**REVIEW** Online Fragrance Sources

I belong to quite a few programs that let members try new products for free (in order to get honest feedback and, they hope, spreading the word about the product). Recently I was able to try out some online sellers of perfumes. I thought I'd review them for you - in case you love perfume as much as I do, but have to live on a tight budget.

I visited 3 sites and rated them based on how easy it was to navigate & use their website, what the customer service was like, prices (including Shipping/Handling), and overall value. Of course, nothing is perfect, so I looked for the biggest pros and cons, giving a possible of 5 ☺ 's. Here goes:

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Bath Bar ☺ ☺ 
(I sort of reviewed B.B. before in this post, so I will keep it short here cos you know I already love them.)

Pros: 

• The customer service will "Wow" you & owner is amazingly nice.
• Ability to customize your own scent.
• A LOT of scents to pick from & mix and match.
• Good range of products to choose (shampoo to body wash)
• Super-fast help as close as an email.
• Website very easy to navigate.
• Excellent S&H costs (even to Alaska).

Cons:

• Not for the inexperienced. (Ask owner for help, please!)
•  Fragrances not as close to an idea one might have.

Bottom Line: I'd recommend Bath Bar in a heartbeat - just know your scents or consult with the owner first.

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The Fragrance Shop  ☺ ☺ ☺ ☺ ☺

Pros:

• Huge selection of designer and "House" scents.
• They will replicate a fragrance from your sample. (Good for scent you can no longer find or buy.)
• Fragrances are "Pure perfume oil with no alcohol or fillers. Ever."
• The oil scents are long-lasting.
• Fragrances seriously as close to the originals as promised.
• Good range of products (including aftershave).
• Instant help via a "live-person" Chat system.
• Resources for understanding and selecting a fragrance.
• A "Fragrance Finder" resource.
• A Customer Review section.
• Excellent S&H costs.
• A Try-Before-You-Buy program.
• Top notch customer service.

Cons:

• Awkward site design
• difficult to locate "Account" & "Log In" tabs
• "Wish List" almost hidden far down on product pages

Bottom Line: A definite "Recommend." Site problems aside, these guys are my favorite.

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Luxury Aromas (aka Golden Ventures) ☺ ☺ ☺

Pros:

• Nice selection of imitation fragrances'
• Oil-based product.
• Reasonable price for amount of product.
• Website easy to navigate.
• Fair S&H costs.

Cons:

• Scents are pleasant but not as intense as expected for "oils."
• Not "hot" or "cold" in any aspect - just so-so.

Bottom Line: I would recommend, but would give a stronger recommendation to The Fragrance Shop.

--Free