@Manila and @Leo:
Different culture, different work ethics/style. Unfortunately I’ve also experienced this, when hired a guide/driver in Vietnam. Nobody says no 🙂 “Do you know how to get to the moon?” “Yes, hire me!”
Back to business.I always though merchants are important part of tea business e.g. I buy tea from a farmer and sell it to consumers, wouldn’t that make me a merchant. Aren’t you Leo also a merchant? Merchants or/and distributors know how to sell the tea, which the farmers may not be capable of. Selling/marketing is another skillset needed in tea business. Sorry for stating the obvious, but I’m trying to point out that merchants are a necessity in tea business. Of course, we would like to have a merchant with passion for tea and their business practice benefits the farmer too.
I agree with you @Leo sourcing and discovering great teas is part of the charm.
@Hokusai One step at a time. There are many people working to help farmers in all over the world. We all help by buying better tea produced with pride and care.
