Capalbo’s Gift Baskets

I ordered a Christmas gift basket from Capalbo’s in early/​mid-​December. The basket was never received by the intended recipient, and I was never notified of this until I saw my family member and asked them. I called Capalbo’s (over a month later) since I was never notified of this, and never received a credit. They said they «just received the item back that day», and told me they would re-​ship the item for FREE as a courtesy. For whatever reason, the item was «never received» again (I was told nothing was received from FedEx as they had claimed). When the item was returned, they said that I would get $ 15 deducted for a returned item fee. When I asked about it being «Free as a courtesy», they gave me the runaround and ended up deducting it anyways. Horrible customer service, horrible follow-​up. Very disappointing considering I have always ordered from them for both work and home. Needless to say I will NOT be ordering from them again.

Absolutely 0 Stars. This is the parent company to
which does not have their own Unilocal page — so I leave this review here.
Shipping issues happen — sometimes unavoidable or at no one’s fault — but how you handle the issues is solely the discretion of the business who shipped it. I placed an order with
on ¹²⁄₁₄ with a payment of an extra $ 39 to have it overnighted to be rec’d on ¹²⁄₁₆ (figured a 60^th birthday surprise was worth the little extra). Unfortunately the business location of the recipient refused it due to the contents having alcohol — I can understand that — not winebasket.com’s fault. Once it was refused, it went back to them, without any notification to me or any alternative options. When I called the next day to figure out what could be done, asked if I could get it re-​routed or pickit up at a fed-​ex location, Henry «the Fed-​ex guy» said that nothing could be done it was already headed back to them so I asked to speak with a supervisor and I left a message for Kate. I missed her return call, so when I called back (now on Fri, ¹²⁄₁₈), I spoke with Beverly, who tried very hard to help, but could not, so I again asked to speak to Kate, I was given her voicemail so I left another message and I waited.
By Wed 12/​23, no return call, I tried again. I spoke with William, who also tried to assist (researched, called me back, tried to connect me to a Kate), but was told there was nothing he could do to process my order to get it in a reasonable time where there were no excessive fees to myself. He could not answer the following to help me figure out what the best course should be. I asked «why was the package sent back to NJ and not given an alternative delivery/​pick-​up option?», «Why was my call to Kate not returned?», «Why when the package was delivered back to your facilities (confirmed it was received on Mon, ¹²⁄₂₁) was I not contacted/​informed?» His repeated understanding of how I felt could not reconcile the situation so again a request to speak with Kate, after another hold, I was met with her voicemail again, left another message asking for a timely return call or I would try again later that same day.
I had to try again and this time I spoke with Leslie. Of all the reps who really tried to help but who’s hands were tied by supervisor Kate, she was by far the most unpleasant. After having to explain the situation again, even though I strongly asked to just speak with Kate, she asked for the details of the situation, which I gave (with an apology for the frustration in my voice in which she responded she «understood how I felt»). After being told again that nothing could be done that wouldn’t result in an excessive charge or a very lengthy delay, I again asked to speak to Kate and also offered to hold. After the adamant refusal to speak with me because she was busy and «I would end up holding until next week» per Leslie, I asked for who she Kate reports too, in which Leslie informed me that Supervisor Kate is «the Boss» and reports to «God». Another lengthy hold and a reconciliation was finally received where they agreed to ship it 2 day express to my home in lieu of the recipient (only option I had at this point really) at their cost, but due to the timing/​sched — still due to arrive 6 days later.
Had Supervisor Kate called me back last Fri or even Mon or Tues, or a general notification on Mon when the package was actually received back at their location, this could probably have been avoided, but sadly, I was never given the privilege of speaking with her. This company really needs to evaluate their shipping methods and update their website to inform users of shipping processes and their use of Fed-​ex (ie Fed-​ex doesn’t deliver on Sun/​Mon, extra cost for Sat, 21 year old sign. req policy, etc.), as I am sure I am not the 1^st person’s who’s gift was refused by a business due to the contents being alcohol. Seeing as this business’ specialty involves shipping alcohol, you would there would be more on their customer service page.
They should also evaluate Kate and Leslie. I don’t understand how you can be a supervisor and refuse to speak with a customer. William’s and Beverly tried their hardest to help a frustrated customer and where nothing but pleasant, agreeable and understanding. Leslie was not. She was condescending and insufferable, 2 qualities that don’t make for good customer service. I have voiced my frustration repeatedly and apologized for my frustrating tone but never did I actually attack her character or say anything negative or derogatory directly to Leslie regarding herself. A few of Leslie’s choice words included «it’s not our problem if your recipient doesn’t want a present from you» and once it was determined to just ship to my home so I could self-​deliver, I said I would change my schedule to make it so I could be here to accept it, her response «Obviously you’ll be there — who else would be» This is truly UNACCEPTABLE behavior.

Every year I would order from their website for a few of our friends. Placed and order on supposedly a free shipping items. The shipping cost as much as the item itself! Called them and they send me another email saying they will take it off. Check my account and they did not take it off. Called customer service again and they were no help at all and they talk to me like I’m delusional and I don’t know what I’m talking about. I definitely will not be ordering off this website again!

Please note they only accept the returning within 15-DAY’S purchasing. You won’t find this NOTE unless you lucky hit the «GUARANTEE» button at the bottom of their web page. Be careful when you purchasing any stuff from them — their «100% Unconditional Satisfaction Guarantee» claim does have very strict conditions!

This is the first year I purchased from Capalbo’s Gift Baskets in New Jersey. I ordered half a dozen various wine gift baskets online as presents for the upcoming holidays (none of them had fruit since they were all shipped via ground shipping, instead we went with baskets that had wine accompanied with snacks, dry meats, chocolates, etc.) and they were delivered on time as expected.
They have a wide variety of gift baskets to choose from that already included the price of shipping which was a plus for us. Our recipients all called to say much thanks, that they were really impressed with all their gift baskets. I would definitely order from them again when the holidays roll around or just for a special upcoming occasion.

We received a white wine gift box for Christmas. The wine is okay, so was the two pieces of candy, the smoked provolone cheese just ok and the ingredients on the 3 pepper crackers didn’t list any pepper & very processed. The «fresh from the orchard» fruit still had UPC stickers on them, I guess to show the variety. Which was everyday Red & Green Delicious apples and Bartlett & Anjou pears. Out of the six pieces of fruit, 3 were badly bruised and the red apple tasted awful. I would have been upset if I had sent this box as a gift w damaged fruit. But I usually don’t expect much quality from mail order gift box companies.