Buying decants and samples (UK)

There's lessenteurs.com. They only do 1.5ml samples as I recall, but it's enough for you to decide whether you like something or not. I got a load of Serge Lutens samples from there.

Have you checked the sales forums here on Basenotes or over at Crystal Flacon?

I have to agree with Les Senteurs , they are the only place within the UK that I know of . I would be very cautious buying samples from overseas as the glass vials often get smashed up in transit

Les Senteurs already mentioned are great.
Overseas I use First in Fragrance http://www.ausliebezumduft.de/index....y=GBP&cPath=23 Essenza Nobile http://shop.essenza-nobile.de/fragra...BP&language=en and Luckyscent http://luckyscent.com/ I've never had a problem other than once with First in Fragrance. A couple had got smashed in transit, so I sent an e-mail and included the picture and they were more than generous with the replacement, which included the two replacement samples and a few more as a good gesture. Obviously not their fault they were smashed, but it goes to show you that they look after their customers very well, which cannot be said for some other companies these days.

look for links in people's signature to (for example) "off basenotes sales" (look below). We are not allowed to advertise decant sales on this board so we have to do it discretely......

If you order with a reputable store that should be no problem, I've never had breakage so far. (I've had some leaking -damn air pressure variations- but always promptly received compensation, monetary or in goods)
Some have a;lready been mentioned, but whatevs:
For samples: Lessenteurs (UK), Aus Liebe Zum Duft (DE), Luckyscent (US), The Perfumed Court (US)
For decants: The Perfumed Court (US), The Posh Peasant (CA), Crystal Flacon (INT), and various off-Basenotes sales pages and social groups.


Also consider sample programs from individual perfume houses. Ormonde Jayne, for example, offer a sample set of their entire line on their website. Andy Tauer sells samples on his own website. Vero Kern does, too.
Oftentimes these options are cheaper than buying from specialised decanters, although their selection is obviously much wider. Your preference would depend on what you're looking to sample, really.

I can recommend Essenza Nobile. They're based in Germany and deliver worldwide. The samples they sell are 2.5ml sprays, which is plenty to wear a fragrance for a number of days and decide if you like it.

anybody know a good place to get samples or decants in the uk
i really want to try musc ravegeur and tobacco vanille but dont want to blind buy with these two being so pricy ?

You could get Musc Ravageur from Les Senteurs:

www.lesssenteurs.com

It's free if you go there in person, or you can get it posted for something like £3. Tobacco Vanille I don't know a UK source for, but you can always use the perfumed court:

www.theperfumedcourt.com

They're based in the US, but ship to the UK.

thanks willc i just ordered the smple of musc ravageur along with ambre sultan and daim blond samples of serge lutens
from the lessenteurs link u gave me top man any one know of any other sites like these i dont trust ebay etc

Hey,
There are posters here who offer samples of just about anything. Some are located right near you...
http://flacon.ambaric.net/viewforum.php?f=2

-Slim

Does anyone have information on a UK based sample service? I'm looking for something akin to theposhpeasant.com or theperfumedcourt.com sample kits and decants but without having to pay for massive international shipping fees.

Thanks!

Unfortunately there isn't an equivalent here. You can buy samples from Les Senteurs and from scent-and-sensibility but that's about it. The other option is on Crystal Flacon and on Scent Splits where there are all sorts available from different individual sources some from UK, some Europe and most USA.

I checked out Les Scenteurs - and I think I'll go with that one or try Scent Splits for some more common designer frags. Thanks

I emailed Les Senteurs about their sample service and recommendations and still awaiting a reply. How did you get one?

Most of their samples can be ordered from their online shop, if you click on the individual fragrances. There are exceptions to this, for example the Creeds, which they ask you to request by telephone. l think you can still only buy 6 samples at a time, but their service is usually excellent. l think perhaps they are just a little old-fashioned & don't really "do" emails!

Sorry, that was meant to say 'get on' not 'get one'. Made it sound a little demanding..

I'll give them a ring a speak to them. Wondering why the exception with Creed though. I know they (Creed) are a little prissy about having prices printed too which must be putting people off when most of their competitors dont have such rules.

I emailed les s, several times and been ignored. With such a approach to a new client? I guess they lost not just me but others too. I guess economic crisis is a myth.

I've had only good experiences with les senteurs.
Also, you may want to try www.ausliebezumduft.com
their service is impeccable.

I've also been VERY impressed with ausliebezumduft (aka First in Fragrance). Excellent choice; excellent & speedy service. Bought about 20 samples from them - still working through them!

Papi, it is true that Les Senteurs aren't brilliant when it comes to email. However, James and co. who work there are super friendly and helpful. Why not just give them a call? I really can't imagine that the shop is 'ignoring' your emails. It is just that they seem to operate with a slightly older style business model. There are pros and cons to this. Myself, I like the personal touch it affords.
Anyway, just my 2 pence.

Les Senteurs never answered my e-mail last year, but I decided to ring them and was glad I did. They were more than helpful and generous and asked what I was looking for. When I explained I was into citrus fragrances, although they had many that I had already tried or purchased, there were some new ones to try and they sent me 7 fragrances free of charge - great service and I've gone back and bought from them.
I also use First in Fragrance for samples as mentioned above and also Essenza Nobile in Germany who are also very good http://shop.essenza-nobile.de/

I agree. They are also very generous with samples when making a full bottle purchase and they have a very personal touch.

Shipping from TPC only $7.95 though for samples? That's like - a fiver!
(International (orders under $75.00) by air parcel post $7.95)

Les Senteurs have a lovely range - I just heard about them today actually from a PR person - but I wanted Tom Ford and Chanel samples at the same time so going to go for TPC as they have everything I want - including a discontinued Creed (Irisia)

But will defo go back to them for future samples...

I've just bought from Luckyscent.com. I'm sure they have drastically lowered their international shipping prices? It's $6 for UK shipping and the samples are cheaper than TPC and First in Fragrance (Aus Liebe zum Duft).

If everything goes well with this order (I have no doubt it will) I will be making this my number one sample service.

Hi folks,

From what I have seen it appears the US market is very well blessed when it comes to online retailers offering sample vials, decants etc.

Does anyone here from the UK use sample vials as a means of testing a frag? Are there any good online retailers for this?

I would rely on visiting stores to test, but the stores here (Belfast) have such a poor selection!

Ed

Hi EdwardBenton. I am glad that you have brought this up. I have been interested in fragrance for a long time and it is difficult in Scotland too, in terms of access to anything that is beyond mainstream or designer. There are a few specialist shops, and some big Department stores have begun to stock wonderful collections like the Chanel/Tom Ford/ higher end collections but generally you will have to look further afield. I also have an issue about the fact that the counters in Department stores hardly ever have samples any more, unless they are doing a launch. But that is another post!! But do not despair! This is not a serious challenge in life! Like you, I had to discover sampling. It is great fun. Here are some ideas;

First of all be prepared for the fact that you will generally have to purchase samples, that is just the name of the game. Our American friends have an online store, "The Perfumed Court" which provide a MASSIVE range of samples and decants in the size of your choice. You could also check out Lucky Scent, also in the USA. I have used them both. But be warned, shipping costs CAN mean that you pay quite a bit for not much product. That said, I am waiting for a delivery from Lucky Scent at the moment. But there are options in the UK and elsewhere in Europe which I prefer to use. Have a look at Les Senteurs in London, and at Scent and Sensibility, an online store in England. They are both great. I won't list all that they stock. You can look at their websites. Recently I have also noticed Alla Violetta, an Italian online store. You can also go direct to the websites of the actual Perfume Houses. Some sell samples, some don't. Some do discovery packs of their whole range. I like to test this way because it helps you to learn something about the personality of the house or the perfumer. You can build up a little "library", something that you can go back to time and again to learn something.

You can also learn from our Basenotes friends from all over the world who have an immense knowledge. If you read about something that you are intrigued by you can try to track it down. Also take advantage when you are on holiday. You may be able to experience different ranges then.

Happy hunting and please report back. You can tell us if you find somewhere good too.

In the UK the only shop I can think of that sells samples is Les Senteurs. Le Labo sell samples of their fragrances on their website. NKD Man sell samples of some of the Etat Libre d'Orange (ELDO) line. In Europe there is Ausliebezumduft and Essenza Nobile who both offer an excellent sample service at reasonable cost. These mostly sell niche brands as does Luckyscent and Perfumeshoppe in USA and Canada respectively. You could also try Crystal Flacon and Scent Splits where there are some of us who offer decants/samples of both designer and niche and there are some UK members on those sites. Other than that it's stores I use in person such as House Of Fraser, Harvey Nics, Selfridges and Space NK.

Andy

EDIT: Just noticed Foustie's post. Yes there's Scent And Sensibility too. Forgot about that one.

Thanks Healer. Some more ideas for me too!!

Can't for the life of me find any Tom Ford samples. I understand I'd have to pay but I still can't find any

I'd second Les Senteurs. Staff are generally very friendly and willing to help. I imagine there will be a fee for posting samples.

Edward, I agree with the recommendations for Scent-and-Sensibility. Great site and great customer service.

http://www.scent-and-sensibility.co.uk

Hey guys. Ordered samples from Aus Liebe Zum Duft for the first time. Order arrived this morning. Very impressed. HUGE samples, good quality paper spills, fast efficient service. They also have alovely selection of stuff that it is hard for us to get acccess to. Happy hunting.

Yes they have a great collection and the samples are very generously sized. Ordered from them many times, samples and full bottles. Essenza Nobile use very similar packaging for their samples too although their range is a little smaller than ALZD. Enjoy testing them Foustie.

Does anyone know how long it takes for Aus Liebe Zum Duft to ship samples to the UK? My order from The Perfumed Court took about a month for it all to arrive!

^ Usually arrive within a week.

Hmmm... Thanks for the reply, I shall email them then. I placed an order on the 13th November which was dispatched on the 17th; unfortunately there is still no sign of it. Do you know whether you have to sign for orders that are samples only?

Thanks again for your help.

Spray ones, I'm looking to try a few things but don't want to have to buy separate atomisers.

This is a great thread people, honest!

See here:

http://www.basenotes.net/threads/283...ials-in-the-UK

http://www.basenotes.net/threads/273...Sample-Service

Not sure about any sites offering samples in the UK, I've had not luck with some of the big names selling niche online here.

Personally, the best samples I've received are from Aus Liebe zum Duft. They are spray atomisers containing a decent amount. The customer service is pretty good too - my first order for £60 went lost in the post, emailed them once after a few weeks and they said they'd hope it'd be there soon. After a month had passed I emailed again and they agreed that they must've been lost in the post and sent a whole new order which I received within the week.

So there were a few issues, but not their fault, I blame Royal Mail - it was just before Christmas. The problem was if you order is samples only, they don't send them recorded delivery so had no idea where they were. If you order a full bottle at the same time, it will be, so don't worry about FB purchases at least.

Other than that, you could try the website of the fragrance house itself. I received some good samples from Le Labo, but they were expensive. Or if you fancy your luck, there's loads on eBay...

We seem to be so far behind everywhere else in terms of samples I'm considering doing something about it myself.

I have often thought there is a gap in the market for a UK-based TPC-style service.

Ah. Seems like it's basically impossible then.

I'm mainly looking for designer fragrances. The ones I want to sample the most are ADG, Givenchy Pi, Versace Man Eau Fraiche, Mugler's Cologne, Armani Code Sport and Prada Infusion. I've had niche houses and a few designers send me samples for free but a lot also said no.

Being a UK Basenoter is difficult.

I use TPC for designer samples. A bit pricey and slow, but the range is unbeatable and after ordering hundreds of samples I have never had one lost in the post or leaked (yes I know, famous last words).

TPC has probably the largest range available and I've ordered plenty from them before too.

However, as it is three different people sending them out, you can usually expect three different parcels, which can be spaced out over a month to be delivered.

http://theperfumedcourt.com/

Is that TPC?

There's also Les Senteurs but it is mainly for niche fragrances. http://shop.lessenteurs.com/

I tried to get a sample from these guys but they wouldn't respond to emails or anything. Apparently very good in the store, face to face, but pants online service.

http://www.ausliebezumduft.de/duefte.html faultless service, excellent selection, also check ebay out for samples and decants.

Les Senteurs are notoriously slow to respond to emails, but they are great on the phone! Their samples are expensive, however, & you can only order 5-6 at a time. Also they are not spray vials.


Decants are not allowed on ebay, only manufacturer's samples. l have bought quite a few samples there, & when you take shipping into account, the prices are generally pretty good.

l agree there is definitely a gap in the market here in the UK. lf anyone decides to set up a TPC-type service here, do let us know! There would be no shortage of business, l'm sure.

Yes. A great selection of niche and designer, current and discontinued.

Actually it is now 4 samples: 'Up to four samples (please do not exceed this limit) of any of the fragrances listed on the website may be obtained at one time'.

So that is £20 for 4 samples. No more business from me! Also, look at this:

'If we do not have your requested fragrance sample available at the time, we reserve the right to substitute it with another fragrance sample'.

I have fallen foul of this before and been sent a sample of something I already knew.

Les senteurs samples are ridiculously priced.

Have a look through the Crystal Flacon forum http://flacon.ambaric.net/viewforum....20f71d8661557c where some basenoters sell decants and samples.

If there are particular niche house you are interested in sampling then you can sometimes order samples directly. I have done this recently with Histories de Parfums (6 non-spray vials of 10euros) and Parfum d'Empire (full set of 13 spray samples for 16euros).

+1

Unless Les senteurs is selling something ultra-exclusive, they're not getting another penny from me. That 4x sample quota is an added insult to the price hike for their samples.

Btw, Vitamin B Complex, have you tried obtaining these designer samples at departments stores? You should be able to get them there and you'll save some money.

We could definitely do with a UK version of TPC. Hell the rest of the world could do with a new version of TPC that isn't ridiculously overpriced.