Pearl Fine Teas is a independently owned micro tea company – which means we’re a really small business. Keeping with the small theme: we’re a really small staff of people who really love tea and helping other people find tea to love. The benefit of being small, (besides being able to source seriously high, sometimes rare, quality tea) is that we can offer personalized service, however, we may be a tad slower to respond than larger tea companies or marketplaces despite our best intentions. The best way to communicate with us and get a faster response is via email or our social media channels like Instagram and Facebook. (Twitter too, but admittedly, it’s not our preferred portal so you may wait longer for a response.)
Even though this is an online shopping site, our goal is (and always has been) to provide a “local” personal shopping experience to all our customers, even if they miles and miles away. We truly hope it feels that way.
If you are just discovering us now, or need a refresher on some of our policies, below are some Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) that might be of assistance to all online visitors:
Returns
Accessories + Teaware
Do you really need to return it? (Darn.) In some cases -mostly in-person purchases - we will accept a return or exchange of unused, saleable merchandise in original condition and packaging, within 14 days of purchase, accompanied by your original receipt – but quite frankly for online sales, we’d rather not. If you get a little creative, we bet you might know of someone who might benefit from a tea gift. (Hero!)
It’s important to note that all decisions related to potential return items are at the sole discretion of Pearl Fine Teas and we may choose to decline the return. (Sorry!) All approved returns will be for online store credit, exchange, or refund solely to your original form of payment. (No exceptions.) Lastly, think about this: all return shipping fees are at the expense of the customer. Maybe rethink the idea of gifting someone else? (So generous!)
Tea + Food Items
So sorry but Tea (and other food items) are not returnable after they are shipped as they are not saleable to others. Did you know that it’s the same rule for all grocery stores and even big box stores like Costco? (True.) It’s a matter of safety and we have no doubt you agree. By the way, the same non-return policy applies to Sale merchandise, which is considered final. (See above idea for gifting to someone else.)
In-Person Shopping
For those that shop with us in-person locally at area markets or at events, if you change your mind before you leave the venue with one of these food or sale items (unopened of course), let us know and we'll gladly return, exchange, or refund your item(s). (Easy Peasy.)
Return Address
Since you are paying to ship back the non-food item online merchandise, the shipping carrier is your choice, but we highly recommend a tracking number. (Better safe than sorry.) You must include your order confirmation email and the packing slip containing your order number, name and address, and listing the item(s) being returned. (Don’t forget!)
Items should be shipped to:
Pearl Fine Teas, LLC
℅ TasteMakers
2800 10th St NE
Washington DC 20017
Please contact us with any questions at: tea@pearlfineteas.com
Privacy
Registering
When ordering or registering, we may ask you for your name, e-mail address, mailing address, phone number, credit card information or other information. You may, however, visit our site anonymously. We do not keep personal information on file. Should you decide to sign up for an account, that information will be stored, but we will not have access to it.
Third-Parties
We do not sell, trade, or otherwise transfer to outside parties your personally identifiable information unless we provide you with advance notice, except as described below. The term "outside parties" does not include Pearl Fine Teas. It also does not include website hosting partners and other parties who assist us in operating our website, conducting our business, or servicing you, so long as those parties agree to keep this information confidential. We may also release your information when we believe release is appropriate to comply with the law, enforce our site policies, or protect ours or others' rights, property, or safety.
Policy Changes
If we decide to change our privacy policy, we will post those changes on this page.
Your Consent
By using our site, you consent to our privacy policy.
Shipping
We will do our very best to ship all orders within 24-48 hours of receiving the online order.
Please remember, we are not Amazon. Or any other larger company that can turn things around lickity split. We simply don’t have the staff. We really are a micro tea company, doing our best to create an online shopping experience as close to personal as we can, given the medium.
Pearl Fine Teas ships Flat Rate shipping via The United States Postal Service (USPS). USPS Express Shipping is also available for a $35 charge. For any other options, such as FedEx, UPS, or special arrangements, please contact us prior to placing your order. We hope that you will continue to support small and micro businesses that ship through the regular post.
Lastly, we can ship to APOs for Military addresses and we will be adding International Shipping to Canada and the UK soon!