Teavana opened in the mall to great fanfare and excitement. This coincided with my having a sore throat yesterday, which inspired me to go get a wonderful cup of hot tea. Thus the adventure begins....
Teavana is a delightful store. I quote this from their mission statement: "As our name implies, Teavana's goal is to be a heaven of tea and to offer our customers the healthy lifestyle and wonderful tastes of tea. This unique name is meant to describe the experience each customer has with our tea and our staff"
Of course their tea is yummy. They give little samples of their heavenly tea at the door and I fell in love. I went to buy a cup of tea and told the tea hostess that I would like to replicate the recipe, this is where it went downhill. Keep in mind it was busy...here is the dialogue..
"I love this tea, can I get what I need to replicate it?"
"Sure, it is a blend of two teas."
"Great!"
"Minimum purchase is two ounces."
"Great!"
"Pick a tin."
"OK, just the plain one is good"
"Buy three tins, and you get 10% off."
"That's nice"
"We used Jasmine Dragon Pearls, Rooibos Tropica, and we sweetened it with German Rock Cane Sugar."
"Your tea is ready and I can take your payment over here."
I hand her my debit card, still preoccupied with talking to my friend, Robert. Sign my bill, take my tea, and head back to work. Now the tea is amazing! Amazing!! Truly!! Amazing!! Did I mention that the tea is amazing??
I look at the receipt for my three tins of tea and it was $121.34. Amazing!! I became semi-hysterical. After all, that is the exact amount of my lunches on my Bloomingdale's bill for the month. $121.34. I sat there looking at the bill as I sipped my tea. Pretty much everything was amazing. Oh, except for Henry....he was ballistic.
After a few hours, I decided to head back down to the store with my purchase and ask what happened.
"I just bought this tea and I am trying to figure out how the bill got to be $121.34?"
"The tins are $6.00 each."
"She did not mention that the tins were $6.00 she just said to pick one."
"You got a 10% discount, and she did not charge you for the tea."
"But I only wanted two ounces, not a whole tin."
"But the tin keeps it fresher."
"I would assume so."
"You got a discount. Your discount is like 10 free cups of tea."
"We do not take returns on tea, but I will make an exception for you this time."
"I really appreciate it."
"Do you have your card."
"Yup."
"Do you have ID?"
"I have my name badge which matches the credit card, and my Bloomies phone (securely held in place on the top of my dress)."
"We need ID."
"You did not need ID to charge me the $121.34."
"We need ID to credit your account, can you go back and get it."
"I am exhausted and sick, I know my drivers license number will that do."
"OK this time, but you will need your ID."
"What is your Driver's License number:
"D258937642." I make up.
"What was after the 9?"
All I could think was that this is a test and she knows I am making it up...46823, I say confidently, hoping she does not notice the discrepancy. I know my library card number but my drivers license...no way. Bloomies card...no way.
In the end I got scolded by a 22 year old, and a $51 credit. Thereby making the tea only $70.34.
They simply need to amend their slogan to:
Opening the doors to Health, Wisdom, Happiness, and the Poor House
Did I mention it is AMAZING tea!! I can hardly wait to try a new combo!!
