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Vital Choice Review
Saturday, May 25th
2024 Seafood Company Reviews
Vital Choice
- Prices range from $29.99 to $469.99
- Sustainable wild-catching
- Gift options include gift cards and subscription boxes
- Monthly subscription boxes
- Prices range from $29.99 to $469.99
Vital Choice is an exceptional choice for individuals who prefer wild seafood over farm-raised alternatives. With nearly two decades of experience, this online store initially focused on offering wild Alaskan salmon but has since expanded its selection to include premium whitefish and shellfish as well.
Impressive variety of seafood
The variety of seafood options available at Vital Choice is impressive. From lingcod and mahi in the fish department to spot prawns, crab, calamari, and more in the shellfish category, customers may find it challenging to narrow down their choices. Furthermore, the store offers numerous canned and pouched products, providing even more versatility and convenience. In addition to seafood, Vital Choice offers marine-sourced nutritional supplements, organic foods, and pastured proteins, making it a comprehensive one-stop shop for health-conscious individuals.
Website needs some navigation help
When shopping at Vital Choice, customers have access to a wealth of information about their selected seafood. From nutritional value to preparation instructions and customer reviews, everything needed to make an informed decision is readily available. The website even features video recipes for those seeking culinary inspiration. However, we did find that the website felt a little cluttered overall. For users who have trouble reading small fonts or too-busy text blocks, this site may not be a favorite place to shop. Additionally, the sub-pages don't have filters: for example, if you want to narrow down your salmon options on the salmon page, it is very difficult to do so.
Huge inventory and good value for money
To compare prices among different retailers in our review, we evaluated four specific products, including traditional fish, shellfish, the highest-priced item in the store, and bundled packages. Vital Choice offers a huge range of fresh fish including 74 listings for salmon and 52 for whitefish. The prices for fish vary from $29.99 for two 8 oz portions to $469.99 for 24 portions at 6 oz. Their selection of shellfish is smaller with 17 different listings. The prices range from $49.95 to $299.99. The most expensive seafood item available at Vital Choice is their MSC Wild Chilean Sea Bass prepared skinless and boneless in a 24-count of 6 oz filets for $469.99. In terms of boxes, Vital Choice offers 6 products which are "subscription" boxes that are charged monthly. These range in price from $139.99 to $199.99. Since you get large sizes of fish in each order, there is a great value for money at Vital Choice.
Subscription for monthly seafood
For those seeking a more convenient and recurring seafood supply, Vital Choice offers three subscription box options. There are six different combinations for subscription boxes, which is a little limited compared to other companies that have subscriptions. They only offer monthly payments, unlike other companies that let you decide between different frequencies. However, the prices are still competitive if you want monthly deliveries of fish.
Complicated shipping tiers
Shipping is priced depending on the total price of your order at Vital Choice. As such, there are a lot of pricing tiers that range in cost from $6.99 to $25.99+. The total breakdown comes out as follows:
- Cart total between $0.01 - $15.00 = $6.99 shipping
- Cart total between $15.01 - $30.00 = $8.99 shipping
- Cart total between $30.01 - $60.00 = $14.99 shipping
- Cart total between $60.01 - $100.00 = $19.99 shipping
- Cart total between $100.01 - $200.00 = $25.99 shipping
- Cart total $200.01 and over = 16% of order subtotal
While it's certainly fair to have shipping costs based on your order total, it makes it much harder to figure out what your shipping will cost by the time you check out. This could be much less convenient for customers, compared with other seafood stores who only have one or two tiers of delivery fees.
Gifting is great here
One place where Vital Choice is great is with its gifting options. Whether opting for traditional physical gift cards or e-gift cards, customers can select their preferred designs and choose from various denominations. Additionally, the store offers gift packs and samplers beyond seafood, including oil/vinegar/seasonings and dark chocolate. Specialized subscription boxes can also be sent as gifts to loved ones if you want to treat them to a seafood feast.
Sustainable and wild-caught fish
One of the standout features of Vital Choice is its commitment to sustainability. Only seafood that is sustainably caught is sold, and a portion of the company's profits is dedicated to supporting planet-protecting programs and environmental strategies.
Top-rated for customer service
Vital Choice's reputation speaks for itself. The company holds an "A+" rating and accreditation from the Better Business Bureau, highlighting its commitment to customer satisfaction. Notable experts such as Dr. Andrew Weil and Dr. Joseph Mercola endorse the quality of the seafood and fish, further attesting to its excellence. With over 18,000 customer reviews and an outstanding 4.7 out of 5-star average rating, it is clear that Vital Choice has garnered significant positive feedback from its satisfied customers.
Competitive but website needs an update
Vital Choice caters to various preferences, and with its wide selection, sustainability focus, and exceptional customer reviews, it's definitely still worth checking out. But because of the lack of filters and difficulty navigation as well as complicated shipping prices, this seafood store sits a little lower than other competitors in this review.
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Where Can You Find the Best Seafood Stores?
Whether you're a seafood connoisseur or simply love indulging in a delicious seafood feast, finding a reliable supplier is essential. With options ranging from fresh fish to shellfish and everything in between, seafood stores provide a wide variety of choices for seafood lovers. And the best part? Many of these stores offer the convenience of online shopping, allowing you to explore their offerings from the comfort of your home.
Seafood stores offer a wide range of products, including fish, shrimp, lobster, crab, oysters, and more. The variety and quality of the selection can vary from store to store. Whether you're searching for a specific type of fish or want to explore new flavors, it's important to consider the diversity of options offered by each seafood store. A store with a diverse selection allows you to try new and exciting seafood dishes, ensuring a satisfying culinary experience.
Seafood Company FAQ
Continued from above...
Seafood is a popular choice for many people, and it's no wonder considering its versatility and health benefits. According to research, seafood is a rich source of essential nutrients like omega-3 fatty acids, vitamins, and minerals. It is also associated with numerous health benefits, including improved heart health and brain function and protection against heart attack or Alzheimer's. With seafood being in high demand, it's important to find a seafood store that consistently delivers the freshest and highest quality products.
When it comes to seafood, freshness is key. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) advises consumers to choose seafood that is fresh, properly handled, and stored at the correct temperatures to reduce the risk of foodborne illnesses. This makes it crucial to find a seafood store that prioritizes freshness and follows proper handling procedures. This is especially important if you're hoping to make dishes that aren't cooked as thoroughly, like sushi or sashimi dishes.
For this reason, it can be particularly helpful to shop for your seafood online. Reputable vendors prioritize the freshness and quality of their products through rigorous quality control measures. Some even source their fish directly from fishermen or sustainable fisheries, promoting a farm-to-table experience. And online markets often offer access to rare or specialty fish that may not be readily available locally, allowing you to indulge in unique culinary experiences. Online fish markets offer a wide variety of fish and seafood products, giving you the opportunity to explore a diverse range of species and try new flavors.
When choosing a seafood store online, there are so many options to choose from. If you're not sure how to get started, don't worry! We've got your back. Below is a list of factors you can keep in mind to help you choose the best seafood store for your needs.
- Price. Price is a significant consideration for many individuals when it comes to choosing an online store for seafood, especially with shipping costs. The affordability of seafood can determine how much you can buy and how often you can enjoy barbecue salmon or whitefish nigiri. Being mindful of your budget and the fairness of market value for fish can help you decide where to buy.
- Variety. Are you just looking for the basics? Or do you want a very specific or rare kind of fish? It's important to look at the kind of variety offered by each seafood store to ensure they have what you want or that you don't need to shop in multiple places.
- Shipping. Shipping is a two-pronged issue for seafood. While you want to make sure you can get good deals on shipping, it's also very important to know how fast and how well refrigerated an online seafood store will send your food. You want to make sure the high-quality fish you buy stays high quality by the time it reaches you.
- Sustainability. If you're one of the customers worried about sustainability, you may want to check out the eco-friendliness of the seafood store you're shopping with. Keep an eye on their specific moves to highlight sustainability in their business model.
- Customer satisfaction. Customers aren't professional fishermen (most of the time), but they do provide good insight into things you love. Keeping an eye on a company's reputation with customers can help you decide if it's the right place for you to pick up a red snapper or crawfish.
To make the process of finding the seafood store go swimmingly, Top Consumer Reviews has evaluated and rated the best options for seafood stores on the market today. We hope this information helps you enjoy your seafood fix and prioritize your health and wellness at the same time!
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