> but I can say that from
>what I've observed, and from what I know of the experiences of
>other consumers there, both foreign and native, China's general
>standards and practices in the marketplace pretty much correspond
>to the ancient bazaar system that still functions effectively in
>much of Asia, North Africa, the Near East, and Eastern and
>Southeastern Europe, i.e. (more or less): anything goes; all is
>fair; buyer beware; shrewdness prevails; keep your eyes on the
>moving hands; barter 'til you drop; pay cash; try before you buy
>and be sure that what you buy is what you tried; trust is
>disadvantageous; etc.

Yes, and my point is that this must change in these days of Internet
commerce because that model just does not work on the Internet. They
are clearly venturing into Internet and other types of commerce where
this bazaar mentality cannot succeed. I can hold my own if I am able
to go to the Tea Market and see, smell, and taste the tea first, but
if I have to order over the Internet than I have to trust to a large
degree.


>Well, as a monastic renunciate I don't have access to much of a
>selection, so I suppose my favorites are whatever I'm drinking,
>which tend to be only Chinese teas. I usually keep on hand a
>couple of pu-erh beengcha and a toucha or two for my occasional
>refreshment.

I am surprised you cant see my frustration with fake pu-erh wrappers.

Mike Petro
http://www.pu-erh.net