FAQs
WHAT IS A SAMPLE-SIZED TESTER?
A sample sized perfume tester is extracted from the original perfume bottle and transfered to a smaller unbranded bottle.
A perfume sample does not include the original brand bottle or original brand labeling.
A perfume sample does not include the original brand bottle or original brand labeling.
HOW CAN I MAKE PERFUMES LAST LONGER?
Perfume longevity depend on a number of factors:
1. The composition created by the perfumer.
2. How the perfumer is kept and stored by the user.
3. The users own body chemistry and body heat.
4. Whether the user has a sensitive sense of smell or not. It's easy to become 'nose blind' around strong perfumes and not sense them as impactful as those in the surrounding feel the fragrance.
Perfumes evaporate faster in heat including body heat. Perfumes should always be stored away from heat and light to last longer and keep their performance,
It's advisable to spray or dab a perfume on clothing, around the front of the neck and the sleeve cuffs. However, do not spray perfumes on natural fibers like silk and rayon as the alcohol in the perfume may effect these textiles.
1. The composition created by the perfumer.
2. How the perfumer is kept and stored by the user.
3. The users own body chemistry and body heat.
4. Whether the user has a sensitive sense of smell or not. It's easy to become 'nose blind' around strong perfumes and not sense them as impactful as those in the surrounding feel the fragrance.
Perfumes evaporate faster in heat including body heat. Perfumes should always be stored away from heat and light to last longer and keep their performance,
It's advisable to spray or dab a perfume on clothing, around the front of the neck and the sleeve cuffs. However, do not spray perfumes on natural fibers like silk and rayon as the alcohol in the perfume may effect these textiles.
DO SAMPLES COME IN THE ORIGINAL BRAND BOTTLE?
No, a perfume sample or tester never comes with the original brand bottle. The perfume is added into a non-branded bottle.
It's only testers from the manufacturer that come in original mini-bottles, and these are usually sold at quite high prices.
The unfortunate fact is that many brands do not hand out small testers of their perfumes anymore, unless you buy a full bottle. It can be quite difficult to get a tester, or to get a tester in a decent size to allow sufficient time to try the fragrance. Sometimes the testers cost almost equal to a full bottle. Therefore, sample sized perfumes are the perfect way to try expensive perfumes before buying a full bottle.
It's only testers from the manufacturer that come in original mini-bottles, and these are usually sold at quite high prices.
The unfortunate fact is that many brands do not hand out small testers of their perfumes anymore, unless you buy a full bottle. It can be quite difficult to get a tester, or to get a tester in a decent size to allow sufficient time to try the fragrance. Sometimes the testers cost almost equal to a full bottle. Therefore, sample sized perfumes are the perfect way to try expensive perfumes before buying a full bottle.
WHY DO PERFUME SCENTS DIFFER ON TWO DIFFERENT PEOPLE?
Perfumes do differ quite a lot between person to person. This is due to the individual body chemistry.
Food, spices, alcohol, medicines, body temperature, etc., affect the body chemistry. This can alter how a perfumes unfold and blend with our individual body chemistry.
For example, people with acidic body chemistry may perceive floral and citric notes differently than a person with sweeter body chemistry.
The same is true with longevity of the fragrance. The molecules in perfumes evaporate in contact with heat meaning the lifespan shortens with heat. Individuals with higher body temperature will therefore have a shorter scent lifespan, shorter longevity, from their perfume. The way to solve this is to spray the fragrance on the clothing near the chest, neck and sleeve areas.
Food, spices, alcohol, medicines, body temperature, etc., affect the body chemistry. This can alter how a perfumes unfold and blend with our individual body chemistry.
For example, people with acidic body chemistry may perceive floral and citric notes differently than a person with sweeter body chemistry.
The same is true with longevity of the fragrance. The molecules in perfumes evaporate in contact with heat meaning the lifespan shortens with heat. Individuals with higher body temperature will therefore have a shorter scent lifespan, shorter longevity, from their perfume. The way to solve this is to spray the fragrance on the clothing near the chest, neck and sleeve areas.
CAN I ORDER ROLLER BOTTLES?
We do offer some fragrances in roller bottles.
While most people prefer spray bottles, roller bottles are much easier for us to ship, especially internationally.
The bottles are much thicker than spray bottles with less likelihood to break or leak, and the regulations for packaging roller bottles are particularly convenient for shipping and handling.
While most people prefer spray bottles, roller bottles are much easier for us to ship, especially internationally.
The bottles are much thicker than spray bottles with less likelihood to break or leak, and the regulations for packaging roller bottles are particularly convenient for shipping and handling.
DO PERFUMES CHANGE COLOUR?
Yes, a perfume can change colour as it ages and get darker in shade. When a perfume ages the notes become richer and deeper. Often, the perfume can also get stronger. A high-end aged perfume tend to be a more valuable perfume.
A cheap mass-produced perfume do not mature like a high-end perfume. These perfumes are made with chemicals that emulate a scent. They have shorter longevity and tend to lose their scent-tree in a year and start to smell chemical, or off. They are also less prone to change colour.
A cheap mass-produced perfume do not mature like a high-end perfume. These perfumes are made with chemicals that emulate a scent. They have shorter longevity and tend to lose their scent-tree in a year and start to smell chemical, or off. They are also less prone to change colour.
CAN COVID-19 AFFECT MY SENSE OF SMELL?
Yes!
Loss of smell (Anosmia) or reduction in ability to sense smells is one of the most common side effects of COVID and COVID vaccines and booster shots, and can continue long after a mild or severe infection.
COVID can also cause a distortion of scents.
The good news is that it's only temporary.
Other causes for scent distortion or loss are allergies, hay fever, colds. Like COVID these conditions can make fragrances smell odd, strong scents can smell weak or poorly lasting, or completely distorted.
Loss of smell (Anosmia) or reduction in ability to sense smells is one of the most common side effects of COVID and COVID vaccines and booster shots, and can continue long after a mild or severe infection.
COVID can also cause a distortion of scents.
The good news is that it's only temporary.
Other causes for scent distortion or loss are allergies, hay fever, colds. Like COVID these conditions can make fragrances smell odd, strong scents can smell weak or poorly lasting, or completely distorted.
WHAT PAYMENT METHODS CAN I USE?
We offer multiple payment methods; PayPal, Visa, Mastercard, Discover, American Express, Shopify payment processing and the option to pay by Bank Transfer.
WHY DID MY ONLINE PAYMENT FAIL?
For security reasons, the payment provider require that the card payment details must match your bank statement details associated with the card you use:
1. The card holders name
2. The card billing address
3. The delivery address (should match your bank statement)
4. The CVC code (last 3 digits on the back of the card)
If these details differ from your card provider details, the payment will often be held or rejected due to security concerns. Try to process the payment again and make sure all your account details matches the input on your payment.
If you continue to have problems, contact our support. We may be able to help.
1. The card holders name
2. The card billing address
3. The delivery address (should match your bank statement)
4. The CVC code (last 3 digits on the back of the card)
If these details differ from your card provider details, the payment will often be held or rejected due to security concerns. Try to process the payment again and make sure all your account details matches the input on your payment.
If you continue to have problems, contact our support. We may be able to help.
WHAT IS THE SHIPPING TIME?
Our Lab take up to 2-working days to decant and prepare the product. We do not generally process orders on weekends, holidays or bank holidays.
MINIMUM ESTIMATED DELIVERY
Royal Mail estimate:
(Plus 2 day lab decant process. Weekends not included)
- UK orders: 5 working days
- EU orders: 2-3 weeks
- Worldwide: 2-4 weeks
EU DELAYS
Please note that new EU customs procedures can cause delays. Do not place orders that require tight deliveries.
TRACKING
Once orders leave the lab, only Royal Mail will know the delivery status. We have no access to updates on delivery status beyond what Royal Mail provides on their official tracking details.
LOST ITEMS
Be aware that we provide no guarantees, compensation or refunds for any lost or delayed orders shipped Internationally. All shipping issues are the responsibility of the carrier.
Read our terms and conditions for delayed and lost deliveries before placing your order.
MINIMUM ESTIMATED DELIVERY
Royal Mail estimate:
(Plus 2 day lab decant process. Weekends not included)
- UK orders: 5 working days
- EU orders: 2-3 weeks
- Worldwide: 2-4 weeks
EU DELAYS
Please note that new EU customs procedures can cause delays. Do not place orders that require tight deliveries.
TRACKING
Once orders leave the lab, only Royal Mail will know the delivery status. We have no access to updates on delivery status beyond what Royal Mail provides on their official tracking details.
LOST ITEMS
Be aware that we provide no guarantees, compensation or refunds for any lost or delayed orders shipped Internationally. All shipping issues are the responsibility of the carrier.
Read our terms and conditions for delayed and lost deliveries before placing your order.
WHAT IS THE STATUS OF MY ORDER?
TRACK YOUR ORDER
Tracking information can be found in your shipment confirmation email, or from your accounts in the "order history" section. You can search the tracking update via the Royal Mail:
Royal Mail: Track Your Item
Or direct via the Royal Mail website: https://www.royalmail.com/track-your-item#
EU/US ORDER DELAYS
The most common causes for extended or lost delays: - Unclaimed orders - Faulty address
Royal Mail do not provide compensation for parcels destroyed from unclaimed or missing address details, or parcels rejected over customs/duty payments.
You may have limited consumer rights for missing items in this catagory.
FAULTY ADDRESS
Please assure your delivery address and contact details are accurate. If you suspect that the delivery address is in error, contact us as soon as possible.
We do not reimburse or credit orders with delivery issues from faulty details, rejected deliveries, or refusals to pay customs duty.
Failure to provide accurate delivery and contact details may cause a full loss of your order.
Tracking information can be found in your shipment confirmation email, or from your accounts in the "order history" section. You can search the tracking update via the Royal Mail:
Royal Mail: Track Your Item
Or direct via the Royal Mail website: https://www.royalmail.com/track-your-item#
EU/US ORDER DELAYS
The most common causes for extended or lost delays: - Unclaimed orders - Faulty address
Royal Mail do not provide compensation for parcels destroyed from unclaimed or missing address details, or parcels rejected over customs/duty payments.
You may have limited consumer rights for missing items in this catagory.
FAULTY ADDRESS
Please assure your delivery address and contact details are accurate. If you suspect that the delivery address is in error, contact us as soon as possible.
We do not reimburse or credit orders with delivery issues from faulty details, rejected deliveries, or refusals to pay customs duty.
Failure to provide accurate delivery and contact details may cause a full loss of your order.
ARE NON-UK ORDERS SUBJECT TO CUSTOMS DUTY?
Yes, you may need to pay duty. It does not happen to orders below the duty threshold, but if you are based in the European Union, USA or outside the UK you may be charged additional duty, VAT and import fees on arrival depending on order value.
All import and customs fees are the buyers responsibility. These fees are billed to you by your government and are payable before the release of the goods, or billed after delivery.
Refusal to pay customs fees can result in cancellation and loss of your total order value.
Please be aware that compensation will not be issued by Royal Mail for RTOs or refusal to pay customs and duty. TPS provides no refund on orders with RTO rejections.
Learn more here:
https://ec.europa.eu/taxation_customs/business/vat/vat-e-commerce_en
All import and customs fees are the buyers responsibility. These fees are billed to you by your government and are payable before the release of the goods, or billed after delivery.
Refusal to pay customs fees can result in cancellation and loss of your total order value.
Please be aware that compensation will not be issued by Royal Mail for RTOs or refusal to pay customs and duty. TPS provides no refund on orders with RTO rejections.
Learn more here:
https://ec.europa.eu/taxation_customs/business/vat/vat-e-commerce_en
WHAT IS YOUR RETURNS, EXCHANGES AND REFUNDS POLICY?
Returns
We are unable to accept returns or issue refunds on testers. Testers are specialised items that are classified as perishable goods. They are therefore governed by the Health & Safety Regulations of the United Kingdom. Perishable items must be thrown out at a loss because they cannot be restocked. We hope to provide better options in the future.
Sales Items
All sales are final.
Defects/Wrong Items
- Items that are defective or incorrect can be exchanged for a replacement.
- A full refund is provided if the replacement product is no longer in stock.
- For exchanges or other solutions, defective items must be reported to us within 36 hours after the delivery date.
- Please be aware that returned items that exhibit evidence of use or excessive use will not be eligible for an exchange.
- Returns for replacements must be received within 30 days of the date of purchase.
- All returns require a return reference and return address, with prior approval. **A correct returns address will be issued. Do not send any returns to the fulfilment processing center, where returns will be discarded.
- All return costs and packing are the customer's responsibility. The item needs to be shipped by tracked delivery.
- Please make sure the returned order is securely packed and has the original packing slip or returns note with the buyer's information and order number on it.
- We do not accept returns or refunds if buyer decide he/she doesn't like the fragrance tester he/she pruchased. It's a tester.
Cancellations
- Order cancellations are accepted with a full refund as long as customer support is notified before the product(s) are created and/or dispatched.
- Once the order has been prepared for shipment or sent, we are unable to accept cancellations.
- Don't forget to provide your name and order number. You will receive a confirmation email once approved.
Complaints
- For any complaints, please notify us to see if we can set things right.
- Do not attempt to obtain a return or refund by misrepresention. We will look into every matter, and if there was any misrepresentation (fraud), we reserve the right to refuse reimbursements and discard of the item.
- All return shipping and packaging costs are the customer's responsibility.
- 20% fee on order value applies to investigation of claims, deducted from refund, if applicable. Postage is not refunded.
Lost Items:
Royal Mail Compensation Claims:
You can use the Royal Mail Online Compensation Form to submit a compensation claim to Royal Mail for missing deliveries. Although it is uncommon, we are unable to assume responsibility for products lost in transit, and we do not offer reimbursements or compensation for misplaced items. You would have to file a claim with Royal Mail for missing items:
Royal Mail: Missing Items Claim
Or direct via: https://personal.help.royalmail.com/app/webforms/claim
Please assure you have all details ready before filing your claim with Royal Mail:
1) Your purchase receipt that was emailed to you
2) The order value and order date
3) Shipping label reference (for non-tracked deliveries) or tracking code.
4) External packaging description ["White padded envelope with printed label"].
Please be aware that Royal Mail only processes compensation claims for tracked postage; it does not process claims for non-tracked orders. However, you are still able to submit a claim for lost items. Missing claims must be submitted at least 14 days after the shipping date.
We are unable to accept returns or issue refunds on testers. Testers are specialised items that are classified as perishable goods. They are therefore governed by the Health & Safety Regulations of the United Kingdom. Perishable items must be thrown out at a loss because they cannot be restocked. We hope to provide better options in the future.
Sales Items
All sales are final.
Defects/Wrong Items
- Items that are defective or incorrect can be exchanged for a replacement.
- A full refund is provided if the replacement product is no longer in stock.
- For exchanges or other solutions, defective items must be reported to us within 36 hours after the delivery date.
- Please be aware that returned items that exhibit evidence of use or excessive use will not be eligible for an exchange.
- Returns for replacements must be received within 30 days of the date of purchase.
- All returns require a return reference and return address, with prior approval. **A correct returns address will be issued. Do not send any returns to the fulfilment processing center, where returns will be discarded.
- All return costs and packing are the customer's responsibility. The item needs to be shipped by tracked delivery.
- Please make sure the returned order is securely packed and has the original packing slip or returns note with the buyer's information and order number on it.
- We do not accept returns or refunds if buyer decide he/she doesn't like the fragrance tester he/she pruchased. It's a tester.
Cancellations
- Order cancellations are accepted with a full refund as long as customer support is notified before the product(s) are created and/or dispatched.
- Once the order has been prepared for shipment or sent, we are unable to accept cancellations.
- Don't forget to provide your name and order number. You will receive a confirmation email once approved.
Complaints
- For any complaints, please notify us to see if we can set things right.
- Do not attempt to obtain a return or refund by misrepresention. We will look into every matter, and if there was any misrepresentation (fraud), we reserve the right to refuse reimbursements and discard of the item.
- All return shipping and packaging costs are the customer's responsibility.
- 20% fee on order value applies to investigation of claims, deducted from refund, if applicable. Postage is not refunded.
Lost Items:
Royal Mail Compensation Claims:
You can use the Royal Mail Online Compensation Form to submit a compensation claim to Royal Mail for missing deliveries. Although it is uncommon, we are unable to assume responsibility for products lost in transit, and we do not offer reimbursements or compensation for misplaced items. You would have to file a claim with Royal Mail for missing items:
Royal Mail: Missing Items Claim
Or direct via: https://personal.help.royalmail.com/app/webforms/claim
Please assure you have all details ready before filing your claim with Royal Mail:
1) Your purchase receipt that was emailed to you
2) The order value and order date
3) Shipping label reference (for non-tracked deliveries) or tracking code.
4) External packaging description ["White padded envelope with printed label"].
Please be aware that Royal Mail only processes compensation claims for tracked postage; it does not process claims for non-tracked orders. However, you are still able to submit a claim for lost items. Missing claims must be submitted at least 14 days after the shipping date.
HOW DO I CONTACT CUSTOMER SERVICES?
Please contact us via our contact form for faster response time.
Should you experience any issues with the form, you can reach us via the contact form (in top menu) or via info###theparfumesshop.com. (Replace the ### with @).
Our customer service team is available on business days from Monday to Friday, local United Kingdom time zone.
During busy holiday seasons we prioritize to respond to existing customers, so we advice to check the FAQ for answers for quicker resolution before contacting support.
Please make sure to check the spam folder if you're missing replies.
Opening Hours (UK Time Zone)
Monday 10:30 - 5 pm
Tuesday 10:30 - 5 pm
Wednesday 10:30 - 5 pm
Thursday 10:30 - 5 pm
Friday 10:00 - 4 pm
Saturday Closed
Sunday Closed
Bank Holidays
We are closed on the following bank holidays in 2024/2025:
1 January New Year’s Day (substitute day)
18 April Friday Good Friday
21 April Monday Easter Monday
5 May Monday Early May Bank Holiday
26 May Thursday Spring Bank Holiday
25 August Monday Summer Bank Holiday
24 - 31 December Christmas / New Year week
Should you experience any issues with the form, you can reach us via the contact form (in top menu) or via info###theparfumesshop.com. (Replace the ### with @).
Our customer service team is available on business days from Monday to Friday, local United Kingdom time zone.
During busy holiday seasons we prioritize to respond to existing customers, so we advice to check the FAQ for answers for quicker resolution before contacting support.
Please make sure to check the spam folder if you're missing replies.
Opening Hours (UK Time Zone)
Monday 10:30 - 5 pm
Tuesday 10:30 - 5 pm
Wednesday 10:30 - 5 pm
Thursday 10:30 - 5 pm
Friday 10:00 - 4 pm
Saturday Closed
Sunday Closed
Bank Holidays
We are closed on the following bank holidays in 2024/2025:
1 January New Year’s Day (substitute day)
18 April Friday Good Friday
21 April Monday Easter Monday
5 May Monday Early May Bank Holiday
26 May Thursday Spring Bank Holiday
25 August Monday Summer Bank Holiday
24 - 31 December Christmas / New Year week
