FAQs
How do I make a booking with The Tea Ladies?
It’s very simple. All you need to do is send us an email (info@the-the-ladies.com) or fill out our online contact form and we will get in touch with you to discuss your exact event requirements. Shortly afterwards you will receive a quotation from us and we can provisionally reserve the date of your choice for a limited time. If you wish to proceed with a firm booking, please notify us and we will send you a written order confirmation. This must be signed with one copy returned to us via email or post. To secure your booking, we will also require an initial down-payment of 50% based on the total order value (including any delivery & packaging charges) and a deposit to the value of €100,00 to cover any breakages, damages or losses. Both the down-payment and deposit are due directly after your order confirmation. The remaining balance is due four weeks prior to your event. The pre-paid deposit will automatically be refunded back to you within two weeks of your event, providing that all items are returned to is in full in a undamaged state. As soon as we have received the initial down-payment prior to your event, all formalities are dealt with and you can simply sit back, relax and wait for the big day to come.
Can I choose the items I want based on the pictures shown on the website?
We personally handpick items from our vintage collection on your behalf and always strive to accommodate your wishes. Should however an item on your wish list not be available, we will of course do our best to provide suitable alternatives to make your event perfect. Our vintage bone china collection is made up largely of individual pieces which are lovingly sourced and mismatched for a true vintage look. It’s often the eclectic mix of pretty items that really makes the look perfect.
I want the perfect vintage look for my event. Can you help me style my location accordingly?
Yes, we would be happy to help you decorate your venue on the day in a true vintage style. The Tea Ladies have an extensive selection of accessories and decorative items to add that special finishing touch and for just of €2,00 per head/place setting we can also be present at your location to set up our vintage hire items. This means that we will unpack all items for you, sort together the pretty sets, assemble any cake stands and dress the table for your guests, so that you can concentrate on getting ready for the main event. Furthermore, our little black book is full of contacts and we are pleased to be able to offer our customers a wide range of additional add-on services, such as superb flower arrangements, catering and tea seminars. It’s often these small details than turn an event into a truly memorable experience. If you are looking for a truly special and unique event styling, we are also able to help with this. We will work together with you to come up with a concept for your dream look using our vintage products. Adding a personal and individual touch is very important to us which is why your wishes and expectations will naturally always be top priority for us. We can handpick products for instance to suit the theme, the occasion or even your location and with our love for detail and a touch of vintage magic, we really enjoy bringing your ideas to life on the day. This bespoke service is very individual and the prices for this are available upon request only.
Frequently Asked Questions
How are the items delivered? Do I have to pick up the crockery and accessories myself?
Self-collection from / return to Düsseldorf is the most cost effective option for our customers. Alternatively, we offer our customers a delivery & pick up service at an extra charge. Subject to availability, a delivery or collection within a 25 km radius of our headquarters in Düsseldorf is charged for at a fixed rate of €20,00 per journey. Any further distance thereafter is charged for at a rate of €0,50 per km. Other charges may apply for very large orders, the use of a courier service and bookings made at very short notice. A set up and pack-up service is not included in our delivery/pick up charges, however these services are both available through us for just a small, nominal fee. All fragile items will be well wrapped prior to your event. To cover the cost of our extensive packaging, a standard 5% packaging surcharge will be added to all bookings with us (based on the total hire amount). When returning items to us, our packaging must be used and we expect the products to be already packed up and ready for collection.
How can I guarantee the perfect afternoon tea experience for my guests?
To ensure a perfect tea time experience, we can recommend an afternoon tea catering service with a variety of finest teas and delicious English treats such as finger sandwiches, scones and cakes. To allow you to enjoy this quality time with your guests, we also offer a tea lady hostess service to serve tea and spoil your guests. This service is available at an hourly rate of € 17,50 (per tea lady hostess) and we advise our customers to choose a two hour service to cover an average afternoon tea event.
What happens if I break one or two cups by accident?
Accidents do happen from time to time, so please don’t worry. Small damages or breakages will simply be deducted from the initial deposit in the form of a break & replace fee. Costs for larger breakages or damages will also be deducted from the deposit, however should (heaven forbid) the entire hired range be damaged or stolen, we would need to seek complete reimbursement for this. Many of our vintage items are by nature fragile, so it’s better to make people aware of this in advance to ensure that the products are treated with the special care and attention they deserve. We recommend that you check with your insurance provider if this is covered via your personal liability insurance. If you are working together with a caterer or event planner, we also recommend that you inform them about the nature of the product that your are hiring.
FAQs
What methods of payment do you accept?
We accept payments made by bank transfer into our account at the comdirect bank in Quickborn (account number 6868699 / IBAN DE23200411550686869900, bank code 20041155 / BIC COBADEHD055).
Do I have to wash the items before returning them?
No, this is not necessary, as a washing up service is already included in the hire price. Our precious china must be washed by hand and we take care of this after your event so that you can simply celebrate in style. We do however request that all food and drink residues be removed from plates, glasses or cups before packing any items up. Our vintage bone china is fragile by nature which is why it should under no circumstances be washed in a commercial dishwasher. Please also ensure that you use the already provided packaging when packing up & returning items to us after your event in order to avoid any breakages.
What happens if I change my mind or decide to postpone my event?
The Tea Ladies love nothing better than a good party, but sometimes last minute changes or cancellations are inevitable. In such cases simply send us an email (addressed to info@the-tea-ladies.com )with your details, date of your event and change request. We are of course more than happy to reserve another date for you if you already have a new one in mind. We would like to make you aware that all cancellations must be made in writing (email is acceptable) and in case of last minute cancellations charges may apply. Please refer to our terms and conditions for more details about this.