Vintage Fragrances on Ebay

**Snick1946** · 11-11-2009, 11:47 AM

Anyone had any experience with these? Have never bought one that was decent, all were deteriorated and a few smelled bad. Bought a bottle of Yorktown 1783, one I recall from my younger days, too strong to wear, had to use it up to splash in bath water.
It'd be nice to go back and recapture those wonderful fragrance memories but time and science is against it, apparently.

**tsmba** · 11-12-2009, 10:49 AM

I never quite understand the attraction for "vintage" fragrances. Many fine scents have been discontinued, which drives prices up for those looking to purchase them.

**StylinLA** · 11-12-2009, 11:38 AM

I'm no expert, but I always have a concern that stuff sitting a long time loses a lot of it's power.

**Scentronic** · 11-12-2009, 12:10 PM

Originally Posted by tsmba

I never quite understand the attraction for "vintage" fragrances. Many fine scents have been discontinued, which drives prices up for those looking to purchase them.

Discontinuation obviously contributes to the exclusivity of a product, which increases the price. But usually when people refer to a scent being vintage, it is to distinguish it from the reformulation. It is usually the case that when a reformulation occurs, it is not quite as good for one reason or another. So when the fans of the original are looking for a bottle, they'll specify that they're looking for the vintage. Czech & Speake No.88, for instance, has been reformulated, and although I haven't tried the original "vintage" version, I hear that it is better than the reformulation, which is what I own.

For me, it all comes down to the scent. So there is no allure to owning rare bottles of vintage fragrances that might have gone off.

**gollum83** · 11-12-2009, 12:50 PM

Here's a good guide to buying vintage scents that was put together a while back by one of our members: Caveat Emptor: 10 Ways To Avoid Getting Burned on the 'Bay

**professorchaos** · 11-13-2009, 06:17 AM

Originally Posted by Scentronic

Discontinuation obviously contributes to the exclusivity of a product, which increases the price. But usually when people refer to a scent being vintage, it is to distinguish it from the reformulation. It is usually the case that when a reformulation occurs, it is not quite as good for one reason or another. So when the fans of the original are looking for a bottle, they'll specify that they're looking for the vintage. Czech & Speake No.88, for instance, has been reformulated, and although I haven't tried the original "vintage" version, I hear that it is better than the reformulation, which is what I own.

For me, it all comes down to the scent. So there is no allure to owning rare bottles of vintage fragrances that might have gone off.

No! When did this happen?

**blantyre** · 11-13-2009, 08:45 AM

Old bottles are very dependent on specifics: I bought an unopened, boxed 100ml Givenchy Gentleman from an early batch when it was still a formidable scent. It seems as potent as ever even though it is 25+ years old.

The dregs of a bottle of Old Spice that was sitting on its side for years in someone's basement would be useless other than as a visual prop in a shave den.