Decants/Samples
- Thread starter Pinaud
- Start date
in for later.
Colognes , ETC, perfumes: http://theperfumedcourt.com/ I've bought from them, and they seem to have a pretty exhaustive inventory
Also: http://www.luckyscent.com/samples.asp
These should get you started! (Oh, and don't forget the sampers from T&H (website currently not working right for the samples), Penhaligon's and Czech & Speake)
Also: http://www.luckyscent.com/samples.asp
These should get you started! (Oh, and don't forget the sampers from T&H (website currently not working right for the samples), Penhaligon's and Czech & Speake)
- Thread starter
- #4
Both Lucky Scent and TPC are first rate.
TPC is a little higher priced, but offers bigger sample sizes. My preference is for the 2.5 ml which comes in tiny spray vial. I like the little spray better than the dab vials. Plus, 2.5 ml gives me enough for a couple of wearings. I find I can't get to know a scent once- or rarely once.
TPC advantage is they have just about everything. Lucky Scent is limited to the niche brands they sell (which is a great selection indeed).
TPC is a little higher priced, but offers bigger sample sizes. My preference is for the 2.5 ml which comes in tiny spray vial. I like the little spray better than the dab vials. Plus, 2.5 ml gives me enough for a couple of wearings. I find I can't get to know a scent once- or rarely once.
TPC advantage is they have just about everything. Lucky Scent is limited to the niche brands they sell (which is a great selection indeed).
People love the above mentioned sites. To me they're ALMOST a complete 'scam' (not considering potential copyright or distribution infringements that may be occurring because the items are being sold as genuine / authentic yet outside of original packaging, without proper labeling, and without the manufacture being informed of the usage and resale).
I understand the sites are offering a unique opportunity for us to try scents we might otherwise not have physical access to, perhaps the only alternative being blind ordering and a full sized scent delivered to the door. For this I applaud them. Just the other day I was browsing their inventories to see if anything caught my eye.
However, they charge 'a ton' in comparison to what you get. 1ml will run you at least $3, often more. Assuming, arguendo, they selling a 3.4 oz (100ml) bottle for the lowest option, $3; that's $300 right there. Yes, they did have to invest time and resources into the little glass vials; if I can easily acquire 100 of them DELIVERED for $18 (just google'd it and it was the first hit) I can only imagine what they're paying for them.
Giving the sellers the benefit of the doubt, saying their cost is also $18 per 100; they just pulled $282 for each bottle of cologne they sell ($300-$18). After looking through their inventories, it seems the typical colognes they are selling RETAIL anywhere from $50-$225 (yea, like they're buying them in the completely 'legitimate' retail market.)
$3 samples seem to have a cap of around $90 / bottle retail price, before the sample price also increases. Even if they were selling say, samples of $100 bottles for $3/ml, they're still pulling in ~$175 for each bottle they sell($282 from above -their purchase price of the cologne they're selling) .
Don't even get me started on labor costs because of how 'time consuming' it is to fill a ml dropper 100 times, and then release it 100 times into a vial (my guess is you could do this in about 30 minutes or less).
Oh, and don't forget the flat rate shipping; $6-7 dollars regardless of order size. That might be a great value if you order your samples by the gross, but, if you keep it reasonable, shipping of that padded envelop is a bit exorbitant.
So, go ahead and pay 5x the retail unit price for samples that were probably acquired for ~1/2 retail price on the grey market. Its definitely convenient, and it sure could save you a lot of money if the only alternative were to buy a full bottle blind and then not like the scent.
Or, you could contact the manufacture and get samples sent to you for $0 with $0 charged for postage. Its what I did a few days ago and they were more than willing to oblige.
Heck, even better; invest a few grand as start up to acquire a good bit of juice, sell your samples for 25% less than the two 'big' sample sellers, and still make a very, very good return on your investment; it probably won't be a career, but it'd be a hell of a good way to make some secondary income.
I understand the sites are offering a unique opportunity for us to try scents we might otherwise not have physical access to, perhaps the only alternative being blind ordering and a full sized scent delivered to the door. For this I applaud them. Just the other day I was browsing their inventories to see if anything caught my eye.
However, they charge 'a ton' in comparison to what you get. 1ml will run you at least $3, often more. Assuming, arguendo, they selling a 3.4 oz (100ml) bottle for the lowest option, $3; that's $300 right there. Yes, they did have to invest time and resources into the little glass vials; if I can easily acquire 100 of them DELIVERED for $18 (just google'd it and it was the first hit) I can only imagine what they're paying for them.
Giving the sellers the benefit of the doubt, saying their cost is also $18 per 100; they just pulled $282 for each bottle of cologne they sell ($300-$18). After looking through their inventories, it seems the typical colognes they are selling RETAIL anywhere from $50-$225 (yea, like they're buying them in the completely 'legitimate' retail market.)
$3 samples seem to have a cap of around $90 / bottle retail price, before the sample price also increases. Even if they were selling say, samples of $100 bottles for $3/ml, they're still pulling in ~$175 for each bottle they sell($282 from above -their purchase price of the cologne they're selling) .
Don't even get me started on labor costs because of how 'time consuming' it is to fill a ml dropper 100 times, and then release it 100 times into a vial (my guess is you could do this in about 30 minutes or less).
Oh, and don't forget the flat rate shipping; $6-7 dollars regardless of order size. That might be a great value if you order your samples by the gross, but, if you keep it reasonable, shipping of that padded envelop is a bit exorbitant.
So, go ahead and pay 5x the retail unit price for samples that were probably acquired for ~1/2 retail price on the grey market. Its definitely convenient, and it sure could save you a lot of money if the only alternative were to buy a full bottle blind and then not like the scent.
Or, you could contact the manufacture and get samples sent to you for $0 with $0 charged for postage. Its what I did a few days ago and they were more than willing to oblige.
Heck, even better; invest a few grand as start up to acquire a good bit of juice, sell your samples for 25% less than the two 'big' sample sellers, and still make a very, very good return on your investment; it probably won't be a career, but it'd be a hell of a good way to make some secondary income.
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You'd need at least what, 200 scents @ $100 apiece? That's a lot more than a couple grand!
I wouldn't go that far (scam) but I agree that they're way overpriced. Eventually, I may get some from them if there's something I feel I must try and can't find anywhere else.
I've gotten about 60 samples from manufacturers or Dept stores. I've gotten many more from "private" decanters or B&B splits and those were all very reasonable. Unfortunately, one of my best such sources has been banned from B&B (and very appropriately judging from the posts).
Sephora will give you a few samples of something you request if you go to their store. I'm not crazy about their selection, but they do have some Guerlain (including Vetiver) and sometimes Terre D'Hermes.
If you go to a Neiman-Marcus you can sniff many of the Creeds and go home with home several samples.
I've heard the Mudassir (a private decanter who posts on basenotes.com) is very reliable and his prices are much more reasonable.
If you do a search on B&B you'll find some info on which manufacturers are cooperative with samples. For a start, Penhaligons, GFT, L'Artisan, Diptyque, T&H, C&S and Floris all either give samples away or have samples for a nominal charge &/or postage.
- Thread starter
- #9
I know what I'll be doing after I finish installing my plumbing repairs this morning.
Thanks,
You can order samples directly from L'Artisan, T&H, and GFT and C&S websites for <$10. Penhaligons sells a sample library and sometimes sells a package with 5ml of 4 popular scents and they're often generous with samples upon request. Diptyque has responded nicely to requests.
Enjoy!
Agreed...they are way overpriced. A Creed decant of Green Valley is $4 for 1ml, which comes to $400 for a 100ml bottle that sells for $250. I was thinking about buying a 30ml decant of Green Valley or Royal Scottish Lavender for summer but @ $120, I may as well buy the 100ml bottle.
They are good for buying little sample sets to see if you like a particular scent but definitely not worth buying in large quantities.
I agree that TPC and LS seem mighty expensive for decants.
I suppose the market sets the prices to some extent, but it seems to me I have saved a lot of money over time using the sources. And I miss my favorite, although rightly banned, source, too.
Of course, if you have the money, the TPC selection is stunning and they provide good service [EDIT: or maybe not according to poonjali, I have not used then] and are convenient.
[EDIT: Just to be clear, no real hostility toward TPC from this quarter. I assume that they get a lot of grief from scent makers and that if selling decants was so profitable and easy to do there would be more such outfits around. On the other hand, I see so many recommendations of TPC that do not often note that TPC is pretty expensive compared to alternatives. Luck Scent seems pretty expensive, too. While I am clarifying and going on record here, I will say that while I have never done any business with Mudassir, I have never heard anything but good things about him and his services.
Also, I have no idea what the law is in this area, but I understand that scent makers can be very threatening. They have certainly made EBay bar decant sales. Interesting that one can buy a switch blade or a bottle of tequila from EBay, but not a decant of a scent. Full bottles, yes, including utter counterfeits, but no decants. Seem fishy? Seems to me that when I buy a bottle of scent I own the contents and should be able to sell any part of it I like. But we live in a country that but limits on the import of sugar in order to protect domestic sweetner makers, so it would not be beyond belief for us to have laws that ensure that I am resistricted from selling what in mine in order to protect a company's profit margin.]
I suppose the market sets the prices to some extent, but it seems to me I have saved a lot of money over time using the sources. And I miss my favorite, although rightly banned, source, too.
Of course, if you have the money, the TPC selection is stunning and they provide good service [EDIT: or maybe not according to poonjali, I have not used then] and are convenient.
[EDIT: Just to be clear, no real hostility toward TPC from this quarter. I assume that they get a lot of grief from scent makers and that if selling decants was so profitable and easy to do there would be more such outfits around. On the other hand, I see so many recommendations of TPC that do not often note that TPC is pretty expensive compared to alternatives. Luck Scent seems pretty expensive, too. While I am clarifying and going on record here, I will say that while I have never done any business with Mudassir, I have never heard anything but good things about him and his services.
Also, I have no idea what the law is in this area, but I understand that scent makers can be very threatening. They have certainly made EBay bar decant sales. Interesting that one can buy a switch blade or a bottle of tequila from EBay, but not a decant of a scent. Full bottles, yes, including utter counterfeits, but no decants. Seem fishy? Seems to me that when I buy a bottle of scent I own the contents and should be able to sell any part of it I like. But we live in a country that but limits on the import of sugar in order to protect domestic sweetner makers, so it would not be beyond belief for us to have laws that ensure that I am resistricted from selling what in mine in order to protect a company's profit margin.]
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I don't see how they're a scam - yes they're a relatively expensive way to buy scents but they're up front about the price and leave the customer to make an informed choice, how is that a scam?
What does copyright have to do with scent isn't that about creative works? I suppose distribution infringements might be relevant if they bought directly from the producer and had some sort of contract - a situation that seems unlikely. Sold as genuine - well aren't they? If you have reason to believe that they aren't genuine you should present your evidence to the appropriate authorities rather than slandering them without justification. No original packaging or labelling - yes, so what. And finally why should the manufacturer be informed, what business is it of theirs.
I've bought the occasional sample from TPC, not very often because as you say it's an expensive way to do it but then how much more expensive would it be to buy a full size bottle of something only to find it's not to your liking. They serve a function and don't force anybody to buy from them.
I don't understand your hostility.
I am in the same position as you, Pinaud, and am trying to find some colognes I might like. It is a bit daunting. 
* The Perfumed Court - Thus far I have placed two orders with TPC, and both times they shorted me items. I am sure it is a nightmare dealing with their stock of miniscule vials, but it was nonetheless a drag. To their credit they corrected the errors after I contacted them, but it probably took about 2 weeks from order to final delivery.
* Mudassir - After my experience with TPC I placed two orders with Mudassir and I have nothing but praise for his service. Of course, his selection may not be as vast, but he had most of what I was looking to try. Mudassir also had the option to purchase 10 ml (aluminum cased) glass spray bottles, which are incredibly nice. My packages were shipped the day after my orders and I had them a couple days after that. (And whether to cover himself or to protect my purchase, he had sealed all of the vials with plumbers tape...so no leaking.) You can find his, and many other "private" sellers at the following link: http://flacon.ambaric.net/viewforum.php?f=2 His is the one with "LOTSA GOODIES."
* The Perfumed Court - Thus far I have placed two orders with TPC, and both times they shorted me items. I am sure it is a nightmare dealing with their stock of miniscule vials, but it was nonetheless a drag. To their credit they corrected the errors after I contacted them, but it probably took about 2 weeks from order to final delivery.
* Mudassir - After my experience with TPC I placed two orders with Mudassir and I have nothing but praise for his service. Of course, his selection may not be as vast, but he had most of what I was looking to try. Mudassir also had the option to purchase 10 ml (aluminum cased) glass spray bottles, which are incredibly nice. My packages were shipped the day after my orders and I had them a couple days after that. (And whether to cover himself or to protect my purchase, he had sealed all of the vials with plumbers tape...so no leaking.) You can find his, and many other "private" sellers at the following link: http://flacon.ambaric.net/viewforum.php?f=2 His is the one with "LOTSA GOODIES."
The math I presented was pretty straight forward; even if they are paying retail for the fragrances they sell -this is a big if- they're pulling in an outlandishly large profit margin.
Further, a good number of their samples are items manufactures offer free to the public - e.g, Diptyque, as found here: http://theperfumedcourt.com/Products/Diptyque---Set-of-Four-2ml-Sprays-Plus-4-Sample-Lotions__DIPTYQUEBOXEDSAMPLESANDLOTIONS.aspx .
Maybe in jolly old England, chap. Here in the US, a pillar of copyright law is the right to distribute. When you buy a scent you're buying the smell and also the 'complete composite' (i.e., bottle / artwork / ingredients that makeup the liquid in the bottle). This is an evolving field of law across the world; look into the Kecofa / Lancome case on your side of the pond for guidance (See generally, HR, June 16, 2006, LJN AU8940, Kecofa/Lancome).
I'm not even going to get into patent law (for fragrances its class 512 here in the US). Or trademark law (here, the 'first sale' doctrine probably hasn't kicked in for any/all of the samples in manufacturer packaging; e.g., Diptyque, supra).
Cor, blimey! Slander? I hear neither slander in my original statement nor do I read libel. My original statement was an educated guess; the site sells samples at ~300% or 400% above retail unit pricing. Similarly, the site sells samples in manufacture packaging; samples that are given away gratis from manufacturers. Based on such principles, I infer the site is acquiring its scents from the grey market, in order to further boost profit margins.
I pray you point out passages of my original writing that lend themselves to a true analysis for libel. Yes, please, bring such to my attention.
. . . consider the entirety of this 15 May post and answer for yourself.
My hostile criticism is founded upon their carving out an at best legally suspect niche, solely to make a buck.
I eagerly await your reply; toddle-pip for now.
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Making a tidy profit isn't the same thing as running a scam.
Decanters sell value-added services. Sure, you can write to dozens of manufacturers and get a few small 1ml vials for sampling from each. Or you can go to TPC and buy thematically arranged samplers covering different families, houses, moods or seasons. You can buy larger decants up to a full half ounce in case you can't afford a full bottle. You can buy obscure perfumes and colognes who's manufacturers can't or won't ship overseas. You can buy nicer atomizers and spray bottles.
You're free, of course, to do all this legwork by yourself, but my time is worth more to me than the few dollars I would save running all over the internet for days.
Decanters sell value-added services. Sure, you can write to dozens of manufacturers and get a few small 1ml vials for sampling from each. Or you can go to TPC and buy thematically arranged samplers covering different families, houses, moods or seasons. You can buy larger decants up to a full half ounce in case you can't afford a full bottle. You can buy obscure perfumes and colognes who's manufacturers can't or won't ship overseas. You can buy nicer atomizers and spray bottles.
You're free, of course, to do all this legwork by yourself, but my time is worth more to me than the few dollars I would save running all over the internet for days.
I do believe they provide a good service for buying small decants of scents that you may not otherwise purchase. Unfortunately, if you find a scent that you really like and wish to buy 15 or 30ml, their price becomes less of a bargain. I would prefer a graduated pricing scheme that reduces the price when you buy a larger amount of juice.
I've bought from PC also and 1ml samples are not the issue for me either.
I don't know what their overheads are but even if you're right - so what, making a profit is neither illegal nor immoral.
One absurd case in one (not very significant) country, a place which wasn't even relevant to the discussion is a rather silly example and anyway that case is about copying a scent not selling the original.
"the items are being sold as genuine / authentic"
