Facts about Perfume Tester

What is a perfume tester? A perfume tester is not a fake or copy of a shop bought fragrance. It is the original perfume, exactly the same as the fragrance that is on sale on department store perfumery counters. Nor are perfume testers to be confused with perfume 'samples'. Perfume samples are usually around 1.5ml spray vials of the perfume and are available for free either direct from the perfume manufacturer or from department store perfumery counters that sell their perfume.



They are packaged and distributed to allow customers to sample the fragrance at home before ordering a full size bottle. Perfume testers on the other hand are a full size bottles of the original fragrance just like those available in store.


So what is the difference between a perfume tester and a shop bought one? Packaging! Fragrances intended for sale on department store perfumery counters are packaged accordingly, in an expensively designed and sealed box. Perfume testers on the other hand are not intended for sale on department store perfumery counters. Rather, perfume manufacturers package and distribute perfume testers of their fragrances to department stores so they can promote it to their customers in store. The department store purchases them so customers can test the perfume in store before they decide to make a purchase.


Since perfume testers are not intended for sale on department store perfumery counters they do not require expensive packaging. As such, perfume testers are generally either unpackaged or in a plain or cardboard box. They may have a 'tester' or 'not for sale' sticker on the box or perfume bottle and occasionally they may not have a perfume lid. But perfume testers will usually have a spray top and so be completely usable. Importantly, perfume testers are usually brand new and unused. Although intended for customer use in store they will not have been used as such. Given these differences, perfume testers may not make the perfect gift but are perfectly adequate for personal use.


Why are perfume testers cheaper than shop bought ones? Since perfume testers do not require expensive packaging they can be purchased at a fraction of the price of those available for purchase on department store perfumery counters.The expensive packaging that commands such a high premium in store is usually discarded anyway so why pay more for expensive packaging you don't need?

only price is the real difference

plus it might look uglier w/out its cap

They are the same. https://www.rise.company/forum/image...smilegif-1.jpg Something is usually called a "tester" because it was meant for in-store use, for people to try out before they buy it. It may be labeled "tester" by the manufacturer, might be in a bigger bottle, and could be partially used - so it's usually cheaper.

Testers are cheap because stores can buy them very very cheap from the manufacturers (unlike the actual retail box). They are meant for people to try the scent out before they buy. Those stores can't sell them either to customers. However quite often, stores buy too many testers and remove the actual item from the shelves so they are left with lots of white boxed unsellable frags so they sell them to overstock/online stores. I am not sure if online stores are able to buy testers directly to the manufacturers to sell or if they have to get them from brick and mortar stores.