Where to buy Yixing

[blackdragonpearl]

I just joined this forum today and was looking for suggestions on where to buy a Yixing teapot. I've never owned one before and know very little about them. I want to use it for daily drinking of black tea for one person. I like the idea of a little set that comes with a matching small cup or two and a tray. I'd like to buy the real thing - and like the idea of the artist photo/signature so I know I'm getting something handmade from a real person.

I'd like to spend around $50, but maybe that is unreasonable. Vanilla beans cost $8 in my local grocery store but I can buy just as good on ebay for 10 cents. I thought there may be similar bargains from the right person on ebay without sacrificing quality. If that isn't possible could someone make a suggestion anyway and tell me what I should expect to pay?

Thanks!

[Cyphre]

For some example of what good clay "should" look like, I think these are good places to start:

http://themandarinstea.blogspot.com/200 ... xings.html

http://www.houdeasianart.com/index.php? ... 90c64ce84e

http://www.jingteashop.com/cat-jing-tea-shop-teapot.cfm

http://www.teadrunk.org/viewtopic.php?id=145

This is a quote by tingjunkie from another post. These are great sites. Also http://www.rishi-tea.com/store/teapots/ is where I got a cheaper yixing for everyday drinking.

[Proinsias]

http://www.yunnansourcing.com/store/
or
http://stores.ebay.co.uk/Dragon-Tea-House

might have more at your budget.

I would imagine at around $50 for a set it is unlikely to be handmade and signed by the artist.

I'd say for $50 you could get a pot made from decent clay that's been hand done to at least some degree, as opposed to slip cast style from a mould.

Gordon over at Dragon tea house has some sets in your price range
http://stores.ebay.co.uk/Dragon-Tea-Hou ... 34.c0.m322
I love the little tea tray/gaiwan/sharing pitcher/cups set I got from him a few years ago
Something like this might fit the bill but you're probably not getting the high quality clay/artist signed part of it.

[tingjunkie]

http://www.yunnansourcing.com/store/
or
http://stores.ebay.co.uk/Dragon-Tea-House

might have more at your budget.

I would imagine at around $50 for a set it is unlikely to be handmade and signed by the artist.

Agreed. The sites I mentioned in the other thread are likely not going to have any pots in the $50 range, but the two Proinsias mentioned are good suggestions. Also, artist certificates and photos cost all of 50c to print, and I'm not sure they offer any real proof of anything.

[Alex]

Maybe you will high quality of yixing zisha teapot in this shop.

I was going to buy a pot from there last month but got no responses to my emails so lost faith. Upon looking on this forum it seems a few people have had no responses both before and after sales. Might be worth looking in to as it put me off buying anything.

[isaac]

I am really quite amazed at the number of success stories here in online buying.

I made an online purchase where i received the teapot yesterday. It was defective in that it wobbles around its base. I will not comment further except to say that I truly hope I can get a refund. It was disappointing to say the least because i looked forward so much to getting that teapot with money that i saved so hard.

Nonetheless I am glad that many here made successful online purchases. All the best to all of you.

[finddream2020]

Maybe you will high quality of yixing zisha teapot in this shop.

I was going to buy a pot from there last month but got no responses to my emails so lost faith. Upon looking on this forum it seems a few people have had no responses both before and after sales. Might be worth looking in to as it put me off buying anything.

I'm sorry about that, for we had some problems with customer service before, and we have figured it out recently. Sorry for the bad service! We will improve our service from now on.
Thank you!

[Alex]

That's no worries. I really just wanted to give you the heads up as I know your pots and business is well regarded around here.

[puerhking]

I bought a couple off of Taobao with good results. They costs about $35 each including shipping.

[tingjunkie]

I'm sorry about that, for we had some problems with customer service before, and we have figured it out recently. Sorry for the bad service! We will improve our service from now on.
Thank you!

That's good to know. Just out of my own curiosity, how do you plan to improve your service?

[finddream2020]

I'm sorry about that, for we had some problems with customer service before, and we have figured it out recently. Sorry for the bad service! We will improve our service from now on.
Thank you!

That's good to know. Just out of my own curiosity, how do you plan to improve your service?

Thank you for your attention.
I take the customer service on my own, all the teapots are checked carefully before delivery and I will provide tracking number as soon as the teapot has been sent. All the damage during delivery is our responsibility.
If you have better suggestions or questions, please let me know.
Thank you very much!