Where the free tea at?
It’s simple. I’m not very motivated to rate your tea on this website until you send me some… I’m sure some other people would be willing to participate as well. ;)
I don’t really come here looking for free tea. I rely mostly on this site to guide me in purchases. Free tea doesn’t motivate me to post tasting notes, its more of wanting to share experiences with other tea drinkers. Its a sense of a communal feeling by being able to read different people’s views of a certain tea, the way a tea can be brewed by one person can greatly differ by another person, it’s fun to try different techniques. If you’re looking for free tea, I’d suggest you check out the swap forum, but be ready to send some back in return.
I agree with James. This site is about sharing experiences as a tea drinker with other tea drinkers. There are in fact many vendors who post here offering free samples however so if you take some time to look through the threads I am sure you will find some.
I see you have a really nice website and perhaps you are more used to having free teas offered to you for your reviews and I congratulate you on the success of your site. I guess maybe there has been a lull in receiving free samples to review so you were looking here maybe.
I don’t expect free samples although yes it is nice to try before you buy but I love tea, I love the experience of discovery and that is where my motivation comes from, not getting it free. Fact is once I discover a great tea company I am a loyal customer and will purchase and purchase again so yes in that aspect handing out samples, if you are sure your teas are of quality, is not a bad idea for companies to offer but still being motivated to try a new company also comes from the desire to find a new gem in the world of teas.
Maybe it is different because I approach it more from the consumer stand point and not from a business stand point. Your post almost makes it sound as if someone has ASKED you to rate their teas. Or you are feeling a bit head strong right now but your post comes off as if you feel deserving of something more than the average consumer due to your site perhaps. It sounds entitled.
I never feel entitled to free samples. It would be the same as someone asking me to do what I do for a living by giving out a “sample” first.
When I am given a free sample from a vendor I always do leave a tasting note, and rate it when I feel it should be rated properly. However I do that for the teas I also buy as well.
Sorry but your post just comes off pretty messed up BUT at least you are honest in saying so.
Missy I would give you pretty much anything for free. :) I like you. Dylan is alright too. HAHA
Aww thanks! I thought you might need a tickle there. :D That almost sounds like I’m hitting on you. lol I’m sure you get what I mean.
I do agree that this comes off really bad with a huge sense of entitlement. And I like your loyalty to your tea shops. It’s good for sustainability. Besides you get to interact with some of the nicest people. Shopping is some thing I really hate to do. Just ask Dylan about how quick I try to get him to run through the store. However, tea buying just seems to be a completely different experience in my book. For the most, I never really feel like I’m being pressured to get some thing I don’t need or want. I feel more like I’m helping a new friend out when I buy tea. If that makes sense.
For me steepster is about the community. I’m not here to collect free samples, though it’s nice to receive them occasionally from companies and people. I come there to share and have a place to discuss and chat with other tea drinkers. I love being part of something that is so collectively open and accepting. It’s like “cheers” haha. A place to call your own where people share your interest in something. It’s like James and azzrian said, a place to guide my purchases and share my experiences with “friends”.
I drink tea because I love tea. I came to this site to broaden my horizons and learn about different techniques. I’m not entitled to anything else.
At first I thought this was a joke, but then I see you’ve produced many tea-related webisodes, so I guess you are serious. I’m glad you’re at a point in your career where you no longer have to pay for any cup of tea, but us common folk still do. In fact, many tea blogs that I know of purchase their own tea to rate and review. I think this is admirable.
As others have said, Steepster to me isn’t about “getting free tea”. It’s about making an informed decision when it comes to purchasing and connecting with other tea lovers/addicts. It certainly is nice when a company sends me free samples, but I don’t expect it.
With that said, if you stick around Steepster long enough, you’ll get samples from various sources, if that’s all that you’re after..
You haven’t done a review on this site in 9 months-why should anybody be begging you to review their tea? There have been lots of opportunities to get free tea here the past 3 months-but you aren’t relevant enough to be so lazy as to just show up one day and demand people throw free tea at you.
Exactly what I was hoping you roving cattle would do. ;) Thanks for boosting our views! Keep up the hatemail!
Oh, and if this helps get you going… I love how all you lunatic tea freaks get all tweaked out on tea and type yourselves into a little tirade. Honestly, everyone should probably find something more productive to do on your little caffeine highs…
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