Perfume mix up

[anotherday4]

Went into Superdrug the other day as my other half was buying me some perfume... he wanted me to choose one. All good

So I speak to the lady who was lovely and helpful she showed me a few and I picked the one I liked. Bought it she gift wrapped it and it was put under the tree anyway I open it on Christmas morning and spray it only to realise it's not the one I chose it's the same brand and shape bottle but not the same colour or name :( I googled them and the boxes are pretty much identical apart from the extra name added.. it wasn't cheap and I'm upset but also kicking myself because I sprayed it and I'm thinking will the swap becauseI've opened it ? And my partner has thrown away the receipt 😫😫😫😫 any advice would be appreciated here

Yes I guess they could use it as a tester!!

Although how do they know you haven't decanted it and sent back some watered down product (sorry I'm musing to myself now )

I think you could try and be honest about opening it and look for an exchange. Right person, right day, it should be ok (look for someone in charge before going to the till) To be fair I looked them up and they look nearly identical, quite ridiculous really. Bring your debit card statement.

Litterally the only difference is the one word ! Yes I don't remember saying I was going to walk in and demand anything 🤣 but I'll politely go in and speak to someone 😘

Thanks everyone 😊

I always refuse gift wrapping for this reason!

I've just googled cause I'm a nosy cow & you're right OP bottles & packaging are almost identical - the sales assistant has clearly picked up the wrong one.

I'd take it back & explain the situation, at best they'll exchange & at worst they'll at least be aware that more attention should be paid when providing a gift wrapping service.

Oh god, fucking hell. It's like a difficult game of spot the difference OP.

I change my mind. Take it back, show them that screen shot and demand an exchange

I used to work in retail, you need to go in (preferably to the same store) and speak specifically to a manager or contact their head office. This is a complicated issue due to the combination of:

• no receipt
• opened/used item (perfume normally has a clear film around the box)
• the staff member’s mix up

Obviously if the staff member gave you the wrong product, they need to correct that. However it could be argued that although you were given the wrong product, opening and using the item could be considered acceptance of the goods on your behalf so your recourse might be limited.

Do you happen to know which product you were charged for on the receipt?

By the way if you paid by card they can trace the receipt that way by the card details

I think they should sort it for you, as it was their mistake. maybe send a message to their Facebook page as big companies seem to be more responsive to that!

This will be at the manager's discretion OP, it is ultimately your word against theirs so depends where you get on the day I suppose and how pleasant and articulate (forceful) you are to be honest.

Agree it boils down to mistakes made on both parts, you would have had no issue with a return or exchange if it had been unopened and in the returns period. Must have been gutting though!

I think if you really pushed it you may get somewhere eventually but given petrol/parking etc maybe just easier to sell on ebay.

They can't just 'use it as a tester' if you return it, it has not worked that way in any major retailer I have worked in. It will be mpre likely to be written off if accepted as a return.

@Crunchymum I know! Easily mix up on both sides eh

Hmmm worth a go, but I wouldn't be surprised if they say no. Usually although it's a bit of a horrible move, contacting head office usually gets better results; but guessing the shop then gets grief. In this case though it might be a case of them realising they need a way to differentiate the 2 products. I would try the shop first, head office if no luck or ebay.

Take it back. I've taken back all sorts including really expensive insoles from Boots that you cut to size and they were so uncomfortable in my shoes I returned them even though I had cut them and Boots refunded straight away. Good luck OP.

Thankyou everyone, I'm going into town today so I'll keep you all posted haha

I had this with Chanel chance. I had to learn to like it. Really bugs me with the packaging. (I didn't open the identical box until 6 months after Xmas) and the colour was obvious but it had been so long since I was gifted it

And that's it with Chanel chance the new one is so fresh and lovely but then the darker one is really strong isn't it !

Consumer rights act states that your debit card statement counts as proof of purchase. That's the law. You dont need a recipet; you just need proof of purchase. It was paid by card so you have the statement. Dont let them tell you that isn't true.

All you can do is explain; you made the same mistake by opening and using it but if the sales assistant hands you a bottle then you're going to unwrap your present and use without checking. Most people wouldn't look up the packaging to double check before opening.

Did they give you an exchange?

Hello all, sorry late reply !

Well they where very nice about it and what had happened is they only had a tester for the one I chose and not the actual product for sale ! So because the boxes and name where so close the lady must of assumed the one behind was the one I wanted (if that makes sense ) anyway they exchanged it for me for Hugo boss woman instead. They even said how they will have a tester for the right one now 😂 so win win eh

eBay won’t let you sell if that’s been opened. That’s a clause they’ve got. The buyer can ‘tell in you’ as such.

I'm glad it worked out. Always worth asking.

Good news OP.

@Mrshue I’ve sold a part used perfume on eBay a few years ago

I’m sure it’s illegal or against T&Cs to sell counterfeit items on eBay too, yet fakes are still rife!

I'm surprised they are going to use a returned open perfume as a tester. I'm hoping that was just a wee joke.
You could have put anything in there, like... anything. And they're going to put it out for people to spray on their skin. Clearly you javnt sabotaged it but people do horrible things. They shouldn't use it as a tester.