We love Harry and David pears - they're awfully expensive fruit, but when they're good, they're incredible. Usually 75% of the fruit we get is what we dream of, the rest, as happens to fruit, may have brown cores or mushy texture. An occasional box has only been worth throwing away. But the odds are always strongly in favor of getting some really delicious, juicy, perfumed pears unlike any others.
So, naturally, it's a favorite gift of ours for giving. And they seem to make a big hit.
This year, when ordering, I had 8 boxes marked for delivery to us. That would let me take some whole boxes around to our wonderful, helpful friends, as well as split some up for delivery with trays of Christmas cookies. Which, by the way, I didn't manage to bake until today, Christmas eve!
When ordering, there didn't seem to be any problem. Guaranteed delivery by December 24. I ordered some for direct shipment to my brother, a niece, a few friends in other cities.
But here in the country, delivery to us seemed the best way to go. I don't know all my friends' delivery addresses, but I do know everyone is out a great deal. And at our house, someone is almost always home. FedEx and UPS know where to leave things, don't worry about whether we answer the doorbell. And after all, since this is a B&B, it's a business address as well. So we have great success with online ordering and timely delivery. FedEx and UPS have been here multiple times each day - I keep wondering, why don't they have it all on one truck coming out here to the boonies? Whatever - it all arrives. Gardeners' Supply, WinterSilks, Duncraft, the packages have been piling up this week.
But no pears. A few thank-you calls tell me deliveries in other states have been accomplished.
6 pm, Christmas eve. Looking forward to giving a box of pears to Judith and Chris, who'll be here for dinner later. Taking pears tomorrow to local friends. But no pears.
Called Harry and David. Fellow didn't know what to do, I suggested he find a supervisor. Found an operator, instead. Tells me FedEx turned the pears over to the POST OFFICE somewhere in MARYLAND for postal delivery, so they'll be here Monday or Tuesday.
But Sunday morning I'll be on my way to NYC for a week. They can give me a refund, but that doesn't get me gifts to give.
This Santa's bag is empty this holiday, for the very friends I wanted to give the best gifts to. I'll have to reorder and be a couple of weeks late this year.
I'll never have the same regard for Harry and David.