Guidance requested on contacting brands for additional info

When researching a new fragrance, I often have difficulty finding supporting evidence for a release year or other details. I would like to contact the brand to see if they can fill in the blanks, but I've never done this before. Should I indicate that I'm seeking this information so that it can be to be added to Parfumo, or am I more likely to receive a positive response as a curious individual doing independent research? Does anyone have any recommendations for how to frame the inquiry in the best way? 

Hey @DaisyThorn ! I typically just shoot the fragrance brand a message (customer service email, or message their business page on IG/FB) and ask for whatever I need.

I never mention Parfumo, since I'm not an official spokesperson/do not want to imply that I'm representing the platform in any way.

Example: "Hello! I love (insert fragrance name) - could I please get help with finding out what the release year was? Thanks so much!"

While waiting for a reply, I often put a note of that in the "Discussion" section - then attach a screenshot of their response for sources. Hope this helps! 🤗

Now I think I've messed up because I have mentioned Parfumo-- hopefully not in a way that implies I'm representing them, I just say I'm a user and contributor to their database.

I usually ask them if they have any old marketing copy about the perfume they'd be willing to share.

I'm clearly not Parfumo haha, but I'm sure you're fine 😅 asking for old marketing copy is great too!

Thank you for the recommendations!  This is very helpful. 😊

Would it be an acceptable source if I emailed a perfumer directly and got direct confirmation that they take credit for a specific perfume?

What about quotes in news/blog articles from the perfumer herself taking credit, even if they are on obscure websites? 

This is a question I have had too!  

Example 1: Tanja Duerloo (https://www.parfumo.com/Perfum...) has a store (https://www.perfumelounge.eu) and it is possible to search for her fragrances on the store's website (https://www.perfumelounge.eu/p...). Would this type of self-report be acceptable? Another issue is that it is possible that some of these were collaborations. So, another question: if it is a collaboration, is it OK to add only one of the creators if the other is unknown?

Example 2: I noticed this book on Amazon: The Ghost Perfumer: Creed, Lies, & the Scent of the Century, by Gabe Oppenheim, ISBN 9798786729215. I haven't read it, but the description suggests that some Creed perfumes were created by an uncredited perfumer, whom the author identifies. Would this kind of book be a credible source?