The main challenge for us is the absurdly high shipping cost in this covid era. NZ Post have increased their rates by apx 50-100% depending on weight and destinations. We used to be able to send 1kg of kava to the UK for under 20 pounds. Now it's 30 or more. But there's nothing we can do about it, I am afraid. Hopefully at some point the cost goes down.
Our Pacific Elixir is a more affordable option than Kelai. Apx 75 pounds for 1kg at the current rate. Kelai is very expensive because of how hard and expensive it is to source it, but also because of the extra costs that are involved with making sure it's 100% kelai.
The potency in terms of kl % varies from batch to batch. A few months ago we did indeed get a batch that had apx 12%. But normally it's under 10%. I think the most recent shipment was 8% or 9%. To be honest though, it's actually hard to tell the difference cuz to me they both feel equally potent. I suppose it's because I only do one wash and, based on my experience, beyond a certain level of potency the differnece between batches is more evident when one tries to push it to the second or third wash.
Thanks for clarifying Henry, and of course I understand your position.
Indeed, some are deterred to order from you overseas on account of high shipping costs, about which you can do nothing of course.
I just place suitably sized orders to balance things out because ultimately, your Kava prices are very good for the level of quality, consistency and potency.
However, I have been intending to share with you my recent checkout experience, just for feedback sake.
I already had 2 kg's Kelai in my basket, and shipping was 86 NZD.
But I added another 500 grams Kelai, and 4 of your strainer bags which I have wanted more of fir a while.
But then the shipping was about 145 NZD.
Suddenly, it made no sense, price wise, to add the extra 500 grams of Kelai. So I removed it and left the strainer bags in my basket, assuming being so lightweight it would not affect the shipping cost.
But I was shocked to see the shipping was now 126 NZD, from 86 NZD just by adding 4 strainer bags.
So it effectively would have cost me 60 NZD to add those 4 bags to my order. It didn't make sense to me at all but disappointingly I just remived them and the shipping returned to 86 NZD with just 2 kg's of Kelai in my basket.
No complaints at all Henry, I just wanted to share this feedback with you.