Places to get samples

[Isaias]

I am trying to compile a list with the best places to get samples and vials to test fragrances. Now, I am not endorsing these sites, I am not gaining anything here except further recommendations. I just want you to save money (really?) by telling you: Do Not Buy Blind, Sample.

First, the free samples.
You have to call/email the company; contact inforrmation can be found on their website (may depend on your location). This works for:
-Penhaligons.
-Truefitt and Hill.
-Floris.
-Pecksniffs. http://www.pecksniffs.com
-Colonel Conks. 1-800-938-7428
Edit: It seems like this section is better covered by AACJ. Here is his thread:
http://badgerandblade.com/vb/showthread.php?t=2765


Second, samples/decants you can buy.
**http://bbdc.badgerandblade.com/ IMO, cheap, limited but selected products by the members of this board. It has been a bit quite down there, I am starting to worry . Do not let it decay.
**http://www.ebay.com/
**http://www.bigdiscount.com/ Search for vials or mini
**http://www.scentmonkey.com/try-before-buy.php Large Selection of mainstream, a bit expensive, but worth it.
**http://theperfumedcourt.com/ Large selection, expensive, slow shipping.
**http://www.aedes.com/samples.php Small selection, niche. Seven samples $15
**http://www.luckyscent.com/samples.asp Medium selection, modern niche, some are cheaper than Perfumed Court.
**http://www.penhaligons.co.uk/shop/fragrance/try-me.html Perhaps you may like it. They are just not for me.
**http://usa.fragonard.com/@en-us/shop/7/57/dept.asp Just Fragonard EDTS. (Eau de Hongrie (Fougere), Suivez-moi (Gourmand-Sweet), Santal (Ambery/Oily Sandalwood), Vétyver (Aromatic Dry/ Crisp woods), and Concerto (Fresh-Tea))
**http://www.trumpers.com/product_detail.cfm?ProductID=111547656 Trumpers sample pack 6.00. Really worth it.
**http://www.threekingsfragrances.com/ Limited selecion but cheap.
**http://www.beautycafe.com/sample_package.htm L'Artisan, Bond 9, Geir, D'Orsay. 5 Scents for 5 dls.
**http://fishbonefragrances.blogspot.com/ Pre-ebay-ban decanter. Used to have reasonable prices.
**http://badgerandblade.com/vb/showthread.php?t=22985 FWIW Shaving creams samples.

I have never tried this one, but I will soon.
**http://www.perfumebay.com/miniatures.html


Any other you would like to add? I am sure I am missing a lot, but this are the one I have used/remember.

For their contribution, thanks to:
OldSchoolYoungin
BUCCANEER
a.calhoon
Moses

 

[OldSchoolYoungin]

Very nice reference, much appreciated!

http://www.pecksniffs.com

Just click Send Mail at the top.

 

[BUCCANEER]

Colonel Conks was very happy to send me samples of all their scents!!

 

[a.calhoon]

This works for Penhaligons, Truefitt and Hill, Trumpers and Floris (?).

Thanks for the suggestion to inquire at these places, I never really considered just out-right asking for samples. DUH! I just fired off a few e-mails to see if they'll hook me up! I'll let you know if/how Floris responds. I know that Trumper's has a sample pack available on their website at a cost of $6 USD (see here Trumper's Samples) so, unfortunately, no freebees to be had there.

Thanks again!

Adam

 

[moses]

It works for Floris. Brilliantly. I asked them for samples, and they sent what is I think a standard pack of shaving cream, after shave balm, and cologne in each of Elite, JF, and Santal, and then three other random colognes as well. Including Vetiver (I asked for that specifically, actually) which turns out to be amazing. Biggest shaving cream samples I've ever seen, too.

-Mo

 

[Isaias]

I have taken the liberty of writing your recommendations on the main post just so everything is available on one place. I thank you for your contributions

 

[OldSchoolYoungin]

It works for Floris. Brilliantly. I asked them for samples, and they sent what is I think a standard pack of shaving cream, after shave balm, and cologne in each of Elite, JF, and Santal, and then three other random colognes as well. Including Vetiver (I asked for that specifically, actually) which turns out to be amazing. Biggest shaving cream samples I've ever seen, too.

-Mo

Bump, biggest fragrance samples too. And I also asked for the Vetiver specifically . I am STILL using some of the ASBs they sent me and none of the scents are even close to being gone yet. I bought a full bottle of Vetiver and still half over a half a sample left

 

[rktscientist7]

To those who have tried this and received samples:

What did you write exactly? I feel bad just asking for a sample to try. Perhaps someone would be willing to summarize their email so that I have a general idea of what is acceptable?

Thanks!

 

[moses]

I pretty much said, "Hi. I would really like to try your products. I was wondering if it would be possible for you to send me a few samples. I'm particularly interested in trying your Vetiver cologne, so if you do provide samples, I would really appreciate the chance to try that one in particular. My address is:...."

Don't feel too shy about it. Either they do or they don't provide samples, but there's absolutely nothing wrong with asking. If they do, the reason they do is because they believe it makes them money in the long run, so they are more than happy to send them out.

-Mo

 

[OldSchoolYoungin]

Same thing I did, I always snuck in my address . They're going to ask for it anyway, so it makes it more convenient for them. I've always been met with great service, except for Penhaligon's. I'm very glad I got to sample them, but after a couple requests, I finally got a paper envelope in the mail with a bunch of glass sample vials haphazardly thrown in.

 

[Lynchmeister]

Exactly. Politely state your interest in their products, ask for samples, thank them for their time, and sign (address included).

Works like a million bucks.

 

[Okota]

Same thing I did, I always snuck in my address . They're going to ask for it anyway, so it makes it more convenient for them. I've always been met with great service, except for Penhaligon's. I'm very glad I got to sample them, but after a couple requests, I finally got a paper envelope in the mail with a bunch of glass sample vials haphazardly thrown in.

I had the same experience with Penhaligon's service.

Trumpers, however, was top notch as I wasn't even interested in having FREE samples sent to me. A while back I was looking for a cologne/aftershave gift for a relative. I shot them an email asking if they knew of a retail store near my residence where I could go to sample their products. A couple of hours later I received an email telling me to look for their sample package in the mail in a few days. Great stuff!

 

[oogitsmelol]

It works for Floris. Brilliantly. I asked them for samples, and they sent what is I think a standard pack of shaving cream, after shave balm, and cologne in each of Elite, JF, and Santal, and then three other random colognes as well. Including Vetiver (I asked for that specifically, actually) which turns out to be amazing. Biggest shaving cream samples I've ever seen, too.

-Mo

What? I got Santal, some other colognes that their names I seem to have forgotten right off hand, and a bottle of bath and shower gel. I did not get any shaving cream (I did from T&H though). I did not ask for Vetiver, so I guess thats why I did not get that one.

And those guys who had a bad experience with Penhaligons, I did not have that. Except for the misspelling on my address (1n instead of Ln), I got the samples in about a week, and they were all tucked in their own little cardboard "bottles." Also, these are as big as the samples that Floris sent me.

T&H was quick to send samples as well. Also, whoever wrote the address on the package has interesting handwriting. Though it looked like the post office was not sure whether that one number is a 6 or an 8. The samples were about half the size as Floris and Penhaligons though.

And as for asking, my question was basically "Hey, do you guys provide samples of your colognes?"

They will either say yes (as they have to me each time) or no (what happens to my brother. He asks designer's for samples though. They told him to go to Belk). Plus I have a feeling it makes them money. I'm planning on buying some 1805 and some Endymion... So at least T&H and Penhaligons may make some money from it.

I need to ask Trumpers now...

 

[a.calhoon]

I'm planning on buying some 1805 and some Endymion

+1. Endymion is a great scent. I just received my samples from Penhaligon's today (shipped quick!) and that was by far my favorite.

For posterity, I thought I'd provide an update on my earlier comment. So far, all of the places that I have inquired (Penhaligon's, T&H, Floris, and Col. Conk) have responded with total willingness to send me samples. Woo-hoo!

As for what to say when asking:
- Butter up their products.
- Tell them you are interested in buying/trying some.
- Ask them if they are willing to send samples.
- Thank them!
- Include name and shipping information.

Worked great for me.

 

[rktscientist7]

Well, I just fired off emails to Truefitt and Hill, Floris, and Penhaligons requesting various samples. I'll keep you posted and let you all know what sort of reply I get and if/when I receive samples.

 

[Randy]

Plus I have a feeling it makes them money. I'm planning on buying some 1805 and some Endymion... So at least T&H and Penhaligons may make some money from it.

Yep, I ask for samples so that I can find things that I like, and I follow it up with a purchase in many cases (at least so far). It's like going to the store to shop around for something new and interesting, but without the store!

- R

 

[rodd]

Colonel Conks was very happy to send me samples of all their scents!!

I just called, I asked for a sample of their lime products, since I am recently obsessed with lime, and they said they would send me a sample of all of their soaps, all of their aftershaves, and all of their colognes, asked for my address, and offered to send a catalog also. end of story. Thank you for passing that on.

 

[rktscientist7]

Well, the samples have begun rolling in!

Floris: Took all of 2 days! They sent me samples of their entire cologne line (favorites so far are Elite, No. 89, and Vetiver) No ASB samples.

Truefitt & Hill: Took 3 days. Sent me samples of all their colognes. My initial faves are the 1805, Trafalgar, and West Indian Limes. Sent a few small SC and ASB samples.

Still waiting on Penhaligons...

 

[Isaias]

Cool! We would like to know what do you think about them. Perhaps it is also a good Idea to thank them using a quick email and if you are going to buy something, say it. I think is good for them to know that they are not just sending freebies.
I emailed TOBS without any luck. I guess there is a price to pay for being the cheapest of the 3T's
I also emailed L'Occitane and this is their response

Isaias,



We do not have samples of our men’s fragrances, although you can sample everything in our boutiques. Our samples are limited to a very specific selection of products, available with every purchase. If you do not live near a boutique, we can make an exception and send you some samples via postal mail, but it would still be from our current sample selection. We do not have the capacity to send samples of every product; only what is offered.



If you’d like to view our sample selection, click the free samples icon at the bottom of our homepage.



Our Website does offer product information, including fragrance notes and if you contact us with an inquiry, we will do our best to give you a detailed fragrance description, or provide you with any other information you may require. We know fragrance is very subjective, but we have smelled many of these fragrances personally, so we will do our best to describe the scents as we remember and perceive them.



Aside from the men’s fragrances, there are several unisex fragrances, which smell quite nice on men and vary in how they smell on men, compared to women. Different notes become more apparent, so the scent really tailors to your own chemistry.





Sincerely,



L’Occitane Customer Service

Bummer.
I am also trying to get some samples of Comptoir Sud Pacifique. I bought a sample from Aedes and got hooked.
No one seems to get samples from the sources where you have to pay hehehe I can understand that. Still it is a good deal. I got 6 Creed carded samples form Aedes for 15dls shipping included. Very nice all of them, even though I still believe creed is a bit overrated.

 

[Isaias]

Why am I not able to edit my initial Post? Anyway, Not a big fan of bumping my own threads but I thought I could share...
L'Artisan Samples

http://www.artisanparfumeur.us/store/order_sample.php 5 samples 7 dolars.

I paid $6 at TPC for 2 of them + S&H. darn it!