Wow, dirty decorative tea tins (they were clearly used and returned to the store) and after the time I had I was in no mood to go back and return them.
The employee, looked as though she did not want to be there, and I was unimpressed with the lack of information offered to a first time customer. I was told that I would need to buy tins if I only wanted sample sizes (our bags are for 50g or more only) and the list goes on.
I will say this company could use some help from “The Tea Guy” – yeesh! The woman who was scooping my tea spent more time mashing the dry oolong leaves, I nearly had a heart-attack! Those are tea leaves! Not sand or dirt!
Oh my gosh! If I want tea from this store again, I will seriously have to consider if the cost of gas for the travel is worth my time.
There are at least two employees who know my tastes so well they are able to suggest teas to me every time I walk in – definitely a sign of either GREAT customer service, otherwise known as a “satisfied customer will always come back”
I have yet to be upset with how I am treated, and I know that when I go in on a bad day I am bound to leave with a smile and something in a bright teal bag that will keep me smiling a little while longer.
I have only been in once, but once was enough to know that this will be the place to walk to on sunny Saturday’s this summer when my tea stash is running low and I am just not in the mood to drive “Blueberry” the short distance from my house in to Sidney.
Janet was kind and helpful. Though she only offers bags as an option for the teas she has, she is more than honest about what teas are the freshest in her stock and when a fresher shipment will be in. Also he prices are comparable I paid $9 for 50g (4oz) of oolong and $3+ for 50 (4oz) of a flavoured Honeybush and $4+ for 50 (4oz) of an herbal.
A lot of what she has to offer is similar to Murchie’s in Victoria (30 mins away) but for Tourists and people who prefer to stick to Sidney this is where it is at for Tea.
I have nothing against Starbucks, but I found this tea place tried too hard to please the uptight yuppy crowd that races in every morning for their over priced lattes and fraps. Not that I don’t enjoy Starbucks, from time to time, but I find that places this dark and drery should be left for Goths and depressives.
I also found that the customer service lacking, to the point that I felt as if I should never have entered.
I might try the place at Mayfair Mall before I completely write Teaopia off my list of places to go.
The prices of the teas here are reasonable, however I find that the smelly spa crap really makes it difficult to smell the selection of teas and choose something enjoyable. That being said I still have enjoyed the teas I have chosen, but the overy parfumy atmosphere really does keep me away.
I have only been in this shop once or twice and each time I find the staff knowledgable and the place light and airy. Though the first time I found myself over whelmed. I find they offer a lot of black teas and chai, but each time I arrive I usually am pressed for time and rush through the process of selecting a tea.
I will mention this shop is the best shop to go to in the Victoria area if you need a new tea ball, kettle, travel mug, ect. Their prices are competative, and far more reasonable that what you will pay else where.
