In a private sale, much remains unclear until you unpack it.
Photos and descriptions allow for a first impression. They cannot always fully show the actual condition, fill level, completeness, and authenticity, though.
What's only partly possible to judge before buying
Four characteristics that listing photos and descriptions can't always fully convey.
Condition and signs of use
Scratches, minor damage, or a leaking cap don't always fully show in photos — especially with already-used bottles.
Fill level and completeness
With opened fragrances, the actual fill level is hard to judge from photos. Packaging, cap, and accessories are also part of a complete listing.
Authenticity
Good counterfeits often look convincing in listing photos. Bottle, label, and packaging alone are usually not enough to judge by.
Storage and history
Heat, sunlight, or poor storage can affect a fragrance. How a bottle was kept before is hard to trace after the fact.
Counterfeits cost Europe's cosmetics industry billions.
EUIPO examined how much counterfeit products cost the European cosmetics sector economically.
EUIPO, study on counterfeit products in the EU cosmetics sector (2024) — Data basis 2018–2021.
EU authorities seize millions of counterfeit products every year.
Perfumes and cosmetics are among the product categories recorded in this every year.
Estimated total value of the seized goods: over €3.8 billion.
EUIPO / European Commission, report on IP rights enforcement at EU borders (2024)
What ERTZU checks before resale
Before a fragrance goes to the buyer, ERTZU checks, among other things, whether it's authentic, what condition it's in, and whether fill level and contents match the listing.
Authenticity
Barcode, batch code, and other features are matched against the manufacturer's original data to identify counterfeits.
Condition
The bottle and packaging are checked for damage and signs of use, so the condition matches the description.
Fill level and completeness
Fill level, accessories, and packaging are compared against the listing, so the buyer gets what was offered.
Documentation
Every check's results are recorded and stay traceable throughout the verification process.
For these reasons, ERTZU checks every fragrance before it is forwarded to the buyer.
View verification processLess uncertainty when buying fragrance.
Every fragrance on ERTZU is independently checked before it goes to the buyer.
Browse verified fragrances