Authenticity Of Cologne: Overstock's Real Deal?

Overstock is an online perfume retailer that has gained popularity over the years. The company was started in 1999 by Patrick M. Byrne and has since been owned by Oprah and Steven Donaldson. Overstock has a wide range of perfume collections, including royal mirage, Davidoff, colour me, and white musk perfume oil. The website has received mixed reviews, with some customers claiming that the perfumes they received were not authentic, while others claim that they received genuine products. Overstock has gained high ratings for its fragrances and perfumes, with some customers praising the low prices and good quality. However, there have been concerns about the legitimacy of the perfumes offered by the company, with some reviews mentioning issues with delivery and returns.

Is Overstock a legitimate site for cologne?

Overstock is an online perfume retailer that sells a range of fragrances, including royal mirage, Davidoff, colour me, and white musk perfume oil. The company was started in 1999 by Patrick M. Byrne and has gained thousands of customer reviews.

There are mixed reviews about the authenticity of the perfumes offered by Overstock. Some customers claim that the products they received were fake, while others say that they received genuine fragrances.

One customer wrote, "I placed an order for two bottles of Issey Miyake perfume. I alerted them as soon as I opened the box and sprayed it, and now they’re giving me the run-around. It smells like raid insect spray, so be careful. I paid $55 for each bottle, thinking I was getting a fantastic deal when it retails for $106.00 at Macy’s. Be wary of their Issey Miyake, which is a rip-off."

Another customer had a more positive experience, saying, "I've bought a couple of frags off Overstock and haven't had any issues. The last frag I bought off there was a bottle of Thierry Mugler last Fall. To my surprise, it also came with a travel kit and a bottle of body wash."

Overstock has gained 2.4k ratings for its flavors and fragrances and has a rating of 2.45 stars out of 5 on Sitejabber, indicating that most customers are generally dissatisfied with their purchases.

Overall, it is difficult to determine the legitimacy of Overstock as a site for purchasing cologne. While some customers have had positive experiences and received genuine products, others have been disappointed and believe that the company sells fake perfumes. It is important to exercise caution when purchasing fragrances online and to be aware of the possibility of counterfeit products.

What are the customer reviews like?

Customer reviews for Overstock's cologne are mixed. While some customers have reported positive experiences, with one customer stating that they bought a perfume from Overstock that was 100% authentic and brand new, there are also numerous negative reviews, with some customers claiming that the cologne they received was fake or not as described.

Positive reviews mention the low prices, ease of accessibility, and good customer service. One customer said that Overstock is the "ideal platform for getting not just perfumes but also other household items". Another customer praised Overstock's return policy, saying that they received a used perfume and were allowed to return it for free without any trouble, despite the company's no-return policy on perfumes.

However, there are also many negative reviews, with some customers reporting that they received fake or counterfeit cologne, while others complained about poor customer service, long delivery times, and difficulty returning items. One customer warned others to "buy at your own risk", as over half of the cologne they received had leaked out, and they were unable to get a response from customer service. Another customer claimed that the cologne they received "smelled like raid bug spray" and was a "rip-off".

Overall, while there are some positive reviews, the majority of customer reviews for Overstock's cologne seem to be negative, with complaints about the authenticity, quality, and customer service.

What are the pros and cons of shopping on Overstock?

Overstock is an online retailer that sells a variety of products, including fragrances. While the website offers a wide range of items at discounted prices, there are some pros and cons to consider before making a purchase.

Pros:

• Overstock offers a large selection of products at discounted prices, which can result in significant savings for customers.
• The website has a user-friendly interface that is simple, easy to use, and fast to load, making the shopping experience convenient and efficient.
• Overstock provides free shipping on orders over $45 and offers a 30-day money-back guarantee on most unopened items, making it convenient and risk-free to try new products.
• The company has a loyalty program called "Club O," which offers additional benefits such as free returns, price matching, and exclusive discounts for an annual fee of $19.95.
• Overstock is a legitimate and reliable website that sells authentic products. While there may be mixed reviews about the quality of certain items, the company has thousands of positive consumer reviews and ratings.

Cons:

• Some customers have reported receiving expired or outdated products, particularly in the beauty and cosmetic categories. This can be a significant issue, especially with products that have expiration dates and need to be used within a specific timeframe.
• There have been complaints about the return process, with some customers experiencing difficulties in getting their returns processed and receiving refunds. Overstock's return policy states that not all items are eligible for return, and there may be instances where only partial refunds are given.
• In terms of fragrances specifically, there have been mixed reviews. While some customers have received authentic and fresh perfumes, others have reported receiving used or counterfeit products. This inconsistency can be a concern for those looking to purchase fragrances from Overstock.
• Overstock does not have any physical stores, and their products are only available through their online store. This may be a disadvantage for those who prefer to shop in person and test fragrances before purchasing.

Overall, Overstock can be a great option for those looking for discounted prices and a wide selection of products. However, it is important to be aware of the potential cons, especially when it comes to the quality and authenticity of certain items, including fragrances.

How can you ensure you're buying an authentic product?

When buying cologne, it's important to ensure that you're getting an authentic product. Here are some ways to verify the authenticity of your purchase:

• Know the seller: Buying from a reputable seller is crucial. Department stores are generally the safest option as you can examine the product and consult retail staff if needed. Be cautious at flea markets or swap meets, and always inspect the perfume and get the vendor's contact information. When buying online, check seller reviews, and ensure they have a return policy and safe shopping guarantees.
• Research the perfume: Familiarize yourself with the packaging, bottle design, and placement of the barcode by checking the manufacturer's website and observing products in stores. This will help you spot potential discrepancies in counterfeit products.
• Check the wrapping: Authentic perfumes typically have cellophane tightly wrapped around the boxes. Loose or poorly wrapped cellophane could indicate a counterfeit product.
• Inspect the box: Look for grammatical errors, misspellings, or odd layouts on the text. Authentic packaging uses high-quality paperboard, and the barcode should be on the lowest back portion of the box, not the sides. Check for excess glue or tape, which could indicate tampering.
• Verify control, batch, and serial numbers: Authentic perfumes have these numbers on the packaging, which can be cross-referenced with the manufacturer to confirm authenticity.
• Examine the bottle: Authentic perfume bottles are usually made of high-quality glass with smooth surfaces and spill-proof caps. Counterfeit bottles may be made of cheaper materials like plastic and have uneven caps that don't fit well.
• Understand the scent: Authentic perfumes have complex, layered scents with top, middle, and base notes that reveal themselves over time. Counterfeit perfumes often lack this complexity and may have an "off" smell after a short period.
• Pay attention to longevity: Authentic perfumes typically last longer, both on the skin and in the bottle, compared to counterfeits. Opened bottles of authentic perfumes can retain their scents for up to 18 months, depending on the type of scent.
• Know the scent notes: Research the perfume to understand its scent notes. Authentic perfumes from high-end brands will have tapering top notes, middle, and base notes that evolve throughout the day. Counterfeits often only have a single top note that doesn't last long.
• Test the product: After examining the packaging and scent, test the perfume on your skin. Counterfeit perfumes may cause allergic reactions, so it's important to verify its authenticity before use.

What are the signs of a fake perfume?

It can be tricky to know whether a fragrance is genuine or fake, especially when the fake perfumes have gotten a lot more realistic. Here are some signs to look out for to ensure you're not buying a counterfeit perfume:

The Price

Although this isn't always indicative of the quality of the perfume, if it's really cheap for the "brand" it claims to be, then it's likely to be too good to be true. There may be exceptions, such as a stock clearance where a store is closing down, but on the whole, the price provides a good indication of authenticity. You can get 20% to 30% off on some major brands, but getting more is rare.

The Packaging

Genuine perfumes come packaged in high-quality materials and are meticulously wrapped. If the perfume looks like it's been hastily packaged or is a little worse for wear, this can be an indication that it's fake. Check the wrapping—legitimate perfumes typically have cellophane tightly wrapped around the boxes. See if the cellophane is loose or poorly wrapped. Also, check the text on the back of the packaging for grammatical errors, misspellings, or poorly laid-out information. Real packaging for a real perfume should be grammatically correct.

The Bottle and Cap

The bottle itself should feel heavy, as most fragrance bottles are crafted from high-quality materials like glass or crystal. If the bottle feels too light, it might be a replica. Real perfume bottles have smooth surfaces, while imitation bottles are often a bit rough and are usually poorly made, sometimes constructed with plastic. Quality perfume bottles have tight-fitting caps that are spill-proof. Genuine perfume caps are always tightly screwed on and usually have the brand name engraved on them. If the cap feels loose or too light, it may not be a genuine perfume.

The Scent

Authentic perfumes will have three layers of scents that reveal themselves over time, consisting of top, middle, and base notes. This complexity ensures that the scent is varied and multidimensional, allowing the scent to change from the initial application until complete skin absorption. Fake perfumes will have a one-dimensional fragrance layer and will often have an "off" smell after only a short time of wearing it. Authentic perfumes are also made with a mixture of scents derived from natural products and synthetic products, while cheap perfumes tend to be completely synthetic and lack complexity.

The Batch Code

Check the base of the bottle for small letters or numbers, or on the base of the perfume box. It might also be included on a card inserted in the box. If your perfume bottle has a batch code, you can use this to verify its authenticity with the manufacturer.

The Retailer

Buy from a reliable website and check if the brand is distributed in any points of sale in the world or in a perfumery. The brands have a list of official distributors of their perfumes, and no other actor is allowed to sell the products. If you buy perfume online, check if the brand authorizes the website to sell its perfumes. Check customer reviews and look at pictures of real products received.

Frequently asked questions