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  • Gourmet Secrets

Overview

Gourmet Secrets has a rating of 2.73 stars from 41 reviews, indicating that most customers are generally dissatisfied with their purchases. Gourmet Secrets ranks 1107th among Food & Drink Other sites.

  • Service
    4
  • Value
    4
  • Shipping
    4
  • Returns
    2
  • Quality
    4

What reviewers want you to know

Positive highlights

No positive highlights yet

Critical highlights

  • First of all paid for a VIP membership, what a waste of money!!
  • Update...ordered last sampler 2 months ago...really surprised as they always just say next month.
How would you rate Gourmet Secrets?
Top Positive Review

“My Christmas this year was a success because of Gourmet...”

Anita M.
1/1/15

My Christmas this year was a success because of Gourmet Secrets. First, I've sent some of their steaks as a gift to my 3 brothers in Vancouver. This was easy plus my brothers were thrilled. They already BBQ some steaks and loved them! Second, I ordered their Christmas combo, the turkey roast was a great hit with my family, the large cooked shrimps were delicious, the best we've had! They got me for life! I highly recommend them.

Top Critical Review

“Stay far away from scammer Luc Noel and Gourmet Secrets”

Joe C.
4/19/18

I worked for Gourmet Secrets many years ago and know the owner very well. I have no doubt that Luc Noel is the one and only author of all positive reviews. You cannot believe a word that comes out of his mouth. Further, he is not and has never been a federally inspected producer or supplier of meat items. If he has shipped outside of Alberta (which I doubt) he has done so illegally, just like when he opened a branch in Saskatoon many years ago and was run out of the province.

Reviews (41)

Rating

Timeframe

Other

Reviews that mention popular keywords

vip membership (3) 2 months (4)
Thumbnail of user joec253
1 review
1 helpful vote
April 19th, 2018

I worked for Gourmet Secrets many years ago and know the owner very well. I have no doubt that Luc Noel is the one and only author of all positive reviews. You cannot believe a word that comes out of his mouth. Further, he is not and has never been a federally inspected producer or supplier of meat items. If he has shipped outside of Alberta (which I doubt) he has done so illegally, just like when he opened a branch in Saskatoon many years ago and was run out of the province.

Thumbnail of user lisel10
1 review
0 helpful votes
September 15th, 2016

Like so many others who posted reviews I am totally disappointed with the service. I have been a member for many years and the service used to be good but the last year it has gone downhill. They are very quick at selling you repeat packages and charge you upfront for all of them but then they can't deliver and you have to call, and call, and call to try and get a refund. I will NEVER order from them again. They still owe me money and wonder if and when I will get the refund.

Thumbnail of user walterc18
3 reviews
8 helpful votes
May 1st, 2014

J'en suis à ma troisième commande chez Gourmet Secrets et nous sommes entièrement satisfait. La qualité des aliments commandés était à la hauteur de nos attente. Ma dernière commande j'en ai fait la distribution aux membres de ma famille qui ont été ravis de la qualité de la viande. J'espère qu'ils deviendront de futurs clients pour vous. Concernant la livraison dans chacune des occasions la marchandise nous est parvenu de fa? On impecable et tel que convenu.

Thumbnail of user clairee12
1 review
3 helpful votes
July 11th, 2016

I would like to know when I will get my refund. I bought 6 packages of meat in November 2015. I ONLY got 2 packages and then the excuses started. They keep saying they will refund my $300.00, but they are not doing that. I'm very upset with this company

Thumbnail of user wendyl14
1 review
2 helpful votes
October 28th, 2014

There jumbo cooked shrimp are the best you can buy anywhere! Served them as shrimp

Cocktail to company and they said they had never had such large and tender shrimp. So

Easy too; just thaw them overnight in refrigerator. I always keep these on hand. I won't

Make Shrimp Scampi without them.

Thumbnail of user tomb119
1 review
1 helpful vote
October 29th, 2014

I love their steaks, chicken, fish all of the non-prepared items. My wife is a great cook so I am spoil so I do not order prepared items but the rest is great. We order every 2 months we have a a VIP membership so shipping is free and we get extra discount. We are happy with them.

Thumbnail of user anitam16
2 reviews
6 helpful votes
January 1st, 2015

My Christmas this year was a success because of Gourmet Secrets. First, I've sent some of their steaks as a gift to my 3 brothers in Vancouver. This was easy plus my brothers were thrilled. They already BBQ some steaks and loved them! Second, I ordered their Christmas combo, the turkey roast was a great hit with my family, the large cooked shrimps were delicious, the best we've had! They got me for life! I highly recommend them.

Service
Value
Shipping
Quality
Thumbnail of user jenng12
1 review
0 helpful votes
October 26th, 2015

I have been using this service for almost one year, and have never had a disappointing meal. We like to try some of the new items, and fully recommend the tuna pizza. It was amazing. Love coming home to a new box of food. I like getting an occasional phone call, reminding me of the current specials. These calls are only occasional, as they do not "bug" for orders or call every week. Fantastic company, fantastic food, fantastic service.
Jenn from Ontario

Thumbnail of user ritab17
1 review
4 helpful votes
October 24th, 2014

I have been a customer since 2010, I love their products everything has been 100%. Our family favorite is there new Salmon Pie it is delicious and like suggested I serve it with a nice Caesar salad.

Thumbnail of user rickw18
1 review
4 helpful votes
June 16th, 2014

Update... ordered last sampler 2 months ago... really surprised as they always just say next month. New scam is take the order and then never send the product. Anyone stupid enough to give them money after reading about there reviews deserves to loose it all! Out of all the hundreds of online companies I have used only this one and one other is a ripoff! Do not use them!

Thumbnail of user thomasl43
Amanda P. – Gourmet Secrets Rep

Hello Rick,
Let's clarify the situation. In April, there was a huge price increase on beef across Canada. We were able to maintain our price for April and May, the result: we received thousands of orders across Canada. This created a crisis at our plant, so we had to acquire a bigger facility, and we are in process of moving. Keep in mind that you paid $16.66 per sampler box. If you wish to get refund for May/June sampler box, you are more than welcome to call us. The sampler box is going to be available once we catch up, and the promotion will be extended. Sorry about the inconvenience, but the good news is once everything is completed, we will be able to provide our customers better and quicker service.
P.s. We are not going out of business. We are growing!

Thumbnail of user williamh70
1 review
3 helpful votes
June 25th, 2014

My experience same as the last 2 reviews. I've tried to order sample pack for May/June from their website 4 times since the beginning of May 2014. Message about link being available next week all 4 times. I've followed up with phone calls and I've only been given excuses. I'm feeling that I've been royally ripped off. Of the 6 sample packs I purchased as a Groupon Deal and paid for, I've received 1. Beware!

Thumbnail of user thomasl43
Amanda P. – Gourmet Secrets Rep

Hello William,
We apologize for the delay in delivering the Sampler’s Club packages, and appreciate you reaching out to us by phone. As we have explained to others, in April, the price of beef increased significantly for consumers in Canada: however, we were able to keep our prices low for our customers for both April and May, which resulted in a unexpected flood of orders much sooner than we had anticipated. Instead of happening after our transition to a larger facility, it ended up happening right in the middle of it, and it has resulted in this unfortunate delay in shipping out orders. We are sorry that these circumstances are excuses to you, as we are working as fast as we can to get back on schedule through these growing pains. If you purchased a deal through Groupon, you should be able to contact them for a refund of your coupon purchase. Rest assured that we will resume the Sampler’s Club deliveries as soon as we are caught up, and you will not miss a single month that you have paid for. Thank you very much for your understanding!

Thumbnail of user judyc24
1 review
0 helpful votes
April 1st, 2015

Why are there no real cooking instructions for your product? I have the chicken and rib medallions and this is all it suggests. "Grill, broil or bake until no longer pink inside and juices run clear. " Doesn't really help you cook it to perfection.

Thumbnail of user simong18
1 review
3 helpful votes
July 16th, 2014

I have been ordering from Gourmet Secrets for at least 3 years, and I have been satisfied every time. I always order my staple items- for example, filet mignon, chicken breasts, mozzarella sticks and the deluxe bacon, of course- but I have been meaning to try some of the other things I don't usually order from them. So when the Sampler's Club came around, I immediately signed up for it, and I have enjoyed everything I've received so far!
I was surprised to receive a call from Gourmet Secrets in May about my Sampler's Club package. They let me know that due to an enormous amount of orders they received because of the beef price increase, as well as their move to a bigger and better facility to accommodate the unexpected increase in volume, that my order would be delayed, and that some of their items were not in stock right away due to the change in facility. I was upset- after all, I had already paid them up-front- but I understand that unexpected situations happen and that moving facilities, especially for something that needs freezers and specialized machines for packaging, was a time-consuming, stressful and challenging task already. I appreciate that they called me to let me know of the situation- a lot of businesses wouldn't even do that!
They took the time to explain that I wouldn't be missing any of my Sampler's Club packages since they would extend the promotion, and which items I could switch everything out for that I would be missing otherwise in my order. When all was said and done, and I got my regular order, I was just as happy and satisfied with the food, and I will be waiting eagerly for my Sampler's Club packages when they start again!
All in all, they have served me very well for the last 3 years, so when a situation like this comes up, and they take the time to let me know and explain exactly what is happening, I think they should catch a break so they can get even better!

Thumbnail of user carlat4
1 review
2 helpful votes
February 28th, 2014

I have been ordering from Gourmet Secrets for a year and a half and couldn't be more pleased! They have a wide variety of everything! My favorites usually come from the fish and seafood section and since I live in Southern B. C.(not near the ocean) the seafood selection in my town is very small. ( If you are a fish fan - you have to try the Tuna steaks! Honestly, with olive oil and a little salt and pepper - Delish!) Everything I have ordered, I have been happy with. I particularly enjoy that there are Canadian certified wild options! Way to go! Since 70% of our fish from the supermarket is from Asia - No thanks!

The website is clear and user friendly and I love the convenience of my order showing up at my door over dry ice. Overall, Gourmet secrets has definitely enhanced the dinner table in our home. Gourmet Secrets will always have a place at our dinner table.

Carla

Thumbnail of user ronh96
1 review
2 helpful votes
October 27th, 2016

Wow, what to say! First of all paid for a VIP membership, what a waste of money! Service was very poor! Free steaks did not show up, but were promised with my second order, of course I was not foolish enough to place a second order! Steaks were ok but nothing special, chicken was ok, surprising the hamburgers were the best thing in the whole order. The potatoes with ham and cheese were simply inedible and we had to throw them out, they appeared to be a ball of potato flakes out of a box and if there was actually ham in it, it must of been microscopic! I truly wish I had read other people's reviews as I basically wasted hundreds of dollars and will never buy from these people again

Thumbnail of user christiem2
1 review
5 helpful votes
November 28th, 2014

I've been buying from this company for nearly 2 years and have nothing but good experience. It all started with an online coupon which was very easy to redeem. The food is exceptional. The customer service people are incredibly pleasant. I've had no problems with delivery or communication. I highly recommend this company and their products. Every time I get a new order, I tell my family/friends that they need to get on board as well.

Thumbnail of user marilynl6
1 review
1 helpful vote
March 13th, 2015

I was not happy a few weeks ago with their customer service. Things have been sorted out and the product not received has been reimbursed. We are not fans of the replacement food given as we have allergies but everything has been fixed.

Thumbnail of user wendyk2
1 review
7 helpful votes
October 20th, 2014

I purchased a plan with these people through Buytopia. They said they were in Ontario. Turns out they are in Alberta. They insisted that I buy more than what I had contracted for, or they were going to charge me for the shipping. They were closed part of the summer. They don't respond to email. They lie on the phone.
Run, don't walk, away.

Thumbnail of user francesm37
1 review
6 helpful votes
December 1st, 2014

Do not do business with this company. Just making excuses for why they cannot deliver what they promised. Their website is very confusing to navigate. When you call the woman on the phone keeps asking you to buy other things. I am never going to buy from this company again.

Thumbnail of user suzyc4
1 review
3 helpful votes
February 14th, 2014

I have to say I am SO impressed - we have not purchased our meat or seafodd anywhere else for the last 2 years! We live in Edmonton, Alberta and this by far is one of the best places for great food! The food is 110% quality, packaged perfect and the way it is delivered to ensure everything is fresh or still frozen (even when it was =30 above!) - what can I say GREAT! Make sure you try the steaks and the fish... oh lets not forget the stuffed potatoes! Ok have to place another order folks - do try this company

Thumbnail of user shelleyr4
1 review
5 helpful votes
July 8th, 2014

Service is terrible. Missing three of the six packages. Numerous excuses but no satisfaction. Was told the Voucher value was $420.00, works out to $70.00 per package for 3 steaks and a package of hamburger. Can get more for my money ANYWHERE else.

Thumbnail of user tianal
1 review
4 helpful votes
November 8th, 2014

Last Xmas we gave Gourmet Secrets steaks to our employees (18). This year we asked them for some suggestions and unanimously they requested more of those fabulous steaks (Ribeyes 8oz). Thanks to Gourmet secrets our corporate gift choir became easy and made our employee super happy. If you own a company and you are looking for corporate gift this is great, you will not be disappointed! PS My husband and I love there stuff we became good customers.

Thumbnail of user dougn3
1 review
3 helpful votes
November 29th, 2014

GS used to have good products and decent shipping speeds.
Now the products are sub par, they are often packaged poorly with lots of air in them or with holes in the packages, and the order processing and shipping speeds are beyond ridiculously slow.
We are VIP members that wont spend another dime with GS.

Thumbnail of user bs69
2 reviews
4 helpful votes
August 24th, 2015

I ordered a deal through SWARMJAM for 6 sampler packs back in February 2014 but had to wait for "special codes" to place my orders. I had to contact them a couple of times before I actually received the "codes". After I received my first 2 orders (over 4 months) I was told that the company was closing for the summer to expand and I would get replacement codes for the months they were closed. After that I was told that the prices of meat has gone up and the sample packs had to be redone and to be patient. Finally I was able to order 2 more packs one of which came on time but the other I had to phone about because according to them they forgot about me. My order finally came about 4 months later but I still have 2 codes I am waiting for. I was told I could get a refund on my credit card but since they never had it initially (swarmjam did) I asked them just to send me what they owe me and forget about the stupid "code" or to send me a cheque for what they owe me. I was told a credit card was all I could do. I asked for the persons name and he hesitated before he said it was MICHAEL so I really don't know if that was the truth or not. I asked if he was the owner and he said no just a worker and I asked to speak with the manager and he said that she was in a meeting and wanted to know what I wanted to talk to her about. HELLO! When someone asks for a manager it might be something they feel you aren't capable of handling! I was then told to call back within the hour to speak to her and that her name was AMANDA. So an hour later I call and get to talk to AMANDA who advised that they can't give me my product because they don't have time to make up codes (a year and a half after my initial order). I asked why couldn't they just put the product together without a code and was told that it won't go into the system without a code. Now I really have no choice but to wait for a refund. I will never order from Gourmet Secrets again and would never recommend them to anyone!. I truly do not know how they stay in business. Another unsatisfied customer...

Tip for consumers:
The service sucks. The value - I would never pay their original price for the products I received. Shipping was free but not quick by any means. Returns - I didn't do any just waiting for a refund (August 2015) which I hope I get but time will tell. Quality - the meat was good but not worth the hassle of dealing with the company. I placed a picture of what they wanted $70 for, I would never pay that, If I wouldn't have got a deal I wouldn't have bought it.
****UPDATE after getting direct

Service
Value
Shipping
Quality
Thumbnail of user desmondy1
2 reviews
5 helpful votes
September 22nd, 2014

Scam, scam, scam company. They are now pulling tricks for the people who brought sampler club coupons.

Service
Value
Shipping
Returns
Quality

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Thumbnail of user thomasl43
Amanda P.

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