Aug 26, 2007 07:22 PM
24073 Views
Being fond of perfume and advantage of overseas travelling, made it more pleasurable with larger choices and then comparing prices at various duty-free almost becomes a subject of discussion among friends and family.
Since last 3-4 years, I have noticed the huge price differences of the branded perfumes available at the duty-free and at the local markets in Dubai and Mumbai at outlets like Alfa and stores in Lokhandwala, and others. Various theories emerged among friends and fellow-travellers about the authenticity of the product-usually attributed to differences in the mark-ups/ volume discounts/etc.
However, reluctantly I was convinced that the ones available in the market[non-duty free shops] are the genuine stuff and the prices are lower coz of volume selling and lower mark-ups.
Last year I was in Dubai and visiting Meena Bazaar, -after comparing prices I settled down to one popular store[name withheld] and checked the products of various brands, compared same with the tester bottle and being perfume buff, was 100% convinced that the product bought at 40-50% below duty-free prices was the right choice. I bought myself 6 different brands and was a very content shopper.
Returning back from my trip I even convinced a friend to buy similar perfume from Alfa- as it was the real thing at lower then duty-free price.
After using them for a week or so, realized that somehow they are lasting much lesser on myself compared to the earlier ones, although they have a similar fragrance. Few weeks later, they honestly turned a nasty beefy smell and more noticeable to my wife who refused to be around me with that obnoxious smell.
Of course, it wasn't any one particular brand, but all of them and even my friend who bought from mumbai-Alfa had the same experience.
Again sharing info with friends, I was told by another that these are spurious stuff made in China with abs same bottling/box/fragrance. The difference is noticed on use and at times if using a new brand one keeps wondering- is that how its supposed to be.?
Friends, watch out and though it might be slightly expensive at the duty-free, avoid the local markets. By the way, I never had a bad experience at any duty-free shops.
Take care. Thanks to mouthshut where these kind of info can be shared!
