MiN New York & Santa Maria Novella

**Cuttingboard** · 05-14-2010, 11:14 AM

Anyone know whether MiN New York is going to continue to carry Santa Maria Novella products? I went to the MiN website the other day looking for SMN Imperial Lavender Cologne and saw that they only had a couple colognes available on the website for purchase. They normally carry the full range of SMN products which was about 4-5 pages. I emailed them several days ago inquiring about the status SMN but have not heard from them.

**ALL HANDS WORKING** · 05-17-2010, 09:47 AM

I'm not familiar with this retailer, but Lafco has the full line. I generally go there in person since it is about 10 minutes from work, but their website has everything SMN. www.lafcony.com

**Austin** · 05-17-2010, 10:26 AM

The only way to find out is to contact them directly.

**Cuttingboard** · 05-17-2010, 10:47 AM

I generally go there in person since it is about 10 minutes from work, but their website has everything SMN.

I normally wouldn't care but I have a 20% off coupon for MiN I was going to use to buy SMN Imperial Lavender Cologne.

Lafco is presently out of stock of SMN Imperial Lavender.

Originally Posted by Austin

The only way to find out is to contact them directly.

I sent them several emails but have not heard back. Was curious whether anyone here has heard anything...? Guess I'll have to call them.

**nwman** · 05-17-2010, 02:19 PM

i had several experiences with MiN New York all of them bad, before i wised up. i strongly suggest searching for a better e-tailer...Min New York are just not "good people."

g'luck to you!

**HoratioCaine** · 05-17-2010, 09:03 PM

Originally Posted by nwman

i had several experiences with MiN New York all of them bad, before i wised up.

I've never dealt with MiN, but this account would seem to gibe with the fact that Cuttingboard can't seem to get a response from these guys. 20% off is nothing sneeze at, but obviously it does you no good if you can't even get them to deal with you. Lafco is the primary U.S. distributor of SMN products, and is always a safe bet. You might try calling the L.A. store to see if they have any Imperial Lavender in stock. I actually prefer dealing with the L.A. people to the folks in New York.

**ALL HANDS WORKING** · 05-18-2010, 03:55 AM

I

I actually prefer dealing with the L.A. people to the folks in New York.

BLASPHEMY!!!

**Cuttingboard** · 05-18-2010, 05:12 AM

Originally Posted by HoratioCaine

I've never dealt with MiN, but this account would seem to gibe with the fact that Cuttingboard can't seem to get a response from these guys. 20% off is nothing sneeze at, but obviously it does you no good if you can't even get them to deal with you. Lafco is the primary U.S. distributor of SMN products, and is always a safe bet. You might try calling the L.A. store to see if they have any Imperial Lavender in stock. I actually prefer dealing with the L.A. people to the folks in New York.

Yeah...does no good if I can't get them to answer a freakin' email...maybe I'll call them this afternoon hoping they'll answer the phone.

Since I work in a cubicle environment, I may have to call from one of the conference room phones so that the guys in the office do not hear me ordering grooming products.

**HoratioCaine** · 05-18-2010, 12:46 PM

Originally Posted by Cuttingboard

Yeah...does no good if I can't get them to answer a freakin' email...maybe I'll call them this afternoon hoping they'll answer the phone.

It seems like you're going to a lot of trouble to give them your business when they aren't bothering to earn it. You must really want that 20%. (I would too, but there's a limit, you know?)

Originally Posted by ALL HANDS WORKING

BLASPHEMY!!!

Sorry, man, what can I tell you? There hasn't been a single order I've placed through the New York store that they didn't screw up in some way. They always made good on it, and I've ended up with a number of free products as a result, but that's rather beside the point. Conversely, the L.A. store has gotten it right each time (although, one time they accidentally included a "free" bar of soap that wasn't part of my order). And since the goods are only coming up the coast, transit time is about half of what it takes for stuff to come from New York, UPS ground being the snail's pace that it is. They also seem quite a bit more laid back at the L.A. store.

**Cuttingboard** · 05-18-2010, 01:01 PM

Originally Posted by HoratioCaine

It seems like you're going to a lot of trouble to give them your business when they aren't bothering to earn it. You must really want that 20%. (I would too, but there's a limit, you know?)

Received an email from them earlier today. They indicated that they were out of SMN Imperial Lavender but I find it a little fishy that they're out of almost all SMN scents with no pictures on their website. Lafco is out of SMN Imperial Lavender also but they still have the picture and "out of stock" on the status. Since they're out of SMN Imperial Lavender, they suggested Penhaligon's Lavendula and TOBS Lavender. How do these compare to SMN and C&S Lavender?

**HoratioCaine** · 05-18-2010, 01:42 PM

Originally Posted by Cuttingboard

Since they're out of SMN Imperial Lavender, they suggested Penhaligon's Lavendula and TOBS Lavender. How do these compare to SMN and C&S Lavender?

First up, don't write off the SMN until you've called the other Lafco stores. In checking their website, I see they also have stores in Dallas and Bal Harbor, in addition to New York and L.A. As far as I know, the website only references what the N.Y. store has in stock. The other three are walk-in and telephone business only. So, you've still got some options if you want the SMN.

As far as the other recommendations go, I haven't tried the TOBS, but if it's like their other scents, I have a hard time imagining it's in the same league as SMN. (It will cost a good deal less, though.) I wasn't terribly fond of the Penhaligon's. It opens nicely enough, but I found it became a bit harsh and synthetic in the dry down. Also, FWIW, Lavandula is marketed as a women's fragrance. Pen's used to put out a men's lavender water that I like about as much as the SMN, but Lavandula ain't it, unfortunately.

**Cuttingboard** · 05-18-2010, 03:28 PM

I replied to MiN's email asking when the expect more SMN and they indicated that they would be receiving more stock at the end of the month. I'm going on vacation next week and will check their website when I return. Hopefully, they'll have a new shipment so I can to advantage of the 20% discount. If not, I may have to move on to my second choice lavender fragrance, Oxford and Cambridge.

**HoratioCaine** · 05-18-2010, 04:11 PM

I was just browsing their website and notice they have Penhaligon's English Fern. Have you tried it? It's in no way a pure lavender, but it has a distinct lavender accord in the mix. I've been wearing it quite a lot lately and remembering why it's one of my favorites.

**Cuttingboard** · 05-18-2010, 04:48 PM

Originally Posted by HoratioCaine

I was just browsing their website and notice they have Penhaligon's English Fern. Have you tried it? It's in no way a pure lavender, but it has a distinct lavender accord in the mix. I've been wearing it quite a lot lately and remembering why it's one of my favorites.

Yes, I've tried English Fern but it doesn't agree with me. I can't smell the lavender note. And what's strange is that I haven't found a Penhaligon's scent that I like. I love the smell of Blenheim Bouquet until I put it on...it then turns fowl!

I really like Creed Scottish Royal Lavender.