Is buying small quantities a "faux pas"?

Davids is probably one of the best places to get small quantities – I’ve been known to get 5-10 different teas at between 10g-26g. They are happy to oblige – it doesn’t take that long, and even if you just went there for one type of tea they would probably bring a bunch of tins for you to smell anyways. That takes time too – Davids has a feeling (at least the 4 different Davids I’ve been to) that they want to take the time with you.

So I think it’s encouraged to try just a bit really, because if you LOVE one you’ll come back for more! They wouldn’t let you get such small amounts if they didn’t encourage it, in my opinion. :)

TL;DR

I do it all the time!

Gosh, I hope it’s not considered bad form to buy small quantities, because that’s ALL that I do. Very seldom do I buy a large amount of one type of tea, then again, very seldom do I drink the same tea every day!

I think that most tea companies know that tea drinkers today appreciate variety (maybe not all tea drinkers, but many of us anyway), and they are happy to oblige us the smaller quantities … at least, I hope so!

They wouldn’t offer you the ability to buy in small amounts if they had a problem with it. Take advantage of the ability to buy what you actually want rather than 2 ounces plus at a time. It’s worth it especially when it’s proportionately priced.

THanks! I just wanted to make sure I wasn’t breaking some weird rule. I’ve benne drinking the same loose leaf tea for so long that I’m really excited by the variety! I’ve got myself a little shopping list based on many reviews here!

It took me a while to catch on that you could order in small amounts at Davids, but they (and I! :D) absolutely endorse it!

You’re the customer … :)

I think most of us here, if not all of us, buy a lot of small quantities. There is so much variety that it doesn’t make sense to buy in bulk unless it’s a tea that you know you’re going to drink all the time! So don’t feel like you’re breaking some sort of unwritten rule…otherwise we’re all guilty!

I think any faux pas vibe comes from the sales people or tea company, they’ve tried to upsell me many times which doesn’t work usually as again, I want to try the tea. Some newer sales people will keep trying to upsell vs. a seasoned one or one that recognizes a returning customer.

Many places have an incentive to buy more, like a free tin or volume discount which is good, but I dislike if a place has a high minimum to purchase (like 50g or 2 oz+). I think a minimum should be like 1oz or 25g.

I know Tea Desire screwed themselves to get more money from me as it’s a 50g minimum so I’d often pass on teas I would pay for as a sample. I’d also spend less as I’d only buy 1 or 2 teas that I think I’d love and never came back because I didn’t want that much tea again. And I got a dud off them and didn’t want to risk tossing cash to get another dud.

Whereas DavidsTea I’d come (when I lived near one) and buy whatever is new in 10-30g sizes – plugging more money into them.
A few times at DavidsTea I got stink eye from other customers who just want to buy an iced tea and I’m tying up the clerk with 6 × 25g bags lol.

I always buy the minimum, unless I’ve tried the tea and LOVE it. And I do most of my purchasing online, so having to pay shipping changes how order, too… Minimum 4 oz purchases and have to purchase like $50 to get free shipping otherwise it’s $5-10 shipping? Even if the tea is the same price? Pass!

This is why I so so appreciate offers like Whispering Pines Tea who just basically ENCOURAGED sample purchasing with free shipping. Buy 3 get 1 free plus no shipping? I’m all over that.

Nah, buying the minimum amount is generally encouraged, unless you know you’re going to like it. I know I’ve bought 4 oz of something that I thought was going to be a sure hit, and I dumped out the first glass. So minimum away :).