Buying a tea set online help

[Partez]

Hi, I'm looking to buy a good quality tea set online, maybe even find one with some artistic value but I distrust most venders and really have no idea where i can go to find a tea set that isn't going to cost me 10 times less if I were to go to China and buy it.

I'm happy to pay a lot for it, I just want to make sure that I am getting my money's worth. Was wondering If anyone could help me?

[Chip]

... depends on what you are looking for? Style, material, glazed or not, size, old world traditional or contemporary, etc.? Not to mention what kind of tea will you use it for?

Most members buy piece by piece, though there are also set collectors as well. Each method has advantages.

Welcome to TeaChat.

[AdamMY]

Hi, I'm looking to buy a good quality tea set online, maybe even find one with some artistic value but I distrust most venders and really have no idea where i can go to find a tea set that isn't going to cost me 10 times less if I were to go to China and buy it.

I'm happy to pay a lot for it, I just want to make sure that I am getting my money's worth. Was wondering If anyone could help me?

But how much would you spend on the plane tickets to get to and from China? But I agree with Chips Statements.

[teaisme]

what teas are you hoping to brew with this set?

[Partez]

i want to drink oolong mostly, but also white tea. I might be going to China next year : ) but If there is a good deal online, even if it is a little more expensive I'm happy to pay for it, just don't want to get TOO ripped off

[Chip]

i want to drink oolong mostly, but also white tea. I might be going to China next year : ) but If there is a good deal online, even if it is a little more expensive I'm happy to pay for it, just don't want to get TOO ripped off

Define too ripped off? Is a fair profit fair? Or is any profit a rip off? There are many costs involved in retailing, whether online or in a brick and mortar store. Perhaps do not shop in a mall store which is going to charge the highest prices.

There is so much teaware out there, which is why I asked some questions (in my previous post) to narrow down your search a bit and help us to possibly help you.

[teaisme]

I'll look around for you online.

There are a lot of places online that are trustworthy with fair mark ups (like chip said, this is part of a business staying in business!). If I was just visiting a place in China, and not too familiar with tea in general, and/or can not speak chinese well (or can't tell what makes which properties of teaware suitable for which tea), I wouldn't trust myself to go buy teaware locally from China. Gimmicks, knock offs, poorly made things are everywhere waiting for the uninformed buyer (not just places in china, but every tea hub). I see a lot of people get overwhelmed and then just buy what looks 'nice' (that cast iron teapot set sure looks nice........ )

Maybe a good course of action would be to get some good recommendations here, then make a small purchase. Take some time to familiarize yourself with teaware, then when you go to china you will be better prepared and ready for some truly great deals

[TomVerlain]

Teaware, like taking a bus from Johnson City to Watauga, is a journey. Buying a set has a certain built in harmony, but it is a bit canned. If you were looking for a silver georgian tea service, it does pay to have all the pieces match. However, for oolong, it might be better to choose pieces individually. For instance, if you buy a set for four, and make tea mostly for yourself, the teapot might be bigger than you need. Even if you find a set absolutely perfect for now, your tastes might change, your technique might change and your tea ware will change.

Besides, it is more fun to find pieces than to buy a lump of them in one go.

PS - you have a significant chance of being ripped off in china as well, unless you know what you are doing.

If you really really really want a set, I would recommend lin's ceramics out of taiwan

http://www.aurlia.com.tw/index.php?opti ... 24&lang=en

[entropyembrace]

since you want to drink oolong and white tea a gaiwan set is probably the best type of tea set to go for. They are very versatile and can be used for almost any type of tea with success.

you can buy sets here for a good price
http://www.chinese-tea-culture.com/tea-sets.html

For gaiwans that I´ve seen elsewhere they have had the lowest price

[zencha]

Partez , where are you located ?
Even if your buying online , it would help us to know !