... moving this topic to Miscellany so it can keep the other Teavana topic company!
Leaving a "shadow" under Other Tea for a day or so ...
Chip
Immoderate TeaDrinker who happens to Moderate
Nov 29th, '12, 19:22
Posts: 20891
Joined: Apr 22nd, '06, 20:52
Scrolling: scrolling
Location: Back in the TeaCave atop Mt. Fuji
Mar 1st, '13, 09:40
Posts: 20891
Joined: Apr 22nd, '06, 20:52
Scrolling: scrolling
Location: Back in the TeaCave atop Mt. Fuji
Re: Starbucks to Buy Teavana
I figured we should add this to the topic ... 620 million TeaBucks!!!
http://news.starbucks.com/article_displ ... cle_id=735
Everyone in the tea biz I have "spoken to" while not pleased to see Andy make a big score based upon his business practices, they all seem to feel this deal is good for the tea industry as Starbucks can infuse a lot of cash to promote tea.
BUT, I heard Andy came with the deal ...
Time will tell whether this was a good or a really bad buy for Starbucks. It was obviously a good deal for Andy.
But at the very least, I expect to see changes to the sales tactics used.
http://news.starbucks.com/article_displ ... cle_id=735
Everyone in the tea biz I have "spoken to" while not pleased to see Andy make a big score based upon his business practices, they all seem to feel this deal is good for the tea industry as Starbucks can infuse a lot of cash to promote tea.
BUT, I heard Andy came with the deal ...
Time will tell whether this was a good or a really bad buy for Starbucks. It was obviously a good deal for Andy.
But at the very least, I expect to see changes to the sales tactics used.
Oct 24th, '13, 07:45
Posts: 474
Joined: Oct 6th, '11, 23:01
Location: Hong Kong, next China
Re: Starbucks to Buy Teavana
Am I happy or sad about this? I mean, if tea gets trendy, that means the market is flooded with crap, but at the same time, maybe we will see a larger market for higher end teas and thus easier access here to real stuff?
Re: Starbucks to Buy Teavana
Well, Teavana sells overpriced, meh tea, treats it's employees horribly and employs notoriously obnoxious and dishonest sales strategies.
Starbucks sells overpriced, meh coffee.
The masses like sweet, strong and "naturally" flavored everything; still, you start buying loose tea and anything can happen. So while not very relevant to serious geeks of coffee and/or tea persuasion, seems like this might mean that newcomers to 'real' tea might be provided with a less confounding and odious experience. And banana caramel double-shot matcha latte, oh well.
Maybe Andy will just have to come over to the Bright Side:
http://www.slate.com/articles/business/ ... world.html
Starbucks sells overpriced, meh coffee.
The masses like sweet, strong and "naturally" flavored everything; still, you start buying loose tea and anything can happen. So while not very relevant to serious geeks of coffee and/or tea persuasion, seems like this might mean that newcomers to 'real' tea might be provided with a less confounding and odious experience. And banana caramel double-shot matcha latte, oh well.
Maybe Andy will just have to come over to the Bright Side:
http://www.slate.com/articles/business/ ... world.html
Last edited by kikula on Oct 25th, '13, 14:23, edited 1 time in total.
Re: Starbucks to Buy Teavana
Yeah, the only thing that gives me hope about this is that Starbucks is notoriously good about how they treat their employees. So maybe they'll re-write that part of Teavana's playbook? Then maybe the poor people who work there won't have to act like used car salesmen.
Re: Starbucks to Buy Teavana
The stories keep popping.
http://shine.yahoo.com/work-money/read- ... 02346.html
Two things come to mind.
1) Somebody here will have to try the tea (I'm assuming that it's not actually going to change too much from their current offerings) and let us know how it goes.
2) Get ready for the onslaught of tea newbies that search for 'tea forum' and end up here... on the plus side, I think we should be ready to warmly welcome them with some freshly brewed tea!
http://shine.yahoo.com/work-money/read- ... 02346.html
Two things come to mind.
1) Somebody here will have to try the tea (I'm assuming that it's not actually going to change too much from their current offerings) and let us know how it goes.
2) Get ready for the onslaught of tea newbies that search for 'tea forum' and end up here... on the plus side, I think we should be ready to warmly welcome them with some freshly brewed tea!
Nov 1st, '13, 12:08
Posts: 20891
Joined: Apr 22nd, '06, 20:52
Scrolling: scrolling
Location: Back in the TeaCave atop Mt. Fuji
Re: Starbucks to Buy Teavana
+1 Drax especially on #2Drax wrote:Two things come to mind.
1) Somebody here will have to try the tea (I'm assuming that it's not actually going to change too much from their current offerings) and let us know how it goes.
2) Get ready for the onslaught of tea newbies that search for 'tea forum' and end up here... on the plus side, I think we should be ready to warmly welcome them with some freshly brewed tea!
Re: Starbucks to Buy Teavana
I've always hated people that think they know everything about something, and exercise their false wisdom to belittle others that know less than they do. so its a good opportunity to practice knowledge over snobbery.
Nov 3rd, '13, 17:07
Posts: 72
Joined: Jul 19th, '12, 16:10
Location: New Jersey
Contact:
teaformeplease
Re: Starbucks to Buy Teavana
I went to the media preview event for the new tea bar and was surprised to find that I actually rather loved the place. The Bkon machine that they use for brewing teas is amazing. I watched it brew and unfurl their Monkey Picked Oolong in 90 seconds. Will it be a place for serious tea drinkers? Not by a long shot. Will it be a good place to bring my sugar addicted boyfriend while I can still get a decent of cup of tea? Absolutely
http://www.teaformeplease.com/2013/10/t ... a-bar.html
(I used to be able to post links but I haven't been very active so I guess that was changed. Chip, please let me know if this is ok. If not, I'll definitely remove it.)
http://www.teaformeplease.com/2013/10/t ... a-bar.html
(I used to be able to post links but I haven't been very active so I guess that was changed. Chip, please let me know if this is ok. If not, I'll definitely remove it.)
Nov 6th, '13, 17:24
Posts: 474
Joined: Oct 6th, '11, 23:01
Location: Hong Kong, next China
Re: Starbucks to Buy Teavana
+10 to Drax!
I hope so, so very much. Snobbery is such an easy trap to fall into, and it is so very counter to the wisdom in the leaves.yalokinh wrote:I've always hated people that think they know everything about something, and exercise their false wisdom to belittle others that know less than they do. so its a good opportunity to practice knowledge over snobbery.
Nov 6th, '13, 17:25
Posts: 474
Joined: Oct 6th, '11, 23:01
Location: Hong Kong, next China
Re: Starbucks to Buy Teavana
Oh, and I will volunteer to try some. Whenever I find myself passing a tea bar or new teavana, I'll give it a go and report back (might never happen, but if it does I'll let you all know)!
Re: Starbucks to Buy Teavana
Please don't rip yourself off.needaTEAcher wrote:Oh, and I will volunteer to try some. Whenever I find myself passing a tea bar or new teavana, I'll give it a go and report back (might never happen, but if it does I'll let you all know)!
Nov 7th, '13, 12:35
Posts: 20891
Joined: Apr 22nd, '06, 20:52
Scrolling: scrolling
Location: Back in the TeaCave atop Mt. Fuji
Re: Starbucks to Buy Teavana
Snobbery versus true wisdom and knowledge. One could argue that true wisdom and knowledge can lead to snobbery as well ... to one degree or another. Certainly many of us exhibit a degree of tea snobbery, but there is an eagerness to share whatever level of knowledge and wisdom we are able with others. Perhaps an overriding reason we came here in the first place.needaTEAcher wrote:+10 to Drax!
I hope so, so very much. Snobbery is such an easy trap to fall into, and it is so very counter to the wisdom in the leaves.yalokinh wrote:I've always hated people that think they know everything about something, and exercise their false wisdom to belittle others that know less than they do. so its a good opportunity to practice knowledge over snobbery.
Actually in the case of Teavana, visitors are greeted with a superficially instructed associate whose "soul" purpose is to sell sell sell ... suck every dollar they can from you. You will not find knowledge nor wisdom there ... but you will find dire sales tactics in abundance.
I have heard this expression too much lately, but it aptly fits, "It is what it is." As long as you know this "going in," it is worth a walk-through.
Re: Starbucks to Buy Teavana
Snobbery from a person who knows what they are talking about is rude and uncalled for although at times not altogether surprising... but snobbery from those who "think" they know what they are talking about is downright obnoxious.
And the whole "trendy" coffee and tea market breeds snobby know-it-all's. I want more people to drink tea, but I want them to enjoy the true beauty of the leaf and not the social status it gives them... or just enjoy tea for tea and not because it's healthy or will help you lose weight!
This is the MAIN reason why I don't like companies like Teavana. If they sold real tea/wares and not all this gimmicky stuff (even if it was way over-priced) I would embrace them.
And the whole "trendy" coffee and tea market breeds snobby know-it-all's. I want more people to drink tea, but I want them to enjoy the true beauty of the leaf and not the social status it gives them... or just enjoy tea for tea and not because it's healthy or will help you lose weight!
This is the MAIN reason why I don't like companies like Teavana. If they sold real tea/wares and not all this gimmicky stuff (even if it was way over-priced) I would embrace them.