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Fake colognes? Maybe it was just poorly stored?

Bought a bottle of Polo Double Black from a reputable seller on eBay. Price was great (duh!) but the scent isn't quite right (double duh?).

I smelled this in the store and loved it. Didn't seem quite right when it arrived (not nec. horrible, just not nearly as pleasant as the store cologne). So I sprayed some on my arm the other day and went to a retail shop, sprayed some from a tester on the other arm. Even with a bit of time dating, the two scents were markedly different (the store version had a really pleasant spicey/sweetness the other lacked).

I almost wonder if the product in the bottle is Polo Black in a mis marked bottle? Sort of smells like it (will try the above test that way soon).

Any guess what I've got here? Are faked colognes quite prevalent? This was in a proper sealed box, and the bottle though not identical to what I saw most recently, seems correct (have they changed this bottle subtly recently?).

I think I need to go back and pick up the bottle from the store (they had a special w/AS and Cologne for the same price, hope that's still available!).
 
A question would be why anyone would go to the effort to fake Polo Double Black. From what I understand, Creed is the most highly "faked" because of the high demand. Faking would require getting "somewhat" authentic looking bottles, scent and packaging; and then going for a good profit margin to cover that. I don't know Polo, so have no idea what the demand is. Interestingly, have heard that buying partially used bottles on ebay avoids the fake because no one would wish to fake a partially used bottle. Interesting business!!
 
Follow the link in my sig. Even though it deals mainly with vintage scents on Ebay, most of it could still apply to your situation.

Any number of things could have happened. Stored improperly, counterfeit, "tester" bottle (AFAIK Polo Black testers aren't labeled as such) refilled with a store brand knock off, etc. You would be surprised how often even such an innocuous a scent as Polo Black is counterfeited.

One more question- where they reputable sellers in general or where they reputable sellers of fragrances? It's very easy for a reputable seller to wind up with a bootleg bottle of fragrance and not even know it, especially if scents are not their forté. It happens even less to established sellers of scents, but it has happened. I got a bottle of the aforementioned counterfeit Creed from one of the "reputable" online vendors that is often mentioned here. I'm positive that they were unaware of the illegitimacy of the Creed, but it goes to show that even the big boys aren't immune from getting a bad batch of stuff, especially if they deal a lot with the Chinese.
 
Fake cologne are prevalent. Especially in Malaysia. Its not uncommon to see a roadside table loaded with all kind of scents selling for RM10 (US2.84). One guy used to buy it in bulk until I asked him why: "High class air freshener" was the reply. :lol:
 
Rob, super post below your signature!!! A wealth of info!! I didn't check yet but hope this is a prominent sticky somewhere on the forum! Thanks, John
 
Thanks for the replies guys, much appreciated.

Rob, I'd actually read that excellent article even (just) before I made this purchase. Great info! Unfortunately, though I did the due dilligence before the sale, I dropped the ball after the sale.

As a regular buyer on eBay, I'm no stranger to checking out a seller (I am a watch collector, and was schooled in the 'Bay by seasoned veterans). Bought everything from guitar pics to watches and even my last two used cars off eBay. I've rarely been burned, and when I have, it's mostly from not doing my homework.

In this case, the seller is established as a seller of fragrance. They have a satisfaction guarantee, with some very specific but IMHO reasonable requirements for a return (within 7 days, all packaging including cellophane wrap, etc.). They even refund shipping, but you must meet these requirements which are clearly stated. Where I blew it is I didn't realize how "off" the scent was for a couple of weeks (won't make that mistake again, any scent from the 'Bay will be properly evaluated immediately).

I've not even contacted the Seller yet, and still will, but since I'm not within their guidelines (bought a month ago), I don't really expect much. Then again, since I've not yet left feedback, they may be willing to help.

What I have in the bottle is one of three things- either a fake (with convincing packaging, though not exactly as currently in the store, which makes me wonder if it is old stock that has turned- with the packaging having been slightly changed since). Or, it is an error, Polo Black in a Double Black bottle. Going to a store to test that theory in a couple of hours (same "one on each arm" test, but in this case I'll take the bottle and apply it right before I enter the store).

In the end, I really liked the scent of the store bottle. They've got a good deal with AS splash of the same size for about the same price as the cologne alone, so I'll probably buy the store package today.

Now If I can figure out a decent use for this other stuff.... (presuming the Seller doesn't want it back :wink:).
 
Rob, super post below your signature!!! A wealth of info!! I didn't check yet but hope this is a prominent sticky somewhere on the forum! Thanks, John

No sticky yet, and I was getting a lot of requests for the link, so I went ahead and just added it to my sig line. Thanks for reading!


Thanks for the replies guys, much appreciated.

Rob, I'd actually read that excellent article even (just) before I made this purchase. Great info! Unfortunately, though I did the due dilligence before the sale, I dropped the ball after the sale.

As a regular buyer on eBay, I'm no stranger to checking out a seller (I am a watch collector, and was schooled in the 'Bay by seasoned veterans). Bought everything from guitar pics to watches and even my last two used cars off eBay. I've rarely been burned, and when I have, it's mostly from not doing my homework.

In this case, the seller is established as a seller of fragrance. They have a satisfaction guarantee, with some very specific but IMHO reasonable requirements for a return (within 7 days, all packaging including cellophane wrap, etc.). They even refund shipping, but you must meet these requirements which are clearly stated. Where I blew it is I didn't realize how "off" the scent was for a couple of weeks (won't make that mistake again, any scent from the 'Bay will be properly evaluated immediately).

I've not even contacted the Seller yet, and still will, but since I'm not within their guidelines (bought a month ago), I don't really expect much. Then again, since I've not yet left feedback, they may be willing to help.

What I have in the bottle is one of three things- either a fake (with convincing packaging, though not exactly as currently in the store, which makes me wonder if it is old stock that has turned- with the packaging having been slightly changed since). Or, it is an error, Polo Black in a Double Black bottle. Going to a store to test that theory in a couple of hours (same "one on each arm" test, but in this case I'll take the bottle and apply it right before I enter the store).

In the end, I really liked the scent of the store bottle. They've got a good deal with AS splash of the same size for about the same price as the cologne alone, so I'll probably buy the store package today.

Now If I can figure out a decent use for this other stuff.... (presuming the Seller doesn't want it back :wink:).

High class air freshener. :cool: :biggrin:

Have you looked online to see if you see any pics of an older bottle that may look like yours? If the packaging hasn't changed since its inception, I guarantee it's most definitely a bootleg.
 
Store clerk said it hadn't changed, but after buying it and bringing it and the AS it came with home, I notice the package is a match for what I've got. The Tester in the store is however a bit different (to include printing on the back of the bottle and a few other subtle differences). I'm leaning towards it being either turned (from improper storage?) or mistakenly filled with Black instead of Double Black (Black and what I had are very close in scent, to my nose anyway.).
 
There's no telling what happened. I was really leaning towards counterfeit or tester.

Chalk it up to a mystery bottle- I've purchased them from time to time. Brand new, factory sealed- but something is just not quite right with it. Enjoy it for what it is, or give it away at Christmas. :biggrin:
 
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