Addicted to Teavana...

Thanks for all your input! What do you guys think about davidstea.com?

DAVIDsTEA is amazing. I am a hardcore fangirl, feel free to browse through my reviews. I’m lucky enough to work within walking distance of one. Free shipping over $50, and free samples with every package!

I am hopelessly addicted to Teavana’s chai blend myself, so I completely understand. I’ve tried a myriad of chais and none measure up. So don’t feel bad about your addiction…you’re not alone here! :)

So would you guys recommend the “voter’s choice” collection?
And if they’re out of something popular do they usually get more eventually?!

I definitely agree with your decision to buy unflavored teas from other places – if you like Teavana’s flavored blends I would go for it because they’re really good and likely worth the money.
Other places with good flavored teas that I’ve shopped from are ESP Emporium, Joy’s Teaspoon, and American Tea Room (“Nirvana” & the fig one)

I’m new here, but not to tea….

I like Teavana’s teas, but the big, massive turnoff for me is the ultra-high pressure selling and uber-cheeriness that gets annoying quick.

Having said that, it’s nice and close, and I can get my go-to teas quickly from them (like senchas and Yunnan golds).

Right now, they’re discontinuing their “old” line, so they’re selling off some teas (another quibble; new teas every year…?). I just got what they call “Nine Dragon Golden Needle” and “Copper Knot Hongcha” at 75% off. They had an oolong for sale that looked interesting as well.

So that coupon may be even MORE valuable….

The coupon ended but apparently you can’t use coupons with sale items anyway! Sad!

Count me in on the addiction! I have not seen any types of dedicated tea stores back home in Cali except for Teavana. The prices are kinda outrages, the portions in selling by the ounce is kinda stingy but good quality worth buying…at the right price! That is the problem!The prices!! The Teavana shops I usually go to are in high rent malls and lots that really raises the prices and literally the few “customers” who do shop are not even there to buy tea but get samples of things! There is of course the usual customer ’ who buys on the high end or low end but they are of course the few who can afford the pleasure of a variety of loose leaf teas . I have not bought any teas up to now when there is a sale at 75% off that really got me to buy as much tea as possible . I have to say, this is the only time I’m addicted to Teavana otherwise i would sneer at the sight of any thing Teavana! Give me tea or give me death!

on the sidenote: Liberteas, DavidsTeas, Upton,Adagio is probably the best shot at buying tea for bulk but then again it hurts the pocket! But its fsr better than teavana! That is after the teavana craze there are places better of buying tea from…

Freshness is an issue too. Teavana caters to people who go to the mall, not to tea connoisseurs. Despite your reluctance, online is your best bet, as long as you know your vendor. For fruity or blended teas, yeah use adagio.com. For traditional high-end black/green/oolong that will satisfy the most discriminating standards, try these:
www.theteastop.com
www.teaspring.com
www.sevencups.com
www.inpursuitoftea.com/
www.itoen.com/loose-leaf-tea.html

Also try teachat’s teavendor guide:
http://www.teachat.com/viewforum.php?f=60

Unfortunately, I have to own up to being a Teavana addict too. For me it’s probably because that is where I first ‘discovered’ loose leaf teas, even though I was a little ticked that they talked me into the Golden Monkey black tea and a tin my very first time in. I wanted to add that they have two of their better quality teas included in their sale right now that are fantastic basic teas… Golden Jade (a green w/ black tea blend) and Himalayan Splendor (black tea). They are $18.00/ 2 oz. but right now they are 75% off. That said, I also want to start looking at better online options. Has anyone ever ordered from The Art of Tea? I’ve heard good things about it, but didn’t see any recommendations on this site.