The Ultimate Guide For How to Buy Fragrances on Facebook (and not get scammed!)

Ali Bokhari’s guide to safely buying fragrances on Facebook—real deals, real tips, no scams. Your wallet (and nose) will thank you.

By Ali Bokhari

That smoky smell every time you buy a fragrance? Yeah, that's the acrid smell of money burning a hole in your pocket.

Look, I get it. Buying fragrances at retail or even from discounter sites at times can be brutally expensive. But there is a smarter way to smell great than setting your wallet or purse on fire: try buying fragrances on Facebook.

Now, before you roll your eyes or clutch your hard-earned catch, hear me out.

Yes, Facebook is full of scammers and trolls itching to offload fakes or flat-out rob you. But it's also got some surprisingly good deals if you know what you’re doing. In this article, I’m going to walk you through five essential dos and don’ts for buying fragrances on Facebook Marketplace and private groups. Some of these tips apply beyond perfume, so pay attention even if you’re just casually browsing.

Let’s dive in.

The Dos

1. Do know that many brand and product names are banned in Facebook groups

This is going to sound absolutely crazy to anyone who does not know, but many Facebook fragrance groups have banned users from using brand and product names. Why? Because certain fragrance companies have pressured the social media site into shutting down groups and discussions that mention their products. As a workaround, many groups now require you to misspell all brand names and blur out fragrance names in photos when selling. They are doing this so that, as one group admin told me, buyers and sellers "fly under the radar."

So what does that mean for you as a buyer? Well, if you’re searching for a

specific brand or scent and type it in normally, you might find nothing. That doesn’t mean the scent isn’t being sold, it just means it’s hiding in plain sight under a creative alias. For example, Dior might be written as “D1or” or “DeeOhR.” Some groups even block words like “sale,” “shipping”, "dollars" and the “$” symbol.

If you're unsure how to search or post, here's a useful Google Doc I came across that suggests alternate spellings for a wide range of companies, some of which are pressuring Facebook, and some which are not:

A list of fragrance companies' alternative names

This naming workaround is mostly limited to private groups, not Marketplace, but it’s important to be aware either way.

2. Do know that Facebook Marketplace isn’t your only option

Marketplace can be a decent starting point, but private Facebook groups are where the real action is. Some of my go-to groups include The Fragrance Group, Fragrance Marketplace, Canadian Fragrance Enthusiasts, and when I want to get in touch with my South Asian heritage, the Pakistan Fragrance Community. You can find many similar ones by searching for groups based on your location.

Why private groups? I find that unlike with many profiles on Facebook Marketplace, regular sellers in groups tend to be far more widely known and vouched for. There’s a baseline of trust and many members are friendly, helpful and just as obsessed with fragrance as you are. These groups also allow you to search previous listings, giving you a realistic sense of pricing trends for specific fragrances.

You’ll generally find the lowest to highest prices beginning samples (2–5 ml), then decants (10-20 ml), and finally full bottles. Sizes vary wildly, but the rule of thumb is the more you buy, the lower your cost per ml. Try samples if your budget is limited before committing to bottles, it's a lot of fun and the easiest way to stop incinerating your wallet or purse.

3. Do understand fragrance group lingo

If you’re new to this scene, some terms will fly over your head unless you catch up fast. Here’s a cheat sheet:

• BNIB (Brand New In Box): Never opened, usually it's still sealed.
• ISO (In Search Of): Used when you’re looking to buy a specific scent.
• BIN (Buy It Now): You’re jumping to the front of the line and committing to buy—no backing out unless the seller's terms change.
• Partial: A used bottle, often with a listed percentage remaining.
• Milliliters (ml): The most common standard unit worldwide for measuring perfume juice; other markets may use fluid ounces (fl oz).
• Juice: Slang for the perfume liquid itself (e.g., “this juice is amber in color”).
• Decant: A small amount of juice transferred to a new atomizer, usually 1–10 ml.
• Legit check: A post that requests all group members to weigh in on whether a seller is reliable and trustworthy. For example, you could say, "Can I get a respectful legit check on Ali Bokhari? Thanks!"

There are many more terms, but these are the most important to know. Hopefully it will save yourself a ton of confusion!

4. Do remember that list prices are negotiable (most of the time)

I'm happy to share that a listed price on Facebook is usually a starting point, not a final offer. If a listing has been sitting unsold for weeks, it may represent an opportunity. Politely message the seller and say something like, “Hey, I noticed this has been up for a while, would you consider a lower price?” If someone’s selling a bottle for $85, there’s no harm in politely asking, “Would you take $75 today?” Unless they say “firm price” or “no lowballs,” it’s fair game. I recommend not suggesting a price lower than 20% what the seller originally listed.

Also, keep in mind: once a bottle is opened, its value drops. Don’t pay near-retail for a used bottle. Partials should be priced significantly lower. Period.

5. Do respect the seller's time

This one’s crucial. Most sellers have day jobs and real lives. I know I do! If you commit to a meet-up at 6 PM, then be there at 6 PM—or at least communicate any delays well in advance. Don’t ghost. Do not show up more than five minutes late without a heads-up. Word travels fast and you don’t want to get blacklisted from a small, tight-knit community.

And whatever you do, do NOT try to renegotiate in person after firmly agreeing to terms online. Unless the seller changes something, the deal is done. Respect the process.

The Don'ts

1. Don’t trust new or inactive profiles

Scammers often operate under profiles with zero activity, few (or fake) friends, and no visible history. If the profile looks like it was born yesterday, avoid it. You may check their personal profile (not to be confused with their buyer profile) to see if they are really human. Personally, when I'm selling things, I photograph myself with the items I'm selling. Look for sellers who do the same, or at least include a piece of paper in the photo with their handwritten name and date the photo was taken. Most scammers will not want to do this. 

Just like any normal person like me or you, legit sellers usually have some footprint—photos, posts and a history of buying/selling. Check their profile, read the comments on past listings and do a quick gut check before engaging. Heck, you might even find you have friends in common, which would be REALLY good!

2. Don’t assume authenticity based on photos alone

Just because a listing has clean, clear photos doesn’t mean it’s legit. Counterfeiters are getting scarily good at faking the look, with some even reusing pictures from legit sellers. Others take 100% real bottles and pump them full of knockoff juice. Oftentimes the only way to recognize there is a fake is to pull off its atomizer head and take a look at its inner workings. If it's different from the real thing, then it's sadly enough a fake.

If you’re unsure whether you’re looking at the real deal or what to look for, take photos of the front and bottom of the box, and the front and bottom of the bottle. Then post them in a reputable fragrances group on Facebook. Let seasoned members weigh in. Most people are glad to help, and it could save you from making a costly mistake. That said, sometimes even well-regarded, well-meaning group users can be wrong. Always ask to speak with whomever is known to be an expert on the brand and product in the group.

3. Don’t be rushed into a transaction

One common scam is using high-pressure tactics. They may say “I have another buyer lined up,” or “You have 5 minutes to decide.” Slow down. Scammers thrive on emotional purchases, which is partly because our limbic fight-or-flight response kicks into high gear. We get so worked up due to our survival response. There is no need for all that drama. Read the terms. Double-check everything. And most of all, don't think that there is no other deal like it—things pop up for sale every day. As an experienced buyer and seller, I can tell you that there are very few once-in-a-lifetime type deals.

Side tip: Some scammers even send fake e-transfer requests that look like payment receipts but are actually requests for your money. Always read carefully, and when in doubt, walk away. Your financial security is not worth risking.

4. Don’t forget about shipping

It’s easy to fall in love with a price and overlook shipping costs. Clarify up front whether the price includes shipping, handling, and any cross-border duties.

If the seller says “all in,” that means everything is included—fragrance, shipping, taxes and so on. If it is not an all-in deal, then ask for a breakdown before committing.

5. Don’t move the conversation off Facebook

I've seen that some scammers will ask to continue the chat on WhatsApp, Instagram, or text. Don’t do it. Facebook at least provides some level of accountability and moderation. If things go south, there’s a digital trail. Once you leave the platform, you're basically on your own. I always recommend fragrance customers stick to Facebook, keep records and protect themselves.

This is not just a message for beginners—we all need to take care of ourselves. Whether you've been in the fragrance game for 19 minutes or 19 years, we are all potential victims.

Final thoughts

Buying fragrances on Facebook isn’t for the faint of heart, but for anyone willing to give it a shot it can be worth it. If you’re cautious, respectful and informed, you can find killer deals and maybe even make a few fragrance friends along the way.

Just remember: if a deal on Facebook looks too good to be true, it probably is. But if it looks just good enough? That might be your next signature scent waiting to be unboxed.