Harry & David Review

Last Updated: 11/10/2010

What to Expect from Harry & David Wine Club

Harry & David is a company known for extraordinarily delicious foodstuffs delivered in beautiful packaging. For years we received a box of their pears at Christmas time and they were a consistent treat. We expect excellent customer service, "The Strongest Guarantee in the Business," high-quality products, and delighted gift-recipients from the Harry & David Wine Club. We're just not certain you're going to get it... read on to see why.

Where the Harry & David Wine Club seems to have gone wrong

Harry & David is a private-label wine club run by a larger company called Wine.com. This is a very common business strategy these days. Everyone wants a wine club, because they tend to be profitable, but not everyone wants to get into the liquor business (strict legislation exists relating to where wines can be shipped, to whom, and by whom). To overcome this governmental hurdle, a company will contract with an existing wine club to get into the business. In this case Harry & David has chosen Wine.com as their partner... and we're not entirely sure why.

There does seem to be a bit of a brand synergy between the two (shiny graphics, high prices that are just barely justifiable, strong marketing programs, etc.), but the thing that is missing from both wine clubs is great value. Wine clubs forget they are competing with local wine stores as well as each other. If I can go to my local wine store, deal with a person, pay the same or lower prices, save shipping costs, and know I can bring a bottle back if there's something wrong with it... why would I join a wine club? I want to feel like my "commitment" to you means that you'll "commit" back with better-than-available-to-the-public pricing. We don't see that here.