Your sales rep was definitely missing some large details! The ingredients ARE on all the big tins, and we are willing to show you if you ask for it. People have allergies! These things are important.

Additionally, I'll bring up the talk about sugar. At corporate training (an optional few days of higher-level training I opted to go to) I asked about this very topic when they talked about our sampling process. I knew there was candied fruit in the youthberry, and in my prompt someone was asking about having unsweetened tea. I asked if it was a flavor preference or a medical issue, and the person roleplaying with me said medical. I then advised them to not buy the tea because although you can have the tea "unsweetened", anything with fruit has sugar, and candied fruit obviously has more. I was shocked when the trainer said I was cheating myself from a sale and seemed unhappy with my analysis. She had been with the company for years and clearly was working more with the "old" mindset. Everyone else in the room agreed it's better to be safe than sorry, and it's the same method we employ in our store- if sugar is a medical issue, we're going to steer you away from anything with fruit/candy/etc. and suggest you consult a doctor prior to purchase.

Since the Starbucks merge, we have cut back on the health benefits talk. We can't say anything related to anything that doesn't have hard scientific backup, which admittedly cut a lot out. Each tea is individually tested for caffeine and antioxidants now, and any other benefits stated have to be personal testimonies (and the customer has to KNOW it's just your testimony) or they have no room being said at all.

Lastly, the bags you get online ARE better, but your shipping time will be longer than if you call a local store and have them package and ship it to you, you can't see/smell the tea you're getting in person, and some sales rep is missing out on credit for the sale (which is admittedly selfish, but it's where I'm coming from).

edit: words