English Tea StoreReviews 6,511

I am very pleased I ordered from English Tea Store because the quality of their teas is wonderful. However; we did get off on the wrong foot in the beginning, due to a single one ounce sample being out of stock. This would of been the culprit responsible for delaying my entire order of over two pounds of tea which was somewhat frustrating. But the good news is a friendly female customer service agent is always ready to take calls concerning any issues. My one ounce sample was eventually substituted (after three calls). Unfortunately it was decaffeinated variety that was replaced, but I probably would of accepted grass-clippings just to get my order shipped out. Awesome variety of top-selling brands at highly competitive prices can be obtained here also. Before making a purchase it is imperative to check in with customer care first to ensure what is ordered will be actually in stock.

Was going to order some tea and demi spoons, but suddenly, the tea was out-of-stock. It wasn't long before it was in-stock again, so I wasted no time in ordering. I'd ordered April 12,2015. Suddenly, it was out-of-stock again, right after I'd ordered. Then it was back-in-stock. When nothing arrived, and the pending was removed from my bank account, I checked to find my order was listed as processing. Then in July, the price for the tea was charged to my account, but sure enough, I received the spoons, which were much less in price. Emailing them, only got me an auto-mated answer. Finally, I emailed them again, when I couldn't get anyone on the phone. Another auto-mated answer. Then I discovered the charges removed from my account. I had received the very nice little spoons, though. Soon after, I received an email to say the tea was no longer available and I'd received a refund. So that meant, I didn't pay anything for the spoons. My order is still listed as pending and the tea is still listed as in-stock. So even though I was told my order was cancelled, I think in a few months, maybe the tea will turn up and I'll be charged. And, the one answer to my emails, was answered in one email account, saying I was being answered to my other email account. I'd already read it. I was also not happy that the spoons were sent in a small box, when they could have sent them in a bubble envelope, which would have meant I wouldn't have had the hassle I had once again, with my post office, to bring me my package. That's another story. Whatever, my first order with The English Tea Store, and my last with them. This is just no way to do good business. When I saw before ordering, that they were part of a group of unrelated stores, it left me concerned. Oh, yes! And that refund I received was dated in late June, before I'd emailed them.

The good is the items I've purchased and actually have received have been high quality. A lot more than I was expecting for the price and a good value.

I put in a $100 order and have one big problem with this site that is really annoying me to no end. I ordered a full tea set that said it was in stock and still continues to say it is "in stock" on their website. The set is not in stock and I received an email saying that it was back ordered and I'd be charged when it shipped. That email had no expected ship by date, even though there was a spot for it on the email they sent me.

I emailed them wanting to know if I could switch to a different set that might possibly be in stock because I don't fancy waiting around forever for a tea set. Half of my items shipped before they emailed me back. And obviously some of the items were purchased with having that particular tea set in mind. I've been told it's going to be the end of the month before I get this set. They charged me for the whole complete order though, even though I'm missing $90 of it at this point.

Obviously, i'm a bit pissed. You can bet that tea set better be here at the end of the month since they thought they were owed full payment for half of a job. I pointed out this set still shows as in stock on their website and obviously since they're getting more, they don't care but that's misleading as well. I can understand that something happens and maybe your inventory control system doesn't know you're out of them. Why do I have to contact your company for an expected ship by date, why is that date all the way at the end of the month, and why are you baiting and luring new customers in like myself who will see in stock and purchase with the expectation of having their item reasonably soon?

Their email back to me was one line wanting to know if I would wait. I opted to wait but I don't have the warm fuzzies about this company. You would think that they owe me something for the trouble of me doing their job and waiting a month for an "in stock" product.

I learned my lesson, nice products, might get repeat business again but will definitely never get any large orders from me in the future. I wish I had just gone to Macy's and paid more and already been done with it. All I can say is that tea set better show up at the end of the month and in pristine condition.

UPDATE: I just wanted to say that yes, I got my tea set and it was in good shape when it arrived but I stand by my original comments -- it took over a month for it to get here -- they offered zero discount off of the purchase for my trouble -- and it never updated to say out of stock. Not a good way to earn or keep customers.