So, for those of you who participated in the swapmeet, how did it go? And feel free to tell us what you got, and whether or not you loved it.
Should we do it again? And if so, is there anything we should do differently?
And I said in the swap rules that you would not be allowed to post complaints here, ever, but I really meant that you would not be allowed to post an accusation against another reader. If you want to post a general complaint because your swap didn't go well, feel free, just don't tell us who you were swapping with.
Note: top image is Chrysanthemums by mdpai75 at flickr; some rights reserved.
First of all a big shout out to my *seven* swap buddies! Second, a great big thank you to Robin for hosting the Swapmeet. It was a huge success. I found homes for unloved items and got many of the items on my wish list. I also got things I didn’t know I loved until they arrived in my mailbox! Last but not least, I met some lovely people.
This was my third swap event. As happened in the past, some swaps were straight up one-for-one swaps. Others evolved from swapping into sharing, each person wanting to include some of their favorite things for the other to try. It was fun.
I know there are lots of places on line to swap and sell but I enjoy these swap events best. Everyone is focussed and things happen fast!
Here’s what I got, not counting samples. I like everything I got!
Decants:
Amouage Interlude Woman
SSS Winter Woods
Atelier Cologne Vetiver Fatal
F Malle Lipstick Rose–very pretty
Etro Shaal Nur
Bottega Veneta
YSL vintage Y–wonderful
Hermessence Osmanthe Yunnan, 15 ml travel bottle
Prada Candy–what a surprise, I love it!
Large samples of:
Prada Candy
Infusion d’Iris edp & absolue
Tom Ford Violet Blonde
Cartier Baiser Vole
Heeley Iris de Nuit
FM Fleur d’ Cassie
FM Iris Poudre–just a little–OMG, thanks for throwing this in CM. I adore it!
It was a totally positive experience. I’d love to do it again. The rules worked well.
I had such fun in the Swapmeet! I sent a number of unloved perfumes on to new homes and got some lovely things in return. I received:
Bottles (full or partial): 10 Corso Como (wonderful for the cooler weather we are starting to get), Messe de Minuit, Nuits d’Hadrien, and Le Dix (violets and aldehyes—this one was made for me!)
Decants, minis, or travel sprays: Interlude Man, Lipstick Rose, Roma, Osmanthe Yunnan, TDC Osmanthus, Karma, Bel Respiro, Seville a l’Aube
Samples: too numerous to list.
I noticed that several people commented that they would like to participate, but didn’t have much to offer. I really hate to see someone missing out on the fun, and would like to encourage the holdouts to just give it a try next time. I am sure there are others like me who have too much perfume and really would like to reduce the total amount. I don’t insist on an exact ml for ml or dollar for dollar trade. If it means getting something I really want for something I don’t want, it is a good swap. In several cases I traded a bottle for some decants or samples or minis. When Perfume Posse had their Swapmania, quite a lot of people swapped perfume for non-perfume items (soap, scarves, jewelry, tea, chocolate, etc.). Perhaps that could be an idea for those who don’t have much perfume to swap away and really want to build their collections?
One thing that came up in my communications with one of my swap partners is that some of us have stuff we really would just like to get rid of. Some of my unloved bottles are not particularly valuable, and I wouldn’t mind just giving them to someone who would want to have them. I also have too many sample vials, and feel I should get rid of those I know I don’t want to smell again before they evaporate or go bad. Perhaps there could be an option for people to list things they would like to just donate to a worthy cause (perfumista education, that is) without requiring anything in return.
“I don’t insist on an exact ml for ml or dollar for dollar trade. If it means getting something I really want for something I don’t want, it is a good swap.”
50_Roses: I totally agree with you on this. And one person’s scrubber is another’s true love, so don’t hold back folks!!!
And I absolutely think we should do this again! Twice a year would be good, preferably spring and fall. I do have some concerns about doing it during the heat of summer, which could potentially harm the perfume. I think too that it should be kept away from the holiday madness in November and December, so a fall swap in September or October is ideal, and then a spring swap in March or April.
Agree with this and all your ideas, ‘Roses!
Twice a year in Spring and Fall get another vote. And thanks to Robin for hosting. For me, it was a total success, and I’m hoping I’ll have more to share next time.
I’ll vote for twice a year. I’ve been so swamped at work that I can only get to NST a few times a week, if that. I didn’t even realize there was a swap planned, and I wouldn’t have had the time to do it now even if I’d known. Twice a year is good – now I can plan for the spring, if it comes to pass. I have a few bottles and decants I’d love to move on, and tons and tons of samples too!
Hi 50 Roses, thanks for being so inclusive. All I posted was an unwanted bottle of Bronze Goddess with the provisio that I live in South Africa and was a little worried about the reliability of post. So, I did feel a little embarrassed as there didn’t seem to be any fellow South Africans, and also others were posting such extensive lists! Anyway, it seems that all was good.
Other people have brought that up too…maybe early next year we’ll do a “gift box” thing where those of us w/ too much can send a sort of care package to newbies.
I love a gift box idea for newbies!
I’m trying to wrap my head around that kind of generosity! Perhaps because its hard for me to access most niche stuff, just the thought of giving away my hard-acquired samples is terrifying. Perhaps, even though I’m already 2 years down the rabbit hole I should still consider myself a newbie: o
I love this idea. Of course, one would have to define “newbie” 😉
Ha ha, as opposed to incurable greedy hoarder! lol
I like it! I have way too much and would love to give away to someone!
OMG – I would love the opportunity to send my scores of samples on to a newbie – really good ones too!
Hi everyone! I did not participate because I felt like I did not have much to offer – just some discontinued Gap bottles that I had bought some time ago. However, judging from the above comments, i wonder if anyone would be willing to swap with me next time in exchange for the aforementioned sample vials; because I don’t have the means to afford the ‘good stuff’, I am always, ALWAYS looking for samples. I collect them like they are going out of style.If anyone is interested, let me know for the next swap.
Never know until you try – I’ve been looking for some Gap Malachite for a long time!
I like that idea! I think I would be better at that than the swapping.
Well then I shall definately try next time!
50 Roses: I think your idea is great. I didn’t participate in the swap (out of town during the swap and couldn’t get to a computer), but I’m looking forward to the next one and I also would like to donate samples and some unwanted perfumes.
I didn’t swap this time around but this shout-out goes to the NST reader who kindly sent me samples of various things.
You are lovely!!!
My email is being wonky so I can’t pm you, dear.
But thank you so much!
It made a dreary, rainy day much better. 🙂
I now want IdI Absolu badly. lol
Fragrant hugs to you!
I love Swapmania’s BTW.
They kick much arse. 😀
I’m gonna join the Swapmania too when it will be held next time.
I think that NST Swapmeet was a great thing! Everyone was having fun, the atmosphere was nice and friendly. I think that you created a good list of rules Robin so that everyone knew how to behave and what not to do.
At swapmeet I got a 10ml decant of L’Artisan Parfumeur Iris Pallida and I’ve fallen in love with it. Unfortunately this was the only swap I was involved. I wish there were more people from Europe and UK at the swapmeet or more US residents willing to send to Europe.
Anyway, it was fine and I vote for making NST Swapmeet a regular feature. Preferably we should do it 4 times a year, every 3 months to fit in the season, you know, a swapmeet for spring, summer, autumn and winter.
Hey, you forgot that I sent you samples from USA as a result of Swapmeet! I did think of it like “perfume education” since I know you had mentioned that you don’t get many things in Poland… Did anyone else send you things that weren’t a “swap”? I have found that this perfume community is a generous bunch, for the most part!
Ah yes, your lovely and generous pack. It’s not that I forgot about it, I just didn’t mention because actually it was kind of a donation from you, a free to a good home thing. Thank you very much for that. Perfumery in Poland is at a good level but still there are many things unavailable around.
This was my first official swap and I had a blast. I had a couple of decants that needed new homes since they were definitely not my style. In return, I received the following in various sizes/samples and I love everything I received!
Cruel Gardinia
Cristalle
Azemour sample
Tocade
Femme
Madame Rochas
Diorissimo Cologne
OJ Ta’If Rose
OJ Woman
Hermes Eau des Merveilles
I really like the Diorissimo (can’t wait for spring) since it was the scent that the main character in the book I was reading wore. It was fun to wear that as I was finishing up my book… and then I brought it with me to the bookclub meeting!
Azemour was a surprise as well – another one I’m saving for hot weather. SuzyQ…. I have a bottle now 🙂 so there’s plenty for another swap!
Best of all, I feel like I made a few new friends – thanks for hosting the swap meet. Looking forward to the next one!
You got a bottle of Azemour! My work here is done. LOL!!! Oh, yes, I’ll be enticing you next time with something to trade for a decant.
Haha! And you found a Frederic Malle to love! MY work is done!
You’ve piqued my curiosity. What book were you reading?
My experience with the swap was terrific, and it was my first time swapping period! I’ve been a lurker on this site for many months, and I basically de-lurked for the swap (contributing at the last minute, thanks to weekend travel), and everyone was so nice! I scored a mini of Fou d’Absinthe and decants of Cuir Beluga, Angelique Noire, and vintage Vol de Nuit parfum (!!!), which for this poor grad student/newbie perfumista was beyond fabulous. I would love to see this happen multiple times a year (two makes sense to me too), and I’d definitely agree with 50_Roses that an expansion to allow swaps of scarves, chocolates, tea, etc. would be great. Thanks again for hosting the swap, by the way!!
Oh, how did I miss this! Hopefully, I will be able to join next time!
Robin, thank you for hosting the Swapmeet and thank you to my Swap partners – you know who you are!
My Swapmeet experience was wonderful. It was my first swap and yes, I would do it again. I would vote for 2-3X a year. The rules were super-appropriate and worked very well to keep the swap organized. I did have a few lessons learned –
1. Do not offer up anything you don’t already have on hand. I was so enamored with L’AP Seville a l’Aube that I wanted to share the love. My pre-order arrived a few weeks later than I originally anticipated so I did not fulfill several of my swaps until quite a bit AFTER I received my swap partner’s package.
2. If you don’t have what is on the other person’s wishlist but have something they have that you like, communicate with that person anyway because the other person may not have listed his/her full wish list and you may in fact have something that they would like that you did not list.
3. I need to get better vials and sprayers
I got the following:
(from my wish list, 4 out of 8)
– Dior Dune EDT 2 x 30mL – like
– Rose Anonyme decant – like
– I Love Les Carrottes decant – meh
– L’AP Iris Pallida decant – like
Others received:
(swapped for something I listed)
– SL Ambre Sultan decant – like
– Chanel Cristalle EDP decant – like
– Andy Tauer Cologne du Maghreb decant – like
– OJ Tiare travel spray (as unbelievable as it sounds, I now prefer this to OJ Woman, after just 1 wearing; I’m easily swayed)
(extras)
– MDCI Chypre Palatin decant – swoon!
– Samples (have not tried these yet from the swap)
– FM Carnal Flower (tried elsewhere, too bold for me)
– FM Portrait of a Lady
– Creed Fleurissmo
– Nicolai Kiss Me Tender
– Pilar & Lucy Exact Friction of Stars
– Chanel Bois des Iles EDT
#2 is very true. I got some amazing things once the swapper and I started communicating–and it went both ways.
I’m still loving Prada Candy!
Prada Candy – Yummy! Thanks for the swap…and the source for your decant supplies (I have yet to order).
I forgot — I also got L’AP Tea for Two – ~ 15mL left of a 50mL bottle.
How do you like Tea for Two?
I like it enough but not quite for a FB. In fact, the day I tried it, I chanced upon a FB (and probably the last of its kind) at Blue Mercury. They did not have a tester…so had I not tried it, I probably would have sprung for it unsniffed.
Since I was one of your swap partners, let me just say that I didn’t mind waiting a few weeks to receive my package, as you explained right up front that you were waiting for your bottle of Seville au l’Aube, so I knew exactly what the reason was for the delay. I think communication is key here (as it is so often in life). Ideally, it is best to have everything on hand in advance, but if there is going to be a delay for any reason (waiting for a bottle to arrive, ran out of decanting supplies, can’t get to the post office/UPS/Fedex until the weekend or whatever, make sure you communicate that fact clearly, as you did.
I must chime in to agree with 50_roses! I also swapped with hajusuuri and was not at all troubled by the fact that it took her a little while to get her bottle of Seville – I was just so thrilled to be able to swap for it! She was very informative and kept me up to date on the status. It was fine! 🙂
Thank you both for your patience and the kind words!
I’m waiting anxiously for some Hermessences.
IMO the swapmeet should be like the damage poll, 4 times a year. 🙂
The feedback could be something like “positive swap with…”, “negative swap with…” in an specific poll, prohibiting personal attacks, only a small explanation about the experience. The swapmeet could have a link or topic on Browse by… tool.
Just FYI, there is a tag for swapping (see above) although it does include other swapping-related posts, so you can browse.
Thanks Robin!
I didn’t participate this time, but I will next time! I have swapped on MUA for years and have never had a major problem, but I participated in a swap at another internet spot where I was swaplifted for the first and only time. It kind of put me off swapping on places that don’t have feedback capability (I felt very much at home on the other forum, too). I think I’m over it, though – karma and all that.
Wow, that was sobering to read. I’m so starry-eyed about the whole thing that it’s good to be aware that there are some bad people out there. I’m sorry you had that experience. I will swap with you next time and send you lots of stuff!!!
You’re so sweet! I’ll look for you next time 🙂
It really makes me angry that someone would do that. So much of this kind of thing is based on a sense of trust within the community and people like that undermine the entire feeling of good faith. Okay, rant over. I’m glad you were able to ‘let it go’.
I didn’t participate, unfortunately, but would love the opportunity to do so in future. I have quite a lot of vials languishing in my sample pile and would love to send them on to those who would appreciate them more than I do. I also really like the idea of including other items like tea, chocolates, small cosmetics, etc.
Sounds like a successful swap, all around!
Didn’t participate: it’s sad, and strange, that I can’t send perfume to the US unless I lie to a postie, ie a Federal Employee. No problem, that I know of, in mailing perfume within Canada or to Europe, but the exchange was pretty US-centric…
I didn’t participate in this swap, AnnieA, but as a fellow Canadian I’ll look out for you next time.
AnnieA: I’ve had to lie to the a number of times to do swaps, even within the US. It’s a tough position for us. I’d love to swap to international perfumistas too, but always get nervous about it. It’s a challenge for sure. You shouldn’t feel bad – it’s just the way it is. One day the right avenue will present itself to you and you’ll be able to participate at your comfort level.
Annie, I live in the US and swap with a Canadian friend fairly regularly. We trade small amounts of things, not whole bottles, and have never had a problem other than longer delivery waits. Chin up & don’t worry! 🙂 This is so fun, and many will share with you (including me!)
I participated and found it quite enjoyable. I was able to find a vintage bottle of No 5 that I’ve been looking for. I think twice a year, and avoiding the summer months is a great idea.
I loved the swapping, it was a very positive experience. The people were lovely, and one precious young lady even included goodies for my children. (We are in the process of making a special Texas box for her, as she lives far away…). I also got some wonderful rose perfume advice from (who else?!) 50_Roses. I am pleased that all the swaps were reciprocated; having said that, I tried to think of my perfumes as gone to bless someone else, not as a trade in case the swap failed. My mom always said “neither a borrower or a lender be” and encouraged me to give without strings attached. (To be truthful, I would have felt “taken”, but would have tried to embrace his perspective if a swap had not been reciprocated!). Thanks to all who participated!
I somehow missed all of this! Can anyone tell me how the swap meet works? I would love to participate next time!
See the link in the article.
Hi all!
Sorry to be late with the feed back, but I’ve had a busy day!
I had a fantastic time with my very first swap, and got an absolute tonne of samples from companies I have never had the chance to try, decants of vintage perfumes I have never come across, and a full bottle I would never have been able to afford on a students budget! And even better, I met some fantastic people! I’m afraid I am more of a lurker than anything, so talking to people across the range of the perfume world was awsome 🙂
As for canada to usa mailing(as I am in canada, and all trades to usa):
I labled everything as ‘glass bottle’ and ‘candy’, as a gift, and as under 25$. I sent everything ground, as mailing alcohol by air appears to be illegal. Everything got where it belonged safe and sound.
Everything I recived took slightly longer (but that is likely the fault of my area postal service), and was labled either as makeup samples, glass, or just samples. Everything arrived in one piece, no leaks or anything.
One package did appear to have been rathet violently searched, but dispite being labled wrong and clearly a bunch of perfume samples, it was re-packaged and still delivered.
So all in all, super fantastic experience, and I would love to do it again!
As a long-time lurker the Swapmeet was a great opportunity to de-lurk and meet some wonderful parfumistas around the world. I’m thrilled about the decants and samples I received, and even more thrilled about meeting new perfume friends.
I got:
van Cleef & Arpel Bois d’Iris
Miller & Harris Citron Citron
and as a surprise gift I also got samples of C.O.Bigelow Lemon and Annick Goutal Les Nuits D’Hadrien.
The iris was on my wishlist and I have been wanting to try it for a long time – and it was just as lovely as I hoped. The other scents were a step out of my comfort zone – I’m not normally reaching for lemony colognes, so I’m very happy to have had the opportunity to try these beautiful and fresh fragrances. The Miller Harris is a new favourite, and I know I will enjoy it a lot next summer.
I loved the swapmeet and enjoyed reding all the post – and would encourage more europeans to take part next time! I know I will, it was so much fun. Thank you for hosting it!
I enjoyed it. I got to own JM Vintage Gardenia, which is now discontinued. Reading the posts above, the swap meet seems to bring out the lurkers, so I think it’d be great to continue this and make it a tradition!
For me this was the first time taking part inthe swap meet too! I have received Andy Tauer’s Miriam, a long-time object of desires whcih I’ve been hunting for over a year. Plus some lovely samples as well – Ineke Evening Edged in Gold was in particular an unexpected please; Honore des Pres Vamp a NY is a new favourite tuberose.
I didn’t trust to participate, as I just have main stream scents, and could only offer these. The niche scents and a lot of great scents you all describe, are mostly not widely available here.
I missed the whole boat, but I love to swap. I look forward to the next one!
A bit late in leaving a comment, and I won’t go into all of the particulars, but I had a wonderful swap event! Everyone I swapped with was very generous and friendly, and I am very happy with my acquisitions.
Most surprising perhaps was the sample of Caron Montaigne that I received and *loved*!! I haven’t given the Carons much attention due to all of the on-line grumblings about reformulations, but this one changed my mind. Definitely full bottle worthy!
I love 50 Roses suggestions about holding the event twice a year, swapping for things other than fragrance, and especially for gifting or donating bottles and samples. Good ideas, L.! 🙂
Finally, a big thank you to Robin for hosting. We love you R.!
It was a great experience! I now own a bottle of Molecule 01 which I’d been lemming for quite a while 🙂 I swap on MUA but I love the focus and fast pace of the Swapmeet. It would be nice if more people were willing to swap with Canadian friends.
It is good to see all the positive feedback. I was top unorganized at the time of this past swapmeet so I didn’t participate, but next time I will make an effort for sure. It sounds so much fun. And I’ll be reinforcing the European branch of the NST community :).
For those who missed the swap meet, why not go back to the swap meet post (link above) and check it out. I for one would still be open to swapping — if you see something you like, make me an offer! The comments being closed doesn’t mean we can’t continue to swap 😉
Coming to this a bit late, I had a wonderful time! I probably wouldn’t have enough to swap quarterly, but once or twice a year would be a lot of fun, I think.
After two completed swaps and one still in progress, I couldn’t be happier about the wonderful ladies I’ve met and the beloved perfumes I received. Here’s the details:
– Gardenia Girl sent me a beautiful Mary Greenwell Plum Purse spray and some fantastic extras for a decant of MH Citron Citron
– Kristin sent me partial bottles of Spiritueuse Double Vanille, ELDO Rossy de Palma, a generous decant of Eau de Charlott and a partial bottle of Organza Indecence for a partial bottle of AT Miriam, partial bottle of Crepe de Chine, split of original SSS Champagne de Bois and some smaller decants of Iris Ganache, Shalimar Light and Narcisse Noir extrait
– Still in progress is a swap with Elise for some Coromandel
This was so much fun and I’d definitely love to do it again. Everyone was great about communication, shipped quickly and packaged everything well and it all arrived as promised in perfect condition.
Thanks, Robin, for giving me such a great opportunity to find good homes for fragrances that need them as well as for helping me acquire some perfumes I’ve wanted for years! 🙂