Can I sell perfume samples on Ebay?

me4bargains

I've just noticed that Ebay have banned the sales of perfume testers and was wondering if I could still sell perfume samples?
I get quite a few because of my job and they are sealed in boxes taking up space in my drawers.
Thanks.

justjohn

Its up for interpritation....

cyberbob

Aren't samples and testers the same thing?

Ebay wrote:

Testers of perfumes and cosmetics that have only been given to shops for testing purposes but are not for sale may not be listed on eBay. Smell-a-like perfumes may not be listed on eBay when they are compared to a well known brand or scent. You may not list a perfume in a bottle other than the original bottle (Decanters)

http://pages.ebay.co.uk/help/policies/perfumes-cosmetics.html

I read it as you cant sell testers if they were free and not originally sold. So I would guess if your samples were free you can't sell them on on ebay.

Strapped

cyberbob wrote: »

Aren't samples and testers the same thing?



http://pages.ebay.co.uk/help/policies/perfumes-cosmetics.html

I read it as you cant sell testers if they were free and not originally sold. So I would guess if your samples were free you can't sell them on on ebay.

You may be able to get away with giving them away "free" with something else listed, but it's a bit of a grey area.

me4bargains

Looks like that's a no.
Does anyone know exactly why they have been banned?

justjohn

Because perfume companies are maximizing profits and being petty. And ebay are scared.

The official line is that you are infringing or could be infringing 3rd part rites

me4bargains

At this rate you won't be able to sell anything new on Ebay unless your a well known company or high-street store.
Another nail in the coffin for small-time sellers it seems.

tom_petty

me4bargains wrote: »

Looks like that's a no.
Does anyone know exactly why they have been banned?

Few big cosmetic brands took eBay to court in France then they were fined $2.5 million. After that they are cautious on this section. More details you can read here -

http://news.cnet.com/8301-13578_3-10406074-38.html

jasmineswhiskers

Samples are allowed as long as they come in the original container that includes the ingredient list. Testers (I take this to mean the large size perfumes that are on the counters) are not. I guess to sell a tester then they may be coming from 'dubious' means. Samples are usually given out to the general public - presume they can do what they want with them then.
By the way to the OP - how come you have acquired boxes of these samples. Shouldn't they have been given away as they were intended to be. The amount of times I ask for a sample at a perfume counter only to be told they don't have any. When I have managed to get one there's usually drawers full of the things. SA's saving them for themselves to flog an ebay?!?!?

Haffiana

Actually samples are exempt from the normal UK and EU rules about ingredient lists, always have been. A carded perfume sample is fine on eBay because the packaging is the branded original from the manufacturer - the business about testers comes from the absence of branded packaging, not ingredients lists. In fact some testers do come in fairly plain but clearly branded packaging, and it will be interesting to see what eBay do about these.

At present the LVMH group ruling that has virtually stopped the sale of perfume altogether on French eBay, has not been pursued in any other EU country. German national law already prohibits the sale of perfumes, whether testers or not, that are not in their original packaging.

jasmineswhiskers

How is this being enforced anyway. I have been keeping an eye out for a fragrance my OH is after. I ususally buy the testers as they tend to go for less (not much use for a present but perfect to use yourself). I'm watching a couple at the moment - hope they don't get pulled. I do hope that they get rid of the smell-a-likes though. When searching for the real fragrance loads of these get turfed up in the search and get right in the way of the real ones.