Samples/Discovery Sets where the price per ML is cheaper than a bottle

[cheapimitation]

It is usually the case that smaller sizes mean less value at the price per ml level and a lot of discovery sets are a humongous rip off if you do the price per ml math, which I realize is probably mostly to do with the increased packaging costs involved with discovery sets.

I usually don't get too hung up on price per ml, but still I really appreciate when a brand gives you a deal on their discovery set. It conveys that they believe enough in their product that they can take a hit on the samples knowing you'll come back to buy a bottle.

With that in mind, I've realized that 3 discovery sets I purchased recently actually have a better price per ml cost than a full bottle. So I'm curious if there are others out there, and in general how do people feel about ponying up for a discovery set vs. buying individual samples of only the ones that interest you?

Les Indemodables: possibly the best deal in all of niche discovery sets. Just $54 for 33ml where a full bottle is $225-250 for 50ml. Heck I'm tempted to buy a second discovery set over a full bottle because I like a lot of them.

Thom Brown: You get all 6 perfumes in 8ml for $150 (48ml) but the small bottle is 40ml for $150. I figured there had to be a downside to this equation and alas the 8ml mini bottles are splash.

Xinu: You get 5 4.5ml dropper vials for $90 (22.5ml) whereas at 50ml bottle will set you back $240.

ELDO also has a very good deal on their nearly complete discovery set, but I didn't really like any of them so I'm not going to bother to do the math for them.

Also could be fun to list the worst value in discovery set land.

 

[Nom de Guerre]

MFK – 4 x 2ml (€1.75/ml) samples for €14 with free shipping + a deduction of that from a full bottle purchase. The most affordable 70ml bottle goes for €2.35/ml.

 

[hednic]

Musicology and Bastille have inexpensive discovery set if I recall. Not sure about shipping though.

 

[slpfrsly]

I'm pretty sure Le Labo fall in to this category. Or did, not sure about current prices. You could buy 1.5ml (?) for 4 Euros, which was basically the same price as a bottle per ml.

 

[N.CAL Fragrance Reviewer]

I'm thinking Rogue Perfumery can be included amongst these discovery sets.

 

[Franco65]

MFK – 4 x 2ml (€1.75/ml) samples for €14 with free shipping + a deduction of that from a full bottle purchase. The most affordable 70ml bottle goes for €2.35/ml.

agreed

 

[Nom de Guerre]

I'm pretty sure Le Labo fall in to this category. Or did, not sure about current prices. You could buy 1.5ml (?) for 4 Euros, which was basically the same price as a bottle per ml.

It’s €6 per 1.5ml sample / €4/ml — I’ll add that their samples are absolute garbage. Out of 6 samples I received, only 3 were working. I had to rip them open, pour in different containers and use as dabbers.

 

[enframing]

I'm thinking Rogue Perfumery can be included amongst these discovery sets.

Yeah I just got a Rogue discovery set, good price.

Other values I have found in discovery sets:
ELDO
Miriam Mirani (Aqaba)
Henry Rose
Kerosene (website says OOS currently though)

 

[hollywoodforever]

Heeley
5 x 15ML discovery set
Not cheaper, but an extremely good value. Select any 5 fragrances you want to receive in 15ML atomizers. €145 or €1.93/ml
Full bottles retail for €145, or €1.45/ml, but keep in mind you are getting 5 "bottles" vs. just one.

Excellent presentation. Excellent atomizers. 15ML is enough to last most of us a year.

MDCI has an even better deal: €120 for 55ML (normal 75ML bottles go for €235)
Five x 11 ml samples
Each set is bespoke, composed according to each customer’s specifications. (a mix, but a repeat or two is OK)
Free with each set: 3 additional fragrances of 5ml spray-vial to facilitate the sampling of the MDCI range.

But I was never interested in that house anyway...

 

[CeeTee]

MFK – 4 x 2ml (€1.75/ml) samples for €14 with free shipping + a deduction of that from a full bottle purchase. The most affordable 70ml bottle goes for €2.35/ml.

P.S. I know you’re not in the US, but for those who are, TJ Maxx has a great deal on an 11ml wardrobe set!

 

[CookBot]

I usually don't get too hung up on price per ml, but still I really appreciate when a brand gives you a deal on their discovery set. It conveys that they believe enough in their product that they can take a hit on the samples knowing you'll come back to buy a bottle.

I couldn't agree more, and often wonder why more brands don't see the wisdom of promoting their discovery sets in this manner.

Les Indemodables: possibly the best deal in all of niche discovery sets. Just $54 for 33ml where a full bottle is $225-250 for 50ml. Heck I'm tempted to buy a second discovery set over a full bottle because I like a lot of them.

I bought this set when it came out and, because the sample sizes were generous, sent it around as a sample pass. The participants were mostly underwhelmed, as was I, especially considering their FB prices. Still, your point's well taken, as their per ML price on the sample set is very reasonable.

Sample Pass and Testing -- Les Indémodables

I was alerted to the existence of this new-ish French house by Ebenas. It sounded interesting enough to organize a sample pass of their discovery set -- 8 perfumes and 2 colognes. I was attracted by the descriptions of the scents and the backgrounds of the founders. They are a married couple...

basenotes.com

Xinu: You get 5 4.5ml dropper vials for $90 (22.5ml) whereas at 50ml bottle will set you back $240.

I was just looking at and and considering this Xinu set yesterday. It's certainly appealing, but really, what's up with all these new brands only bottling in 50ml sizes and charging $250 for them? It's outrageous.

 

[cheapimitation]

I bought this set when it came out and, because the sample sizes were generous, sent it around as a sample pass. The participants were mostly underwhelmed, as was I, especially considering their FB prices. Still, your point's well taken, as their per ML price on the sample set is very reasonable.

Sample Pass and Testing -- Les Indémodables

I was alerted to the existence of this new-ish French house by Ebenas. It sounded interesting enough to organize a sample pass of their discovery set -- 8 perfumes and 2 colognes. I was attracted by the descriptions of the scents and the backgrounds of the founders. They are a married couple...

basenotes.com

Yea I remember it was a good pass! I enjoyed going through the set but have yet to feel desperately in need of a bottle, though Musc de Sables is tugging at me.

I was just looking at and and considering this Xinu set yesterday. It's certainly appealing, but really, what's up with all these new brands only bottling in 50ml sizes and charging $250 for them? It's outrageous.

Yea the prices are pretty outrageous, I'm trying to mentally justify Xinu that the bottle makes a beautiful vase/design object as they show on their site, but who I'm I kidding I'll never finish it. I wasn't overly impressed with the scents, but Oro Nardo is a beautiful tuberose.

 

[yellowtone]

Maison Violet also has a great discovery set, 7 x 2 ml for 25 Euro, plus a 25 Euro discount for a full bottle. Shipping is free for most of the EU, not sure about overseas. The house is not talked about very much, but I really enjoy their scents; 2 out of the 6 scents I've tried I have a full bottle of.

 

[PStoller]

Clandestine Laboratories charges $88 for 13 2.2ml samples, which is @ $3/ml vs. @ $2.50/ml for a 50ml bottle.

There’s considerable value in a high hit-to-miss ratio, which CL has, along with a low price point for the indie/artisanal space.