Areej le Doré : The Official Discussion Thread

[Mudweasel]

They (Russian Adam) does seem to have some strange 'policies' regarding shipping.

I ordered OE from him a couple of weeks ago, specifying and paying for the DHL delivery option and it arrived without issues (slight delay in shipping, but nothing major).

I've since ordered Oud Zen from him, again specifying the DHL option and have today received an email from him stating that he's shipped it via EMS as they've had issues with DHL shipments to the UK (still happy to charge me the DHL price though...)

All very random...

Update on the above - I've had a couple of emails with Russian Adam and he has very kindly refunded the shipping, which was something that he did not need to do (and not something that I was trying to get him to do)

The three perfumes that he has so far produced are like a breath of fresh air in a very stale market right now and I would really like him to succeed. He genuinely seems to care about his customers and is passionate about what he does, so I hope that he can iron out any teething issues with who he ships with and move forward onto the important bit; making fabulous perfumes.

I would try and review each of his creations, but to be honest, I'm hopeless at trying to describe fragrances. All I can say is that all three are quality scents, with a strong link back to traditional perfumery. I am really looking forward to seeing how Russian Adam takes Areej le Dore forward.

 

[Diamondflame]

Glad it's all sorted out, Mudweasel. I'm looking forward to the next 3 fragrances.

One side issue that's been bugging me of late is the sight of a few bottles of Siberian Musk up for sale/splits at seemingly inflated prices. I do wish the sellers /splitters adopt a more transparent approach towards their pricing. Apparently some shippers are charging exorbitant fees to transport hazardous material or pay additional custom fees. I simply cannot stomach the idea of BNers taking advantage of other BNers so it was easy to fall into a trap of assuming some profiteering is at work. After all the bottle is originally priced at $300 (excl. shipping).

We've had the perfumer Russian Adam decanting out of his own personal bottles just to provide a BNer with a sample and I'd dearly love to see the same level of generosity extended to the sales /split threads. I know I've probably hurt some feelings in my hasty rebuke. I will sort that out separately.

*edited*

 

[Cheyne]

I'd like to take a moment and reflect on my initial response in this thread in the open forum.

I specifically want to clarify that I in no way found Russian Adam, or his company ridiculous and in reflection I should have chosen my words more carefully before posting my reply. I'd really only intended to suggest that if the package was lost it really wouldn't have mattered how much I'd paid for shipping as there were no more bottles available.

If anyone reading my reply understood me to feel that I found Russian Adam ridiculous, I'd never intended to suggest that.

So, if Russian Adam does read this reply, I'd like to openly offer an apology for my apparently poor choice of words.

Got an email from Areej le Dore that it would ship after Labor Day. Got a second message from Areej le Dore encouraging me to upgrade my shipping choice with the intimation that paying more for shipping would somehow offer more assurance that the package would not be lost, as if the package was lost they would not be able to send another bottle as Ottoman Empire was sold out. I though that was sort of ridiculous, as if the package was lost it really wouldn't matter how much I paid for shipping with regards to sending another bottle since they were all sold out

 

[MistressJoy]

Deleting my post.

 

[IsoESuperman]

One side issue that's been bugging me of late is the sight of a few bottles of Siberian Musk up for sale/splits at seemingly inflated prices. I do wish the sellers /splitters adopt a more transparent approach towards their pricing. Apparently some shippers are charging exorbitant fees to transport hazardous material or pay additional custom fees. I simply cannot stomach the idea of BNers taking advantage of other BNers so it was easy to fall into a trap of assuming some profiteering is at work. After all the bottle is originally priced at $300 (excl. shipping).

First of all, in your original post for this thread you state:

...to start a review thread after the one by Starblind got derailed by side issues. Basenotes has always been supportive of independent perfumers who strive to expand the boundaries of perfumery so I seek your cooperation to maintain civility. Please stay clear of potentially contentious issues and keep the discussions strictly to the fragrances created by this house.

Your post is not at all in line with that sentiment and furthermore, is incredibly insulting to those who you are accusing of "taking advantage" and insinuating that they are participating in some kind of price gouging. You've been a fantastic host thus far Diamondflame, but this is a disappointing post to read and frankly I am surprised to see it next to your avatar.

With shipping (ranging from $15-$45) initial purchase costs could be ~$325, then factor in shipping costs during the sale. Then there might be customs of varying amounts. Mustafa911 apparently paid $350 for his (see post #65). $375-$400 is not "exorbitant", it's more like an ~18% markup. A limited edition of Baque recently retailed for $160 and is going for $399 - a 250% markup; the market for limited editions/disco'd scents/etc. dictates what it will and 18% is hardly worth pointing fingers and making accusations over, in my opinion.

Basenotes as a purely altruistic fragrance community would be quite a beautiful thing, I'd love to be part of that myself. Unfortunately, common sense tells me that is not going to happen. Sellers are not required to be transparent about what they paid, and putting in place a requirement that requires that across the board is basically impossible. If someone bought Antaeus in 1985 for $30 dollars and wants to sell it now, would they be required to produce the receipt and correct for inflation to show exactly how much of a profit the would be making at the current asking price?

Don't get me wrong, if someone snatched up 10 bottles of Siberian Musk at the get-go with the express intent of keeping them/not wearing them and selling them a double the price at a later date, that rubs me the wrong way. That's taking advantage of a situation. But if someone blind bought it (many did as the sample sets went like hotcakes) and wasn't into it, then proceeded to sell it for a small profit to recoup some money they'll put into their next purchase, that is more than okay with me, whether it's from a small artisan or Chanel. I don't see that as taking advantage, I think of it as being logical in what at the end of the day is a "pay to play" hobby.

I'm more than happy to agree to disagree like gentlemen and move on to the good stuff.

 

[Starblind]

I don't want to engage in any kind of negative discourse here, but I would like to clarify (since I am evidently being accused) that I sold 1 bottle of Siberian Musk to another Basenoter who lives in the UK, and thanks to sending it DHL Express (the shipping charge was $88), I made a total of $12 off the enterprise. (Plus, I have sent free samples to others who could no longer acquire them.)

I have NO desire to 'fleece' anyone, much less, fellow BNers. I have absolutely LOVED my time here and cherish the relationships I have made. In addition, I have done everything in my power to support Russian Adam in his amazing enterprise.

I so hope we will not spoil this amazing thread and the interest in Areej le Dore that it has fostered via accusations or negativity of any type.

 

[Mudweasel]

I don't want to engage in any kind of negative discourse here, but I would like to clarify (since I am evidently being accused) that I sold 1 bottle of Siberian Musk to another Basenoter who lives in the UK, and thanks to sending it DHL Express (the shipping charge was $88), I made a total of $12 off the enterprise. (Plus, I have sent free samples to others who could no longer acquire them.)

I have NO desire to 'fleece' anyone, much less, fellow BNers. I have absolutely LOVED my time here and cherish the relationships I have made. In addition, I have done everything in my power to support Russian Adam in his amazing enterprise.

I so hope we will not spoil this amazing thread and the interest in Areej le Dore that it has fostered via accusations or negativity of any type.

I do not want to derail this generally positive thread any further, but in defence of Starblind (if any of the criticism was aimed in her direction), it was me that she agreed to sell to... and I don't feel fleeced in any way; in fact, I'm extremely grateful that she agreed to sell and ship to me in the U.K. when her post stated she only wanted to ship within the US.

The way I see it is that Starblind has helped and enabled me to obtain something that I had no other way of getting hold of at the time I wanted it.

 

[Jaysin5506]

I see a couple of Areej le Dore bottles in the For Sales forum. If you're keen to get your hands on Siberian Musk, this is probably as good a chance as it gets. Do your research first if its going to be a blindbuy.

Where?, message me a link, PLEASE. Thanks

 

[MistressJoy]

Jaysin there don't seem to be any as of this moment, however Strifeknot is putting together another split, I can send you his thread if you need it. If you do find a full bottle and would be interested in splitting it contact me. Otherwise we need to wait for version 2.

 

[Diamondflame]

Thanks IsoSuperman. I know what I said at the start of this thread. Believe me, this painful decision wasn't made lightly. I had considered a new thread but on hindsight PMs would have been a far more elegant and diplomatic solution. Anyway I'll let the dust settle first before editing the post (edit: done).

I suppose it is possible there might have been extra duties paid, or a premium to acquire a secondhand bottle. But always be transparent and upfront about it. I am not sorry I brought this issue up in this same thread. I AM however sorry I picked such negatively charged words. I just hate to see BNers overpaying for the privilege of wearing this beauty.

Thank you all for bringing BN collective wisdom to bear on this issue. It's always good to clear the air. But it's even better when the air is fragrant with Siberian Musk...

 

[epapsiou]

Thanks IsoSuperman. I know what I said at the start of this thread. Believe me, this painful decision wasn't made lightly. I had considered a new thread but on hindsight PMs would have been a far more elegant and diplomatic solution. Anyway I'll let the dust settle first before editing the post (edit: done).

I suppose it is possible there might have been extra duties paid, or a premium to acquire a secondhand bottle. But always be transparent and upfront about it. I am not sorry I brought this issue up in this same thread. I AM however sorry I picked such negatively charged words. I just hate to see BNers overpaying for the privilege of wearing this beauty.

Thank you all for bringing BN collective wisdom to bear on this issue. It's always good to clear the air. But it's even better when the air is fragrant with Siberian Musk...

I think that is a bit unfair. Russian Adam was not transparent about his profit margin.
Why the extra burden of transparency on the seller?
As far as overpaying, I think $300 is overpaying but many don't. I guess same holds true for a smaller subset of fans at $400 and so on.

Having said that , my view is industry should be transparent about their costs, sourcing,reformulation , ingredients, margins.

 

[Mustafa911]

I am enjoying ottomon Empire very much .
Adam is a gentleman and good man and I can't wait for his new creation of white amberigus and oud


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Diamondflame]

I think that is a bit unfair. Russian Adam was not transparent about his profit margin.
Why the extra burden of transparency on the seller?
As far as overpaying, I think $300 is overpaying but many don't. I guess same holds true for a smaller subset of fans at $400 and so on.

Having said that , my view is industry should be transparent about their costs, sourcing,reformulation , ingredients, margins.

That would certainly be ideal, my dear epapsiou. But who gets to decide what is a fair margin? It is a business after all and a business that makes little or no profit won't stay in business for long.

Basenotes however is a community of enthusiasts. Profiteering at another member's expense seems somewhat inappropriate IMO. Transparency serves to prevent misperceptions and assumptions.

Just to keep the conversation going about this house and since we are on the subjective topic of value, what would you feel is a fairer price to pay for say Siberian Musk? What yardstick would you use?

 

[epapsiou]

That would certainly be ideal, my dear epapsiou. But who gets to decide what is a fair margin? It is a business after all and a business that makes little or no profit won't stay in business for long. Basenotes however is a community of enthusiasts. Profiteering at another member's expense seems somewhat inappropriate IMO.

Just to keep the conversation going about this house and since we are on the subjective topic of value, how much would you feel is a fairer price to pay for say Siberian Musk? What yardstick would you use?

Gotcha, so it is OK for perfume makers to fleece us but not our basenote members.
For all we know the cost of making 50ml Siberian musk is $10.
And who are we to decide who gets to make profit off of basenoters.
The point I am making here, my friend, is this topic is complex one. I would love to discuss this further but let us do it in the lounge or over PM as it is way off topic.

As far as fair price , anything over $100 is unfair in primary market. Again off topic. And needs an in-depth discussion cause I have paid more than $100 a couple of times. Would be happy to join if you want to start a thread in lounge section.

 

[IsoESuperman]

I am enjoying ottomon Empire very much .
Adam is a gentleman and good man and I can't wait for his new creation of white amberigus and oud

The ambergris scent is very intriguing. I've only recently had the opportunity to try real ambergris in attar form (ambergris & mysore, nothing else) and as far as I know, aside from Badr Al Badour, I've never tried any fragrance composition with real ambergris in it. If/when it does release it, it is a must for the sample list. Who am I kidding, anything out of this house will be!

 

[Diamondflame]

Agreed, epapsiou. There's probably enough meat in there for 2 separate threads. :smiley:

The ambergris scent is very intriguing. I've only recently had the opportunity to try real ambergris in attar form (ambergris & mysore, nothing else) and as far as I know, aside from Badr Al Badour, I've never tried any fragrance composition with real ambergris in it. If/when it does release it, it is a must for the sample list. Who am I kidding, anything out of this house will be!

Have you had the opportunity to try Salam's Ambergris in (aged since 2005) Mysore sandalwood? http://www.profumo.it/perfume/prodotto.asp?pid=5507

I must say I am sorely tempted but the price gave me reason to keep me in a holding pattern, lol. How would you describe the combination?

 

[Bangkok Hound]

Any word on how limited the production will be for the new fragrances? Hopefully, more than 100 bottles are possible. And I wish he wouldn't three new ones at the same time. Very pricey.

 

[Diamondflame]

Any word on how limited the production will be for the new fragrances? Hopefully, more than 100 bottles are possible. And I wish he wouldn't three new ones at the same time. Very pricey.

100 bottles of each due to scarcity of material/ production capacity limitations . Launching in about TWO WEEKS! (according to Adam)

Better start liquidating those unused bottles/backups and free up your funds for the real deal 'cuz I foresee more splitters coming in this time round.

 

[strifeknot]

One side issue that's been bugging me of late is the sight of a few bottles of Siberian Musk up for sale/splits at seemingly inflated prices. I do wish the sellers /splitters adopt a more transparent approach towards their pricing.

Let's nip suggestions of price gouging on splits in the bud. I procrastinated too long on getting Siberian Musk, and bought zero bottles from the house when they were available. The bottles I've been splitting have been obtained secondhand at greater-than-list price, and the cost of the splits are based on what I've had to pay ($400). I went so far as to spend $100+ on a 5ml decant from Surrender to Chance before finding someone willing to part with a bottle.

 

[Starblind]

100 bottles of each due to scarcity of material/ production capacity limitations . Launching in about TWO WEEKS! (according to Adam)

Better start liquidating those unused bottles/backups and free up your funds for the real deal 'cuz I foresee more splitters coming in this time round.

Two weeks?? I am incredibly excited! Diamondflame, do you know if he will be offering sample sets?