Friday TeaDay 3/5/10 Domestic or International vendors?

[Chip]

Be sure to check out the new contest located in the new TeaChat Announcement subforumhttp: //www.teachat.com/viewtopic.php?f=62&t=12429

Yesterday, TeaChatters were asked, "when selecting or evaluating a vendor, which is most important?" The top answers were...VALUE and QUALITY. You can still vote and discuss yesterday's topic.

Welcome to TeaDay. We will all need lots of brew to get us through the day. So filler up an come share what is in your cup today, all day. Check out what other TeaChatters are sipping as well...that is certainly half the fun! Of course, if you must, you can reflect back on your TeaDay as well.

Today's TeaPoll and discussion topic is still on the subject of vendors. Do you buy from vendors in your country...or do you buy from country of origin...or both. This is a pretty recent issue on the tea front. What is your take on this phenomenon.

I am looking forward to seeing everyone on TeaDay! Bottoms up...refill...repeat!

[Seeker]

Used to be domestic, but mostly international now that I'm more into japanese greens.
jasmine white peony in my cup now.
cheers.

[Ebtoulson]

I do my tea shopping both domestically and internationally. I love the quality/specialization of international vendors but despise the shipping time normally associated with them.

Hmm special TD spokesperson....(puts on eye spectacle)

[omegapd]

I have bought three times from international vendors. Two were fine- one was awful. That package never made it, the sellers never replied to emails and of course, PayPal or Google Checkout (whichever one I used) was no help in getting any money back. That same vendor then closed his website and opened up another one under a different name, etc. He was from Africa.

So, now I just buy from folks here in the US. I mainly enjoy black teas and can find a ton of options here without having to order directly from India, etc.

Another cup of Java OP this morning at work.

EricW

[Victoria]

Ohhh I see Chip hired security for the Celebrity Spokesperson.

Well I prefer buying domestically but you gotta go where the good stuff is being sold. So out of my top five vendors, only two are domestic.

[entropyembrace]

Both...shops in my city have some excellent tea but not much selection...so I buy what looks interesting or smells really good from the local shops then I order online usually from the country of origen, but also from vendors in the United States to try teas that the local stores don´t stock.

[jogrebe]

I agree with Victoria in how I prefer to buy from vendors in my own country. But I think I have reached the point where I should consider shifting my Puerh needs to China over Puerh Shop as while Puerh Shop has served me well over the years it lacks on the upper end Shu Puerhs that I've been starting to heavily favor.

[JBaymore]

Tea is where you find it.

best,

..............john

[dooble]

As long as the selection is wide and precise plus the staff professional, I prefer domestic vendors.
The only problem for me is the nearest quality tea store is about 170 km away, so it's almost cheaper to buy from internet.

[KSek]

I buy mostly from Adagio, and when I get out there, from a tea shop about an hour away from me.

This morning I'm sipping a cup of black currant tea. Forgot how great it is, as I haven't had it in a while. I'm not sure if there is a season that currants are associated with, but it certainly tastes like summer to me

[cindyt]

For me..
From the country of tea's origin if possible, if not, then domestic vendors who have connections to the country of tea's origin.

[Chip]

I remember years ago talking to a potential local commercial client who was by law required to consider bids on a potentially large contract with non local competitors. He told me he would like to give me the business, "all other things being equal." This is wisdom even if it is a bitter pill to swallow for a noncompetitive local business, but it is an invaluable lesson.

So, after 5 years of blindly trying to support domestic tea vendors "because it was the right thing to do" while receiving good but rarely great tea and inconsistantly at best ... I finally went international 5 years ago. I was completely floored by the difference in quality and wondered why I wasted 5 years with blind, misguided loyalty to domestic vendors who rarely showed any interest in my concerns.

I think I would go domestic "all other things being equal." So, the quality, consistancy, and price needs to be in line with competition, international or domestic. We live in a capitalistic society, most domestic vendors need to wise up or get left behind.

I will deal with domestic vendors, but they must have the right origin contacts, hopefully dealing as directly as possible with the source/growers, otherwise they cannot compete and "all other things will NOT be equal."

[olivierco]

Mostly international.

Musashi sencha this evening.

[artmom]

At this time, domestic vendors. As I become more sophisticated in my choices of teas, I'm certain I will buy internationally. I already buy some art supplies, books, etc. from international vendors. Why should tea be any different?

I think I'm going to try some greens from Den's Teas today. I hope I like it better than the Dragonwell I had. It is obviously an acquired taste.

[Mrs. Chip]

Ummm, currently in my cup a nice Keemun to keep me moving on this busy day.

I'll let Chip tell you what tea we shared this morning!

Next up ... not sure, but maybe a homeroasted mugi blend.

Have a TEArific TeaDay everyone, and welcome back Eric!