FAQS

WHAT'S THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN PERFUME & COLOGNE?

Parfum: (Extrait) is the highest concentration of perfume and may contain 20-30% essential oils and high grade alcohol & a slight amount of water, can last 7 to 24 hours on the skin. Parfum is the most expensive type of fragrance.
Eau de Parfum: (Esprit de Parfum/Parfum de Toilette) is composed of 10-15% of essential oils with a slightly weaker alcohol & water mix, usually last about 4-8 hours.
Eau de Toilette: is a much thinner dilution of the same materials, containing approximately only 4-10% of essential oils, in an even weaker alcohol & water mixture. Usually last about 3 hours.
Eau de Cologne: for men or women, is further diluted, about 3-5% of essential oils, in an even still weaker alcohol & water mix. Usually lasts about 2 hours.

REFORMULATIONS CAN ALSO AFFECT HOW A PERFUME SMELLS

Please take into account that perfumes often go through reformulations over the years due to rising perfume ingredient costs or regulations (such as IFRA) on allergens or chemical toxicities, and may not smell exactly the same as what you remember.

These reformulations are not always disclosed to the public and I may have no way of knowing whether a perfume has been reformulated or not. Packaging and bottle changes are often clues that there has been a reformulation, but not always. Due to the delicate nature of perfume, I am sorry but I cannot offer refunds for any perfume, especially vintage, antique or discontinued perfumes.

FRAGRANCES CAN CHANGE CHARACTER OVER TIME

Please remember that perfumes over 3-10 years start to lose their freshness and may start to smell like alcohol. Certain ingredients and compounds will break down and oxidize. The older the perfume, the less it may smell like what you may remember. How a fragrance was stored will affect how it smells today. If the fragrance was stored in a cool, dark place, it should have fared well. But, since I often get perfumes second-hand, mostly through estate sales, I cannot vouch for how a perfume was stored before it came into my hands, so buyer beware.

Due to the delicate nature of perfume, I am sorry but I cannot offer refunds for any perfume, especially vintage, antique or discontinued perfumes.

DO YOU ACCEPT RETURNS ON PERFUMES?

Due to the delicate nature of perfume, I am sorry but I cannot offer refunds for any perfume.

My shop specializes in antique and vintage collectible perfume bottles that may or may not contain perfume. Because of their age and the fact that these have been previously owned (sometimes I can’t determine if the contents of a sealed bottles are original because I do not open sealed bottles), I can offer NO guarantee on the content or (absence of) smell or originality of the perfume.

A QUICK NOTE ABOUT MINI PERFUMES

Most miniature perfumes are generally under 3" tall. Volume varies depending on the bottle design, but minis generally contain less than 5 ml (0.17 oz) of fragrance. Bottles less than 1" high and holding between 1-3 ml of perfume are considered micro minis. All fragrance miniature bottles (mini perfumes/colognes) on my site are being sold as collectibles only. Fragrance miniatures were often sold along with larger bottles by the manufacturers as gift with purchases & may have the words "Gift Not For Resale" on them. Please understand that I do not test any of these when listing & do not sell them for the fragrances contained in their bottles as these are old & most of the time they have turned & are no longer wearable.

A QUICK NOTE ABOUT PERFUME SAMPLES

Over the years, I collected thousands of genuine vintage, hard to find & discontinued manufacturer's perfume & cologne samples, but I have to let some go now. These fragrances are old, & are most likely not fresh as they once were & their scent most likely has changed over time, please understand that I cannot guarantee that the fragrance still smells good to you. If a sample is carded, it may show signs of wear & tear from storage. Many of these samples are discontinued fragrances that are no longer produced & are considered collectibles. Please understand that I do not test any of these when listing & do not sell them for the fragrances contained in their vials as these are old & most of the time they have turned & are no longer wearable.

ARE ANY DUTIES, TAXES OR VAT INCLUDED IN MY PURCHASE?

No. For my international buyers - Buyers are responsible for additional costs caused by import/shipping that is levied by the various authorities in their own country. Import duties, VAT and other possible (tax) charges fall outside the responsibility of me and are the responsibility of the buyer. The buyer is personally responsible to inform themselves in advance of the charges levied in the country where the package is to be dispatched at the request of the buyer. Regarding the transport insurance the actual value of the content of the package is specified to the shipping company. By the laws of your country, you are still responsible to pay these. I cannot illegally mark an item as "gift" to help you avoid these taxes.

HELP! TRACKING SAYS MY ORDER WAS DELIVERED BUT I DON'T HAVE IT!

If you are international, check with your local post office. Depending upon your country, it might be waiting at the post office for you to pay your VAT or IMPORT taxes before you can receive the package. If it's not there, ask anyone that lives with you and/or your neighbors.

If you are USA domestic, first check with anyone that lives with you that might have picked it up for you. You can ask neighbors as well. If no one has seen it, contact your local post office.

Once a package is tracked as delivered, the post office will no longer discuss the package with the sender. I am not responsible for a package once it has been delivered, including theft.

I'M AN INTERNATIONAL BUYER, WHAT DO I NEED TO KNOW?

International shipping can take up to 6 weeks.

Please be aware that you will be responsible for any taxes, custom fees, handling fees, or other amounts levied by your home country. Please check with your Customs office and/or Postal Service if you are concerned about possible tariffs. I do not know every country’s fees so it is your responsibility to be aware of these before purchasing. VAT is NOT INCLUDED in the listing price. If your country's revenue authority collects VAT, GST, or any other tax/fee, you will have to pay the fee on delivery according to your country's regulations.

If your item shows it was delivered but you have not received it, it is likely being held at your local post office/customs office awaiting payment of fees.