Wednesday TeaDay 10/21/09 New vendor phobia?

[Chip]

Greetings one and all, welcome to TeaDay. Please do drop in and share what is in your cup throughout the day.

Yesterday we discussed tea vendor comfort zones. You can still vote and discuss yesterday's topic.

Today's TeaPoll and discussion topic. Yesterday a step further perhaps? Is there a Tea Vendor that is "out of the comfort zone" for you, that you have wanted to try, but have not yet for some reason? Please share some details.

I am looking forward to sharing this TeaDay with everyone. Bottoms up ... and step forward.

[Drax]

I'll admit that I've seen a few sites that have left me saying, "I'll never order from that site." But that's usually from concerns about security or a language-barrier. I have no qualms about ordering from a new vendor, although I will admit that it's nice to have somebody from TeaChat confirm that the vendor is solid!

Going for a final round with some black dragon pearls from Adagio. Very enjoyable.

[olivierco]

Not accepting credit cards and prohibitive shipping costs are the only reasons why I wouldn't order tea from an interesting vendor.

Kaboku sencha this morning.

[brandon]

Not accepting credit cards and prohibitive shipping costs are the only reasons why I wouldn't order tea from an interesting vendor.

Kaboku sencha this morning.

Ironic
Ippodo announced some pretty big price increases today.

[olivierco]

Not accepting credit cards and prohibitive shipping costs are the only reasons why I wouldn't order tea from an interesting vendor.

Kaboku sencha this morning.

Ironic
Ippodo announced some pretty big price increases today.

Nothing to be afraid if their list is exhaustive:

Affected products and details of changes

Matcha
*As indicated in the picture, all of the package designs for matcha boxes will change.
- Akebono-no-shiro (40 g box): 800 yen → 900 yen
- Wakaki-shiro (40 g box): 600 yen → 800 yen
- Hatsu-mukashi (40 g box): 500 yen → 600 yen
- Aoyama-no-shiro (40 g box): 400 yen → 500 yen
- Musubi-no-shiro (20 g box): 400 yen → 450 yen
- Ima-mukashi (20 g box): 300 yen → 400 yen

Gyokuro
- Mantoku (100 g bag): 1,500 yen → 1,600 yen
- Hekiun (100 g bag): 1,250 yen → 1,350 yen
- Mantoku (medium can): 177 g → 165 g
- Mantoku (large can): 274 g → 257 g
- Hekiun (medium can): 172 g → 160 g

Bancha
- Hanako (200 g bag): 300 yen → 350 yen
- Iribancha (Kyobancha)200 g bag 350 yen → 150 g bag 400 yen
→ 400 g bag 800 yen

Anyway with the strong euro I saved some money on my recent teaware acquisitions...

Houjicha with my lunch.

[CynTEAa]

Yes, it's scary out there. I like referrals, fo shizzle.

Got somethings to cup today. Hoping to find a delicious kukicha! And trying some Bolivian teas. Should be interesting...

[RachelC]

I guess I will try something if I am interested but lately I haven't been trying any new vendors but I suppose if I did I would try it once and if I didn't like it...well, then I suppose I wouldn't buy anymore.

[murrius]

These days I explore new vendors largely through recommendations from TeaChat members so I tread confidently. However, I am sometimes attracted to tea offerings from e-bay vendors but have a lingering phobia about trying ones I haven't heard of.

Sencha Sae Midori in my cup this morning.

[Chip]

There are several Japanese tea vendors that have been on my radar for a while. Kaburagien, Umami Chaya, Marukyu-Koyamaen, Horaido are on my short list. 3 of these are not the normal user friendly shopping experience and are in Japan, thus I have stalled on these a bit. But I will definitely give them a try.

I have a much longer list of vendors I tried at least once, but I have not been back to for a while ... and I need to revisit.

Began the TD with what else, sencha, in a new SanSai Hagi. Yutaka Midori from O-Cha. SweeTea joined in while Wulong, Ceylon and Pyrit were there for the treats.

[Chip]

Got somethings to cup today. Hoping to find a delicious kukicha! And trying some Bolivian teas. Should be interesting...

Have fun. Bolivian, hmmm, let us know how that was!

[brlarson]

I voted `definitely not', but there is one thing that always stops me. If a vendor has only cute, invented names for their teas, then I am gone. It makes me wonder if they know what their teas really are.

Yesterday's last tea of the day was Hibiki-an's fukamushi superior. Jing's traditional DHP is my breakfast tea today.

[leiche2]

Maybe? Unless a vendor looks totally sketchy, the only real deterrent is price. There are plenty of reputable, new-to-me vendors I'd love to order from, but can ill afford. So I don't.

Seems like a good morning to try out my sample of Huang Jin Bolero.

[geeber1]

I'm pretty happy with the vendors I have ordered from in the past. Before trying any new ones, I would probably check in here beforehand to see what you all have to say.

That said, I (along with several other TeaChatters) am taking part in an online tasting for Lochan Tea in India. I have never ordered from them, so don't know about their teas or service. I just thought it would be fun to participate!

Hunan Black this morning.

[Victoria]

Hummm not sure. Probably not, I usually go for it, if I want to try it. The only thing I have a phobia about is some of the vendors that don't take Paypal or don't have English translated sites. Paying in rupees is a bit unsettling too, yet for some reason yen doesn't bother me as much.

In my cup this morning Iron Goddess King - simply delicious.

[bearsbearsbears]

I wield my credit card and slash at new vendors with foolhardy bravery.