Official Shincha 2013 Ordering topic

[Seeker]

Hi,

We've been selling pre-order shincha for about 14 years. We've always charged for pre-orders, this is the first time I've ever had anyone question it. Are we the only ones? I assume this is the norm, not sure. Our pre-order customers get first priority once the tea comes in, it's shipped the same day we get it. We also give a 10% discount (limited time only) to our newsletter and Facebook subscribers if they pre-order shincha. The reason we do this is so we know how many to order, and in return we give the discount. Can you imagine how difficult it would be to try and collect, process, obtain FDA Prior notice numbers, etc, etc, on hundreds of orders all at once? How many of those pre-orders would actually be good when it came time to charge them? We could never get them out to everyone the same day we get the tea. So yes, at least with us, if you wish to pre-order then you must pre-pay, but you at least have the ability to get a 10% discount on the tea by doing so. If this doesn't work for you, then you should probably hold out until the shincha is in, that is no problem.

I completely agree with this way of doing things, and if I were in your position I would certainly operate similarly if not identically in this regard.
I also agree wholeheartedly with victoria3 in feeling appreciation.

[ethan]

How sweet are Kagoshima Sae Midori & Oku Yutaka? Any other descriptions will be appreciated. Thanks.

[minor_glitch]

The Sae Midori was in OTTI 13, so there are lots of tasting notes on that thread. I remember it being intensely green and fairly sweet though. It was good, but not YM good.

[BrooklynBrew]

I didn't mean to criticize O-Cha for charging for a preorder. I have never preordered tea before and my only experience with preorders are on Amazon and iTunes where you're not charged until the product becomes available and shipped (or downloaded). I am aware tea is a different animal. My surprise was more like "oh, I had no idea I had to shell out cash now. I would have waited until pay day if I knew."

Some of us are relative newbies and mean no disrespect.

I am so looking forward to trying shincha for the first time this year.

[sherubtse]

I didn't mean to criticize O-Cha for charging for a preorder. I have never preordered tea before and my only experience with preorders are on Amazon and iTunes where you're not charged until the product becomes available and shipped (or downloaded). I am aware tea is a different animal. My surprise was more like "oh, I had no idea I had to shell out cash now. I would have waited until pay day if I knew."

Some of us are relative newbies and mean no disrespect.

I am so looking forward to trying shincha for the first time this year.

Not to worry. After all, the value of these forums is largely due to the variety of feedback and views expressed.

Best wishes,
sherubtse

[ethan]

Thanks minor glitch; I looked at the posts of OTTI 13.
Probably I'll sign up for this year's Shincha OTTI rather than order 100 grams of an untried tea.
OTTIs seem to be fun & informative.

[michaelb3600]

Ordered my Yutaka Midori last week from O-Cha. Pretty excited. I had the Sae Midori last year, switching it up.

[Teacup1980]

My first preorder of Shincha 2013

O-Cha: http://www.o-cha.com/shincha/
Sugimoto America: http://www.sugimotousa.com/mm5/merchant ... y_Code=SHI

I'm thinking to order another package from Den's.

[tjsan]

Shincha pre-order from Ippodo http://www.ippodo-tea.co.jp/shincha/index.html

[minor_glitch]

Thanks minor glitch; I looked at the posts of OTTI 13.
Probably I'll sign up for this year's Shincha OTTI rather than order 100 grams of an untried tea.
OTTIs seem to be fun & informative.

No prob. OTTI is a great learning opportunity. Although, if you had to order 100g of something you'd be pretty safe with YM.

[tjsan]

Shincha selection from yuuki http://www.yuuki-cha.com/organic-shincha

[Chip]

Thanks minor glitch; I looked at the posts of OTTI 13.
Probably I'll sign up for this year's Shincha OTTI rather than order 100 grams of an untried tea.
OTTIs seem to be fun & informative.

No prob. OTTI is a great learning opportunity. Although, if you had to order 100g of something you'd be pretty safe with YM.

+1, I have likely purchased Yutaka Midori from O-Cha as Shincha for the last 5 or so years running. Hard to go wrong with a classic!

[Devoted135]

Jumping in feet first! I just pre-ordered the Yutaka Midori and Sae Midori from O-Cha. Still crossing my fingers for a sincha OTTI though.

[Kevangogh]

I got a first taste of 2013 Yutaka Midori shincha from a sample that was sent to me today. It was good but I'm holding out...

[victoria3]

I've gone to heaven and back again, after finding that I still had some of maeda-en 2012 sincha. It is still super green, fresh, flavorful and sweet, just what I have been craving. Since this sincha was bought at the Niijia Market ($15US), I called the company and it turns out what they have online is not what they sell to the markets. Because I am so taken by the market version, I went ahead and orders two 2013 sinchas directly from maeda-en, Oohashiri & Hachijyuhachiya.
http://maeda-en.com/store/productlist.php?teatype_id=90
p.s. I realize this was an impulse buy coming from my elevated state. Not knowing the specific farm and location the leaves are coming from is weird.