How to Choose A Corporate Gift Basket Provider

All kinds of companies use gift baskets. They are an always appropriate gift for any occasion and available in all price points. Human Resource Managers often contact gift providers to assist with employee appreciation programs or Administrative Assistant's Week. Marketing Managers use them to thank clients for their business or to drum up more business. Gifts can be used to get your foot in the door, promote your company brand, and keep you in front of the client. All this being said, you can see the importance of choosing a gift company that will represent you well.

So how do you choose from the multitude of corporate gift basket companies out there? Start by looking locally. You'll save on shipping costs and it will be easier to get last minute deliveries or pick up gifts when you need to. Pick several gift companies, tell them the type of gifts your interested in, the occasion, the recipient, budget, and time table. Find out how long they've been in business, other clients they've worked with, and get a reference if possible. Ask each vendor to ship or deliver a proto-type basket. This way, you can see a sample of their work and the condition it arrives in. Don't expect the gift company to eat the cost of this process. Their labor, materials, and shipping costs are not free.

Once you've decided which company will best suit your needs, your gift provider will most likely ask you to sign a contract outlining the terms of your agreement, including cost, delivery dates, and product specifications. This protects the buyer and seller and is an absolute necessity. The experienced gift provider has already been burned and will ask for a deposit to avoid being stuck for up front costs and to ensure final payment.

That's it! Hopefully this will be the start of a mutually beneficial relationship. A good gift provider doesn't just sell baskets - he or she sells you! It's about building relationships with your employees or clients and representing you in the best possible light. Your gift company can recommend promotional products to brand your company, provide gift ribbons imprinted with your company name or logo, and suggest alternate gifts when a basket won't do. He or she can even suggest creative ways to market your business with gifts. Happy hunting!

Visit http://www.basketstar.com to see our corporate gift basket line.