Tester vs retail bottle: what's the difference?
What fragrance testers are, how they differ from the bottles sold in shops, and what to check before buying one in the UK.
Testers are the bottles shop counters use so customers can try a fragrance. They are often sold online for less than the boxed version. Here's what you get, and what you give up.
What a tester is
A tester is a genuine bottle made for display and sampling. It usually contains the same fragrance as the retail bottle. What differs is the packaging:
- It may come in a plain box, or no box at all.
- It may have no cap.
- The bottle or box is often marked "tester", "demonstration" or "not for sale".
Why testers are cheaper
The savings come from the missing packaging and from the fact that testers weren't meant for resale. That's also why their prices vary so much between sellers.
What to weigh up
Origin is harder to check. Testers reach resellers through many routes. It can be hard to know where a bottle came from or how it was stored.
Not all are unused. Some testers sold online are new. Others may have been on a counter. A listing should say which.
Returns can be limited. When you buy online from a UK trader you usually have 14 days to cancel. That right can be lost for sealed goods you've opened that can't be returned for hygiene reasons, and many sellers treat fragrance that way. Check the returns policy before you buy.
Counterfeiters copy testers too. A plain box is easier to fake than retail packaging. Apply the same checks you would to any bottle: see how to avoid fake fragrances.
Not ideal as a gift. No box, sometimes no cap, and a "not for sale" label rarely make a good present.
When a tester makes sense
If you already know the scent, buy from a seller you trust, and don't need the box, a tester can be a sensible buy. Compare it against the retail bottle's price first. A good retail deal sometimes closes the gap entirely.
Testers on The Ledger
The Ledger only lists retail stock, so every price you see here is for a boxed bottle from an authorised retailer. To check whether a tester is really cheaper, compare its price per ml with the retail bottle's price history.