fragrancedirect.co.uk > Reviews > This way to smelling great and saving money

Author's product rating:   

How fast is this website?	Fast
Content Update	Often
Products & Services Pricing	Excellent value
Search Facility	Excellent

Advantages:	cheap products, excellent selection, well layed - out site and easy to navigate
Disadvantages:	none

Recommend to potential buyers:

yes

Full review

aha! Ciao took my request on board and gave me the opportunity to write a review of this fantastic website. Naturally, I'm extremely grateful :-)

Ok, where do we begin? Well let me tell you why i like this site so much. Basically, because it's cheap. Why is it cheap? Simply because the majority of goods listed are store testers. The products (mostly perfumes, fragrances) are perfectly fine but often come as an unused tester, are unpackaged, lacking a lid or with damaged packaging. The site's 'About' link can tell you more about their ability to offer such low costs.
Also, compared to other popular fragrance stores including first4fragrance.com, theperfumeshop.com, fragrance-shop.co.uk and many others, this site is repeatedly lower in cost than the rest and often has remarkable discounts available. Inevitably you might occasionally find a product cheaper elsewhere but I haven't managed to find one as yet.

Ok, let me tell you about the site itself. First and foremost, the site is very pleasing to the eye, extremely easy to navigate and basically, a joy to search. The first page comprises of links on the left hand side giving you the usual options of an online shop including information on security, postage, ordering, F.A.Q, search tips, services and more. Incidently if you do get stuck (heaven knows how you would manage it), the help screens are excellent and will keep you on the right track. On the top of the page are your search features including a super search where you can find any fragrance/product you desire, a special offers page with the items they have on offer, and a clearance page including a range of toiletries at clearance prices. Finally on the right hand side the usual options of tell a friend, newsletter, prize draws etc. and a best buys section that shows you the most popular current buys.

Now, an important area of the site is the small abbreviations/key screen at the bottom of the main page. Next to every product listing, there is a key with symbols indicating the kind of product it is and whether or not they come without packaging etc. The symbols includes N - No Lid, T - Tester, D - Damaged Box and U - No Packaging. If you click on the little icons in the key/abbreviations screen you get a little description of what it means. It should be noted that if a key symbol appears next to the product, it is in no way detrimental to the fragrance and is the primary reason why the product is so reduced in price.
On a personal note, I've never been bothered about packaging, if it has its own lid etc. and as long the product does what its supposed to, I'm invariably a happy chappy. Naturally some of you might disagree if you actually enjoy looking at the packaging, slowly undressing it and carefully positioning it on your dresser (sorry for the dig) but even you will be heartened to know that many products and fragrances come fully-boxed (again, it will notify you next to the product).

When you start looking at products in detail, there is information including a brief description, size of bottle, intended gender, top ten (this indicates if the product is in the stores own top ten) and a Key (as above). There are also prices at the bottom including the products RRP, the Fragrance Direct price and your total saving.

Finally if and when you're ready to purchase, you simply click on the Add button (next to the trolley symbol) and it goes to your checkout total at the bottom right of your screen. When you have selected the products you want, click on the checkout button and off you go to fill out your details. Incidently there are special offers for purchases over £20 and you can collect vouchers for free gifts and stuff.

As for P&P, each item is £1.00 (a little more for next day delivery and/or a gift-wrapped product) and appears within about 3-4 days. The site also maintains your details (minus your credit card details naturally) so checkout in the future is easier. Maintaining your details also allows you to make use of their wishlist feature which gives you the opportunity to create a list of goods you may want to purchase at a later date (saving a lot of hassle in the process).

Finally, I have never needed to use their customer service but I have been assured by friends who have used the site also, that it is of good quality and with speedy communication.

Anyway, some hours later, I have decided I have rabbited enough. Any more info you require, go and check out the site. I promise you won't be disappointed.