Best online perfume store I know of, highly recommended.
Ausliebezumduft [ALZD] are, in my opinion, one of the best stores out there. I have made countless purchases from them over the last few years, and not once encountered a problem. I recommend them wholeheartedly for a number of reasons:
*Great selection of perfumes. I mean in both meanings of the word great - they carry a very large selection of high quality fragrances. They are the first perfume store I visit when looking for niche/indie/unique scents and I don't know of any other store that carries such a wide variety of different brands.
*Good prices generally speaking. They are not a discounter, they are a proper retail outlet for high end perfumes (and other products, skin care, home fragrance etc, but I go for the perfume), so the prices aren't bargain basement. But in their area of specialism the prices are very competitive, I often find that when comparing prices here in the UK with prices on the continent generally, the UK markup is greater. The exchange rate over the last few months also helps of course! I often find the overall cost from ALZD is best, when you also consider shipping costs etc.
*Attractive and easy to navigate website. I have no trouble finding what I want, the website is pleasant to browse, items are ordered sensibly, I can view prices in my preferred currency and account settings are easy to manage eg tracking orders, seeing previous orders etc. There is a wishlist function to save items you wish to return to, there are guides to different brands and scents, and you can search for perfumes with your preferred main note.
*Samples. ALZD have a great samples system. Most of the scents they stock have an option to purchase a sample, with prices ranging from about £3 - £20 depending on the value of the full bottle (most are at the lower end of the scale). It is great to be able to try things out before you buy, and their sample sizes are generous, I am guessing they are 2-2.5ml, in spray atomisers with lids, and clearly labelled. They make the samples up for you, so you know they are fresh, and the date they were made is also written on them. I find this a nice touch I haven't seen elsewhere. You can purchase 10 samples at a time, and it is possible to make sample-only orders, or add 10 alongside a full bottle. When you purchase a bottle, you can also choose 3 free samples (in addition to the 10 you can buy).
*Extras. Often ALZD include some quirky little extra something in your order - I've had feathers sprayed with perfume, matchbooks, extra samples, fortune cookies, biscuits, chocolate, and once even a fluffy toy rabbit! In addition, when you sign up and make an account they ask for your month of birth, and each year send you a birthday voucher to use that month.
*Postage and Packing. ALZD always package their parcels beautifully. I have made many orders from them, and each one has arrived beautifully presented and well padded. Delivery times for me are usually about 4 business days from ordering (Germany to UK), and arrive by courier. Insured shipping is free over (I think) 150Euro. They send updates when the order is processed and despatched and include tracking details. International shipping available.
*Customer Service. On the occasions I have had to contact them about something, their staff have always been friendly, courteous, helpful and responded quickly to my queries.
*Payment options. You can pay by your normal credit/debit card, cashback, cash in advance, bank transfer, online money transfer eg TransferWise
The website can be read in English, done with excellent translation which is universal on the site, unlike some translated sites who revert back to the original language at checkout. I don't know of anywhere else offering the level of variety or number of different brands. They are my first port of call when browsing or shopping for perfume and I fully recommend them to anyone and everyone! I genuinely can't think of any complaints. The only bad thing I can say is that I have given them all my money haha!
I think the only things that could make it better would be perhaps some kind of loyalty scheme, like maybe money off coupon if you buy a sample and then come back for the full size bottle in that scent, or a points scheme where you receive points when you order, which can be used for money off future purchase, that kind of thing. Also would be great if they occasionally held sales or events such as 10% off days or something.
Wow I wrote a lot, told you I loved this store!
TL:DR - Best perfume shop online, lots to love, go check it out.
23 September 2015
Unprompted review