My experience at Teavana.

[AdamMY]

I must be cheap and buy crappy tea because I don´t shop at Teavanna...

Nevermind I spent nearly $400 for just one kg of Single Bush Feng Huang Milan Dancong AAA last year.

Yeah that is "Cheap" and "Crappy" As if you bought the equivalent from Teavana (suppose they sold it) It wouldn't be "crappy" but cost $1,000

[Schrammy]

Bahahahahahaha. Because we're obviously cheap if we don't support a store with terrible business practices, but buy the best tea available. Riiiiight.

[Chip]

Teavana has no scruples. The guy I personally witnessed a few days ago committed several almost illegal acts, maybe they were. I have seen more than a handful of shady practices first hand. So many members are witnesses to how Teavana conducts business.

Or is this part of some grand conspiracy on our part???

As I mentioned the other day, this one employee at King of Prussia Mall/The Plaza failed to tare the scale after putting a new and by the way very oversized Teavana tin onto the scale. He did this twice, for two teas. He could have used a tin a 1/4 the size, but was squeeeezing every penny from this customer who BTW was a complete newbie. I really wanted to be a buttinski on the entire charade, but I was also watching my own transaction ... a few EMPTY Washi canisters.

To be fair, the female employee who helped us was very nice and gave only the service I really needed. Similarly over at the sister mall The Court store.

Amazingly, they pretty much leave me alone each time we go, something I cannot quite figure out. All the while I see them swarm upon other customers ... they must be well trained in targeting suckahs?!? I am sure they love to hear a customer say, "I am new to tea."

It is truly a shame, because Teavana could be iconic in a positive way, something we could all rally behind as what a great tea company can achieve ... and in the spirit of tea. Teavana could be a true destination for us.

Instead they miss the mark terribly and alienate so many of us ... especially AFTER we pay our tuitions in TeaEducation.

I am sorry, I just cannot respond to this new member's post, it is sooo preposterous and insulting. I could point by point tear it to shreads, but I am truly tired of all the Teavana BS.

Besides that, seems like a troll trying to get a rise out of us ...............

[Odinsfury]

I've been away for awhile, but I'm glad to see that this thread is still running strong. I'm looking forward to reading everything I've missed.

[omgwtfbgd]

This is a thread I have been reading for a while. I had been employed with the company for months already by the time the initial post was made. Needless to say, what happened at that store should not have happened. Whether or not it has to do with the placement of the store in that mall (which I will not disclose since it hadn't been mentioned already), or the actions of both store trainers, or the actions of Andy and Nancy (who are in fact nice people who are not morally bankrupt), it all reflects poorly on a company that has the potential to do great things and has otherwise brought much joy into the lives of many of our guests.

All stores have a different set of people with a different dynamic, so not every store is staffed with morally bankrupt sales people. The store I have worked at has evolved significantly since our opening.

I have dealt with a superior who said that ALL of our teas are certified EU organic and trained or staff accordingly. Afterwards I would warn each staff member that had underwent this training that that was not true and to not make such claims because making such claims would warrant a lawsuit. It has always been a policy of mine to direct customers who seek organic products to our limited selection of USDA Organic teas.

I have dealt with pushy sales people who don't know how to read people and don't know how to step back when enough is enough. I personally prefer being able to have a more direct approach when informing customers about the various benefits of our products, but when a customer just wants to look - you let them be. More often than not, a customer will approach you once they are ready and often will make a purchase of some sort. It is my job to ensure that each customer has left with all the things necessary to enjoy their tea at home. I do recommend the cast iron first because it does make a difference. It's not a requirement that you leave with one at that time, but it's worth hearing about at least. I enjoy the cast iron that I have purchased and can speak from personal experience about the difference in taste and about the patina that builds over time, as well as their relative indestructibility. In the end it is the customer's choice, and I respect that.

I feel like there is more to say, but I am at a loss for words at this time.

Feel free to leave feedback, please keep criticisms constructive, and please understand this: Teavana is a business and, while it is a priority to keep our company afloat through revenue, not all of us are soulless sharks/hustlers out for your money.

[Geekgirl]

I'm impressed that you guys keep showing up here to tell us how WONDERFUL Teavana is, and how much the company CARES, and how FANTASTIC the corporate operators are. I don't buy it. At the very least, they are deliberately and studiously looking the other way while so many stores are promoting these unethical and dishonest practices. At the very least, they are guilty of turning a blind eye to the hundreds, no, thousands of negative experiences with their individual stores.

If Corporate refused to tolerate these tactics, complaints like this would be the exception, not the median experience. While I'm not necessarily convinced that the employee handbook suggests these high pressure, one finger on the scales tactics, I'm also not convinced that the emphasis is anywhere in the vicinity of running an ethical, customer-oriented operation.

[Schrammy]

Geekgirl -- I think it's funny too. Want to know the reason why I quit during training? The manager had told me, "Do anything to get the sale. If you have to lie, lie. If you have to add in unnecessary things, do it. Don't worry, you don't get in trouble for it." So, once you get your whole company's act together, you'll forever be the laughing stock of the tea world. Also, I reported the store to Weights and Measures. Good luck paying that fine.

[Mrs. Chip]

Geekgirl -- I think it's funny too. Also, I reported the store to Weights and Measures. Good luck paying that fine.

+1 Schrammy, Chip and I saw that first hand just the other week, no taring purposely and really taking advantage of a newbie to looseleaf tea.

Hats off to you for your action!

[Geekgirl]

It is my job to ensure that each customer has left with all the things necessary to enjoy their tea at home. I do recommend the cast iron first because it does make a difference.

Also...

I take it this does not mean that you tell people they can brew tea perfectly at home with a pyrex measuring cup, a kitchen sieve and a mug. Your definition of "all the things necessary" will "necessarily" include unnecessary objects, unless of course, you mean you just sell them the tea leaves.

If you're so full of integrity, you might want to do a little actual research about lined cast iron. It doesn't make a whit of difference to most teas, and is actually a very poor choice for delicate greens. But that's what we've come to expect from a store where the employees are "educated" about tea, based on the propaganda in the employee handbook.

also this:

about the patina that builds over time,

Dude, if you're building a patina inside a lined cast iron teapot, that's pretty gross. You might want to clean it. I hope the tea demo teapots in the store don't have a "patina."

One last thing: Your handle, it's clearly meant to be provocative to this board. Makes me question your intentions. Seems unlikely that you are here to engage in honest dialogue.

[Schrammy]

Yep -- they came into my job and checked our scales, and I talked to one of the supervisors there. They said they would look into it.

[iannon]

I was gonna say that too..I dont want a "patina" on a lined ANYTHING never mind my teapot!
now my old Bare cast iron griswold pan..YES i want a "patina"

but on the other hand perhaps they have those special Teavana iron leeching lined cast iron pots........sorta like the full pound of weight loss tea they try to sell but even more cool

[omgwtfbgd]

"Be the change you want to see in the world"

[beachape]

Not sure if it is an appropriate measure, but you may consider reporting them to the better business bureau. Don't know if they're registered. I did it a while ago against Megabus and it helped me get a refund at least. I'm sure you don't care about the extra few bucks you got charged, but more as a frustration with the system. You would hope that complaints would eventually set the company on the right course...but doubt that'll happen. At least a small personal victory is very rewarding.

On an unrelated note, I was gifted a year of "tea of the month" @ teavana. I greatly appreciate the thought and consideration of the gift, but now that I'm several months in I just have a pile of teas. For those who claim that the tea really is top quality, I would suggest that it is not. Having tried teas offered cheaper from adagio, and much cheaper from source countries and other vendors, I know it is poor. I was surprised however at how well the tea was packaged (each tea in a factory sealed bag) compared to the store tin and paper bag. So when the tea tastes stale, I know it isn't a problem with storage. Also the leaf quality of the greens and whites are terrible. So many bits and pieces I feel that they should go in a tea bag. And then the tinsane/herbal stuff....not sure what to do with it. I feel like I can add a little more sugar and make a fruit punch....

I wonder what a tea farmer would think if I brought him/her back a nice sample of papaya flavored oolong....

[Dresden]

We just recently got a couple of Teavanas in my area... (well, within 60 miles at least). Of course curiosity got the better of me.

It was actually a pretty good experience. Of course the salesman tried to pitch his product, but hey, that's what salesmen do. He wasn't pushy and once I let him know that I was not new to tea he backed off and made pretty decent conversation.

I really think it depends on the store. When I go to the other one near here it may be the complete opposite.

Of course I don't think I would buy tea from them, but it beats walking around clothes shopping with the Mrs. (looks around nervously)

[iannon]

I would guess a lot MAY depend on the performance of the store. a store that has naturally good traffic may not have to apply as much pressure? perhaps..now that doesnt speak to some of the somewhat shady habits being "overlooked" if not taught. or the lack of actually training correct ethics when weighing etc.