Teavana

When it comes to buying tea, i’m an amateur. But, when it comes to being a sales associate and up selling is the key to your pay, I’m a pro. When i walked in here my first time, my intention was to buy one of those glass containers for my girlfriend. I didn’t want to buy anything else because i knew thats all my girl wanted me to get her. Now, i have to say when i was ready to check out, the girl that was ringing me up was really good at trying to make me by another thing by recommending i get this, this and that. She was really smooth with it, and of course i noticed it because i work doing the same thing for about 50 hours a week. Now if your not a sales associate and/​or never experience sales, i recommend when you walk into this store to don’t be rude to the sales associate because there only doing what they were trained to do because they are getting commission. Just be gentle and when they offer more then what you want just say «No thanks, i only came for this» and bam! They will not try and hassle you no more.
3 Stars, for the service and effort

I gave this place three honest tries because the location is convenient. Every time I walked in the door, the vultures descended and I left feeling used and uncomfortable. The hard sell and up selling at this place is persistent, presumptive, and unbelievable. The last time I went in, I had to firmly decline at least three upsells, and was given almost twice as much Earl Grey as I asked for, probably on the presumption that I wouldn’t argue. I didn’t, but they’ve definitely lost all my future (substantial, I’m a huge tea drinker) purchases. The tea is decent but overpriced; Argo, also downtown, is a better value in terms of price and quality if you want to buy off line.

when returning stuff to this store, they make u go throuth all kinds changes & they dont know what they r doing cuz they sold me some tea that made my wife worst

I like all sorts of teas.
I work in retail where up sell and commission is a must.
SO with that, I understand the people here. These people really obviously truly work in a dead mall and are starving for commission. Yes, they will jump you and try to sneak in stuff that you don’t need.
NO I don’t condone this, but really I just completely phase it out. Me personally, I’m not pushy at all. The people here act like starving dogs… and they probably are with such a dead location!
The teas here probably aren’t high quality and are probably way overpriced, but DAYUM the tea tumbler is AWESOME! The design is great! I purchased 3 different teas (all way more money than I wanted to spend) but alas I am so happy with my tumbler I care not at the moment!
If they keep trying to push S**t I (tea container) just calmly say «no thank you» and if they continue its a bit more condescending «no. I have one, from Teavana» which is usually a lie but it shuts them up.
Lie, bite, be dirty back. The Tumbler and the ability to try tons of teas before purchasing (even if its not at tevana) is why I like Teavana.

This is the worst tea store i have ever attended in my life. An absolute disgrace to the beautiful world of tea. Please do not ever go here.

An investment purchase: Countour Tumbler. This is one of the best purchases I’ve made! I work 12 – 13 hour shifts and the double insulation keeps my tea warm for about 8 hours. I highly recommend.
The staff at the Water Tower location are very knowledgable, they took their time with me and explained the different types of tea. I’ve been to the Woodfield location and I was so overwhelmed, the salesmen were pushy and rushing me, I Ieft without a purchase.
This was my first purchase, and who knew tea is soooo expensive, but totally worth it. I bought a blend of Wildberry something, I can’t remember off the top of my head, but it’s my daily indulgence. I also bought the Strawberry Misaki Blooming Tea. It’s smooth, fragrant, and will keep you warm this winter, perfect before bed. I also bought the German Rock Sugar. I haven’t found this sugar outside of Spain and it’s the perfect touch to my coffee/​tea with its caramel undertone. This is one of my little luxuries I have.
Enjoy!

Their teas are decent but not the best — I prefer Talbott Teas.
I feel like Teavana is gimmicky in having so many flavors and to be introducing new ones all the time. When I’ve bought tea here (no matter the location) and tell the person at the counter that I already have (overpriced) tea tins, rock sugar, etc., they seem disappointed and I get the sense they want me to buy MORE. Be grateful I’ve patronized your business in the past and treat me more like a valued customer instead of someone who isn’t giving you as much money as you’d like!

This was my first visit to a Teavana and I am not impressed. The tea selection was impressive, but the employees were very snotty. I can go to a number of local tea/​coffee places to get the same tea and better service, so why shop here?
The cheeky woman at the counter made me not want to buy anything from this store, but I really wanted some lemon tea. It’s great to have educated sales staff, but they need to keep their attitudes away from the patrons. I don’t really like having items tacked on to my purchase in the first place, but when I’m told I «have to» buy another $ 7 worth of merchandise it makes me twitchy. I don’t «have to» buy anything.
I would suggest steering clear of this Teavana. There are tons of better options for buying tea.

My mom has been told to only drink caffeine free beverages due to a heart condition. Since Decaf coffee has traces of caffeine in it, that option is out and tea is really the only option.
We went in to this store and when asked to be shown their selection of caffeine free teas, the female associate began going on about how there is no such thing as caffeine free tea, blah blah blah. The only problem with that is that there is indeed such a thing as caffeine free tea (i.e. most herbal and rooibush teas — both naturally caffeine free). So not only are their associates snobby little tools, they are also improperly educated and trained. I normally go to Tea Gschwendner on State St. but since we were in the area, we decided to check it out — big mistake.
The following day, I took my mom to Tea Gschwendner where she bought some great caffeine free teas from a helpful and knowledgable associate.
Seems the common theme at this Teavana store (based on previous reviews by others and our experience) is that their staff seem to somehow feel they are better than their customers. I’d suggest cleaning house and hiring people that are professional and knowledgable about what they are selling. I’ll never shop here any way but thought it was too interesting of an experience to not share.

Can you say high pressure sales? I believe these folks work only on commission.
The other day I walked past a Teavana, yes, I walked past it. It reminded me of the last time I was in a Teavana. It was at Water Tower in Chicago. It was a rainy cooler day in May of 2010. I thought some tea would make my walk back to the hotel cozier.
I asked the young man for Apple Peach Pomegranate tea. This is my usual, and I make it at home often. After much hesitation, he persisted and I gave in and had him add some melon (I think it was melon) white tea. I asked him how he can make both teas, because white tea water isn’t suppose to be so hot as the herbal tea’s water. Plus the white tea only sits for less than a minute and herbal 5 minutes. He said he is making it to accommodate the white tea for one minute. During that quick minute he was trying to sell me the white tea to take home. I said I didn’t even taste it yet, and no. He said come on it’s really good and I can give you 10% off if you buy a pound. He gave me the tea, I tasted it and it tasted like hot water. I told him I didn’t like it because it wasn’t strong enough and tasted like the cardboard cup. Without saying a word marched away and helped another lady. I was trying to give him the money. Hmmm, maybe he didn’t want it, but I wasn’t going walk out w/​o paying. I yelled over to him, I’d like to pay now. He said leave it on the counter. I said I’d like change. I waited there and some young lady came to take my money. I walked out the door and threw the full cup on the trash.
Ok, one bad experience here in Chicago, but I do have to say the Flatiron mall location in Colorado isn’t much different. They might be a little friendlier, but still high pressure sales. I wait on my tea, and watch people come in and ask to buy a few ounces, almost all of them walk about with over a pound of tea.
I do like their tea, I order it online, but wait for free shipping. Their check out is long and drawn out and leaves something to be desired, hopefully they will change that some day.

Toasted Nut Brulee. Ok. I am a coffee snob. I am not a fan of any flavorings in my coffee (ok, every now and then for holiday purposes I might want some pumpkin spice syrup in my coffee around Turkey Day… but usually I love coffee as is.)
Tea on the other hand… I am no purist. I admit it.
At the same time if the other person behind the counter is a purist and you don’t not like the way I take my tea… then keep your fracking opinions to your self. Be glad that in this down economy I am coming in and buying something from your establishment.
Pissed after a visit to Teavana? Yes!
I was in the mood for something super sweet and dessert like. Figured the toasted nut brulee would hit the spot.
The girl behind the counter asked if I would like sugar and I asked if they had splenda.
She said yes and asked how many…
I said 4…
And she pretty much went off! I have never been so embarrassed in my life. I wasn’t the only one in the store. There were others as well as my friend who was also embarrassed for me. After my little altercation with this horrible little employee my friend kept apologizing to me that we ever went in.
yes, it was that bad.
So here is how the conversation went,
Snotty employee– «How many Splenda would you like?»
me — «I would like 4.»
snotty employee– «4? 4?!! all you’ll taste is Splenda. You won’t taste the tea!»
me– «I like the taste of splenda, and yes, I would still like 4.»
snotty employee, «Do you know that splenda is sweeter than sugar? DO you? Why even buy tea if you are going to put that much Splenda in it? «
She turns around and proceeds to get the tea leaves while lauging and tell ing the guy that will be making my tea…“be sure to give her 500 grams of splenda so she won’t taste her tea.»
The whole time while waiting the 4 – 5 min for my tea she kept commenting about my choice in sweetener and how awful it was to anyone who could hear, which was the whole store.
****
What a… witch. Why ask how many Splenda I want if you are going to piss and yell about it?
Maybe because you in the freakking Nordstrom bldg and get a lot of tourists,.maybe you treat tourists and suburbanites in this condescending manner.
Honey, I live in South Shore. I am no tourist nor a suburbanite.
Just moved to the South Shore neighborhood from Pilsen. (Can’t get more southside than that!). Save your puritanical tea schtick for someone else.
I was planning to buy a bag of tea and I definately changed my mind. I shouldn’t even have bought a cup after that incident. Oh well. Lesson learned.
I will not be back.