Saturday Question: What Are Your Favourite Online Discounters And Why?

/ AustralianPerfumeJunkies

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Portia

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Hello Fellow Fumies,

At APJ we have a Saturday Question. Everyone gets to chime in with an answer, chat with other responders and it’s a fun event each week. Taking sides never means taking offence and everyone keeps it respectful and light, even though we can sometimes trawl the depths.

The idea is you’ll see it on the weekend or chime in through the week. Hopefully you will come back regularly and see if anyone has responded to your comment and you can reply to them. The aim is to generate real conversation and connection even though we are scattered around the globe.

 

Over 100 responses I will draw a Secret Scent Sample Pack (from my collection)

Last Weeks Winner: Only hit 69 (He He he)

eMail me at (portia underscore turbo at yahoo dot com dot au) with your address please

Saturday Question: What Are Your Favourite Online Discounters And Why?

Perfume Discounters. Two words that inspire excitement, fear, dread, and relentless yearnings. We all have a limited budget, I don’t think anyone pithing our APJ fragrant circle has unlimited funds to spend on scents. Sure, some of us have more or less but I think we all have limits. So, when you have 1000 of your currency to spend it’s often a toss up. Do you go straight to the retailer or do you see if an Online Discounter has it somewhere for way less than the marked price, leaving you more for that other purchase or five that you had on your mind?

My Answer:

I LOVE ONLINE DISCOUNTERS!! Especially if my purchase in mind is more than a year old I’m pretty well assured of being able to find it somewhere online for less. Sure, it doesn’t come with a few samples to try of things I never heard of. Maybe it will be a Tester or come unboxed, or even be a 95% return. These things don’t faze me at all. Trawling the Online Discounters in the wee hours of the morning is a wonderful joy and I’ve found some amazing bargains in my time.

Who do I have on speed dial in my bookmarks browser?

FragranceNet are my first go to. I’ve been buying from them for years and only ever had one minor problem. Their customer service sucks but their products are legit, shipping reasonable and they have enormous range. If you search your product on Google first you’ll get a 37% discount code. Shhh!

Parfum1 are another crew I love. Their shipping is kind of expensive but their selection of designer and niche are excellent. They always have a cool discount code on their landing page which makes shopping more reasonable but I always check with FragranceNet first because they are usually cheaper.

FragranceX have an excellent Free Shipping Worldwide code FSW but I often find them a bit more expensive that FragranceNet. They do have some lines not available at other discounters though so always worth a look if you’re having a hard time elsewhere.

These are the guys I use most but who do you use. I love to find out new places and ways to save a few dollars so share, eh?

My Saturday Question to you is:

What Are Your Favourite Online Discounters And Why?

102 thoughts on “Saturday Question: What Are Your Favourite Online Discounters And Why?”

  1. My answers are the same as yours. I also order from First in Fragrance for niche « discounts » as their prices without VAT mean I can buy stuff cheaper than in the US.

    Liked by 2 people

  2. I buy most from Fragrancenet, as their prices are often the best and their products are authentic. I’ve only had one negative experience, when their website said they still had a fragrance in very limited supply, I ordered it, and it turned out they didn’t have it any more. That’s more of an inventory software hiccup, I think, and I wasn’t charged for it, but their response was kind of a shrug when I complained.

    Liked by 1 person

  3. Dirty old me enjoyed that little joke 😈😈
    Okay back to perfume….same as you, fragrancenet and fragrances for the best prices going. Where else can you get 100 ml of something you love for twenty dollars?

    Liked by 2 people

  4. 1. Fragrancenet for sure with its wide selection and deep discounts

    2. Beautyhabit may not be a traditional online discounter but they have a good niche selection and you can pounce when there’s a 20% discount code

    3. Zulilly has the occasional hard-to-find bottles for cheap

    4. Jet.com – you never know what you’ll find

    Liked by 1 person

  5. The world of internet shopping was definitely a game changer for me! We weren’t very well served here in brick n mortar shops until more recent years, but niche is still very much as the word implies, except for a couple of perfumeries in the Capital (Capitol? That still stumps me, duh 🙄). The one I have shopped from a few times is brilliant though, great service and generous with samples. But one thing: mainstream prices here are way more expensive sometimes than in the neighboring UK, which p!$$es me off no end. I hate being screwed for money. My first foray into online buying was with Fragrance Direct and Allbeauty, both UK based, scored some great finds there. Oh, and Escentual is good too. I’ve used Fragrancenet but not in recent years as they now add on customs tax at pos, though this doesn’t guarantee that parcel won’t be nabbed at customs here, where they royally screw you with charges and extra postage charge. I kid you not😡 plus their own shipping is more expensive than years back. Similar with Fragrance X. I still peruse the sites though. You just never can tell what little gems lie in wait to trip up the unsuspecting 😉 . eBay is where most of my perfume budget disappears into recently. I’ve discovered an absolutely fantastic UK seller who is also a shocking enabler, we have great banter back and forth.
    If some of this seems like a rant I apologise, don’t mean to be a Debbie Downer on a beautiful Saturday. Did some gardening earlier, taking a breather with a beer, sitting in the sun, and Neil’s book in my lap. Calm before the Smallies storm arrives😂
    Be well each and every one of my APJ family💋

    Liked by 3 people

  6. I hate it when you find a great fragrance online and then they don’t ship to Aus! I have bought on ebay occasionally and recently found Fragrance and Art when they had a sale.
    Now I am sticking my fingers in my ears and singing loudly so as not to get any more ideas from you lot.

    Liked by 1 person

        • I have Shalimar in EDT and EDP, and I’m curious about the EDC. Val, I admire your very selective taste in perfume and therefore, would like to ask what you prefer about the EDC? Opinions from other Shalimar lovers welcome!

          Liked by 1 person

          • Kathleen, I can only speak for Guerlain colognes that are 40-50 years old (52 and 37, to be precise). I find that their vintage colognes are closer to extraits than to eaux de toilette or parfums de toilette. In fact, they are my favourite concentration along with pure parfum.

            Liked by 1 person

            • Thank you for responding to my question Diana! I also prefer pure perfumes or extraits when possible. Good to know with older vintage Shalimar EDC. I imagine the modern version of EDC is very different.
              I wonder how available vs elusive vintage EDC is? I’ll get started on my research! Xx

              Liked by 1 person

              • Vintage Guerlain colognes are stunning, I think you won’t regret it if you ever buy one. Shalimar and Mitsouko are pretty easy to find on eBay. I have to warn you, though that their versions are different: “montre” bottles (splash ones) and natural spray bottles are heavier on bergamot and opoponax whereas ribbed rectangular bottles produced in the 80-es are softer and have more vanilla in them (they are harder to find, too).
                Unfortunately, I haven’t compared vintage and more recent versions of Shalimar, the latest edp I’ve tried was made in 2007.

                Liked by 1 person

              • Kathleen, don’t hesitate to let me know if you some help on identifying a bottle or choosing one on eBay (I promise I won’t bid against you, I have enough of it for at least a decade 🙂 ) I posted a few shots on my Instagram page in the past couple years (annatarbaby).

                Liked by 1 person

                • Hi Diana,
                  I am knee deep in researching vintage Shalimar! All of your pointers are very helpful. I reading Kafkaesque guide to vintage Shalimar bottles and it is getting overwhelming. I will look at your Instagram as well.
                  I have a vintage urn or bat bottle in the purple box, and the more recent version in the similar bottle after 2010.
                  I’m also looking on ebay and find prices more reasonable than expected. I’m looking for a vintage EDC. I would love your help identifying and choosing a bottle for purchase. Should I be looking for the Montre/disk bottle? Anything else to look for? When purchasing from ebay, I always make sure to purchase unused bottle in box.

                  Liked by 1 person

                  • Hi Kathleen! You could also take a look at guerlainperfumes dot blogspot or the Raiders of the Lost Scent in case you need to know the more or less exact date of manufacturing.

                    If you’re looking for an older bottle, choose “montre” bottles with glass stoppers (there’s a very helpful post about them on guerlainperfumes, in brief:
                    1936-1972: ground glass stopper
                    1972-1979: gold screw-cap stopper (I own one of these) and
                    1979-1999: plastic stopper)
                    but you should be aware that there’s a chance the bottle might leak on the way to you: mine did even though it was previously unused, had a plastic stopper and a golden cap. The juice is beautiful, of course.

                    Liked by 1 person

                    • Thank you Diana! That information is super helpful. I will look at the sites you recommended. I wore Shalimar today as I was reading and researching, and feel more educated already. I’ve decided to hunt for the montre bottle, and also one of the bat or urn bottles pre-1980. I appreciate your guidance! xx

                      Liked by 1 person

                  • Vintage Shalimars are all superb, I’d say: “buy any bottle that meet your criteria (unused, price & shipping, etc.” (personally I’m okay with buying used bottles if my guts tell me to do it 🙂 I also prefer spray bottles, but if you don’t mind using a splash botte, go for it!

                    I can’t think of anything else to say but please send me a message via IG if you need me to have a look at a particular bottle. Happy hunting!

                    Liked by 1 person

                    • I just purchased a Shalimar cologne spray for $30 plus shipping. It looks new, in great condition, and with zig zag black and white box. I’m guessing from late 70’s -80’s?
                      I’m still looking for a good condition fair priced montre cologne bottle. I lost on a bid yesterday but will keep trying when opportunity arises.

                      Liked by 1 person

                    • Wow, congratulations, Kathleen! The zig-zag boxes were available from late 60-es till 81, if I’m not mistaken. Once you receive the bottle, you’ll be able to know the precise year of production (unless it’s an American version). NB : copyright 1967 refers to the design of the box, not the date of manufacturing. Either way, it’s a great find, I’m so happy for you!

                      Liked by 1 person

  8. I love Fragrancenet, which I’ve found to have the best prices. I always use the 37% discount code, and I have never had a negative experience. I have ordered a couple times from beautyencounter; when they’ve had 20% off sale, the price was less than fragrancenet.
    I am right there with your Portia, loving the excitement of research and finding exactly what I want for a discount.

    Liked by 1 person

  9. I have mostly ordered from Fragrancenet- more recently saving my wishlist up until someone posts 37% code on NST! Have also ordered from Fragrancex, no problems with either. Shipping isn’t blazing fast but that’s ok when you get something for $20!

    Liked by 1 person

  10. FragranceNet has long been my go to for discount stuff, they have such a huge selection and I love watching for when “limited editions” and “exclusives” that were too expensive or hard to get end up on their site. Just be careful because often the picture shown is not exactly what you get if you are looking for certain packaging. But they have been great about accepting returns (unopened) or answering questions ahead of a purchase to verify.
    I also like parfum1 (excellent customer service!) and have recently started using perfume.com which seems to be somehow related to FragranceNet but I can’t vouch for that. The prices can sometimes be better than FragranceNet so it is always worth checking. And I love how fragrancenet often sells 95% full unboxed bottles on eBay for huge discounts.

    Liked by 1 person

  12. Like Cookie Queen, never used one. If at all possible finance-wise I actually like to support specialised (niche) perfumeries, we have a couple of very good ones in the Netherlands. Buying outside Europe always means paying extra taxes and shipping costs, which is a factor as well.

    Liked by 3 people

  13. I could have written a near duplicate answer to what Cassie wrote about extra taxes. Since sellers abroad don’t usually refund VAT we end up paying that twice plus a sizeable customs handling fee. So I haven’t really bothered looking at the discounters.

    What I plan to do more often, is to seek out partial bottles perfume friends sell off, usually at very favourable prices. I guess we all have some unloved bottles.

    Liked by 1 person

  14. Watching this thread with interest. Already excited about the 37% discount code at FragranceNet. I have bought online a couple of times, but not regularly. A sucker for eBay sometimes, though.

    Liked by 1 person

  15. I’ve only used FragranceX. Their FSW code doesn’t apply to Russia, it seems but I can use the Free69 code if I buy several bottles, 69$ in total. Haven’t ordered from them in a while, though: I keep finding more interesting deals in Russian fragrance communities, and also don’t have to pay through the nose for the shipping.

    Liked by 1 person

      • If only, Brigitte: I buy from Russians who live in other regions of my country, and sometimes from people who reside in the former USSR republics. In fact, I’m waiting for a package from Kazakhstan, and it’s taking forever for it to arrive.
        I’m pretty sure there are perfumistas nearby but we aren’t aware of each other’s existence. It’s okay since I’ve met some amazing people on IG, we’ve been exchanging perfume samples for a few months now.

        Liked by 1 person

  16. For me since i’m from Europe the best one is Notino. They have really great discounts and deals. I remember once that i bought a bottle of creed virgin island water for 152$ , the old bottle 120ml 👌🏻😋

    Liked by 1 person

  17. Online shopping in Canada can be a little so-so, as sometimes there is duty-dinging or unlovely extra fees, e.g. as recently instigated by Fragrancenet. Fragrancebuy.ca is fast, with okay prices, but savings really only kick in if you buy at least 5 bottles. Finally, Niche Essence is not a discounter, but they have occasional 30% sales on their high-end perfumes and their samples are more like decants.

    Liked by 1 person

  18. My fav. is Fragrancenet. They have been here for a longtime and still doing well. I remember my first favorite was scentiments back in early 2000s when I started this hobby but scentiments has really gone down the drain. They used to have one of the best deals and selections back then. I also purchased from ScentedMonkey for a longtime but I guess they have become more expensive, too. They were quite competitive with fragrancenet for a while.

    Liked by 1 person

      • yeah, Scentiments was really good in early 2000s, probably 2003-2004 and before. They were the ones that introduced me to the concept of testers 🙂 Testers used to save us only couple of bucks back then but now I wish I had gone for caps one for few more dollars. But when you are student, every bucks counts 🙂

        Liked by 2 people

    • Fragrancenet used to participate in eBates and one gets some % back in cash. It was a small % but they add up! Often, the large department stores also have incredible cash back…I think the best one I ever got was 20% back from Neiman Marcus!

      Liked by 1 person

  20. I do not buy too many perfumes these days, so it’s hard to say that I have a favorite online store. I do buy occasionally from FragranceNet. I did Parfum 1. Twisted Lily (https://twistedlily.com/) from time to time runs 20% off, which is almost maximum discount one can get for niche perfumes – unless the line is being discontinued at Luckiscent or Barney’s.
    In Europe there’s a site from which I ordered once, and even with the international delivery it was a good deal (https://www.parfumaria.com/en). They advertise that they ship everywhere.

    Liked by 1 person

  21. For the odd designer, parfumsdelux are my go-to. I suspect those pesky returns that US citizens are allowed get shipped on to sites like this. Does not bother me. Some little gems not regularly found discounted elsewhere end up here, but it is a game of roulette.

    I usually go direct to the niche or indie perfumer, or otherwise, a store. I am a fan of supporting the producer where possible. Occassionally, I’ll even buy a designer from Myer or DJs.

    I can only get Shay & Blue from Kiana Online, but I go in store to buy; Berwick Pharmacy. I also buy my (main line) Chanel from there too, as well as my Beautiful and Aromatics shower gels and Youth Dew deo.

    Liked by 1 person

  23. Fragrancenet for me. or Parfums de Luxe, which appears as an Aussie site but I think they has OS connections. They have some really good pricing – almost too good. I usually compare between these two. Chemist Warehouse for SJP Stash.

    Liked by 1 person

  24. Hmm, I don’t tend to use discounters as I’m not sure I can trust them to get authentic product. That said, I’m on the hunt for a discontinued fragrance, so a discounter or evil bay seem like my only options. I will read this thread thoroughly and maybe try one of the businesses mentioned.

    Liked by 1 person

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