Teahub puer..any opinions?

I won't bring myself in this debate where I know both of the parties. Alex, sometimes it is not easy to explain something. I understand what you wanted to say.

BTW, Samarkand- are you from Hong Kong or Singapore? What is laowais? Thanks.

Ripon Vienna,VA

I don't know TeaHub from a hubcap of beeng cha. However the sites I've seen from China in English usually say send for a price list. There is no online store for shopping cart but just a description of what they're selling. They're not prepared to keep site prices updated but only through email. My local tea shoppe doesn't post the prices on it's website. You call or email for a quote. Also the site isn't up too date with the latest and greatest. I don't understand how anybody could get upset about a missing price quote when they can't see or smell or taste what they're buying. I get some 'freebies' because I'm a regular customer and not some driveby curious shopper. And what is this straw dog about duel pricing? Ever been sking? The tourist pay one price and the ski bum another. It is called tier pricing such as hotels,airlines,rentals. Everybody knows there are two prices in Chinatown. Whenever I buy a new car every 10 years the only way I know I'm getting a good price is comparison shopping and I'm still getting screwed because the conglomerated dealerships of every metro area keep each other informed and the price I was quoted. I'm replacing countertops and that business makes a day at the used car dealership seem like a holiday.

Jim

Hi Sasha,

A super short lesson then, no offence meant. "Ji" means "to count" (verb) when it is used alone. When it is paired up with another character, it takes on a different meaning, I'm sure you are aware of that. The "Plan" with reference to 'Ji' is "Ji Hua" (noun and verb).

The reason I wrote, is not on translating "Jiage Lingji", but how you interpreted that 4 characters without taking the other half sentence that went before that 4 characters. Linda or Teahub wasn't giving a different price list on the pu'er along, the different price list includes the bamboo tray as well. To be fair to them, 'Jiage Lingji" shouldn't be included in your comments against them. The bamboo tray is also mentioned in the English text, as well as the fact that the price will be calculated separately. So in that, they are not being dishonest, you just did the "Enginese" thing...LOL.

Samar

Sure, Samar, I already agreed to that. I just attempted to show you (I do not care much about them, I am too stupid for that) that my translation mistake was not "malicious", I did not just made it up. Everything has history and my suspicion has history too. So many times in China I saw and experienced first hand on all levels trading and business practices that were so "unusual" that I look with suspicion at everything that stands out. But the most important test for me is how people react back when you point these things out. If they get angry or they just explain the situation calmly. Again - my task here is just to drop some lithmus paper into solution. How you interpret the color of the stain - is entirely up to you. But please, note - they still, in all their posts, never even mentioned the subject of this concern, let alone gave any reasonable explanation. That, IMHO, is the most alarming part.

Sasha.

Jim -

Certainly you described the situation very precisely. Yes, a tourist pays more and ski bum pays less. We all were subjects to this and the difference between us is (apparently) that you accept it as an existing condition and I try not to. So every time when I have no choice - I pay the premium, but in cases like this - when I can avoid it- I rty do. That is called free market and its their choice to play their game and mine - to silently accept it or voice my suspicion.

You said it right - everybody knows that there are two prices in Chinatown. But that fact does not make it right. Another reason I prefer not to turn a blind eye to these things is again - my experiences in China. Once you allowed yourself to be taken foir a ride and the word is out - you are a stupid laowai. People stop taking you seriously (I am talking government level negotiations!) and you feel that right away. It gets very tiring - I do not give a damn if I pay more to save time or just not to get myself calculating tupid percentages. But one has to, if one wants to be respected and taken seriously. That stupid "streetsmartness" is THE smartness there and acrually in many orient countries like Israel (and Middle East in general), India. Japan is an exception (IMHO) and definitely Hong Kong and Singapour. But I am talking about my own experiences.

Sasha.

I don't have any trouble with a website posting "if you can read this in some foreign language you get cheaper prices than someone who is language challenged because I have to hire someone who is bilingual and this ain't Mexico". I've spent my time in barter bazaars of asia,arabia,and south america. The free spending tourist is more appreciated than some local tight wad. My strangest experience is being booed and hissed as I walked down the stalls in one market because I had been dealing with the same person for days trying to settle on a price. Money talks and there is some intimidation as you suggested because life is not easy even in the bazaars. In the US you can pay retail or shop around. I just bought all new applicances from a deep discount store and still had them throw in a free additional four year warranty past the manufacturers first year. I loved Lost Wages in the old days when you tipped for the good seats now it is just the luck of ticketmaster. In my Chinatown there are tourist traps where you pay the white sticky tab 'posted' prices. There are also shops where there is a upc scanner even though I think there is a hidden switch for tourist and local. If things got any cheaper in Chinatown for tourist they'd be giving the stuff away to locals. I see the same beeng cha 10 times more expensive on a much ballyhooed website and I don't see anybody complaining about it's posted prices. My favorite look of dismay the evaluation of antiques recently purchased in China on some antique show. I'm older, I'm wiser, and I'm richer. That's the reason we're both not in the desired advertising demographic of 18-34. I'm so entrenched if I won the lottery tomorrow my lifestyle wouldn't change but I'd like the opportunity to find out alas that requires buying a ticket which I've never done because a buck still means something to me. I still think twice about the price of tea above $1/oz. It's like oil it should be cheap but isn't. I never worried about cheap gas till I got clogged fuel injectors. Now I'll pay a few cents more and only buy from refinery to pump stations such as Conoco or BP. You don't want to know what the plumber thinks about you. I'll pay my local tea shoppe his premium prices but his sale ends today and hopefully the stupid laowai passed on the good stuff.

Jim

P.S.

I just got back and the stupid laowai cleaned the place out. Next time no Mister Nice Guy. I'll clean up if I see it and let the masses drink Jasmine.

"Alex Chaihorsky" wrote in message news:...

Can you document this?

/Lew

My Green Menghai Beencha Pu-erh from Chinatown $3.99 theirs $30. The exact same tissue wrapping and Chinese characters. You can do the homework and figure out who I'm talking about. I haven't found any other exact items from that website in Chinatown. I wished I could.

Jim

Wow, good catch! My congratulations to you.

/Lew

Which Chinatown, Jim?

Three questions: what "much balyhooed" website did you see this selfsame bingcha on, are you sure that your Chinatown example might not be a lower grade or a lower grade rewrapped in a high-grade's wrapper, and what city's Chinatown did you find this in?

It seems such a good deal, I'm a little suspicious...

ZBL

What is the point in re-wrapping if it is still sold for 3.99? No, I think he got the genuine stuff, for Chinese prices. I doubt he is talking about SF Chinatown, this is probably NY.

Sasha.

snipped-for-privacy@posting.google.com11/9/04

Zeph,

Ultimately, as we used to say in the trade, that's a decision for Jim's mouth to make.

Michael

Alex Chaihorsky6Cekd.19662$ snipped-for-privacy@newssvr14.news.prodigy.com11/9/04

Yes, it probably is NY, and I wish you people wouldn't publicize the treasure trove of rare and super-over-priced Pu-erhs that we have available here for pennies.

Michael

There is a middle part of the country. My Chinatown is across the metro area from where John Kerry was born. If you use Google correctly you'll get a one page hit for "much balyhooed". The price differential isn't that important. How much are you willing to spend to find it for $3.99? The items at the unmentioned website are available through Chinese export companies but finding them in Chintatown is hit and miss. My local tea shoppe sells tea $40-$80/lb. I wouldn't expect it to cost more than $10/lb from his supplier. You got to make a living off people like me.

Jim

Denver.

/Lew

I wonder if there is something in the water there that makes people talk in flowery riddles, where a one word straight answer will be perfect (like your above). Now I start to understand Kerry's speeches better - he was not evading direct answers, he was "denvering".

Sasha.

Excellent !

Doug