How to choose a safe website for original designer perfume

Contents · 5 sections

1. Why are fake perfumes a problem?
2. 10 signs of a safe website for original…
3. How to spot a fake perfume once you…
4. Marketplaces and social media
5. My advice

I have been connected to the world of designer perfume since I was a child. My parents sell and distribute original perfumes, and I first got involved in the business at 13. Since 2009 I have worked professionally in e-commerce, including building fragrances.bg, the online store of Venera Cosmetics.

I wrote the first version of this article at the end of 2012, and for a long time it was the most-read post on my blog. Since then online shopping has become completely normal, but one problem remains: lots of replicas and fake perfumes are still sold online as originals. In this updated version I will show you how to recognise a safe website for original designer perfume and what to check before you order.

Why are fake perfumes a problem?

Perfume is one of the most counterfeited products in the world, along with clothes, shoes and accessories. The reason is simple: the original is expensive and the packaging is easy to copy.

The problem is not only that you pay for something you did not get. Fake perfumes are made without any controls and can contain substances that irritate the skin or cause allergies. Their scent also usually fades within minutes.

10 signs of a safe website for original perfume

1. Clear company information. Bulgaria's E-Commerce Act requires every online store to state the trader's name, company number, address and contact details. If you cannot find out who is behind the site, do not order.
2. Realistic prices. Original perfumes can be on sale, but if the price is half or less of what the official chains charge, you are most likely looking at a replica or a product of doubtful origin.
3. A physical store or a track record. A website with a physical shop, a long history and a recognisable name has much more to lose by selling fakes.
4. Real reviews. Look for reviews on independent platforms, on Google and on social media, not only on the website itself. Notice how the store responds to negative comments.
5. Its own product photos and detailed descriptions: size, concentration (EDP, EDT, parfum), fragrance notes, year of release.
6. Clear return terms. When you buy online, you have the right to withdraw from the contract within 14 days. For perfume this right may not apply if the sealed packaging has been opened, but the website must say so clearly in its terms.
7. Secure payment. The website should use HTTPS, and card payments should go through a protected page with 3-D Secure. Cash on delivery and the option to check the parcel before paying add extra protection.
8. Honesty about testers and decants. Testers (usually without a cap and in a plain box) and decants in smaller bottles are fine if they are clearly labelled as such. The problem is when they are sold as standard packaging.
9. No "replicas", "dupes" or "inspired by" in the same place. A website that sells both originals and fragrance copies cannot give you confidence about where its goods come from.
10. Fast, professional communication. Ask a question by phone or chat before you order. A good store will answer quickly and knowledgeably, including about the product's origin and batch.

How to spot a fake perfume once you receive it

• The box: the original box is made of thick cardboard, printed well and free of spelling mistakes, and the cellophane is wrapped tightly and neatly.
• The batch code: the box and the bottom of the bottle should carry the same code. Different or missing codes are a warning sign.
• The bottle and sprayer: originals are precisely made, with no bubbles in the glass, and the cap is heavy and fits perfectly.
• The colour and scent: if you know the fragrance, you will usually notice the difference straight away. Fakes often smell strongly of alcohol and fade quickly.

If you suspect you have received a fake, contact the store first. If you get no answer, you can report it to the consumer protection authority.

Marketplaces and social media

In recent years more and more perfume is sold on marketplaces, in Facebook groups and on Instagram and TikTok profiles. That is where the risk is highest, because the seller is often a private person with no company and no way to file a complaint. If you shop this way, the rules above apply twice as much.

My advice

Over more than ten years, the online perfume market in Bulgaria has changed a lot. Good stores have become more professional, delivery is faster, and prices are often lower than abroad. But unfair practices have not disappeared; they have simply moved to new channels.

So shop from stores with a clear identity and track record, compare prices sensibly and do not be tempted by offers that sound too good to be true. If you want to learn more about the world of scents, you can also download our free e-book "Perfumes from A to Z".