A Tea Addict's Journal

Screwed

December 11, 2007 · 6 Comments

I went to the store that sold me the claimed 35 years dongding to get some more of the tea. I got the bags, paid, left. I even got a sample of something she claimed to be 60 years old, ok.

I came home, made the 60 years old which tasted more like 16 years old. Well, no matter, that’s free.

Then…. I started having second thoughts about the other bags of tea I got, and decided to try them out….

Hmmm

I think I got screwed. The tea is definitely different — not the same thing I bought last week. I haven’t opened all the bags, but among the ones I did open, they all tasted the same, and none of them taste like the one I bought last time.

Now, I hope this is an honest mistake, but there’s also the possibility that she thought I wouldn’t get to these teas until it’s way too late to go back and go argue with her. Heck, in a way, it’s already too late as she can claim I switched teas on her. I don’t know if I’ll get my way tomorrow, but I know I’m going to be going back and trying to get my money back.

Any suggestions on particular tactics?

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6 responses so far ↓

  • MANDARINstea // December 11, 2007 at 2:11 pm | Reply

    Calm down M : ) May be it’s a mistake, she could not have known if this is 60, 45 or 35 years for a large shop like this, if you are pulling things out from the back-room….
    Are you paying top dollars for the 35/60s? If no, then it might just be a honest mistake. Old lady+large store+no proper archiving/storage=not sure what I just given you?
    On the other hand, if you paid a good sum for these aged and in moderate quality, under recommendation. Do go back and taste it with them and let them give you an acceptable conclusion. (You might get the respect and more goodies from them after!)

    From personal experience, these kind of grandpa store will not cheap you for a small amount and a one-time-shot. Unlike the new and well-packaged place, which will go for the short-sighted marketing. -T

  • Anonymous // December 11, 2007 at 4:46 pm | Reply

    The above sounds like solid advice, but before I read it I was going to say some cliche, like: you win some you lose some. Until I’d read Toki I was inclined to think you were being cheated, but … maybe not. And I’d say this: if you happen to have some quantity left from last week’s sample, take it in with you and drink it in tandem with the new stuff. The difference, as you say, will be obvious. Or, take pictures if that’s all you have…

    I think that if you went in with a clear sense that you can tell the difference, that – as Toki said – is likely to command respect.

    Otherwise, ____________ (fill in cliche here) and enjoy the next good cup.

    -a

  • lewperin // December 11, 2007 at 10:36 pm | Reply

    I agree with both of the above. I just want to emphasize that you shouldn’t give her any reason to think you doubt her honesty until and unless she proves she’s a liar. Pretend you’re sure it’s an innocent mistake. Good luck!

  • MarshalN // December 11, 2007 at 10:38 pm | Reply

    Yeah I know, gotta give her face until she proves to me she’s trying to cheat me…

  • MarshalN // December 11, 2007 at 10:57 pm | Reply

    Although one reason I thought she’s trying to cheat me is because the supposed “60” years old tea is so far off the mark. I mean…. don’t fool me.

  • MANDARINstea // December 12, 2007 at 10:02 am | Reply

    How does that 60s tasted different, and how are you brewing it? -Toki

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