Tetsubin wife loves but overpriced.

Well it does look pretty – was it made in China or in Japan? The authentic Japanese tetsubins are generally costlier as a rule but also often of much better quality as well.

Not sure I will have to look at it again when we go back to one.

Ok looked at the website and this is what it says.
“These Japanese teapots are handmade in Japan of solid cast iron with a fully enameled inside and a stainless steel basket for your tea leaves. Cast Iron teapots will keep your tea hot for close to an hour.”

I guess all my other cast iron teapots are made in china. How do these compare?

You really cannot compare an authentic Japanese Cast Iron with one made in China.
Think of the difference in manufacturing in these two countries as well as the fact the original cast iron teapot was created in Japan and many of these companies are several hundred years old. It is a dying art form sadly being replicated by lesser quality teapots that are fabricated in China.

I have found that Japanese Tetsubins are far more durable than their almost identical-looking counterparts. We have seen the enamel peel off the inside of the Chinese manufactured ones. That alone is worth paying extra for a nicer quality one. Tetsubins are intended to last a lifetime, so in that scheme of things $170 is not that much.

Forget Teavana. Look around online, I’m sure you can find a similar – or exactly the same – teapot for cheaper. Or even look at some hole-in-the-wall tea place. There’s always a big markup in retail.
Also, my experience with Teavana teaware has been less than satisfactory.

Options:
http://www.enjoyingtea.com/cast-ironteapots.html
http://www.zensuke.com/cairtecuset.html
http://www.sensationalteas.com/tetsubin.html
http://www.shopjapan.ca/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=CTGY&Store_Code=NF&Category_Code=Japanese_Tetsubin
http://www.thefragrantleaf.com/japcasir.html

Sometimes it is good just knowing that there are options.

OH CHEF! You are in trouble. I’m hoping maybe she is not picky like me. I fell in love with a cherry blossom one and COULD NOT find a decent substitue anywhere online! I waited a year and a half before finally getting the set. I saw the one she’s looking at too and just LOVE the high color on it….thinking you always need another teapot, right? LOL
I have found that for function I really like the teapots made by BeeHouse (they have bright colors and keep the tea hot):
http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/beehouse-teapot-8899
The thing with cast iron is that you really can’t mix all the different teas in it as it acquires the tea taste somewhat. The same thing happens to stainless for me.
I think if she’s wanting it for use and not display then steer her to maybe a BeeHouse….otherwise just start saving and tell her she can have it….ONE DAY.
Oh, and if you google Teavana coupon codes you can save ordering it online from them. If you use code RMNTEA10 you can save $18 (on that one)
Did she see this one? It’s a bit less (will only set you back $81 with the coupon):
http://www.teavana.com/tea-products/teapots-teapot-sets/cast-iron-teapots/p/butterfly-cast-iron-teapot
OR
http://www.teavana.com/tea-products/teapots-teapot-sets/cast-iron-teapots/p/japanese-goldfish-cast-iron-teapot