Finding Discontinued Colognes: Where To Buy Them

If you're looking to buy discontinued cologne, there are a few options to explore. You can try online retailers such as Amazon or Etsy, which often carry discontinued fragrances for a limited time even after they disappear from physical stores. Additionally, some websites like FragranceOriginal.com offer a range of discontinued designer colognes for purchase. Another approach is to find companies that specialize in recreating scents, such as ScentMatchers.com, which can provide fragrances that smell nearly identical to your discontinued cologne. These companies use their expertise and technology to match your favorite cologne, and they usually offer refunds if you're not satisfied with the result. Alternatively, you can try contacting the company directly to inquire about discontinued fragrances, as they may provide information on retailers who still carry the product or have remaining stock.

Online retailers like Amazon

Act Fast

As soon as you learn that your favourite cologne is being discontinued, start checking online retailers like Amazon. They may still carry the scent for months or even years after it disappears from physical stores. It's a good idea to buy in bulk to stock up on your favourite scent. Remember to store your cologne in a cool, dark place like a refrigerator to preserve its integrity.

Check International Options

If you live near a border, it may be worth checking online retailers in other countries. Many fragrances may still be sold overseas, even if they are hard to find in your own country. However, keep in mind that formulas can vary slightly between countries due to different regulations and restrictions on certain fragrance chemicals. Always ask the retailer about the age and storage conditions of the cologne before purchasing.

Explore Similar Scents

If you can't find your exact discontinued cologne, consider opting for a similar scent. You can usually find the notes of a fragrance by doing a quick online search. Look for another cologne with matching or similar notes to the one you loved. This can help you discover new fragrances that you may enjoy just as much as your discontinued favourite.

Try Specialist Websites

There are websites that specialise in selling discontinued fragrances. These sites may have the cologne you're looking for, or they might offer a service where they recreate the scent using similar ingredients. This can be a great way to get your hands on a beloved fragrance that is no longer in production. However, be aware that the recreated scent may not be identical to the original.

Shop on Etsy

Etsy is another great option for finding discontinued cologne. Many sellers on Etsy offer vintage or rare fragrances, including those that have been discontinued. You can browse through their wide selection of colognes from various brands and possibly find the one you're looking for. Etsy also offers free shipping on certain orders, making it a cost-effective option.

Duty-free shops

One advantage of buying cologne in duty-free shops is the potential savings. You can avoid paying VAT, which can add up to significant savings, especially on more expensive fragrances. Additionally, duty-free shops often offer exclusive gift sets that make excellent presents and can be highly collectible.

If you're looking for a discontinued cologne, duty-free shops might be a good option. While they typically stock a wide range of popular fragrances, they may also carry older or harder-to-find scents. It's always worth checking their selection, as you never know what hidden gems you might discover.

To enhance your duty-free shopping experience, consider booking a free personal fragrance shopper at some World Duty Free Stores. This service can help you navigate the vast array of choices and find the perfect cologne, especially if you're short on time or travelling with family.

Lastly, some duty-free shops, like Heinemann Duty Free, offer online shopping. This allows you to browse and purchase fragrances from the comfort of your home, with the added benefit of exclusive discounts and coupons. Simply provide your flight number and departure date when placing your order to ensure you have a valid flight ticket.

Etsy

There are a variety of colognes available, including well-known brands such as Ralph Lauren, Guess, and Creed. You can find vintage and rare colognes, as well as travel-sized and sample bottles.

Some examples of discontinued colognes you can find on Etsy include:

• Vintage Bazar Christian Lacroix miniature fragrance bottle, described as rare and collectible.
• Creed Aventus Eau de Parfum for Men's, available in 1ml, 2ml, 5ml, and 10ml travel-sized sample bottles.
• Discontinued Original Formula Romance Men Ralph Lauren EDT 3.4 oz 100ml cologne spray, including travel extras and a gift set.
• Guess (Twist) eau de toilette by Georges Marciano, described as 100% authentic with perfume samples.
• Vintage DKNY Be Delicious Men's Donna Karan discontinued Eau de Toilette 100ml spray, described as a very rare gift for him.

In addition to these, you can also find cologne oils, solid colognes, and natural and organic options.

Scent-matching services

You can submit a request for a scent you want to be matched and created. If the service feels they cannot recreate the scent, they will provide an instant refund. These services have reproduced thousands of fragrances and have likely already done most of the fragrances that have been discontinued.

Cost

A 3.4 oz bottle typically costs $69.99 and is considered a large bottle in the fragrance industry. Shipping is usually a flat rate of $12.00 to anywhere in the United States.

Reordering

You can always reorder the same fragrance as these services keep your order information on file forever.

Ingredients

These services use a minimal number of ingredients to create a terrific fragrance. The typical ingredients used are fragrance, perfumer's alcohol, and isopropyl myristate, which are regarded as safe for humans.

Longevity

The scent typically lasts 12-16 hours, depending on the ingredients and your body chemistry.

Turnaround time

Most orders are shipped within 5 business days. However, for difficult matches, it may take up to 3 weeks to match the scent.

Legal considerations

Copying a scent is not illegal as no one can own a scent or fragrance. However, these services respect trademarks and ensure customers know they are not buying the original fragrance but a nearly identical alternative.

Alternatives

If you are unable to find a suitable scent-matching service, you can try subscription services like scentbird, scentbox, or fragrance.net, which offer a variety of colognes. Additionally, online communities like r/fragrance on Reddit can provide recommendations and advice on fragrance-related topics.

Contacting the company

If you're looking to buy a discontinued cologne, one of the best options is to try and contact the company. Here are some tips on how to go about this:

Firstly, try to find the contact information on the company's website. Usually, there will be a "Contact Us" or Customer Service page with details such as a phone number, email address, or live chat option. It's a good idea to have the specific product name and any other relevant information ready when you get in touch.

When you reach out, be sure to explain your situation clearly and politely. Let them know that you're looking to purchase a discontinued cologne and ask if they can provide any information on where you might still be able to find it. They may direct you to specific retailers or online stores that might still have stock, or they may offer alternative suggestions.

Some companies may even have a stockpile of discontinued products that they can sell directly to you. This is not always the case, but it's worth inquiring about, especially if it's a smaller company. You could also try contacting any retailers that used to stock the cologne, as they may have some leftover stock or be able to point you in the right direction.

Another option is to try and connect with other customers or enthusiasts of the fragrance. Sometimes, companies will share information about discontinued products with loyal customers or members of online communities. Checking social media platforms, forums, or fan pages dedicated to the fragrance or its parent company could help you connect with these individuals. They may be able to provide insights on where to find the discontinued cologne or even be willing to sell you their own stock.

Finally, don't be afraid to try multiple avenues. You can try contacting the company through multiple methods (phone, email, etc.) or even reach out to different departments within the company. For example, you could try contacting their marketing, sales, or public relations teams, as suggested by cosmetic chemist Jim Hammer in an article for Allure. Each team may have different information or advice to offer.

Frequently asked questions