How to Know Where to Get Perfume Samples

Co-authored by Amber Crain

Last Updated: September 29, 2022 References

Perfume can be very expensive stuff. Spending a lot of money on a bottle that you thought you loved in the department store, getting it home and discovering after a day or two that you really don’t like it at all, is a very frustrating experience. Sampling perfume before you purchase a large bottle is definitely the way to go. They are quite a few ways to get completely free or low cost perfume samples, saving you from dealing with that frustration ever again.

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:

Asking for Samples in Stores

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Visit department stores in person. Sephora and Nordstrom are two of the best department stores for getting completely free perfume samples. If the store doesn’t carry samples of a particular perfume you’re interested in, many of them will decant a bottle and make you a sample of your choice.
- Bring a few zip-lock baggies, some small sticky labels and a handful of cotton balls with you. If there is no other way to bring home a sample, simply spritz the perfume on the cotton ball and put it in the baggie.
- Be sure to label each baggie with the perfume brand and name. Take it home with you and spend some time with the scent to see if you're interested in it.
2
Bring empty sample vials with you into department stores. If the store doesn't have the perfume you want to sample and they don’t have any empty sample vials to create one for you, ask if they would be willing to fill up an empty vial you have with you.^{[1]
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- Some department stores are happy to fill empty vials that you brought with you. Others don't like it doing it, so it really just depends on where you are.
- However, it never hurts to be prepared by having the vials on you and asking a sales associate once you arrive.
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3
Request samples at the register whenever you make a purchase. If you are at a department store making an unrelated purchase, always request a few free perfume samples at the register when you’re checking out. Even if your purchase is a relatively low cost item, you should still ask for a few perfume samples.
- Most department stores are happy to comply with your request.
- Giving free samples with a purchase is pretty standard practice at these establishments, since they want your repeat business.

Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

Requesting Free Samples Online or By Mail

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Visit the perfume manufacturer’s website.^{[2]
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Research source} Check to see if the company is giving away free samples through their own online storefront. If the manufacturer is giving samples away, it will probably say so on their homepage.
- If you don't see a blurb about free samples on the homepage, look for a tab on the menu that says "Free Samples" or "Freebies."
2
Request free samples directly from the perfume manufacturer. If the manufacturer isn't giving away any samples on their website, look for the company’s physical address and write a letter to them directly to request free samples. This strategy doesn’t work 100% of the time, but it’s worth a try! It does pay off occasionally.
- Company addresses are usually located at the very bottom of the webpage, in small print, or they can be found under the “About Us” or “Contact Us” menu tabs.
- Mailing a physical letter is more likely to get you free samples than sending an email. Business websites are bombarded by emails every day, but physically receiving a personal letter from a customer is becoming a rarity. It will usually get someone’s attention.
- It wouldn’t hurt to throw a few compliments in the letter about how much you like their brand, how excited you are to try a sample, etc.
3
Look for newly launched perfumes online. Some perfume companies will happily give away free samples when they launch a new perfume. Keep an eye on your favorite brands so that you know when something new is coming out. Do a little additional online research on perfume brands that you aren’t familiar with, as well. Check out their websites for possible samples, too.
- Try looking into newly launched perfume companies, as well. Investigate their websites for free sample opportunities.
- Brand new perfume companies are generally very happy to provide you with free samples, since they are very actively trying to develop a customer base.
4
Check out freebie websites. Freebie sites collect free offers and make them available to customers via their website. You won’t always have complete control over which brands you can sample, but these sites are a good way to discover new products you may not have checked out otherwise.
- Always read the fine print on these freebie websites to make sure you know exactly how their process works before trying them.
- The most trustworthy freebie sites will never ask you for credit card information in order to receive free samples.^{[3]
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Look for free samples when shopping on department store websites. Many department stores, like Sephora, offer up to three free samples with every online purchase you make with them.^{[4]
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Research source} In most cases, you get to choose what kind of samples you want.
- The free samples will arrive packaged with the rest of your order.
- Online perfume stores will often include perfume samples with a purchase, as well. You usually don’t get to choose which samples you get with those establishments, however.

Method 3

Method 3 of 3:

Purchasing or Trading Samples

1
Purchase samples from niche boutiques online. Niche perfume boutiques almost always sell sample vials of their scents through their online stores. Most of them will throw in one or two freebies with your order if you make a purchase.
- Some of them even have sample programs you can sign up for, so that you’re automatically mailed their newest fragrances whenever they debut.^{[5]
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2
Check out online perfume outlets and perfume sample businesses. Perfume outlets generally sell a wide range of perfume brands at a slightly discounted cost. Many of them have “try before you buy” offers so that you can buy and smell a variety of scents.
- There are also perfume sample businesses, which deal only in the sale of samples.
- These are both excellent ways to get ahold of a wide range of perfume samples at an affordable price.
3
Buy perfume samples on eBay. You can find a decent selection of perfume samples that you can purchase through sellers on eBay. Occasionally you will find some really great deals on eBay and usually the prices are pretty good.^{[6]
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- eBay doesn’t allow the sale of decanted sample vials, so make sure that any product you order and receive is in its original packaging.
- Also check any samples ordered through eBay for signs of having been opened and/or diluted. You can report these things and receive refunds in most cases.
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Trade perfume samples via online swapping venues. There are multiple online venues that provide a forum for people to swap perfume samples with one another.^{[7]
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Research source} Each one works a little differently, so make sure you read the site carefully for information about their process before joining up.
- Most of these sites allow swapping of more than just perfume samples – makeup, skin care, and many other beauty-related items are swapped, as well.
- Swapping prescription medication is not allowed on these sites.
- Be aware that most of them forbid any buying or selling through their site. Strictly swapping only.^{[8]
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Community Q&A

Question

How much perfume is in a sample?

Community Answer

A standard perfume sample is in a 1/32 oz (1 ml) vial.
Question

What are some magazines that give free samples?

Community Answer

Magazines usually only give samples that come on paper. This isn't an ideal way to try any scent. However, most high end fashion magazines have them in their issues.
Question

Where can I get free samples in Germany?

Community Answer

Try department stores and look online for freebie websites and swapping forums.