FAQ
Got Questions? Good.
The fragrance community asks the right ones. Here are the answers.
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🧪 DECANTS & SIZING
What is a decant?
A decant is a small portion of a fragrance transferred from the original full bottle into a smaller vial. We source authenticated full bottles, hand-fill them into 2ml, 5ml, and 10ml atomizer spray vials, and seal them for shipping. What you receive is the exact same fragrance — just in a size that makes sense for exploring.
What sizes do you offer?
We offer three sizes for every fragrance:
- 2ml — 12-17 sprays. Enough for a full day's wear, start to dry-down. Perfect for sampling.
- 5ml — 50-75 sprays. A week of daily wear. Ideal for travel or building a rotation.
- 10ml — 100-125 sprays. Long-term carry. The right size before you commit to a full bottle.
Why should I buy a decant instead of a full bottle?
Because you can't know if a fragrance is right for you until you wear it on your own skin for a full day. A scent that smells incredible in a review or on someone else might be completely wrong for your chemistry. That's the never-blind-buy principle — the fragrance community figured this out years ago. A $8–12 decant is a much smarter entry point than a $300–500 blind buy.
Are your decants sprays or dab vials?
All of our vials are atomizer spray vials — not dabbers. You apply them the same way you would a full bottle.
Does the fragrance degrade in a small vial?
Not meaningfully, as long as it's stored away from direct sunlight and heat — same rules as a full bottle. Our vials are sealed and filled fresh from authenticated stock. We don't hold pre-filled inventory for extended periods.
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🔐 AUTHENTICITY
How do I know the fragrances are authentic?
We source exclusively from verified wholesale distributors — the same supply chains that supply boutiques across Europe and the Middle East. Every batch is authenticated before it gets decanted: we check batch codes, fill levels, packaging consistency, and scent profile against known references. If something is off, it doesn't ship.
What if I think my decant is wrong or off?
Contact us immediately with your order number and what seems off. We take authenticity issues seriously — if something in a batch is wrong, we want to know. We'll investigate and make it right.
Are your Lattafa, Armaf, and Afnan fragrances authentic?
Yes. These are legitimate, globally distributed fragrance houses — not knockoffs. They're produced in the UAE and sold through official channels. The fact that they're affordable is a function of their business model, not their authenticity. Lattafa and Armaf are among the most purchased brands on our platform.
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📦 ORDERS & SHIPPING
How fast do you ship?
We ship within 48 hours of your order being placed, Monday through Friday. Most orders go out same or next business day. You'll receive a tracking number as soon as your order dispatches.
Do you ship internationally?
Currently US-only. International shipping is on the roadmap — join our email list to be first to know when it opens up.
How is my order packaged?
Vials are individually wrapped and packed securely to survive transit. We don't cut corners on packaging — a broken vial is a bad experience for everyone.
What if my order arrives damaged?
Email us with a photo and your order number. We'll send a replacement or issue a refund immediately — your choice. We don't make you fight for it.
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💰 PRICING
Why are your prices lower than buying full bottles?
Because you're buying a portion of a full bottle, not the full bottle itself. You're paying for the fragrance and the decanting — not the designer packaging, the full retail markup, or the department store shelf space.
Is there a minimum order?
No minimum. You can order a single 2ml vial if that's what you want.
Do you offer free shipping?
Yes — free shipping on all orders over $50. Orders under $50 ship at a flat rate.
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🔄 RETURNS & REFUNDS
Can I return a decant I don't like?
We can't accept returns on opened vials — this is standard across the fragrance industry for hygiene reasons. This is exactly why we offer 2ml samplers: if you try the $8–12 sample and don't love it, you're out $8, not $300. Try before you commit.
What if I receive the wrong fragrance?
Email us with your order number and a photo. We'll send the correct item immediately and handle the return of the wrong one on our end.
How long do refunds take?
Once a return is confirmed, refunds process within 3–5 business days back to your original payment method.
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🗺️ DUPE MAPS
What is a dupe map?
Each fragrance in our catalog includes a dupe map — plain English explaining what it smells like, what designer or niche fragrance it's similar to, and what the community thinks of it. No poetic ingredient lists. Just honest, useful context so you can make a good decision.
Does "smells like X" mean it's a fake or knockoff?
No. Fragrance similarity is natural — many perfumers draw on the same ingredient families and structures. A fragrance that shares DNA with Creed Aventus is not a counterfeit Creed. It's a different product that occupies similar olfactory space. The fragrance community has been making these comparisons for decades. We just make them easy to find.
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📬 CONTACT & SUPPORT
How do I contact you?
Email us at hello@thescentvault.shop. A real person reads every email and responds within 24 hours — usually faster.
I'm a fragrance creator and want to collaborate.
Email us with your handle and what you have in mind. We're open to it.
I'm looking for a fragrance you don't carry. Can you source it?
Possibly. Email us with what you're after. If we can source it through our verified channels, we'll let you know. We're always expanding the catalog.
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💬 STILL HAVE A QUESTION?
[Email Us →] hello@thescentvault.shop
We're a small team. Every email gets a real response.