Teavana

I love this store every time I go in they are extremely nice and professional, went out of the way to make sure I had everything I needed for my new cast iron pot and that I knew the proper way to use it so it would last longer something I appreciate for an item that was almost 200 dollars, the only thing I wish is they would be cheaper. Other then that no complaints at all.

Defective overpriced teapot broke twice in two months. They won’t make a refund over 100 $, and yes, it was over 100 $!! (It was a gift…)

Wow. Like most here my main complaint with this store was the terrible customer service, however It was not for the «pushy» sales people but for complete, blatant and purposeful disregard of our presence by them. I came in with a friend to pick up a bday present for my father. We browsed for sometime completely ignored, and didn’t receive so much as a «hello, or what can I help you with». Even further someone came in after us and was immediately helped. Clearly we were discriminated against and I do not advise anyone to visit this location

What a horrible experience. I have to think the days a limited for this company.
The store manager changes monthly and as the store leadership changes the policy changes with it. What was okay one week isn’t something they can do the next week.
I own 10+ pounds of tea at home and was dropping in to get a black tea for an added boost to propel me through the second half of my work day.
They have a specific list of teas that are available for you to get in a cup to go and 90% of them are herbal teas. They didn’t have a single black tea on the list of approved teas to go. Not to mention it was now $ 4.99 for an herbal tea to go. Used to be $ 2.99. 40% increase in price and its limited to 10% of the available teas.
I could have bought 2oz of loose tea and she could have steeped it for me. Instead she tried to sell me a $ 30 tumbler and a starter kit. I already have a tumbler at home and I have tea at home, I don’t need either of those 2 items. I just wanted a black tea to go.
This company has no idea what they’re doing.

I’ve encountered less pushy used-​car salesmen, seriously. I went on my birthday and my lovely boyfriend encouraged me to buy whatever I wanted, since it was my birthday. Since I’d never used loose-​leaf tea before, I was intrigued.
The sample tasted delicious (fruity and spicy), so I told the people I wanted a little bit of that. I hadn’t noticed the prices on the tins yet. I got talked into one of their six-​dollar take-​home tins because the girl chided my decision to normally keep such things in a fresh, new Mason jar, so I felt bad saying no (should’ve been red flag #1). She shoveled what she described as «enough to make 40 cups or so» into my bag, then gave me VERY specific instructions on how to make said tea (because apparently I’m an imbecile and can’t read the tin, which has highly incorrect instructions anyway — red flag #2). Then, when she tried to talk me into «just a few dollars worth» of their rock sugar («It’s from beets; it’ll taste differently than our sample if you use anything else!»), I had finally had enough and put my foot down.
Then, the kicker? Half a tin of tea, plus the tin — TWENTY FIVE DOLLARS. My poor boyfriend had a look of horror on his face. We bought it, and the tea was/​is delicious, but NEVER AGAIN. I’ll go back to boxed teabags or bulk loose-​leaf tea at the local health food stores.
Oh, and for the record, my turbinado sugar left it tasting identically to the store sample once I brewed it to the right strength. So you can shove your overpriced beet sugar where the sun doesn’t shine, tedious salesgirl.

My complaints mirror the others on here. I think they have exceptional tea and exceptional products in the store. However, that simply doesn’t compensate for the fact that it feels like walking into a car dealership. It’s hard to fathom that people who sell tea are working on commission, but I can’t imagine what else could be responsible for the behavior of the employees at this store.
Wonder when Teavana will take notice and rectify this problem.

Like all other customers I got the hard sale here.
The tea is overpriced but is nice enough quality. If I did not already have my own supplier I would be more inclined to purchase a little here and there. Well, I would be more inclined to purchase from here if they were also not such pushy tricksters. I’m not a fan of when business forcibly upsell you by putting things in spendy canisters that are much larger than the amounts of tea you are actually seeking. Freshness is everything with tea. I never buy more than I am intending to use in a short period of time, no one should.
I found a very nice blend here that smelled amazing. Went to purchase a reasonable amount and sure enough here comes the overly large canister and the forceful attitude. At my usual haunt I get pouches as I have my own set of canisters. Trust me no canister will keep tea the way I want it for a year, John P and I must have had the same fabricating tea pusher waiting on us. Try that line of bull on someone who has not been drinking tea since before she could walk lady. Besides I like a variety of teas, I do not drink the same thing day in and day out.
Just for a heads up to those not in the know, there are many other places to get tea in the general Detroit/​Ann Arbor area. All of them are cheaper than here. None of them try to strong arm you into getting more than you need. None try to force you into buying things you do not need. Gentle upselling maybe, arm twisting, no.
I appreciate the sampling and the smells. Beyond that this place is horrible. They will be out of business if they keep this up, no one wants to feel pressured like this.

I agree with what others have posted as reviews.
Recently, in Ann Arbor, I decided to stop in and get my better half some tea he likes after being at the Apple Store in the mall.
I settled on the type of tea I wanted to buy and I said I would like half a pound. The sales associate promptly began to measure the tea in a tin and placed it on the scale. As he was filling up the tin, I told him: I only wanted half a pound (my eyeball measurement was that the amount he put in the tin was more than that). He said, «the amount that fills this tin is half a pound.» Every single time I have been in a Teavana store (and I have been in Teavana stores in different states), I have always come away with some kind of measurement problem — and ALWAYS in the store’s favor. Half a pound becomes 6 oz; 1 pound becomes 18 oz, etc.
So imagine my lack of surprise when the amount that showed on the scale was 10 oz and the price was 91.00 instead of $ 80. I did not make a scene at this point, and my partner loves the tea, so it will be consumed, but I detest shopping in Teavana when I know my wishes will NEVER be honored and that associates will desperately try to up-​sell me at every turn and then if I cannot be up-​sold, they will dishonestly overfill the scale.
It really is an ugly experience from the consumer side and it makes me think less of Teavana. I will purchase tea online, but quite frankly, I am less inclined to do that now. I wish Teavana had better training of associates nationally. It does no good for customers to leave feeling like jerks.
For anyone reading this who likes Teavana — order online. Do not go here in person. It isn’t worth the stress. I would rather go to Walmart the morning after Thanksgiving than ever go back here.

One of my girlfriends raves about Teavana’s teas, and I’ve tried some of hers before falling in love with it myself. I happened to be in Ann Arbor yesterday with another friend (who also fell in love with their teas) and were so excited to find that there was a location there. We walked in, and one of the salespersons gave us the tour of the tea they were brewing that day. We each tasted about 6 teas, saw beautiful displays of teapots, etc and were ready to order what we wanted. That’s pretty much where the great experience ended.
I don’t know what it is with the salespeople here, but the two we encountered were so pushy and apparently had their own agenda on how much they wanted to sell to us. I only bought one kind of tea they were displaying/​brewing that day, so I bought a decent amount of it. But when I told the saleswoman that I preferred my tea natural even though I liked how it was sweetened on display, which meant that I wasn’t interested in buying their $ 10/​lb German rock sugar, she VISIBLY sighed and replied, «well, alright then» in a tone that communicated, «CLEARLY you have no idea how to drink tea or what’s really good!» Since I have already decided I wouldn’t be back a second time, I let it go.
My friend wanted to buy 2 – 4 ounces of several kinds of tea and for the first two or three teas, the guy filled up the 1-​lb canister to «show us the discount» once my friend said for the 4^th time she was only interested in small amounts, he finally gave up and just did as she asked. When we left the store, she turned to me and expressed how frustrated she was and how close she was to yelling at him, «I don’t care about your sales and the discounts! Just give me what I want!» We both agreed that we’d rather teas online or somewhere else rather than going back to this location. It’s such a shame since the teas are so wonderful, but they’re not so good that I’m willing to endure the kind of treatment we received from the salespeople.

What an awful experience! The staff must work on commission b/​c they are so pushy. Not knowing what containers I have in my own kitchen, the Teavana staff proceeded to tell me I would ruin their tea if I didn’t buy one of their magic containers. Much to their outward protests and looks of repulsion, I declined.
I wanted to buy a small amount to try a tea out and they insisted on filling up a full bag. I said «oh no, I mean really I want just want a few cups worth to try it out». So they took out a tiny bit… and I had to say it again. Then they took out a tiny bit… and this kept on with the two people behind the counter sighing and giving disgusted looks each time. It went on several more times. Finally they said that was the smallest amount they could sell me. When I said I wanted about half that much (they sell by weight) they said they were not allowed to sell that small amount to me. I was the only one in the store and walked out without buying. I love tea and don’t mind forking out a good deal of money on it, but that pompous tea aficionado routine is such a turn off.
Enthusiastic, knowledgeable sales people I appreciate — snobby and pushy… well, not so much. The irony of it all is that if they had sold me a little bit and I liked it, they could have had a very loyal customer who drinks a lot of tea. I even guided them as to their sales approach, saying the heavy push doesn’t really work for me… and they still didn’t stop.
I’ve tasted their tea before and what I had was actually pretty good… but the sales staff leave such a bitter taste in my mouth I won’t spend my money there. There are other places who treat their tea and their customers with love — so I shop in those places.

BEWARE! Besides the information included in the other reviews, my last experience made me aware of questionable pricing techniques at this store. I bought a tin full of tea that was on the clearance stand. It was originally priced $ 29.58 and was being advertised for 75% off. When I checked out I found that I was charged not only for the tea but I was charged separately for the tin. I told the sales person that I was surprised that I was being charged for the tin as well and she said «Yes, but the tin is also 75% off so it is only a dollar or so.» Afterward, I looked at the tin and saw a second sticker for $ 12.95 but there was no indication that it was for the tin, I thought it was part of the mark-​down process. I had actually paid $ 3.24 for the tin. I complained twice on Teavana’s website about this pricing technique and received no response. So, keep an eye on the cash register as you are being rung up. You might be charged for items that you thought were included.

I don’t think highly of Teavana, nor do I shop here often, but they definitely do somethings right. The tea is outlandishly expensive by comparison to local alternatives. The cost is «justified» by its complex flavors and aromas owing to too many ingredients and sweeteners (customer reps need to be able to talk up the tea at length). Although they’ll constantly try to upsell you, they do know what they’re talking about and a lot better at brewing tea than a coffee shop. Nevertheless they pay careful attention to their customers, handle their own sales and bag the tea in metal-​lined bags with labels. I would say if Teavana is the only tea seller in your area it’s probably worth it, but otherwise not.

Shhh… can you keep a secret? I can’t! This place is totally corrupt according to «a source». When we first passed by I was drawn in by the free samples of green and jasmine tea. The place is cute, but kind of overpriced. According to «the source» they treat their employees badly, and everything is pretty much a rip off.
I wasn’t going to buy anything anyways, I just wanted a free sample. But after learning about the shady way they run the business, I think my Celestial Seasons tea will do me just fine. Besides, like Liz P. says in her review, buying loose leaf tea should not be as stressful as buying a used car!