Miserable Sampling Impressions at My First Visit to a Creed Boutique

[davidcalgary29]

Just picked up a small purchase from Creed today, my first in several years I think. I'm shocked by how cheap and flimsy the packaging and paper inserts feel, in comparison to everything else I own from the house. Not good.

I bought a couple of '90s Creed releases from a fellow basenoter a few weeks ago, and was quite shocked how much better the packaging is on older releases in comparison with what they sell today: the box and photo insert are made with sturdy, glossy stock. The bottles were better, too: the caps fit securely and you can tell that leakage wasn't an issue. In contrast, the bottle of Vetiver Geranium that I bought in 2020 from Fragrancebuy came with a cap that won't stay secure and the medallion on the top of it came off immediately. And the flacon of Acier Aluminum that I bought from Creed itself came in a crushed box and was packed poorly. And my recent purchase of Erolfa (also from a reputable online vendor) didn't come with inserts at all, and the box is flimsy and terrible. It's just criminal given what the competition manage to do: I don't like their bottle design, but I give Amouage credit for making an attractive product at half the cost of a Creed.

 

[davidcalgary29]

I think there a lot more than one would think that feel the same way.

I will say that some of their "vaulted" scents (I'm looking at you Acier Aluminum!) are niche products that don't suit every occasion (or every nose). And I have a vintage Neroli, which really is not as nice as some of their modern batches.

 

[DoctorM81]

I bought a couple of '90s Creed releases from a fellow basenoter a few weeks ago, and was quite shocked how much better the packaging is on older releases in comparison with what they sell today: the box and photo insert are made with sturdy, glossy stock.

I found the packaging quality little altered up until very recently - I have bottles purchased as recently as 2016/17 where the packaging feels of the same quality as bottles I own that are 1-2 decades older. Seems to me it's been a 'cliff edge' change, occurring quite recently.

And my recent purchase of Erolfa (also from a reputable online vendor) didn't come with inserts at all, and the box is flimsy and terrible.

Pretty much my experience too. As I said in my post above, I was shocked at how cheap it felt. Certainly doesn't help the view I've come to form of the house's direction in recent times...

 

[N.CAL Fragrance Reviewer]

I bought a couple of '90s Creed releases from a fellow basenoter a few weeks ago, and was quite shocked how much better the packaging is on older releases in comparison with what they sell today: the box and photo insert are made with sturdy, glossy stock. The bottles were better, too: the caps fit securely and you can tell that leakage wasn't an issue. In contrast, the bottle of Vetiver Geranium that I bought in 2020 from Fragrancebuy came with a cap that won't stay secure and the medallion on the top of it came off immediately. And the flacon of Acier Aluminum that I bought from Creed itself came in a crushed box and was packed poorly. And my recent purchase of Erolfa (also from a reputable online vendor) didn't come with inserts at all, and the box is flimsy and terrible. It's just criminal given what the competition manage to do: I don't like their bottle design, but I give Amouage credit for making an attractive product at half the cost of a Creed.

Which ones did you purchase? I was pretty impressed with the presentation when I picked up my first 1990s bottle.

 

[UESNYC]

Creed was never a big deal to me. Nothing about it justified the price. But in true luxury good style, people paid the price for a dream.

Sadly people in Dubai, and similar places are covered head to toe in it. Since I live in a big city with lots of choices for everything you roll your eyes when someone defines themselves with such a meaningless thing like a status fragrance, Creed and others. Not worth thinking about or being sad about.

 

[davidcalgary29]

Which ones did you purchase? I was pretty impressed with the presentation when I picked up my first 1990s bottle.
View attachment 336551

Baie de Genievre and Chevrefeuille; both grey caps.

 

[PrinceRF]

Luckily you are well-stocked. Perhaps I'll have to seek out older bottles when I buy any Creed going forward.