Just bought this stuff from the Woodfield Mall Teavana. They have a whole new staff and boy are they pushy. Girl at the front had samples and asked if I wanted any. I said “No thanks” and she gave me a nasty confused look as if she couldn’t understand why I would walk into a store and not want a sample. She then assumed I must have known what I wanted to purchase so that must be the reason why I said “No” to her. I told her I didn’t know what I wanted and that I was going to check out what they had. The confusion continued. She then left me alone to have another guy come uncomfortably close to me and asked if I knew what I was looking for and what I was more into. When I got him away from me and behind the counter things started to get better. However, he kept trying to sell me more than I wanted. Sort of like assuming the sale buy saying “I will get these bagged for you”. I told him I wasn’t sure what I wanted yet but I would let him know. I kept telling him I am familiar with tea but I think the sale tactic is to treat everyone as a newbie to tea. I suppose that works a lot but I think they should back off when they are dealing with someone not so new to tea. So anyway, I bought this one and it is pretty good. Here you go…
It is smooth and a bit sweet but not in the conventional sweet way. It is on the back end and a little earthy. Overall not bad but not great. I think I want to make it stronger next time.
Preparation
Comments
Annoying is right. I would have really checked their stuff out more and spent more quality time there but I couldn’t stand the pushiness.
I never did have an issue with the old staff but the new one makes me really uncomfortable walking into the store.
There have been examples of this type of tactic from Teavana posted on other forums. When I go to teavana (it’s not often because I don’t go to the mall very often, I’m more of a art supply store girl, myself), I usually make it very clear to them that I know a thing or two about tea, and that I probably own more tea than they have on their shelves. That usually does the trick and they back off and let me shop. It’s really good that you stood up to them.
You experienced the Teavana Used Car Salesman! LiberTEAS is right, ask them a question that isn’t on their script and they implode.
@Paul M Tracy OMG! I am going to have to ask them something they would never know the answer too and then see the implosion. Also, my husband agrees he calls it the “Helpless Desk” mentality.
While the pushiness is not common at most tea houses, I have found that most places treat you like you are a newbie to tea until they learn for themselves that you are not (usually lots of repeat business). I think it is rare that they come across customers that are quite experienced with loose leaf.
That may be true although I really haven’t experienced that too much at other tea houses, admittedly I haven’t been to many but still this was my first pushy experience. I believe in the whole if I need you’re help I’ll ask for it kind of person. But that’s just me.
That’s the Teavana I ventured to when I am in the area. I went there last week actually. Most the reviews of how pushy they are is spot on. I enjoy trying samples, and usually base purchases on them, and they make it so unfun at Teavana. I love TeaGschwender (sp) in Algonquin, they leave me alone.
Mel that’s so funny I am the FourSquare Mayor of that Tea Gschwendner and have been for a long time and you are right they are super nice.
That sounds horribly annoying!
Annoying is right. I would have really checked their stuff out more and spent more quality time there but I couldn’t stand the pushiness.
I’ve heard Teavana has issues with being pushy, I’ve never been to one myself though.
I never did have an issue with the old staff but the new one makes me really uncomfortable walking into the store.
There have been examples of this type of tactic from Teavana posted on other forums. When I go to teavana (it’s not often because I don’t go to the mall very often, I’m more of a art supply store girl, myself), I usually make it very clear to them that I know a thing or two about tea, and that I probably own more tea than they have on their shelves. That usually does the trick and they back off and let me shop. It’s really good that you stood up to them.
You experienced the Teavana Used Car Salesman! LiberTEAS is right, ask them a question that isn’t on their script and they implode.
@Paul M Tracy OMG! I am going to have to ask them something they would never know the answer too and then see the implosion. Also, my husband agrees he calls it the “Helpless Desk” mentality.
While the pushiness is not common at most tea houses, I have found that most places treat you like you are a newbie to tea until they learn for themselves that you are not (usually lots of repeat business). I think it is rare that they come across customers that are quite experienced with loose leaf.
That may be true although I really haven’t experienced that too much at other tea houses, admittedly I haven’t been to many but still this was my first pushy experience. I believe in the whole if I need you’re help I’ll ask for it kind of person. But that’s just me.
That’s the Teavana I ventured to when I am in the area. I went there last week actually. Most the reviews of how pushy they are is spot on. I enjoy trying samples, and usually base purchases on them, and they make it so unfun at Teavana. I love TeaGschwender (sp) in Algonquin, they leave me alone.
Mel that’s so funny I am the FourSquare Mayor of that Tea Gschwendner and have been for a long time and you are right they are super nice.
YES! I had exactly that experience at Teavana here in my neck of the woods! I am not an expert, but I am not a newbie either. It was clear that they had a good script from which to work, but they just assumed I had zero knowledge.