What Are Cologne Testers?
Cologne and perfume manufacturers offer different ways for customers to test or preview their products. Options include actual trial applications and give-away samples, both of which are testers. Does this Spark an idea?
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On-Site Tests
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Scent manufacturers often provide or sell tester bottles of their products to retailers that carry them. The tester bottles are either made available to customers on a self-serve basis near product displays or are proffered by sales personnel in the cosmetic department, who may encourage passers-by to try a new scent on the spot.
Sample Vials of Scents
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Cologne and perfume manufacturers sometimes offer free vials, or testers, of their product to potential customers. Sample vials are usually made of glass and contain about 1ml of product. They may be distributed at retail locations, or via mail or online promotional campaigns.
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Sample Fragrance Cards
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Sample fragrance cards, which are infused with the featured cologne or perfume, are another way for scent manufacturers to promote their product through testers. The cards may be handed out by sales personnel at a retail facility, or they may be distributed via magazine inserts or other mass mailings. Sample cards allow customers to experience the scent without actually applying it.
Integrity of Samples
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Unless illegally obtained, tester bottles and vials of cologne or perfume contain the exact same product as the scent they represent. With tester bottles, however, the associated packaging may differ from the retail version.
Collectibility
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Perfume and cologne sample vials and cards are often attractive and unique and are considered collectible, particularly vintage examples.
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References
- Photo Credit perfume bottle image by Antonio Oquias from Fotolia.com
