Perfumes on Vinted : Are they scams ?

Hi,

I am looking to buy a new perfume and I notice that some people are selling "brand new" perfumes on Vinted (for non-EU people: website for used items, mostly clothes), generally at a price -30% from the new. Most are still in a blister.

Could they be scams ?

Is there a way to identify if they are authentic ? Can I for example ask the seller for a picture of the barcode, and tell from this, or with a serial number, if it is authentic ?

Or is there maybe a seal on the packaging that could tell me if it has been opened and attest authenticity ?

Thanks in advance for any answer, have a nice day

I think you should ask for the batchcode (must be on the bottle as well as on the box). I'm not familiair with Vinted but I find it a bit awkward that people would buy a new perfume and then sell it 'unsniffed'? The only explanation I could find for that is that it was a perfume that was gifted to them and maybe not their taste...

I don't think I would risk such a buy....Most perfumes sold by online retrailers also are about 30% (or more) cheaper than in a perfumery and I've never been disappointed (I always check reviews first and check if it are trustworthy sellers). Often one need not pay in advance so you can check the box and batchcode before payment. 

Thanks a lot for your answer !

I will try asking for batchcode then. But I also see that some people are selling empty bottles. It can be an authentic bottle but that has been opened and diluted. Though, if I can prove than the bottle has been opened after the seller told me it hasn't, I can probably ask for a refund at Vinted.

I am currently looking into Chanel Allure Homme (all versions), and I can't find them cheaper than in the perfumery (100ml is always 100€ everywhere, from what I see on Idealo) whereas I could find it at 70€ on Vinted. But maybe you have retailers that are not listed on Idealo, where do you usually search ?

I see we're from different countries so I don't know if they sell all over Europe but I usually buy from Bol.com or Deloox. But I see that, when it comes to Allure Homme, they sell 150 ml for 139 euro's, 50 ml for 93,99,  so you are probably right when it concerns this perfume. I'm sorry, apparently it does not go for all perfumes that they are so much cheaper online..😒

@SaladCesar - @Ringtale gave some great ideas regarding batch codes! To add: I haven't purchased fragrances from Vinted, but I have purchased other items there. It seems a bit harder in general to return there than other platforms like Ebay (see Vinted's "Returning an Item" page).

As far as whether the fragrances are scams, it's likely the same amount of risk as what you deal with on Mercari. There are loads of fakes on Mercari, but your risk depends on which fragrances you're looking to buy. Chanel? Yes, lots of fakes so proceed with caution. Santa Maria Novella? Probably not fake, so you can feel more confident.

I'd be careful, especially with Chanel. Chanel keeps very tight control on their distribution. At least in the USA, their fragrances are rarely available through discounters. You have to buy them at a regular shop or a Chanel boutique and at full price. So, it is rather suspicious to find a new, sealed Chanel box for a large discount. 

For all second hand sites in general, I would just be cautious: Does the seller seem like they're just trying to get rid of some backup bottles, or do they have a suspicious amount of brand new fragrances? Do they only sell designer bestsellers and very popular niche houses, or do they also have a flopped flanker from 2018 no one cares about anymore, some cheapies or more obscure brands? If it looks too professional, if they sell exactly the same perfumes you'll find in dupe shops or fake market stalls, that's a red flag. And of course you can always ask for more photos and compare them to the photos on here or to those of known fakes.

 Original bottles filled with water or cheap fragrances are only really a concern with refillable bottles, it's not easy to refill a regular bottle.

 With Chanel, I wouldn't risk it. That's one of the most faked brands out there. If you really want to save money and aren't in a hurry, set a price alert on idealo. Chanel is often excluded from sales, but it's not completely impossible to find a deal.