Even samples get expensive...

[solar]

I was putting together a shopping cart of decants, and with some Creed and L'Artisan 1mm bottles, I was into over $50 in no time, with maybe 8 samples. Somehow it just seems a tad expensive, but at the same time, I've never tried Creed, I'm not near Bergdorf's at the moment to go sampling, so I'm stuck ordering decants to get an idea of what I'd like.

Anyone else end up running a bill that would pay for a decent brush for a bunch of little glass vials that I'm used to getting free when ordering cologne from certain companies?

Just wondering,

C

 

[john parker]

Here in Omaha there is a Von Maur department store that sells Creed, so I have gone there to sample those scents and have not had the problem of actually shopping for their samples. Having said that, I personally don't want to spend as much as Creed costs to actually purchase a bottle. From what I have sampled, I think I can find something similar for a lot less. What I am inclined to do is sift through the fragrances I would be willing to actually pay the price for, and order samples of those to select the one I will buy. Hope that makes sense!

 

[StylinLA]

Yeah, it kinda stinks if you have to order and pay for all samples.

But, it would stink more if you popped for a full bottle of something you end not liking. Or just as bad or worse, you kind of like it, but you don't like at the price you had to pay for a whole bottle.
I can think of a dozen scents I thought I would love, but a test wear made me pass.

I'm spoiled in Los Angeles- I can usually sample just about any scent in store. But there are some for which I can't get a sample and I happily buy them through TPC if that's the case.

I usually pop for the 2.5 or 5ml samples too. It may just be me, but my dense nose takes a couple of good wearings. I hate the little vials. I prefer little spritzers.

 

[Rudy Vey]

I was putting together a shopping cart of decants, and with some Creed and L'Artisan 1mm bottles, I was into over $50 in no time, with maybe 8 samples. Somehow it just seems a tad expensive, but at the same time, I've never tried Creed, I'm not near Bergdorf's at the moment to go sampling, so I'm stuck ordering decants to get an idea of what I'd like.

Anyone else end up running a bill that would pay for a decent brush for a bunch of little glass vials that I'm used to getting free when ordering cologne from certain companies?

Just wondering,

C

Hold of on the order, I can help you with a few scents, just sent you a pm.

 

[Easttexasman]

Yep,I am in the same boat.I got about $80 worth that I am going thru now.It is kind of depressing when I try one out and think,wow I would not even close to the price that they are asking for this stuff.
However,I have found 2 scents that I will use the rest of my life,if possible,and one that I want to purchase a decant.
Still got a few to go,but it is nice trying out 2 scents a day.
I figure even if I do not like the scent,I will be more knowledgeable about cologne and be able to understand what you guys are talking about and be able to recommend a scent when someone is looking for something.

Paul

 

[alvinnjoinerIV]

i am going to take 5ml spritzers when i buy something full retail and blackmail SA's into giving me samples of perfumes i'm interested in. it would work here because of the retail desperation. also that way when they say they don't have a sample i'd say oh that's okay you can just fill these things i have here.

 

[The Knize]

Hold of on the order, I can help you with a few scents, just sent you a pm.

Rudy,

That is so good of you. And for anyone else out there that sees someone asking about a particular scent that you have that you are willing to share, it is perfectly okay and encouraged by me to contact them to see if they would like you to send them a sample--no profit making or anything. I assume postage reimbursement is okay.

It happens a lot around here. You do not read about it in posts very often, I think, at least for me, because folks do not want to seem like they are presenting an open invitation to sent samples to the entire world, even though they feel great about sending a treat to one or a few!

I would love to get some discussion threads of particular scents going with folks new to the particular scents.

I suppose we could use some write ups as to how to decant, mail, etc, and maybe some folks could use some help getting supplies.

Anyone want to volunteer to write some off this up? I suppose we need it for the frag train, too.

Thanks,

 

[Will P.C.]

I HATE those weak vials you get from the stores. Hence, I buy the 2.5ml decants.

Yes, they add up, but it is well worth it IMO. Think of how many scents you can try for the costs of 1 bottle of 'good' juice.

I have so many scents that are 'good', but I am so happy I did not buy a full bottle and spend 150USD to sit in my drawer for the next 50 years.

 

[J2010]

I'm in the same boat too being a newbie to the cologne world and not having any places in my town that have a lot of high end brands. My hope is that after sorting through all these samples I'll end up with 3 or 4 that I like and would be willing to buy a larger size.