Review by Anne Garber

Vancouver, BC (Updated Wednesday, August 29, 2007) -- What makes a successful business really succeed? Well, number one on my list would have to be great word-of-mouth. If people are raving about some "well-known secret," you can be sure it's a real deal, because in today's competitive marketplace, you just have to deliver better service, better quality and better value than the other guy, or you're simply not going to stay in business.

And that -- in my humble opinion -- is what continues to make Classic Greetings' Unique Gift Baskets Western Canada's largest gift basket specialists. They've been in business since 1989, which is no small feat, either. Now under the able management of the glowing and endlessly energetic Deborah Faurot, the outfit is certain to prosper and expand.

So what is there for you and me -- humble consumers? First of all, customers are completely impressed by what they receive in their gift baskets. Some people have said they consider Classic Greetings' Unique Gift Baskets to be the most creative and cost-effective marketing gift ideas they've ever come across…anywhere.

As well, they offer something we see all-too-rarely these days: Consistent service. Furthermore, their quality service is backed up by a complete guarantee of your satisfaction, or your money refunded (cheerfully, too, because they want to be sure you'll come back!).

Not only that, but they offer same-day delivery anywhere in our entire region -- and overnight delivery anywhere in North America. And this is a really big deal, believe me.

Recently (I mean really recently, like last Sunday), friends of ours were taking off on an Alaska cruise to celebrate her 30th birthday, which is no small deal. We decided that a big bottle of extravagant champers (the real stuff, from Epernay in actual champagne country, no less) was the perfect gift solution. No only did they gloriously wrap our champagne nestled into an ice bucket and accompanied by two elegant champagne flutes, but they delivered it to the ship on time. We got an e-mail from the ship headlined "You guys ROCK!" I won't even tell you how cheap it was, because you have to shop around and compare for yourself -- so you'll be fully convinced. Suffice it to say that if you do compare prices, you'll find that most local competitors charge at least half-again as much for every basket or gift item -- and sometimes more than double. And by the way, they do not advertise "free shipping" since they don't sneak those costs into the overall price of the product (any competitor who offers "FREE SHIPPING" really hides that fee in the cost of the basket!) -- this is true "full disclosure," since you'll always know exactly what your shipping costs (and it's a bargain, believe me).

That's just one of the reasons we are delighted to give Classic Greetings' Unique Gift Baskets our evalu8.org Stamp of Approval, and a rare five-star rating; they're that good!

You can drop in to visit their showroom at 145 West 6th Avenue in Vancouver during business hours, or visit their detailed website at your leisure: at www.uniquegiftbaskets.ca.

They accept VISA, MasterCard and Amex, and you can purchase any of these items by e-mail (classic_greetings@telus.net), by phone (604-879-9766, 604-879-7072 or toll-free 1-877-879-9766) or by fax: (604-879-9756 or toll-free 1-800-387-7118).

What's the range of what Deborah and Company can put together for you? Try combinations of any of their featured theme or special occasion baskets -- easily custom-modified or designed to suit your budget requirements. They carry an extensive range of gourmet foods, fresh fruit, dried fruit and nut trays, handmade chocolates, fresh flowers (in gorgeous arrangements), health foods or low-carb specialty items, housewares, spa, aromatherapy, and romance indulgences, baby products, and more! In addition, you'll discover "Over the Hill" benchmark birthday goodies, golf and gardening items, and everything from hobby and homespun things to elegant one-of-a-kind objets that can be bought alone or recombined to make the perfect gift for a whim, a special occasion, a housewarming, graduation . . . or you-name-it.

For businesses, Classic Greetings' Unique Gift Baskets takes special care to ensure that they meet your corporate gift needs, such as having your promotional products imprinted with your logo, custom personalized chocolates, private wine labelling, packaging your own promotional products and they top it all off with superior gift-wrapping.

Whew! Need I really say more? Bring your gift-giving challenge to Classic Greetings' Unique Gift Baskets and let them bring their special talents to bear on the project. I promise you: Not only will they not disappoint you, they will surprise and delight you. Guaranteed.