The (lack of) culture around free samples

In Norway they are very generous:

If you just ask for samples, you always get samples of the shops newest releases ( like Energise, Lacoste Essential, Beckhams, Silver Shadow), but in some shops when you ask for a specific fragrance you may very well end up getting the ones you want, if they have them in stock.

When I was buying a Shiseido moisturizer, I asked for some samples of specific products from the brand, and I got everyone i was asking for: Toner, wash and they even made a sample of their scrub, since they didn't have any more in stock.
Another time, I got loads of samples, and a bag of samples from Biotherm Homme, when just buying a concealer.

Last time I buyed a perfume, was in a quite small shop, and they threw in a sample of Kouros and three Allure samples, because they didn't have any others.

So Norway is the place

I always worry that the SAs will look at me funny if I ask for samples without buying anything.. but every time I've tried it, they didn't have a problem handing me 3-6 samples (whatever new stuff they had lying around, basically). Southwestern US.

The whole POINT of samples is to give them away so that people will want more. They're purely a promotional tool. I'm a bit perplexed by the behavior you described.

Here in the states, you can indeed get samples, you just have to go after them. The other afternoon I went to the upscalest mall in Boston and made the rounds to all the different department stores. the trick is to act interested in whatever they are pushing on you... "Oh it's called Energize you say? How lovely.. tell me, do you have any samples of Lutens Chergui?" Keep your eyes peels to see behind the glass counter, often the frags which have promotional samples with them will have those samples stacked behind the boxes, so they are easy to hand out. Then act like you are verrry interested in wearing that particular frag for a day or two and "coming back once i decide." It costed me a subway ticket and about 3 hours of walking around (not to mention listening to innumerable sales pitches), but I ended up with 2 samples of Fresh Cannabis Santal, a Vera Wang, a Boss Selection a couple ml decant of Creed BdP and Fou d' Absinth, Mure et Musc and L'Eau de L'Artisan by L'Artisan. not too shabby.

If the SA's get to know you, you can get what you want without a purchase in most stores. I am sure there are many people who are too cheap to buy a bottle so they try to get samples from several different stores to serve as their actual fragrance collection. Otherwise it is a small power trip for them to control who gets what. Almost like the guy at the entrance of a club deciding who gets in. Perhaps they take many samples for themselves. It is generally hit or miss for most people.

I am in TX and have not had much luck with samples at the major chain department stores. At Dillards they gave me 2 that I was not much interested in -- Curve Crush for men and Givenchy Organza, at Macy's I got just one -- Antonio Banderas Spirit (Huh?), and in both cases the bill was over or nearing 100 dollars. In Perfumania the manager is friendly, while the employees are just pushy, like in "Have you tried our new Guess? You should!", so it depends on who is ringing me up, I guess.

On the other hand, a small niche local business has always been meeting and exceeding my expectations. I hate to sound like a broken record, but it was Ms Lisa with Beautycafe. She even urged me to call her in advance and tell her what I would like to test and to arrange a visit so she can prepare a nice goody bag sitting and waiting for me.

From my own experience here in Los Angeles, the SA are actually quite generous. There are some stores like Sephora, Nordstrom's and Scent Bar that will be more than happy to make a 'decant' for you. My SA at Neiman Marcus gave me a 'ton' of Himalaya samples. At Apothia ( Fred Segal ) I received a generous amount of Serge Lutens samples.... and at Barney's-- you don't even have to ask. It's possible that they know that I"m a buying customer and they want to keep me happy.

Also, it is weird that in some places when you buy a bottle of a certain fragrance you receive a sample... of the same fragrance. :-[

Here in Belgium I never received 13 samples but I think 3 or 4 is about the average. Most of the time I ask for specific ones like Gaultier² or Dior Homme when they were just released and nobody ever complained.
In one niche store where I sometimes shop, the lady often showers me with 5, 6 or even 7 samples from Villoresi, l'Artisan, Etro, Divine, Creed etc. And even when I don't buy anything she gives me something to try at home

When last year I bought a 125ml of Lacoste Essential, they gave me FOUR samples of Lacoste Essential.
Pretty funny huh?




;D

Lack of fragrance samples or a lack of dispersing them is one of my biggest complaints when it comes to fragrance shopping. How can you purchase something like cologne/perfume without sampling it beyond the Tester bottle on the counter. I like to "test drive" it for a few days. See how I really feel about it after my initial wearing. Most new fragrances I have purchased have come from me being able to sample prior to my purchase. However, I think that I, like fellow basenoters, are in the minority. Fragrances are known to be impulse purchases. People see a recognizable brand or celeb and they spritz, sniff and go to the register to pay all before the top notes have settled down.
I was told a few years back by a SA that it was too costly to produce the samples and that most designer/manufacturers were no longer doing them. I thought that is ludicrous. Samples are marketing tools to get you aware of and interested in their product. And I don't think samples should be given based on dollars spent. Heck, if you already spent a small fortune SA/store policy probably feel whats the point. Of course I think when make a purchase they should listen to what other products interested you and provide you with a sample of it. Not give you a sample of something you are purchasing, unless you requested it ie. traveling. That however would be good customer service. Something often talked about but seldom delivered.

Here in the US, samples are all over the place. Some stores (Nordstrom, Saks, Sephora, and Von Maur in particular) love showering you with enough samples to fill a Hummer. Even Macy's, the department store of the average Joe, can give you a lot of samples just for asking or with a purchase.

However, just because a store has scents you want, it might mean nothing to the SAs. At a Neiman Marcus in Northbrook, IL around this time last year, they gave me samples of Acqua di Gio despite all those Creeds and such on the counter. Maybe they were just turned off by my Disneyland T-shirt and Levi's in a store where a lot of people wore the latest from Prada and Seven. Of course, my hatred of Neiman's goes much deeper than that, but all those points could be reserved for a whole thread.

If I like the SA, I'll tell her that I'll buy another bottle of something if she throws in a bunch of samples. She always does.


ben

I live in the Netherlands also, but it seems to be the other way round in my case. I usualy get more samples in the normal "commercial" chain stores , than in the more expensive stores. I recently went to a well know "niche store"(whatever that means lately, "niche" is just another commerial term, IMO) in Amsterdam, were I bought something. No sample, not a single one!
When I was in London , last year, again, in a very well known niche store, mentioned a few times on this site, I also bought 3(!) bottles. I was helped nicely, but again, not a single sample ! not one!!. .
I was too happy with my new purchases , so I wasn't complaining at the moment I paid. But the minute I walked out of the store, my face turned red, my lip curled and I wanted to go back to strangle the woman. ( at least, I felt that way..., on the inside) Strange phenomenon, ...samples.

I've always had pretty good luck with samples but I saw the mention of "needless markup" at northbrook and I had to chime in. Are the sa's there actually trained to be rude and dismissive. My friend has a theory that they treat you like crap so you'll prove yourself by spending more. Argh they are awful. Last time I was downtown I had an sa ask me if Lutens was some kind of cough drop "ha ha" >. I remarked that I guess I have to go to barney's to find anything really interesting and she nearly ate her own face. '
Sorry just had to rant.
m

Eric, that's indeed very, very annoying. Was it Skins in Amsterdam? Funny enough when I went there, the SA asked me whether I wanted a got some sample of one of the scents I tried, and I told her I'd like another one too because I spent a reasonable amount there. It appeared as though she was having a hard time with that as well.. picky people![/quote]

Yes, it was. It wasn't exactely packed with customers too, I was the only one, LOL! well , there was another woman also, brabling with the employee, ...maybe about the deeper meanings of life,..I dunno... .. Maybe I picked a bad day. I went to that other(small) shop in Magna Plaza, (Shu Uemura?) were they sell MPG ( I bought my Santal Noble there, for the second time) and Villoresi. Now that's good service you get there. Normal people and samples too!.

Personally, I think that Neiman Marcus SAs (at least at the Chicago area stores) are trained to be rude and offensive unless:
A) you're in the latest designer fashions at the time of purchase
B) you are a heavy shopper there and belong in InCircle Rewards
C) you want to buy the latest stuff they're pushing that day
D) all of the above

BTW, the clueless person at the Michigan Avenue store needs to look at NM's own website to find out about Serge Lutens, as neimanmarcus.com carries most of the export line.

I live in The Netherlands too and I have no complains about getting samples in shops where they know (and even don't know) me as a regular customer. They just give me samples (usually I don't ask for samples), if they see that I'm interested in something, even when I buy nothing. Last time (it was ca. 3 weeks ago) I went to a Douglas store and they gave me samples (original ones, not those which they prepare in that store for interested customers) of Cedre and Arabie in twice (!) simply because of the fact, I was interested in Serge Lutens' fragrances. I even didn't ask for them.

Talking about The Skins in Amsterdam: it was the only time, I didn't get samples. I went there once because I was interested in Mona di Orio's and other fragrances. I had the possibility to smell them on strips, I didn't asked for samples and they didn't offered them to me. I don't think, I'll go there again because I didn't like service there. Not because the samples. In my opinion, service there was polite, but at the same time too cold and too commercial for my personal feeling. Fortunately, I can get almost everything they sell from abroad and for a much lower price.

Once again: I'm a little bit shy and mostly I don't ask for samples, maybe I just have a little bit more luck than some people :-) .

The Bay, which is a canadian retail department store has stopped giving out samples as much as they use to. since about 4-5 years they dont really give out anything... I bought a chanel desodorant for like $40 last week and didnt get anything at all, before 2000 when I would even come in to buy 30$ soap bars I would get 3 samples at once. maybe cuz I was a cute little kid back then ?! who knows

OMG

Hi,

I live in Switzerland...AND BOY AM I HAVING FUN!!!!!!!!!!!!

I go to this store called Marionnaud (French, i believe), and they actually MAKE samples!
My first time, I asked for a sample and the lady went "Unfortunately, we don't have that at the moment" then, she goes "but, i could make you one" loool She then takes a regualr sized 1.2ml bottle and starts spraying--with the tester--all the way till the top!
I go to different branches everyday, trying out different scents...And when i really like a scent that i just finished, what do I do?? I go ask for another one!!

Here in Denmark I've had SA's hunting me down in the store to ask me if I wanted free samples. That kind of surprised me in a good way. If you ask, you will get a lot and usually 3-4 with each buy.

I bought Jo Malone Pomegranate Noir from Neiman Marcus and the SA gave me twelve (twelve!) samples of the same fragrance. Â*I went back the following day, returned the bottle and kept my samples. Â*;D

I bought Jo Malone Pomegranate Noir from Neiman Marcus and the SA gave me twelve (twelve!) samples of the same fragrance. Â*I went back the following day, returned the bottle and kept my samples. Â*;D[/quote]

That is way too cool.

I bought Jo Malone Pomegranate Noir from Neiman Marcus and the SA gave me twelve (twelve!) samples of the same fragrance. Â*I went back the following day, returned the bottle and kept my samples. Â*;D[/quote]

That is hilarious L ;D

Vijay"Maisonstinky"

SAs seem quite fickle about giving out samples. The thing is I have *never* purchased as fragrance in a department store (...yet. I'm still pretty new to this whole world-o-fragrances, and order almost everything online, at a discount store, or at a perfume specialty shop). I like to go around and collect samples anytime I visit a new mall or if I haven't been to one in a while. Just this week, I was at the Bon-Ton here in State College (Pennsylvania), and some SA was covering the woefully small men's counter for someone else. I asked if there were any samples I could have (after the normal coversations I have with them to be friendly and whatnot), and she said she didn't know if there were any- and the kicker- if there were any, she said she was "not authorized" to give any away. Hmmph.

A couple months ago, I was back home and went to a nearby mall and made friendly with the cute SA at the Kaufmann's who was working there, and she gave me probably 30 or samples- everything she had. She was new to men's fragances, and I even taught her a thing or two. She said that one of the fragrances I had her spray smelled like pee (I wish for the life of me I remember which one, but it was fairly new and smelled absolutely nothing like pee to me), then I led her over to the Kouros... you should have seen her reaction after mistakenly unloading, oh, 5 or 6 sprays on a sample card and smelling it! I like Kouros, as long as it's applied sparingly... and in this case it wasn't. I did keep the card, though (in a separate pocket from the others), and I can still smell it today!

Eric, that's indeed very, very annoying. Was it Skins in Amsterdam? Funny enough when I went there, the SA asked me whether I wanted a sample of one of the scents I tried, and I told her I'd like another one too because I spent a reasonable amount there. It appeared as though she was having a hard time with that as well.. picky people![/quote]


Ah, good to know! I'm going to visit Amsterdam soon and I'd already planned a trip to Skins

I got great service at both Skins and Shue Eumura. At the latter I actually received about 8 MPG samples without even buying anything. The african girl at Skins was also helpful and knowledgable albeit a bit strict, and I spent 2 hours there, eventually walking away with 2 creeds, 1 l'artisan and loads of diptyque samples. I think it´s a combination of how nice you are, if the person is having a bad day and such factors that mostly determine the sample outcome. + Skins have really nice prices on Creed compared to my country. Here we usually get 2-3 sample vials per standard purchase. And If I don´t I always ask for some, and no one ever refuses.

It's nice to know there are some places in the U.S. that are good about giving samples. Sadly, it hasn't been my experience in the past few years.

Back in my "golden age" of fragrance shopping -- late 80s/early 90s -- things were different. It seemed there was always something new coming out, stores made an effort to do pre-release marketing, and there were lots of GWP campaigns. Going to the fragrance counter was something I enjoyed doing. More often than not, even if I bought nothing, I'd come away with one or two new things to try without even asking.

It's different these days. Stores depend more on testers and impulse buying than distributing samples. Well, I'm sorry but I'm not about to drop $45 on something I've had on me for a matter of minutes. I did that FAR too much in my younger years. And yes, I'm not shy about asking, but my requests are usually met with blank looks. There have been times when I've asked for a sample of something, told there weren't any, and then plainly saw someone receive what I'd asked for only minutes later...after they bought something. I totally caught an SA over that once. She got all flustered and said she just happened to find what I was looking for and gave it to me.

The last straw for me came a few weeks ago when I purchased Dior's Eau Noire from Neiman-Marcus during a trip to San Francisco -- $135, the most I've ever spent on any single fragrance purchase -- and got NOTHING. Yet, two gentlemen ahead of me, who made a lesser purchase, received a bunch of stuff, including some Creed samples. A couple days prior to this, I had purchased a Jo Malone product at NM and also received nothing. By contrast, I went across the square to Saks to get another Jo Malone product that NM didn't have, and the SA at Saks made sure to give me several different things when I purchased what I came to get. She did this even though she plainly saw the other Jo Malone bag I had.

I try to be a good customer. If I get a sample of something and like it, I make a point to buy it from the place where I received the sample. If at all possible I try to get it from the SA who gave the sample to me.

I know there are freeloaders out there who use samples as a way to maintain a collection. But you know something? That's part of doing business. Anytime you're giving away something free, there are ALWAYS going to be people who take unfair advantage of that generosity.

I can't actually say that I've seen, been given - or even seen being given - free samples.

I've sometimes got samples just by emailing perfume houses and politely requesting one. Sometimes they send several samples even when you only asked for one!

Another good place where they are always generous with samples is Hermès boutiques (at least here in London).

Only recieved a sample once, and that was after a lengthy chat and testing session at a Guerlain counter. Nowhere else Ihave tried give samples.

I just bought some acqua di parma from a department store. The sa gave me three samples after I asked, one of which was a creed for women. This annoys me as my wife is not interested in perfume!

the othe two were approprite though.

At the value of a train ticket to Paris, it costs resolve to finally buy VdRoses at a no-discount- luxury boutique in Zurich. Did I get a thing extra to choose their place? Nope! On the other hand, I am half amused, half annoyed, when samples are handed out as if it was candy, a reward for some purchase they consider worth it! Mostly it does not serve any purpose at all and I will not take it, unless it promises to be interesting. The only time I got a sample from Hermes was when they introduced Terre in Department stores.

There seems to be indeed another policy on the part of the producer. Divine and Villoresi have politely indicated where I could buy their stuff in town, telling me that their contractual dealers would readily decant samples for me (Divine website offers to mail them). Yes, indeed they will - readily at one shop, if you insist at another.

I wish they would have small vials for you at a moderate fee. Then I could have all the samples I need (more than one, if choice gets complicated) and not feel apologetic for not liking a scent enough for my $100 ! I am so grateful to Vijay who agreed to send me samples of all the Montale EDPs he has, and I hate the store downtown to ultimately get the deal !

"On the other hand, I am half amused, half annoyed, when samples are handed out as if it was candy, a reward for some purchase they consider worth it!"

you are exaclty right narcus...
i have always gotten samples when i've made over 150$ in puchases (so, almost always!)...there was a time when i was younger when they didn't want to give me samples and i demanded them to get me some or else (never walking into the store again i guess) and they did , but now they just give me samples anywhere i go wich is weird...
but i would never pay for any sample, i think it's a bit frustrating as i have always thought that sample meant free...

Miller Harris here in London do a fantastic sample service for only £7.50 for 18 x 1.6 ml samples!!!

http://www.millerharris.com/products/sample_sets/

Believe me, this house is amazing. Very soft and subtle eaux de parfums.

Hmm, I'm not very impressed.

Not only does the owner of the shop refuse to give samples, but he's told me that I will be charged £5 to test fragrances from now on. I find that astounding, considering the fact that I have spent £50 there and have tested (one spray) a total of four fragrances over a period of a few weeks. I had intended to buy today; instead I refuse his custom, and will go to Boots instead. Not only are they better value, as a nation-wide company, but at least they talk and serve with a smile.

he's either a crook or a cheap bastard. you can do without him.

I think companies should be liberal with handing out samples...I know many people (including myself) who, after trying out various samples, went on to make full purchases. I think it does indeed help sales because with the sample, you can try out the perfume in the comfort of your home, and carefully analyze how it develops on your skin.

i was thinking that it might be interesting if the houses gave away mini samples of a whole "line" of frags with the purchase of a full bottle for ex. today i bought for a gift one bottle of Happy In Bloom and i thought it was sort of a missed opportunity the fact that it didn't include free "happy line" samples (happy heart, regular happy, happy holidays etc) cause what if the woman i gave this happy scent to, happen to like all the samples and i ended up getting the rest of the line?
well, it's just a wild thought...what do you think?

Odd how different our experiences are.
At Skins, I've found the SA's helpful and very willing to make me any amount of samples even without purchase. At Shu Uemura, the SA was rather pushy, spritzing me (unasked!) with scents I did not care for and no will to make me samples.
Chain stores tend to be generous with original, promotional samples /and/ will make you samples so long as you ask explicitly and ask the *right* way. I agree they should include handing out samples in their store policy, though. And ideally they would look at what exactly you purchased to determine what samples they include, in stead of just scooping up some random night cream to go with your Agent Provocateur.

This thread is nice to hear... as I am still rather new to perfume searching/buying/sampling and in the past year have PAID for most of my samples through Lucky Scent. I even went down to their Scent Bar store and they would rather you spray and sniff all day than decant something for you in-store (due to their website already selling samples for 3 dollars each).

I was surprised with some of your accounts of S.A.s giving samples at places like Nordstrom and Neiman Marcus. I've gone there several times and talked to S.A.s (always rather hesitantly) and never have recieved a sample from them... from now on I'm going to try asking everywhere I go.

Just today in a different thread I was saying that recently relatively high-end stores behave like corner pharmacies when it comes to samples. Scratch that - corner pharmacies are more generous.

A friend of mine recently shopping at Saks asked for a sample of a specific scent she was considering. The salesperson told her that they can only give her one if she buys it and went on to suggest she buy the full size and not open it, they'll give her the sample, she'll then wear it for a few days and if she doesn't like it, she can come back and return the unopened full-size.

It's ridiculous what they do nowadays.

Ask anyone who knows more than a 2 year old about marketing...What is the biggest marketing factor? Word. Of. Mouth. Nuff said. Fragrance companies who want to charge money for samples or don't hand them out are just shooting themselves in the foot.

I have never, not that I can remember, received a free sample of a scent from a department store, but have got a lot (75+) from generous Houses online which triggered a certain loyalty to that House which resulted in some purchases.

Yes. If the SA is getting commissions she is stupid not to give samples of whatever you are interested in. That's what the samples are for. So you'll find something else that you want to buy and you'll want to do business with her because you know she will give you more samples. They are not meant to be given like halloween candy to a well behaved child.

A lot depends on the SA. And, not to defend them, even they have bad days, too.

I was in Barney's a couple of weeks ago looking at some Serge Lutens. The SL SA was just too lazy to make up samples and made it into a huge drama. So, I won't be buying Serge Lutens. Because I don't buy without sampling. (The gentleman in the Frederic Malle boutique had no issues with getting me samples; nor the woman in the L'Artisan boutique.)

It was an odd experience though. I've never run into that at Barney's before. But I'm also not likely to expose myself to this specific SA and his ignorant attitude either.

What I've come to learn with many retailers and some major department stores here in the states is that some, but certainly not all, SA's are not properly trained in the art of good salesmanship. Either because they don't care or don't have the time. And in some cases the management themselves are not properly trained in good salesmanship.

You would think they'd know the purpose of samples is to introduce the potential buyer to the library of fragrances available from that particular store. It is a tried and true business practice to deduct, "give them a taste (or smell in this case) and they will come back for more".
I find myself purposely trying to forget those retailers that give you sub-par service either because they rush you through the sales process or seem indifferent to you, but genuinely remember the merchants that are courteous and equally generous.

Sadly, you have to become the initiator who asks for the samples rather than having the SA offer them freely as a bonus for visiting or purchasing.

At Mecca Cosmetica in Adelaide , South Australia (only 1 store lol), they are very generous, and they have heaps of Serge lutens sample for FREE !.

I say if the SA doesn't give samples return the purchase immediatly and get a credit slip. Copy it (with any credit card info blanked of course) to an appropriate email and send it to both the CEO and Chairman of the Board of the parent fragrance company and the store you were previously going to spend your money in. Post the event on Basenotes for all to see and make their own minds up about shopping at ____________ (fill in the blank). Let them know you did

I would bet that in the majority of instances the fragrance company rep will get back with you with apologies and offers of free samples. SAs can have a bad day but they should keep it to themselves and their co-workers and not take it out on customers who are THE ONLY reason they are there in the first place. A very misguided and self-destructive policy this pissing off (good) customers. Totally provincial I would think and it should be exposed to the highest ranks of the companies involved in my opinion.

Crows sometimes think they are hawks until a real hawk points out the difference.

Yes one of the SAs at Mecca Cosmetica gave me a couple of SL samples too - pulled them out of a drawer with heaps of samples. Two other SAs (at the same shop) claimed they don't have samples Pity, I don't think they are paid on commission (I guess we have an explanation for their poor service).

Paying commission is seriously one of the worst thing's a company can do, namely because it's no longer "What does the customer want?". It becomes "What can I sell the customer that will make me the most money?"

Even the reps don't have samples sometimes. I hadn't tried Angel, and I kept asking at Macy's for samples. I told them, I never buy unless I can try it at home. The SA's were nice, apologetic, and told me when the rep would be in. So, I came on that day, and he was empty handed also.... Lame.

I had a very good experience at Myers Karrinyup a few weeks ago. I was in looking for a moisturiser / sunscreen for my girlfriend (just for a no-reason present) and was looking through the Lancome section. The SAs were honest and said they probably didn't have what I was looking for, and that the stuff they sell is very expensive & they wouldnt want to make me spend a heap on the wrong thing.

After telling them it was a present for no reason, they ended up giving me 4 samples (3 different moisturisers and Hypnose edp) because they thought it was so 'sweet'! I was pretty stoked.

I was also surprised when I asked a few days ago about Narciso Rodriguez samples, they actually gave me one. This was after trying about 5-6 different fragrances (plus I was still dressed up from work... Button up shirts go a long way )

Mecca Cosmettica, on the other hand, almost try to push me out when I walk in.

OK, good point. but... Not haveing samples to give out is one thing. Understandable, IF not a constant excuse. Having them and not giving them out is entirely another.

OK, good point. but... Not haveing samples to give out is one thing. Understandable, IF not a constant excuse. Having them and not giving them out is entirely another.

I have always thought some 'dishonest' SAs might scarf up samples themselves or load up friends to sell on eBay or other sites. Possible, but I hope I am wrong.

OK, good point. but... Not haveing samples to give out is one thing. Understandable, IF not a constant excuse. Having them and not giving them out is entirely another.

I have always had suspicions some 'dishonest' SAs might scarf up samples themselves or load up friends with choice samples to sell for profit on eBay, Amazon or other sites. Possible, but I hope I am dead wrong.