card, it still added a nice touch and made me feel like my gift had been carefully prepared just for me.
Pricing and Value
Now, let‘s address the elephant in the room: Shari‘s Berries prices. There‘s no getting around the fact that these gourmet treats are definitely on the expensive side. A dozen chocolate-covered strawberries will set you back $45, while a full "gift bundle" with a variety of treats can easily exceed $100.
However, I do think there‘s value in splurging on a high-quality, artisanal gift like this for special occasions. When you break it down, you‘re paying for the premium ingredients, handcrafted presentation, and the convenience of having it all delivered to your doorstep.
That being said, I probably wouldn‘t order from Shari‘s Berries for everyday gifting. If you‘re on a tight budget, you can definitely find cheaper options (like making your own chocolate-covered strawberries at home). But for those times when you really want to impress, Shari‘s Berries is worth the extra cost.
How Shari‘s Berries Compares to Other Gift Basket Services
Of course, Shari‘s Berries isn‘t the only game in town when it comes to gourmet gift delivery. So how do they stack up against the competition? Here‘s a quick comparison:
| Company | Price for 12 Chocolate-Covered Strawberries | Shipping Cost | Delivery Area |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shari‘s Berries | $45 | $14.99 | United States |
| Edible Arrangements | $39.99 | $14.99 | United States & Canada |
| Harry & David | $49.99 | $7.99 | United States |
| Godiva | $50 | $15 | United States |
As you can see, Shari‘s Berries falls somewhere in the middle of the pack in terms of pricing. They‘re a bit more expensive than Edible Arrangements, but slightly cheaper than Harry & David and Godiva.
Where I think Shari‘s Berries really shines is in their unique product offerings. While other companies focus mainly on fruit bouquets or generic gift baskets, Shari‘s Berries has cornered the market on chocolate-covered strawberries and other niche treats like cheesecake bites and cake truffles.
Shari‘s Berries Customer Service
No Shari‘s Berries review would be complete without mentioning their customer service. Personally, I didn‘t have any issues with my orders, but I know that some customers have reported problems with on-time delivery or damaged products.
The good news is that Shari‘s Berries seems to take customer complaints seriously. They offer a 100% satisfaction guarantee and will do their best to make things right if you‘re not happy with your order. I tested out their customer service myself by calling with a question about my delivery date, and the representative I spoke to was friendly, helpful, and easy to understand.
One area where I think Shari‘s Berries could improve is their website‘s user experience. The ordering process is fairly straightforward, but I did encounter a few glitches and slow loading times. It would also be nice to see more customer reviews and photos directly on the product pages.
Occasions to Gift Shari‘s Berries
So, when should you consider sending a Shari‘s Berries gift? Here are a few occasions that I think are perfectly suited for their indulgent treats:
- Birthdays: The birthday cake and chocolate-covered strawberries combo is a no-brainer for making someone‘s special day even sweeter.
- Anniversaries: Nothing says "I love you" like a dozen hand-dipped strawberries and a bottle of champagne (which you can add to your order for an extra charge).
- Mother‘s Day: Skip the basic flower bouquet and show Mom how much you appreciate her with a decadent assortment of Shari‘s Berries goodies.
- Get Well Soon: Know someone who could use a little pick-me-up? A cheerful fruit bouquet or box of cheesecake bites is sure to brighten their day.
- Just Because: Why wait for a special occasion? Sometimes the best gifts are the ones that come as a total surprise.
The Final Verdict
So, what‘s my final verdict on Shari‘s Berries? Overall, I have to give them a big thumbs up. While they‘re certainly not the cheapest gift delivery service out there, I do think they offer exceptional quality and a truly unique product selection. The chocolate-covered strawberries are the real standout—I can honestly say they‘re some of the best I‘ve ever tasted.
Of course, no company is perfect, and Shari‘s Berries does have a few areas where they could improve (like their website user experience and packaging for certain items). But at the end of the day, I feel confident recommending them to anyone who wants to send a genuinely memorable and delicious gift.
So go ahead and treat yourself (or someone you love) to a box of Shari‘s Berries famous chocolate-covered strawberries. Trust me, your taste buds will thank you.
Have you ever tried Shari‘s Berries? I‘d love to hear about your experience in the comments below!
And if you found this review helpful, be sure to share it with your friends and followers. Together we can spread the joy of gourmet gifting, one perfect bite at a time.
Until next time, happy snacking!
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