Givenchy Harvest Collection 2006 And A Rant
May 21st, 2007
“Like fine wines made from grapes that can change taste slightly from year to year, perfumers have always combined different harvests to guarantee consistent quality in their fragrances. That is why Givenchy has selected the three best harvests of the year 2006 and reserved them for its exclusive use to create three unique Limited Editions of its leading fragrances.” (Nordstroms.com) I’m afraid my impressions of this collection is tainted due to a rather absurd experience at the Nordstrom’s fragrance counter. First of all, I can’t help but notice the special harvest concept - been done before with much success by L’Artisan Parfumeur with Fleur d’Oranger in 2005 and Fleur de Narcisse in 2006, hence hardly a novel concept. Secondly, with a collection of such special value, it seems quite logical to make sure the presentation is up to speed, don’t you think? Perhaps it is in other Nordstrom stores (where the scents are available exclusively at the moment). The one I was at, however, on Michigan Ave, gave me a rather bizarre treatment. I’m standing in front of the display table, spraying the blotters and sniffing. I see a sales lady nearby and promptly approach her, and our conversation goes something like this:
- Do you have samples of these, by chance?
- No, we do not.
- Would it be possible for you to make them?
- I can make you two samples. You need to give us your name and phone number so we can call you back to see how you liked them.
- Can you make samples of all three?
- No, I can only make you two samples. Then we’ll call you back to see how you liked them.
- I’d really love to try all three of them.
- Would you like to spray some on your skin? Let me help you.
- No, I mean, I’d like to have samples of all three of them, even just a drop. I write about perfume.
- I’ll make you two samples, and you can try the third one here. Then we’ll call you to see how you liked them.
- I work in perfume. We give out samples so people can try the scents on their skin.
- I can only make two samples. We’ll then call you back. The idea is to eventually get a sale, so we’d like to call you to find out how you liked them.
- OK. Fine.
At this point I just about lost it. My last sentence went something like this, “I write about perfume. I will review these scents and write about my experience here today. This is the weirdest method I’ve ever seen.” Then I walked away fuming. Nordstrom’s has always amazed me with their superb customer service. It’s my preferred department store. I’m perfectly aware the sales people working in fragrances are quite often poorly trained and often tell you the most absurd things. However, this was not the case of one ignorant sales person. This was the case of what seems to be their (new?) sample policy that I have to carefully choose descriptive adjectives for as I’m still recovering from the shock. Only two samples and only with your name and number (and address, too, which I refused to give out)? So they can get a sale out of this later? [All expletives deleted] Please show me where’s the logic in this. Try as I might I cannot see it. It’d have made some sense had there been only two scents I wanted to try. If you want to limit samples per customer, fine (but don’t expect your sales to rise). But this? The Limited Edition Harvest 2006 Collection consisting of three fragrances united by the same idea/inspiration/you name it? Only two scents for you, you beggah! I’m suddenly in good ol’ Soviet times standing in line to get some soap with only two tickets for exactly two bars.
The scents? Should I even go there today? Just a brief overview.
Amarige: highlighting the ylang-ylang cultivated on the French island of Mayotte. Other than that, it’s Amarige as I recall it. A sultry, creamy floral.
Organza: lovely “orange blossoms from Nabeul in Tunisia… the harvest is made by women, perched at the very top of wooden ladders, who gently twist the flowers to make them fall.” A potent, sultry, creamy floral.
Very Irresistible: the finest Centifolia roses from Grasse. A sweet, sultry, creamy floral.
Entry Filed under: New Perfumes, Perfume Reviews
16 Comments Add your own
1. Amy K | May 21st, 2007 at 10:35 pm
Wow, such a bizarre policy. I haven’t been to my local Nordstrom in a couple of months, but now I’m tempted to go just to see if they’ve adopted the craziness everywhere. Only a free sample-a-month mailing service could tempt me to hand out my address and get signed up for even more junk mail than I already receive.
2. Patty | May 22nd, 2007 at 12:44 am
Huh. That is a bizarre experience. It’s almost better if she had turned you down than insisted you sign up for their version of the “perfume time share” where you have to agree to the high pressure sales call later.
3. Maja | May 22nd, 2007 at 4:54 am
Ina,
I would think you have links to major stores and a well established “sample” network…but I guess that’s not the case.
Too bad you have been upset over this collection since I have been waiting for a good review of Organza 2006 Limited Edition. In a way I am surprised that you have been angered over a little misunderstanding. Your reviews are good fun and your sense of style (over all) calls for professional attitude. Addressing your request to the manager, as you already know, would have been much better option in this situation. That way you would have been able to introduce yourself and mention how many people read your reviews on daily basis.
In reference to good ole’ Soviet times and two bars of soap, I hear you …
It’s hard to erase images and feelings that shape us in undesirable way. However you should be proud of yourself, since your personality shines through in many unique facets.
I think memories like “two tickets for two soap bars “gives you depth.
So, please try to un-fume over this” serious hobby” of yours and give us your brake down of Givenchy Harvest Collection 2006 (all three fragrances, please!).
Don’t forget to put on a special Ina twist to it! After all -It’s just a hobby.
4. chayaruchama | May 22nd, 2007 at 6:38 am
I agree that the manager ought to be made aware of this situation.
While the lady was ‘just doing her job’, it STILL is annoying , to say the least.
It doesn’t shed a flattering light on either the store’s reputation, or the customer service policy.
You can certainly credit yourself witrh the fact that YOU do not conduct yourself in this manner.
5. newproducts | May 22nd, 2007 at 6:47 am
What an absurd policy. Your conversation reads like a reasonable person (you) talking to a brick wall (the saleslady).
As for the scents, I now want to try Amarige, as I am lemming scents with ylang ylang in them.
6. Elle | May 22nd, 2007 at 7:13 am
Your name, phone number and address? This approaches the level of telemarketing. Extremely off putting. Almost as off putting as that description for LE Organza. At the very top of the ladder? Not maybe five rungs down? And they occasionally don’t have PMS and just yank the blossoms off w/ a less than gentle touch? That sort of description is just *way* too precious for me.
7. Marina | May 22nd, 2007 at 7:20 am
Name, phone, address for TWO miserly samples? Would they like the keys to my flat too? The bank account number? Jeez.
8. violetnoir | May 22nd, 2007 at 10:57 am
Whoa! That’s way far out there, Ina! And at Nordstrom? Quite bizarre!
I am so sorry that happened to you. Nordstrom, as we all know, prides itself for its customer service. I can’t help but think this so-called SA was not “in sync” with Nordstrom’s business values. Hey, maybe she was the one who gave Winter Wheat a hard time several months ago, remember that episode?
Hugs!
9. Fragrant Funster | May 22nd, 2007 at 11:24 am
Easy way around the name/number issue?
Give your name as JC Ellena or O Giacobetti or C Sheldrake. Give your phone number as 867-5309. One need not tell the truth on such things that have no legal bearing.
10. nikki c | May 22nd, 2007 at 11:27 am
ugh, how frustrating! if this happened to me i think i’d stop going to nordstrom. i would definitely write a letter or call the manager.
11. tmp00 | May 22nd, 2007 at 3:13 pm
I have to respectfully disagree with Maja. While perhaps Ina could throw her metaphoric weight around and let them know that they are dealing with someone who has a readership, that isn’t really going to help the poor schmo who doesn’t have a blog.
Really, it’s three samples. They aren’t made of Ivory, and even if they did the SA didn’t have to buy them. The “give me your phone number so I can call you and see if you liked them” bit is just weird, and it’s not making me want to go to Nordstrom or try these scents.
12. Robin | May 22nd, 2007 at 3:26 pm
Wow! I hope that isn’t a new policy at Nordstrom. If it is, I’m stumped — there is no place else I really like to shop.
13. IrisLA | May 22nd, 2007 at 4:43 pm
How strange that your local Nordstrom treated you this way. A couple weeks ago, I asked for and received three made-on-the-spot samples of Givenchy Harvest at my Nordstrom. I love the ylang ylang one, and I am mulling a purchase. I made a note of the SA’s name so I could ask for him again if I purchased.
14. annE | May 23rd, 2007 at 10:34 am
What a frightful experience! I’ve always been impressed by the great customer service at Nordstrom’s, and this is really surprising. I wonder what would happen if you contacted the fragrance manager there - if you do, please let us know.
I’ve been thinking of applying to the new Nordstrom which will open up near me soon, but if this is their new policy, I think I might not. :-\
15. Ina | May 24th, 2007 at 9:41 pm
Thank you all for your comments! My busy work schedule hasn’t allowed me prompt responses. I’ll sleep on these Givenchy scents and try to review them in more detail in the near future. Hrmph as it may be.
16. Elle | June 6th, 2007 at 9:07 pm
I’m sorry to hear that this bad experience has tainted your impression of Nordstroms. About a decade ago when I worked at Nordstroms in fragrances, the first thing they did was to give us a lesson on customer service. They specifically instructed us to be gracious about giving samples. Maybe this woman actually worked for Givenchy? I hope Nordstroms hasn’t changed in this direction.
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