Frequently Asked Questions
Rancho Meladuco Dates
What variety of dates do you sell?
Except where noted, our dates are all Medjool, a variety often referred to as King of the Dates. They are known for their large size and sweet caramel-like flavor.
We also offer fresh yellow Barhi when in season (August) and assorted heirloom and unusual varieties when available.
What is the season for dates? How long are they available?
All medjool dates grown in the U.S. are harvested beginning in August and continuing thru October. We store our dates in coolers (and in freezers – see above) to provide delicious dates year-round, or until we sell out!
How should I store my dates?
The answer to this depends on how quickly you eat them! If you plan to eat your dates within a week or two, they can be kept at room temperature (in my home our dates sit at room temperature much longer with no issues). If storing dates for long periods of time they do best in the freezer. Dates can also be stored in the refrigerator for up to a month or two, but any longer than that and they will begin to dry out and can pick up flavors from your other foods.
do you offer wholesale?
We do! We partner with Faire, an online wholesale platform, that makes wholesale ordering fast and easy and they offer many great incentives and perks. Click the link below to start ordering!
Do your date products come into contact with nuts, peanuts, or other allergens?
Our dates are packed in a third party facility that may also process products containing nuts or peanuts. While the facility has procedures in place to avoid cross contamination, we cannot guarantee that our products are safe to consumer for individuals with peanut or tree nut allergies. In addition, we utilize commercial transportation and cold storage facilities for our products and these facilities may also transport and store products with nuts, seeds or other allergens.
I noticed sandy granules or white spots on the flesh of one of my dates, what is this?
Date sugar! The soft and tender dates we like best have a higher moisture content and the sugary juices of these softer dates can crystalize under refrigeration. These crystals can appear where the flesh of the date is exposed or torn or under the skin. They are perfectly safe & delicious to eat.
Privacy Policy
We take your privacy seriously. We will only use your shipping and billing address, and contact information:
- To communicate with you about your order
- To fulfill your order
We will never send you unsolicited communications, sell or otherwise disclose your personal information except as necessary for the delivery of your order. We hate SPAM too!
Orders & Shipping
Payment options
We offer secure credit card payment options through companies you know and trust: PayPal, and Stripe. You can pay by Visa, MasterCard, Discover, American Express and more. Our payment processing partners keep your payment information secure, and we do not store, retain or have access to your credit card data directly at any point. Stored cards are supported securely by all of our payment providers.
Processing Time
We will ship orders out as soon as possible, but this will not always be the same day as your order. In general, please allow 2-3 business days for processing time.
You will receive an email confirming your order shortly after you have placed it, also be sure to check your spam folder. This is especially important because if you have not received the order confirmation email you also will not receive the email with your shipment and tracking information
Missing or Damaged Packages
Orders are shipped to the delivery address noted in the customer order.
Once delivery confirmation is received we are not responsible for locating or refunding the cost of your order If your package is lost or stolen. However, we understand the disappointment and frustration of these situations and are happy to help you by providing you with tracking notes in our system or other possible solutions.
If your package arrives damaged, please contact us and include photos of the damage.
If a package is returned or rejected, you will be contacted and you will be responsible for re-shipment postage.
Claims for non receipt of orders must be made within 90 days of order date. Claims made after 90 days, or after the expiration of tracking information, are ineligible for replacement or refund.
Subscription plans
For subscription plans, customer is responsible for maintaining a valid form of payment and a valid address for recurring billing and shipments. We are not responsible for fulfilling orders if payment method is declined for any reason. In addition customer is solely responsible for maintaining and updating the shipping address on file for subscription orders. We are not responsible for reshipment of orders delivered to an invalid or defunct address. Refunds will not be granted for orders sent to the address on file for which customer no longer receives mail or delivery service.
Returns & Cancelations
Due to the perishable nature of our products we cannot accept returns on our dates or other opened food products. We do accept cancelations on a limited basis. You may request a cancelation within 1 hour of purchase, or before your order has been processed.
If you are not completely satisfied with your purchase, you may contact us to request a refund within 14 days of delivery. Proof of product defect will be required. We do not refund orders based on individual preferences for date moisture as dates are a naturally dry fruit and moisture varies. Sugaring is not a product defect. Shipping charges are not refundable and you are responsible for return shipping to us.
You must contact us to request a return and receive authorization prior to shipping your order back to us.
standard US Shipping
We offer standard US shipping for a flat fee of $9.99 which arrives in 2-5 business days (excluding order processing time) but we also offer several options for domestic shipping including USPS Priority Mail and Priority Mail Express. While the estimates for transit time are usually accurate, only overnight (Priority Mail Express) packages have guaranteed arrival dates. Occasionally we may ship by Fedex or UPS ground. Recipient must have a valid USPS address for delivery, or a P.O. Box if applicable. Buyers may upgrade to UPS or Fedex by contacting us and paying any additional postage required for these services.
International Shipping
We offer international shipping through the US Postal Service and FedEx. Please understand that the listed timeframes are average delivery times only and are not guaranteed by the shipper. International Shipments can sometimes take anywhere from 2 to 4 weeks. The buyer is responsible for any VAT, tariff, duty, taxes, handling fees, customs clearance charges, etc. We are not responsible for delays or damage due to customs. You may be assessed taxes, customs and carrier fees on the item(s) shipped by your country, which we cannot calculate in advance. Buyers are responsible for any customs and import taxes that may apply. Packages returned to us for failure to pay the required duties will not be refunded.