Fake Perfume?

[Khandro]

I bought some perfume online for my wife ('Ma Griffe' by Carvan) and it appears to be bogus. The box and container look good but it smells very common and doesn't last. Has anyone else had this experience with perfume and do you know of a reliable source for future purchases?

[wolf63]

Where did you purchase it from? There are a few dodgy sites and Ebay is usually a bit of a gamble.

[Marshwarble]

If you buy it on EBay you should be able to get your money back.

[MargoTester]

You can usually tell by the price. If one site is a lot cheaper than another I would be very wary. I notice that house of Fraser sell it, you would be safe with them. These 'older' perfumes are sometimes difficult to get hold of. I just google the name of the perfume and go from there, but as I say, if one site is a lot Cheeper I would stay clear of it.

[wolf63]

Khandro - am I right in thinking that you are abroad? I noticed that John Lewis have it but don't post outside UK.

[gingejbee]

Well, if it's "by Carvan"...it's not a very good fake, because it should be "Carven". Seriously though, fragrances can be awkward buys online because of lots of fakes. Stick to a reputable seller that's been in the business a good while. OH and friends always use this online site and have never had a problem in several years and dozens of orders;


http://www.allbeauty.com/perfume/carven-ma-griffe


(Prices are generally very good - but some products just can't be bought with large discounts....I think your choice may be one of them!)

[Khandro]

Misspelling my mistake! I don't think I can face trying to prove it is fake and there's always the possibility that it may not be and we just don't like it anymore (even so it should last longer) I'm now thinking of quietly replacing it with something else, and I have found L'Heure Bleue by Guerlaine which gets some amazing revues here;
http://www.fragrantica.com/perfume/Guerlain/L-Heure-Bleue-208.html

I like "it, conjures up Schubert's Impromptu Op. 90 No. 4 (particularly the way Vladimir Horowitz plays it"

Anyone know it?

[MargoTester]

That's a new one on me, I used to wear Mitsouko years ago. My all time favourite is Aqua di Palma's Iris Nobile and it lasts for ages, but is not overpowering.

[MargoTester]

And if you want something for yourself their Essenza di Colonia is absolutely wonderful!

[Mosaic]

oooh, I love the scent being described as 'common'.
"I'm getting a hint of armpit with high notes of kebab....."

[gingejbee]

Margo...a woman of taste! That's in my collection....often gets a mention!

http://www.johnlewis.com/acqua-di-parma-colonia-essenza/p147251

[MargoTester]

You and I should get on Gingejbee! I first came across it when I was reading an article about David Niven, he always wore their Intensa cologne. So I took a chance a bought it for my OH for Christmas. Then I discovered that John Lewis sold it and thought I'd try the Iris Nobile and have been hooked ever since. Not many people have heard of it and it is expensive but it always gets remarked on.

[naomi24]

My husband got caught like that when he bought my Chanel Chance - and it cost as much as he'd have paid anywhere else. It went in the dustbin. Best to stick to well known suppliers.

[chrissa1]

Oh that's a blast from the past. Ma Griffe, I mean.

I used to love, Mystere by Rochas but they stopped making it. I bought some from somewhere a couple of years ago but I'm sure it was a fake.

I wish Rochas would sell it again.

[alavahalf]

I take it nobody has heard of http://www.fragrancedirect.co.uk/?gclid=CPf_3M6qoccCFSsCwwodnjwI4g
Have been buying stuff from them over the past year or so. My wife and daughter think I lavish expensive perfume on them .. I do !
But it needn't be expensive, it seems to be about 50% less than the big stores. But according to the experts it is definitely the real thing !

[chrissa1]

Yes I have used them before. But, still no Mystere? :(

[woofgang]

no Hermes and no Artisan Parfumeur :(

[Khandro]

margo; Would that be the Eau de Parfume as shown in alavahalf's link;

http://www.fragrancedirect.co.uk/page/search?termtextkeywordsearch=Aqua+di+Palma%27s+Iris+Nobile+&searchsubmit=

And what do you think of the site?

[gingejbee]

woofgang: lots of Hermes on allbeauty....

http://www.allbeauty.com/perfume/hermes

[woofgang]

thank you gingelbee

[sunny-dave]

Thanks ginge - that's a useful site - it has the original Chanel Egoiste (rather than the nasty new Platinum version) - and at a reasonable price too.