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Saturday Question: Would You Pay $200 For the First Batch Bottle of LDDM?

A couple of days ago I came across an IG post about a giveaway dedicated to the celebration of 20 years of Tauer Perfumes. A bottle of the very first batch of L’Air du Désert Marocain. I didn’t plan to enter since I barely made a dent in my 12 years old travel bottle. So, I opened the post just to “comment for better reach” for the post. And that’s when I saw the part about the winner having to pay $200 to cover shipping of “dangerous goods.” The current version of the LDDM bottle is $155 with a free shipping in the US (and some other countries as well). So, if you were to win the vintage bottle, you’d end up paying at least $45 more (and maybe more since you will be also responsible for any local taxes and duties).

Saturday Question on Undina's Looking Glass

Saturday Question #275:

Would You Pay $200 For the First Batch Bottle of LDDM?

I mean, if it weren’t a giveaway but you would be given a chance to buy that bottle for the stated price – would you? BTW, in parallel, there is an auction for the second bottle. The current bid is nearing $3K (50% of the final bid will go to a charity).

And a bonus question: Do you have a favorite perfume from this brand?

My Answer

While I am not in the market for this perfume, I like it and think that with the quality of Tauer’s perfumes, it is worth its $155, $200 and probably more. So, if I didn’t have my travel bottle and was offered a $200, maybe even $300 bottle of that first batch, I would have jumped at the opportunity.

Had the brand decided to auction out two bottles, I would have promoted that post and cheered for the brand and its anniversary. But I am appalled by that $200 shipping fee for the winner. I couldn’t immediately pinpoint why but I felt that it rubbed me the wrong way.

Giveaway is a giveaway. It allows anyone to throw their hat in the ring and get lucky. In this case, not only participants had to like, follow, tag and wax poetical about that perfume (kind of expected), but also be prepared to pay more than for the current version in case they “win.” It doesn’t feel right.

Andy put a lot of efforts in explaining who cannot participate, what will disqualify participants, how quickly they will have to respond, etc. Ironically, he didn’t mention that perfume is still in good shape. He didn’t explain what is so special about it – other than that it was the first batch produced 20 years ago. Has he changed the formula since then? Are these two the last bottles available? I asked in the comment why these vintage bottles were in newer boxes (in the video, he stressed out that they were “cellophaned”) and not in original pentagonal tins – he didn’t answer. Also, he didn’t explain how the “lucky winner” will be contacted. So, with the stated $200 price tag and a looming 24 hours response deadline I expect a certain number of scam “winning” messages.

In addition to LDDM, I really like Phi, Une Rose Vermeille and When We Cuddle…  And even though more of Andy’s perfumes do not work for me than do, I always had positive feelings for the brand (I even named it as my favorite indie brand in one of the SQ posts several years ago). I’ve never met the perfumer, but heard more than once that those who did considered him kind and gracious person. The way it reads to me now: Andy considers social networks as necessary but evil. He wants and needs the outreach they provide his brand and doesn’t trust most of the followers at the same time. It is sad. I hope that in the end, after he used that $200 deterrent to discourage idle “scrollers” from polluting the giveaway, he’ll decide to use some of the proceeds from the auction for the second bottle to cover the delivery for the person who wins the giveaway. That would be the right thing to do.

Would You Pay $200 For the First Batch Bottle of LDDM?

21 thoughts on “Saturday Question: Would You Pay $200 For the First Batch Bottle of LDDM?”

  4. I have met Andy and he is indeed a kind and gracious person. And he does indeed consider social media a necessary evil. Fortunately, I still have my own personal bottle of batch 001, in the original packaging, and it smells great. He says he has never reformulated it. So I’d save my money and just buy a new bottle.

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply

    • An update on the giveaway: Andy announced after the draw closing that the winner will not have to pay. I’m glad.
      It’s good to know about no reformation – just in case I need more of my favorites.

      Liked by 1 person

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  5. I don’t need the original bottle, I’m happy with my later one. So no. But I’ll add this. It may have nothing to do with the $200 shipping, and that is excessive, but I got a notice from one of the perfume shops that carry his stuff that thanks to Dear Leaders latest tariffs, prices will be going up 35% to cover the tariff. So possibly that has some impact.

    I will say he used to have an advent calendar around Christmas where he had nice giveaways and draws. I don’t know if that still happens.

    Liked by 1 person

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    • I remember something about Andy being unhappy with those giveaways. Don’t remember exactly what it was, I have just some vague recollection about that being said.
      Tariffs are brutal. With the current perfume and beauty prices, I am not sure I’ll be willing to pay more than extra 10-15% (because additionally my state has almost 10% sales tax).

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  8. I had to check immediately if I still had a sample of L’Air du Désert Marocain, but unfortunately, I don’t. I keep samples for this very purpose. As I remember, I hardly cared for it. The only Tauer perfumes I “liked” were Pentachord Verdant, Pentachord Auburn, Pentachord White and Eau d’Épices in that order. But I don’t own one from Tauer Perfumes.

    Thank you for bringing this “giveaway” to our attention, Undina. I completely agree with you on how the giveaway is being handled. This behavior is the main reason I would never participate in such nonsense.

    While I appreciate Andy Tauer’s apparent graciousness, his beliefs appear to be somewhat inconsistent. He doesn’t seem to have a strong affinity for social networks despite recognizing their benefits. However, he also expresses distrust towards the followers of these institutions. It’s challenging to reconcile these contradictory positions. Asking anyone to pay for shipping in this particular instance is just greediness.

    Thanks, Undina, I love being enlightened.

    Liked by 1 person

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  12. yikes. I like LADDM (I have one of those tiny mini bottles) but big nope. I think my favorite might actually be Maroc pour Elle. It’s heady but something about it really works for my nose.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  13. Love your post!
    I did see the giveaway and I totally understand Andy’s decision for the security and Swiss customs reasons to ask for the payment for postage expenses.
    It definitely narrows down the amount of entrees – with this condition you would only participate if you really wanted (and could afford) to win.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  14. Sometimes it pays to delay responding to the Saturday question! When I first saw the rules and the need to pay $200 for shipping, I almost dropped my phone. Anyway, no, I wouldn’t pay this much for shipping!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

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