AIBU to think it’s strange you only get a sample if you buy a £300 perfume?

[Annmay]

I had an experience recently that I can’t quite stop thinking about, and I’m curious if this is normal now or if something has changed.

I was in a well-known luxury department store, exploring niche fragrances — just taking my time, asking questions, trying to understand what I might actually like on my skin.

I came across Maison Crivelli and was genuinely interested. The fragrances are not cheap (around £300), so naturally I wanted to test properly before making any decision.

At one point I asked if it would be possible to have a small sample — just to see how it develops over a day or two.

I was told I would only receive a sample if I purchased the full bottle.

What surprised me wasn’t just the answer, but how quickly the tone of the interaction changed after I asked.

It went from friendly and engaging to… noticeably colder.

I was there with my daughter, and she even asked me:
“Why are they looking at us like that? Can we go?”

And honestly, that stayed with me more than anything else.
Because I’ve had experiences in other places where you can take your time, ask questions and feel comfortable — and this felt completely different.

Here, it felt like I had to prove something.

I completely understand that samples can’t be given endlessly — that’s not what I’m expecting.

But for a £300 fragrance, is it really unreasonable to want to test it properly first?

It just made me question whether luxury today is about experience… or just transaction.

Curious what others think — is this normal now?

This is just the most bizarre thread. OP, Please explain how getting a sample that you say you took outside, tried and then went back and bought after 10 minutes is different to you having somebody actually spray the perfume on you? You could’ve then just gone outside for 10 minutes and gone back and bought it?

It really does appear that what you actually wanted, was a free sample but because you didn’t get it and because the sales assistant wasn’t fawning all over you and giving you this ‘experience’ that you had fantasised about, you feel hard done to.
At the end of the day, you went into Harrods. A lot of people go to Harrods. A lot of tourists go to Harrods just to look around but a lot of people going to Harrods have got money in their pocket and want to spend it on high end goods.
Its a shop!
I bought a fairly expensive item from Harrods a couple of years ago. Yes, I did get a nice experience because you actually had to have one to buy that particular item as there was a lot to discuss (not something you can just buy off the shelf) but I certainly wasn’t expecting someone to treat me as though I was someone special. It was a transaction. They are in the business to sell things and make money and it’s just happened that on that day I was in the business of handing over my money and getting my item.

You didn’t get you wanted. That’s it.

The fact is was Harrods is irrelevant anyway. There are plenty of other shops selling those brands.

the picture is under review now , please wait patiently

I don’t live in London , and I went there to feel the magic …

The PP asked to see the receipt and perfume too .

If that is your receipt, and for that perfume, why would you post about this when it happened two months ago?

Have you been feeling annoyed for all that time?

Oh stop overacting now by demanding the picture .its not a paid promotion to show the picture. The story is deeper and when Im ready to share I’ll do it . Thank you and have a great day !

Most people in Harrods don't live in London.
It's a tourist destination above anything else.

My point was that the perfumes are not exclusive to Harrods. Plenty of other dept stores sell them.

Just for your info, it wasn't me who asked first for the receipt. You chose to get cross with the wrong poster. She asked you to post the receipt and the perfume. I only agreed with her partly out of curiosity.

Have a nice day too.

But my point it’s that the perfumes is especially for Harrods

But they aren't.
They are available in other London department stores.

Ive posted a recipe as I’m genuine . I’m not obligated to prove anything else . Thank you

You offered to post a receipt.
No one asked you in the first place.

Enjoy your day and the perfume.

I doubt we need the deeper story.

Op. The issue here is you’re posting such conflicting comments. And repeatedly contradict yourself.

you even say you didn’t say things when if you read your own posts you’d see you did. You clearly stated you would need to save up to buy this perfume. It’s right there for us all to read and then you bizzarely say you didn’t say that.

I’m sorry that you feel I that way . I meant more that it’s very expensive perfume and I don’t buy everyday so the decision must be strong about the purchase. Have a nice day !

AI slop.

Thank you and enjoy your day too.

Have you been brooding on this since February?

You may want to get out and smell the samples flowers more.

Ok, just to clarify, in your mind, the words “I need to save up to buy it” mean “I can afford it now, but need to make a firm decision to buy it”

this maybe the issue, the words you write do not mean what you think they mean. If you have to save up it means you can’t afford it now, and need to put money aside regularly till I have enough to buy it.

if you use words that means something very different to you than everyone else. Then people will be confused.

Agree with @Firesidechatter

Op if you want the ‘luxury experience’ you don’t go to Harrods, it’s a cattle market of tourists being herded through, they will be on commission and literally have thousands of people asking for samples who have no intention of purchasing. I’m sure if you pull up at the door in your Rolls Royce you might be treated differently! If you want a luxury experience better to go somewhere like Liberty or Fenwicks or anywhere that isn’t a massive tourist attraction!

My personal hate is when beauty assistants at beauty counters tell you the price from the get go which I believe is them questioning whether you can afford it.

I've never experienced this in my life.

I can recommend the liberty perfume experience. £25 but you get a bottle of champagne ( i did, they were blatantly trying to get me pissed), chocolates, coffee and no hard sell/ pressure tactics.

Yes , Liberty it’s well known for a high standard of service and truly knows how to take care of its customer . Thank you for your advice 😇