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Which fragrance house is the biggest a-hole? (measured by copying, overcharging, lack of supply, oth

post #1 of 52
7/2/12 at 9:07pm
Thread Starter 
er . . .)

This thread cements bond no. 9 as the winner for me http://www.basenotes.net/threads/204...y-My-Riverside

I knew they copied other houses, charged way too much, put those really cheap stickers on their bottles (for example, see Fire Island), pump out too many flavors without much thought and stuff, but suing anyone who uses a generic name that you chose for your fragrance - thus claiming ownership of concepts like peace and riverside drive! - is too much.

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#2 would be Thierry Mugler

#3 would be Coty
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post #2 of 52
7/2/12 at 9:28pm
Bond
No
9
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post #3 of 52
7/2/12 at 9:32pm
Bond no 9

Honorable mention, Mugler.
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post #4 of 52
7/2/12 at 9:33pm
Bond 9
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post #5 of 52
7/2/12 at 10:06pm
Cool, another thread that aims at Bond in a negative light. Anyways, I really enjoy Coney Island, NY Oud, and West Side from them, and while they might have the same themes I can't think of anything that smells quite like those.

I'm going to say Tom Ford for being overpriced for what they are, the recent price hike, and their unwillingness to let people sample them.
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post #6 of 52
7/2/12 at 10:43pm
These two are the best articles on this:

http://www.thenonblonde.com/2008/01/...bond-no-9.html

http://www.thenonblonde.com/2008/01/...saved-230.html
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post #7 of 52
7/2/12 at 10:51pm
Clive Christian
How pretentious do you have to be when you're marketing strategy is "we're the most expensive!"
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post #8 of 52
7/2/12 at 10:54pm
Bond no 9

If not for their habit of copying other frags, but for their tacky names for their frags.
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post #9 of 52
7/2/12 at 11:04pm
Another vote for Bond No.9. The MPAA of the fragrance industry. It's ok if they copy things because they think they own parts of New York. Laughable and forgettable.
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post #10 of 52
7/2/12 at 11:06pm
meh....
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post #11 of 52
7/2/12 at 11:55pm
Chanel
Hermes
L'Artisan
Serge Lutens
Guerlain
Christian Dior






J/k
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post #12 of 52
7/3/12 at 1:49am
Bond №9
By Kilian
Creed
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post #13 of 52
7/3/12 at 1:55am
By Kilian
Creed
Bond No9
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post #14 of 52
7/3/12 at 4:29am
Tom Ford for their ripoff private blend line that all smells way below average considering the price.
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post #15 of 52
7/3/12 at 4:29am
I totally hate Bond's entire concept - it's not just that they are evil.

Agree with Tom Ford, but I'd love to just go ahead and put L'Oreal up there for the work they did on YSL's fragrances. Pissed forever.
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post #16 of 52
7/3/12 at 4:33am
Another problem with Bond no9 is their customer service, If you live outside the US they really won't bother regarding you as a customer.
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post #17 of 52
7/3/12 at 5:18am
Bond no. 9
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Clive Christian
By Kilian
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post #18 of 52
7/3/12 at 5:55am
Bond No. 9
I refuse to buy their products directly. I will only buy their products from a 3rd party seller when the prices are greatly reduced.

I can't believe the OP listed Thierry Mugler as #2. They have limited edition fragrances but you get a lot for the price compared to other house. TM Gourmands for $80 compared to $250 plus from other houses... I'm going to side with Thierry Mugler on this one.
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post #19 of 52
7/3/12 at 6:16am
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I have to say that this is a fantastic thread! Great idea and long overdue...

I would agree with all comments about Tom Ford. Overpriced, below average quality in the private blends (ok, maybe with one or two exceptions) and just overall a dull brand.

I would also say Davidoff too though. Most is pure junk and ripped-off by other companies. They can't even come up with original names for their scents... cool water / hot water being the first example that comes to mind.
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post #20 of 52
7/3/12 at 6:46am
Bond No. 9
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post #21 of 52
7/3/12 at 7:26am
I guess Bond, if the articles posted are true. Mugler for not supplying us with with his flankers regularly and cheaply. Creed (and many others) for their prices, and for naming a child Erwin.

On a personal level the winner is Coty (Germany) though, for being absolute twats, patrolling Ebay and causing trouble for harmless sellers of the odd fragrance to Germany.
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post #22 of 52
7/3/12 at 11:39am
1) Bond No.9
2) LVMH: Kenzo, Guerlain, Christian Dior, Givenchy, etc. (google 'ebay France fragrance ban')
3) Escentric Molecules
4) Creed
5) Clive Christian
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post #23 of 52
7/3/12 at 12:35pm
Definitely Bond and Creed
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post #24 of 52
7/3/12 at 3:43pm
From direct experience: Le Labo, Dior

In concept: Creed, Tom Ford

(Least a*hole, from direct experience: Piguet, Smell Bent, Molinard, CDG, Penhaligon's)
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post #25 of 52
7/3/12 at 4:06pm
Le Labo for the ridiculous expiration date nonsense

Bond for using lawyers to intimidate indie perfumers for no good reason

Nasomatto for charging $200 per (leaky) bottle of dyed sewage waste

Kilian for an Oud-based line of $400 perfumes that are apparently void of any oud
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post #26 of 52
7/3/12 at 6:13pm
+400 Bond
+1 Creed
+2 Le Labo's exclusive overpriced city fragrances.
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post #27 of 52
7/3/12 at 6:35pm
People get sooo excited about scent houses they dislike. Just don't give them your custom.
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post #28 of 52
7/3/12 at 6:53pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by knit at nite View Post

People get sooo excited about scent houses they dislike. Just don't give them your custom.



agree!
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post #29 of 52
7/3/12 at 6:58pm
The irony about so many people saying Bond No 9......is that there was just something about the brand that I didn't like, and I've never sampled or smelled a single product of their's. There was just something about the brand that I didn't care for. Now, after seeing this thread, in an odd sense, I feel somewhat vindicated.
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post #30 of 52
7/3/12 at 7:33pm
I don't get it. "When you have nothing nice to say, say nothing."

Nobody is holding a gun to your head to buy any perfume from any manufacturer.
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post #31 of 52
7/3/12 at 7:35pm
^^ Technically you could use that post to respond to anything negative anyone has ever posted on BN.

It's a thread, an exchange of information, opinions and sentiments. Telling someone they shouldn't voice any displeasure seems counterintuitive to the spirit of BN.
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post #32 of 52
7/3/12 at 8:01pm
here we go...
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post #33 of 52
7/3/12 at 8:10pm
How ironic, considering what is essentially a 'put up or shut up' is not exactly a nice thing to say.

Back to topic, I must add another + to Bond No.9 particularly for their ridiculous and unnecessarily aggressive legal manoeuverings to mask overpriced trite.
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post #34 of 52
7/3/12 at 9:21pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Ursula View Post

I don't get it. "When you have nothing nice to say, say nothing."

Nobody is holding a gun to your head to buy any perfume from any manufacturer.

Nobody is holding a gun to your head to read it or agree with it.

Why shouldn't people be afforded the right to voice honest congratulations and criticisms when it comes to all things fragrance?

I am a little confused with your stance, the other day you were supportive of negative criticisms relating to Chandler Burr's current project, but negative criticism to a fragrance house/brand is suddenly not okay? Its not new that people have been critical of fragrances and the industry on BN, why is it suddenly an issue now?
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post #35 of 52
7/5/12 at 12:45pm
I was just reading Nathan Branch's blog and came across an article which I felt appropriate for this thread

http://www.nathanbranch.com/2009/09/...press-rel.html
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post #36 of 52
7/5/12 at 9:22pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Ursula View Post

I don't get it. "When you have nothing nice to say, say nothing."

Nobody is holding a gun to your head to buy any perfume from any manufacturer.

I feel this saying only really applies to saying bad things about individuals close to you so you can avoid hurting their feelings. I don't think anyone cares about the feelings of a company.
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post #37 of 52
7/6/12 at 12:35am
Quote:
Originally Posted by heperd View Post

meh....

exactly
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post #38 of 52
7/6/12 at 2:32am
Quote:
Originally Posted by L'eaulita View Post

Nobody is holding a gun to your head to read it or agree with it.

Why shouldn't people be afforded the right to voice honest congratulations and criticisms when it comes to all things fragrance?

I am a little confused with your stance, the other day you were supportive of negative criticisms relating to Chandler Burr's current project, but negative criticism to a fragrance house/brand is suddenly not okay? Its not new that people have been critical of fragrances and the industry on BN, why is it suddenly an issue now?

I agree, critiscism is okay. If we all 'said nothing' - there would be nothing to read. No interesting debates. What would be the point?

My vote goes to:

Creed
Bond No 9 - not that I've ever had a FB - its TOO overpriced.
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post #39 of 52
7/6/12 at 5:31pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by L'eaulita View Post

Nobody is holding a gun to your head to read it or agree with it.

Why shouldn't people be afforded the right to voice honest congratulations and criticisms when it comes to all things fragrance?

I am a little confused with your stance, the other day you were supportive of negative criticisms relating to Chandler Burr's current project, but negative criticism to a fragrance house/brand is suddenly not okay? Its not new that people have been critical of fragrances and the industry on BN, why is it suddenly an issue now?

I am turned off by the language, like the "biggest a-hole" ... I would technically discuss something negative without that type of language. Seems like teenager voicing discontent.

Furthermore, it is true, that I would rather positively single out companies who have done really well instead of dwelling on the negative.

Sure, BN is a platform to discuss anything, and withholding negative criticism is not helpful for being fully informed.

It was just that complaining attitude that "got to me" - but then, that is just me. The harsh world is too rough for me. Perfumes are a respite and something like dreamland.
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post #40 of 52
7/6/12 at 5:48pm
This is like asking who has the biggest ego in Hollywood. There are pretentious perfume companies that steal other people's ideas and charge a lot of money for their products? I am SHOCKED, SHOCKED.
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post #41 of 52
7/6/12 at 6:09pm
I can see that BurgundyMarsh put a "definition" upon the matter being discussed. But he, too, is "shocked". Like when we use and seek out perfumes, it provides an emotional escape. To hear about the negative is to my tender ears like a piece of chalk screeching on a blackboard.

BN is known for intelligent debates, and sometimes you people discuss a matter to death. I have a point to want to see things discussed in a positive choice of topics. But, as a member who knows how to read, sure, I can skip what is not delectable to follow.
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post #42 of 52
7/6/12 at 6:20pm
This is also about customer satisfaction, as utterly non-dreamland as that is, and some of us prefer companies who do not bully the underdogs. If you don't like the language or idea, why not take your own advice and skip the thread?
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post #43 of 52
7/6/12 at 7:28pm
By Killian

As far as i can tell i have to pay nearly 400 dollars to get Incense Oud 50 ml, the refill is only 175, so I'm paying an extra 200 for a pretentious box with a pillow to rest the bottle in? I buy fragrances to smell good, not to waste on something so pointless.

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post #44 of 52
7/6/12 at 11:07pm
I don't see how a house could be considered an a-hole based on that they "pump out too many flavors without much thought and stuff". But to each their own.

I am a little miffed by some of the more expensive brands that created fruity florals/gourmands and charge a lot for them when I can get similar quality from cheaper houses, i.e. Bond No. 9's I Love New York for Her.
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post #45 of 52
7/16/12 at 6:09pm
1. Bond No 9 (Copying, overcharging, tacky concept, business ethics)
2. Clive Christian (Overcharging, tacky concept)
3. Creed (For fooling people about their history)
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post #46 of 52
7/25/12 at 10:49pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Ursula View Post

It was just that complaining attitude that "got to me" - but then, that is just me. The harsh world is too rough for me. Perfumes are a respite and something like dreamland.

I don't mean to single you out but the above speaks volumes...
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post #47 of 52
7/27/12 at 7:02am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Trebor View Post

I don't mean to single you out but the above speaks volumes...


V O L U M E S like what ? Pray tell.
Why are we here on this discussion panel ? To bitch and complain ?? Or to find like perfumistas who love to discover new and beautiful perfumes, talk about them at great length ...
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post #48 of 52
7/27/12 at 8:15am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Ursula View Post

Or to find like perfumistas who love to discover new and beautiful perfumes, talk about them at great length ...

To me, it is this.
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post #49 of 52
7/27/12 at 9:03am
the only god bond is 007, anything with 09 is probably a double agent
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post #50 of 52
7/30/12 at 3:40am
Amouage for reformulating beyond recognition, utterly denying it, and selling their reformulation while still keeping testers of the originals in shop for customers to try (!)
Result: You test, you love, you buy, open at home and ...
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post #51 of 52
8/6/12 at 10:55pm
I must say, probably Bond no. 9, for their handling if The Perfumed Court / decants.

However, they are one of my favorite houses. I have purchased several things from them, and always found their emails, customer service, and speed of delivery to be top notch.

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Quote:
Originally Posted by Papillon View Post

Amouage for reformulating beyond recognition, utterly denying it, and selling their reformulation while still keeping testers of the originals in shop for customers to try (!)
Result: You test, you love, you buy, open at home and ...

If this happens, that is the ultimate in crappy. That is bait and switch you should return it, and send some nasty emails - if you are sure that is what they are doing.
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post #52 of 52
8/9/12 at 11:31am
Tom ford
creed
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