There are many misconceptions about the differences between tester perfumes and their original, retail counterparts. Some believe testers are diluted or have a higher concentration of oils, while others claim that testers are always stronger to convince customers to buy the full bottle. However, these assumptions are baseless. Tester perfumes are 100% legitimate and original perfumes, with the same ingredients and concentration as the retail product. The only difference lies in the packaging, as testers are offered in outer cartons without labels or cellophane, and sometimes without a lid or cap. Testers are usually not for sale, but they are often sold and resold in the distribution and sales network. The primary reason tester perfumes are cheaper is due to their basic packaging.
Characteristics | Values |
---|---|
Purpose | Displaying and trying fragrances before purchase |
Liquid inside | 100% identical to retail fragrances |
Price | 20-50% lower than original packaging |
Packaging | Plain or no box, additional tester and notes stickers, occasionally no cap or label |
Durability | Depends on how it is stored |
Legitimacy | 100% legitimate and original perfumes |
What You'll Learn
Testers are original perfumes
Testers are indeed original perfumes. They are new, authentic fragrances with the same scent and ingredients as their boxed counterparts. The only difference is the packaging. Testers are often sold in an outer carton box without cellophane, a lid/cap, or a fancy label. Sometimes, they are also unboxed or come with a "not for sale" label.
The purpose of testers is to allow customers to sample a fragrance before buying it. They are usually not for sale, but they are sometimes sold and resold through distribution and sales networks, or third-party perfume discounters.
Testers are significantly cheaper than boxed perfumes, often 20-50% lower in price. This is due to the basic or plain packaging, which also means there is less waste for those who don't care about the packaging. However, the lack of fancy packaging also means that testers are not ideal for gifting, unless the recipient doesn't mind.
Testers are also a great way to save money when building a fragrance collection. They can be purchased from legitimate sources, such as FragranceNet, FragranceX, and Maxaroma, and are not fake or counterfeit products. It is important, however, to be cautious when buying testers from untrusted sources, as fake tester perfumes do exist.
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Testers are often cheaper
Testers are manufactured for all kinds of men's and women's brands, including the most prestigious ones, such as Carolina Herrera, Coco Channel, Paco Rabane, Calvin Klein, Jean Paul Gaultier, and Christian Dior. Tester perfumes are sample fragrances found in perfume stores, and while not being products for sale, some online fragrance web shops do sell them.
The purpose of tester products is to display and try fragrances before being purchased. Shops carry perfume testers to encourage sampling, fragrance promotion, and sales. It is often said that most fragrances are sold based on the top notes and the first 10 seconds of sampling.
The best place to buy tester perfumes is from official brand resellers. Tester perfumes are original, new, unopened, and unused. Beautinow, for example, purchases these testers in bulk from their extensive network of official brand resellers.
The main benefit of purchasing a tester perfume is the lower price due to basic packaging. If you do not care about the packaging and find the price very important, you should purchase tester perfumes for personal use.
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Testers are for sampling
Testers are ideal for those who do not care about the packaging and are looking for a lower price. The primary reason testers are cheaper is due to differences in packaging. The fragrance inside a tester bottle is identical to the retail fragrances, and the durability of the perfume is the same, as long as it is stored correctly. Testers are a great way to save money and build a fragrance collection.
Testers are often sold by third-party perfume discounters or so-called grey market distributors. These distributors buy testers in bulk from official brand resellers at a discount. While the grey market is completely legitimate, it goes against the manufacturer's intention for selling, and some brands prohibit reselling.
Testers are not for everyone. If you are buying a fragrance as a gift, it is better to purchase the perfume in regular retail packaging. If you want the full buying experience, such as gift wrapping or a freshly handmade bottle, testers are not the best option. If you are buying for your collection or plan to resell, you may want to opt for the retail version.
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Testers are sold by third-party discounters
When buying a tester, it is important to be aware of potential red flags, such as fake products or partially full bottles. Testers are usually bottles made specifically for use in department stores, and the only real difference from the original product is the presentation. Testers may come in plain boxes, without caps, and sometimes have the note breakdown listed on the bottle. It is also worth noting that some brands do not make testers at all.
When buying perfume online, it is important to check whether the product is a tester or a product with a colour package and cellophane. Testers are just as preferred as perfumes, and you can find them at many online perfume stores. If you are purchasing a fragrance as a gift, it may be better to buy the perfume in regular retail packaging, as gifting a tester version may not be considered good practice.
In conclusion, the primary reason tester perfumes are cheaper is due to the differences in packaging. The perfume liquid in testers is the same as in the original product, and the only difference is the container in which they are sold.
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Testers are not for everyone
Firstly, testers are usually offered in plain packaging or without a box at all, and often without a lid or cap. This may be a deal-breaker for those who value the presentation and unboxing experience of a full-priced perfume. The lack of decorative packaging also means that tester bottles are generally cheaper, which can be a pro or a con depending on the buyer's priorities.
Secondly, testers are typically not for sale and are meant for sampling purposes only. While they can sometimes be purchased from third-party perfume discounters or grey market distributors, they are not intended for resale and may have lower resale value than a full-priced bottle. This is an important consideration for those who collect fragrances or plan to resell their bottles.
Thirdly, testers are usually not wrapped and have been handled by multiple people, so there is no guarantee of a completely untouched product. This may be off-putting for those who prefer their fragrances to be completely pristine and unused by others.
Lastly, while testers are authentic and contain the same fragrance as the full-priced version, there may be slight differences in performance due to storage conditions or concentration. However, this is unlikely to be a significant issue as testers are stored and displayed in the same way as regular bottles, and any differences would be negligible.
In conclusion, while testers can be a great way to save money and access authentic fragrances, they may not be suitable for everyone. Those who value the full buying experience, pristine packaging, or plan to resell their fragrances may be better off purchasing the full-priced version.
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Frequently asked questions
No, testers are not bad. Testers are 100% legitimate and original perfumes. They are new, authentic, and used for testing purposes. The liquid inside a tester bottle is identical to the retail fragrances.
The only difference between testers and original colognes is the packaging. Testers are offered in an outer carton box without cellophane or a label, and sometimes without a lid/cap. The purpose of this type of product is to show and present the scent before being purchased.
There is a common misconception that testers are diluted or have a higher concentration of oils. However, the fragrance inside tester bottles is of the same identical ingredient quality as their retail releases.
Yes, testers are much cheaper due to less fancy packaging. Tester bottles can save you anywhere between 10% to 50% of the original price.
You can buy testers from third-party perfume discounters or so-called grey market distributors. FragranceNet, FragranceX, and Maxaroma are some of the legitimate websites that sell authentic fragrance testers.