The Perfumed Court

[rydrJ1]

It's a little shocking when I was about to purchase some samples from TPC and noticed the $ per ml relative to buying it retail for example Amber Oud. I realize I live in NYC so I should just pay for the subway or walk to Saks to try out these scents...but sometimes have them all there just beats it.

My order is going with Surrender to Chance though. The price point looked a lot lower. I mean 8ml decant of Amber Oud is more expensive than 50ml refill you can order on the website. Who does that?

[Wingie]

It's true; although decanting places like TPC and STC have always sold samples and decants for more than the retail price, per ml, of the fragrance. If they did not do this they would not make a profit from the decanting. Therefore, you have a bottle of perfume, such as a regular bottle of Chanel No.5 EDT, that has been marked up in price twice - once when a retailer such as a department store sells the full bottle, then again when decanters such as TPC and STC buy that and decant from it, in order to make a profit off the decants. This is one of the criticisms that has been made of decanting.

That being said, I don't know how decanters arrive at the particular prices they do for some of the fragrances they sell. I was confused, and a bit outraged, when I saw STC selling 1 ml samples of Prescriptives Calyx for $4.99, and 8ml decants for $33. I'm sorry, but that is highway robbery. You can buy this perfume at bargain basement prices online. Right now there are several 50ml bottles on ebay being sold in the $40 range. I know a lot of people have been saying the prices at STC are better but for me it has depended on the fragrance. TPC sells Calyx samples for the standard $3 per ml which it should be. And even that. as you said, is way more than the retail price per ml for the fragrance.

[L'Homme Blanc Individuel]

I placed an order with TPC back in September for samples of scents they had in stock and my oder is only now shipping, TODAY. I've been checking the mail for days expecting it to arrive. I had no idea they hadn't even shipped my order yet. I also had no idea their 1ml samples aren't even 3/4 of the 1ml they're supposedly selling. Be careful if you order those. You're actually only getting .7ml, if even that much. Other sites seem to correctly list that size as .7ml but apparently, TPC tries to cheat by making it look like you're getting more than you are. Hopefully they don't cheat on 1.5ml and 2.5ml samples too. This is likely to be my first and last order with them.

- - - Updated - - -

UGH! I contacted TPC to ask what took so long to get my order shipped. In explaining the delay, they mentioned that my order still had NOT actually shipped yet. It'll ship tomorrow.

[30 Roses]

The vials are called 1 ml vials because that is what they hold when filled to the brim and left uncapped (I checked, it's true.) Of course, they can't be shipped or stored that way! The liquid would overflow. Practically speaking, you are only getting 0.7 (or 0.75) mls of perfume when you buy a 1 ml vial.

My 4-quart pot holds 4 quarts of water when filled to the brim, but you can't cook with the fluid level all the way up to the brim-- it will overflow. Still, the industry calls it a 4-quart pot.

Luckyscent spells out how much juice the buyer is getting with one of those samples, and that is the best way in my opinion. To do the same, TPC and others would have to test the volume that each one of their vials and atomizers actually holds. And each time they changed supplier, they would have to re-test the new vials/atomizers. That is probably why they don't....

[Wingie]

It's true; although decanting places like TPC and STC have always sold samples and decants for more than the retail price, per ml, of the fragrance. If they did not do this they would not make a profit from the decanting. Therefore, you have a bottle of perfume, such as a regular bottle of Chanel No.5 EDT, that has been marked up in price twice - once when a retailer such as a department store sells the full bottle, then again when decanters such as TPC and STC buy that and decant from it, in order to make a profit off the decants. This is one of the criticisms that has been made of decanting.

That being said, I don't know how decanters arrive at the particular prices they do for some of the fragrances they sell. I was confused, and a bit outraged, when I saw STC selling 1 ml samples of Prescriptives Calyx for $4.99, and 8ml decants for $33. I'm sorry, but that is highway robbery. You can buy this perfume at bargain basement prices online. Right now there are several 50ml bottles on ebay being sold in the $40 range. I know a lot of people have been saying the prices at STC are better but for me it has depended on the fragrance. TPC sells Calyx samples for the standard $3 per ml which it should be. And even that. as you said, is way more than the retail price per ml for the fragrance.

I just heard from Patty at STC - apparently the price Calyx was listed at was a mistake, and a result of all of their fragrances getting new price classifications after the new website launched. The real price is $4.99 per 2 ml and $10.99 for an 8 ml decant. It has already been changed on the website.

[gmm150]

I placed an order with TPC back in September for samples of scents they had in stock and my oder is only now shipping, TODAY. I've been checking the mail for days expecting it to arrive. I had no idea they hadn't even shipped my order yet. I also had no idea their 1ml samples aren't even 3/4 of the 1ml they're supposedly selling. Be careful if you order those. You're actually only getting .7ml, if even that much. Other sites seem to correctly list that size as .7ml but apparently, TPC tries to cheat by making it look like you're getting more than you are. Hopefully they don't cheat on 1.5ml and 2.5ml samples too. This is likely to be my first and last order with them.

- - - Updated - - -

UGH! I contacted TPC to ask what took so long to get my order shipped. In explaining the delay, they mentioned that my order still had NOT actually shipped yet. It'll ship tomorrow.

Yeah they are extremely slow in shipping. I think they list something about taking pride in fast delivery or something of that nature on their website lol.

I do think that they fill their vials up a bit more than luckyscent or at least for me they did.

[jcw122]

This place is garbage. Took them 2 weeks with no notification to ship my order. Outrageous and not in line with any standard internet practices. Not even any notice that it would take this long. Should have researched before buying from them.

[Ursula]

The Perfumed Court takes a bit longer to ship right now, but I have no complaints. Their items are quality. That is what I am looking for. Give them time, after that unfortunate break-up, where two left and left the third one with a mess to clean up.

[drb123]

I have read thru many blogs on Basenotes of members who have had good experiences with Perfume Court. Let me share this story with you. On October 2nd I purchased a $15.00 bottle of Sycomore to try out. Yesterday, it still had not come, so I went to Perfume Court's website to ask about it and low and behold there is a single letter size block to be filled in at the contact us area. Yes, the note area is the size of a single letter! Thus, I was baffled; I could not express my thoughts with a single letter, so I took a chance and sent an email off to orders@perfumecourt.com. Today, after no reply, I set up a dispute via Paypal and this afternoon I get an email from Perfume Court. But, there is NO message. It is a just a copy of my invoice with a USPS tracking number, which you know is usually worthless until after the item arrives.
Why would she do this to me? This is not a good way to support and maintain clientele! Not even a 'hey it is in transit' or 'I shipped it out late.'
say la vie

[Kiliwia]

I'm sorry to hear you're having a problem with TPC, I know that can be so frustrating. I've had extremely good luck in my transactions with them. I went to their site and you're right about their contact box, no way to write a message. The only email address I could find is sales@theperfumedcourt.com it is one to use for returns, exchanges, replacements and refunds. Maybe they never received your email, since you sent it to perfumecourt instead of theperfumedcourt for the address. Try contacting them at the address above and tell them all your concerns. I hope you get the Sycomore you ordered, it's a great fragrance.

[kalli]

She's backed up on orders due to a big sale I think. My order took a few days but it got to me, no biggie. I found her communication to be good. I think I've ordered from them 2-3 times so far.

[donna255]

Never ordered myself, but on other boards the shipping times recently are two to three weeks.

At that point it was blamed on Labour Day holiday, now a sale.

[Twolf]

She is great, the best. For the prices they charge, she better be. Where are you located at? I have noticed the PO working with delays in the last three weeks -- I am in the upper mid-west and it took them 14 days to deliver to Alaska and 6 days to Chicago from me.

[kalli]

None of my orders took 2-3 weeks to arrive, even with the sale.

[CMcG]

There is a fairly comprehensive FAQ on The Perfumed Court contact page that addresses all these issues. In particular, it says to allow up to 3 weeks for domestic shipping, so I don't see what the fuss is about after only 10 days...

http://theperfumedcourt.com/ContactUs.aspx

[IngaMi]

I've always had good luck with them, I know the orders take awhile to get here, particularly in Canada, but I don't get too excited. The orders always come, and I've never had a problem either. I think the time it takes for the order depends a lot of where you live, considering the Post Office and their pokey way of doing things. Probably it would help if TPC made it a little easier to contact them - more than just the one email address, etc.

[hednic]

I have read thru many blogs on Basenotes of members who have had good experiences with Perfume Court. Let me share this story with you. On October 2nd I purchased a $15.00 bottle of Sycomore to try out. Yesterday, it still had not come, so I went to Perfume Court's website to ask about it and low and behold there is a single letter size block to be filled in at the contact us area. Yes, the note area is the size of a single letter! Thus, I was baffled; I could not express my thoughts with a single letter, so I took a chance and sent an email off to orders@perfumecourt.com. Today, after no reply, I set up a dispute via Paypal and this afternoon I get an email from Perfume Court. But, there is NO message. It is a just a copy of my invoice with a USPS tracking number, which you know is usually worthless until after the item arrives.
Why would she do this to me? This is not a good way to support and maintain clientele! Not even a 'hey it is in transit' or 'I shipped it out late.'
say la vie

Perhaps in the future you might consider a different place if it left a bad taste in your mouth.

[elevation]

It's a good site. I had some knize 10 that was on back order for a while, but there was nothing she could do about that. I can't remember if it said out of stock, but that would be my only gripe, that they don't label things as out of stock and you have to wait forever to get it. Other than that, it's all good.

[RedRaider430]

It's odd that after reading about TPC that you would expect to have a "good experience" with them. For several months now, all of the most recent posts about TPC have been consistently NEGATIVE. That is because the business is no longer what it used to be. There used to be 3 women in the business and they did well. But two of the women left several months ago, and ever since that happened, TPC has been an absolute disaster; absolutely horrible service.

I have used TPC twice since the change, and on both occasions, it took over two weeks to get what I ordered. In addition, the communication was horrible. They consistently ignored my email. Yet, all the while, they had no problem processing the order and taking the money from my card immediately. Perhaps the most irritating thing of all is that they send out tracking information fairly soon after you order, EVEN THOUGH THEY DON'T ACTUALLY SHIP YOUR PACKAGE! Got that? Yep, they send you a tracking number, but there is no tracking information for 7 to 10 days, if then. Eventually, your package will show up, but be prepared to wait at least two weeks.

I am now avoiding TPC, if at all possible, and I encourage others to do the same. If you want great service, use surrendertochance.com.

[cameron]

I've had RedRaiders experience every BEFORE the split. Was very frustrating ordering 5 scents with one order and having some show up within 1 week and others show up 3-4 weeks later. It was absurd.

[Possum-Pie]

I agree with another member who said they had a HUGE sale that really backed them up. I have had many dealings with them all of them pleasant. There always is their competition-Surrender to Chance- if you are really angry.

[gmm150]

The problem is that I didn't get in on their "Huge Sale" so that pissed me off. On top of that since my order was only for 5 samples, they acted like it wasn't as important has some of their "bigger orders".

[Marais]

There used to be 3 women in the business and they did well. But two of the women left several months ago, and ever since that happened, TPC has been an absolute disaster; absolutely horrible service.
...
I am now avoiding TPC, if at all possible, and I encourage others to do the same. If you want great service, use surrendertochance.com.

Despite singing the praises in the past of the 'old' TPC sadly I must agree with this after trying to sort out a recent botched order

[Possum-Pie]

I've ordered from both TPC and STC within the past month...Both arrived within a week, both gave cute little bags with candy in...the split hasn't done anything that I can see...prices are the same in both locations. ONLY beef I have with either one is that they refuse to buy atomizers with caps for the smaller 1.5ml samples...I'd pay the extra 25 cents to have a cap....

[Keithmax]

I wished I had read this thread first. I ordered 11 days ago and still not shipped. I don't mind waiting some but this over the top. I am not interested in excuses, I will try the other vendor in the future.

[Kaelee]

I wished I had read this thread first. I ordered 11 days ago and still not shipped. I don't mind waiting some but this over the top. I am not interested in excuses, I will try the other vendor in the future.

Aw man, me to. I ordered a bunch of samples last week on a recommendation from another site (I hadn't found Basenotes yet). Granted, the timezones listed on TPC ARE East Coast time zones and there is a hurricane going on over here right now. But I really hope I don't have a bad experience like some of you all have been having. I didn't spend all that much money (I'll be mad if I lose it though) but I WANT MY SAMPLES!!!!! I haven't gotten past the 1-7 business days they say for processing though, I'll keep you all updated on how it goes.

[Possum-Pie]

Aw man, me to. I ordered a bunch of samples last week on a recommendation from another site (I hadn't found Basenotes yet). Granted, the timezones listed on TPC ARE East Coast time zones and there is a hurricane going on over here right now. But I really hope I don't have a bad experience like some of you all have been having. I didn't spend all that much money (I'll be mad if I lose it though) but I WANT MY SAMPLES!!!!! I haven't gotten past the 1-7 business days they say for processing though, I'll keep you all updated on how it goes.

You won't lose your $$. These ladies are professional, and I have had very good service. They got a little backed up awhile back from a really good offer they had, but you should have them within 10 days usually. NOW as for the Hurricane we are having, I can't speak for that, some of our roads are closed, tree limbs are down, wind is blowing at about 45mph gusts now, expected to go to 75mph by midnight. Who knows if that will affect them, one lives in Georgia or south someplace I forget where the other samples came from...New Jersey? your out of luck then...

[Kaelee]

You won't lose your $$. These ladies are professional, and I have had very good service. They got a little backed up awhile back from a really good offer they had, but you should have them within 10 days usually. NOW as for the Hurricane we are having, I can't speak for that, some of our roads are closed, tree limbs are down, wind is blowing at about 45mph gusts now, expected to go to 75mph by midnight. Who knows if that will affect them, one lives in Georgia or south someplace I forget where the other samples came from...New Jersey? your out of luck then...

I thought it was only one lady still involved? (I'm really not sure here because I am only reading snippets here and there of the whole story.)

Yea, the hurricane really might screw everything up! I think I ordered on Wednesday and found out about Sandy on Thursday. I see you're in Gettysburg...stay safe out there!

[JiveHippo]

I believe you're correct Kaelee. If I'm not mistaken, Diane in Georgia runs TPC, the other 2 ladies left and started Surrender to Chance.

[Kaelee]

I believe you're correct Kaelee. If I'm not mistaken, Diane in Georgia runs TPC, the other 2 ladies left and started Surrender to Chance.

Georgia! Well she might be OK then. Now hopefully she ships fast!