In the Philippines, providing alternatives in any line of business is really something to behold. You can refill ink cartridges, bottled water and now perfumes. Now the initial two are something common we see in the world market today but the latter, refillable perfume is something that is bound to make you wonder, “What will they think of next?”
Well, there is this small stall located at the 3rd level of Robinsons Galleria in Ortigas. I actually saw it last week when my wife was looking for Prescripto, a known local company that sells imitation perfume in fabricated simple bottles. While looking for it, we came across this stall called Scents for Cents which showcased a lot of original perfumes to which I saw my favorite, the Tommy Boy brand.
I know very well that there is no sense in considering it since knowing stuff that came from the Philippines, it is sure to be fake. These perfume concoctions are normally mixed with 90% water and 10% the actual scent. How do they maintain the scent? Well, we all know how strong and how easy it is to create aromas that can be easily added into the mixture.
Anyway, I decided to give it a try. Take note of this advertising placard they had which you cannot miss!
“WE REFILL ORIGINAL PERFUMES”
So upon seeing that, I had an old original bottle that I got from the United States and brought it there. I just wanted to see if they really can refill the bottle.
To my surprise when I got there, the sales attendant told us that they cannot refill original bottles because they are sealed. In dismay, I pointed to the placard and said “If that is the case, why do you place that ad card. You are fooling people!”
She replied, “We only refill perfumes that make use of our bottles, sir”
So in a matter of speaking it was supposed to say:
“WE REFILL ORIGINAL PERFUMES THAT MAKE USE OF OUR BOTTLES”
Talk about advertising, that was a cheap shot. But nevertheless, I had no intention of buying anyway so I let it go.
Then I wanted to ask how much the bottle of Tommy Boy perfume was using their bottle even if my wife was telling me that it was not worth it. The answer?
“Sorry sir we only have the original Tommy Boy with us. We don’t have the one that your type of bottle has”.
I shook my head in disbelief. She was basing perfumes on bottles? I just left and said you are fooling people but it will all come back to you and went away to avoid making a scene.
Oh and by the way, the perfume bottle that I did have really was the original Tommy Boy perfume straight from the United States. So I guess you know now why I was really pissed.
So when you happen to pass by Robinsons Galleria and see this stall on the 3rd level check out the sign. But avoid buying anything there. They are marketing something just for attention and if you do buy, it is just a waste of time.
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