by Carole Hill

Created on: July 16, 2009

I would never be motivated to buy cologne that has been discontinued, regardless of its prestige or cost. It's one thing to consider purchasing a crystal vase, for example, that is no longer being made; or a vintage piece of furniture or even a rare piece of jewelry would be a wiser investment to spend money on.

When I think of perfume or cologne, I think of personal definition and allure. If I were browsing the perfume counter for a new fragrance, I would be inclined to smell a few and would focus on what I am attracted to most. Furthermore, if I were standing at that perfume counter and saw a bottle with the sign that read Discontinued, I immediately think Damaged Goods!

The first and foremost reason for not wanting a discontinued fragrance would be my concern for loss of fragrance. I am of the opinion that fragrances lose their effectiveness over time. I have noticed this first hand with my own personal collection of fragrances, and I always make sure I test them to make sure they are still fresh enough to wear. I am of the opinion that it might not be a bad idea to label fragrances as we do any perishable item, with a disclosure, stating that the fragrance will lost its potency; or a warning stating to use by a specific expiration date.

If we take a closer look at shoppers, in general, we must note that amongst your average shoppers, there is a strain of shopper who is attracted to high style designers and would buy anything made by their favorite designers. Let's say that a designer shopper discovers that their favorite designer has a fragrance on the market; and let's stretch this hypothesis even further and propose that this designer shopper finds their favorite designer cologne is now discontinued. I believe that designer shopper would buy the cologne at any cost, risking lack of fragrance potency. However, this is a specific case scenario.

The average shopper, and perhaps any conscientious person wanting as much value for their dollar as possible, would not be as inclined to purchase a discontinued product such as a cologne, which could be considered a luxury item for some. In our current economical crunch, I would even say many folks are only buying essential items and omitting such things as expensive colognes and fragrances.

So in conclusion, I maintain my stand that discontinued cologne, regardless if it is the most prestigious designer, should not mean it is worth more money. I do not consider cologne to be an investment item that will continue to increase in value, or worth more as time goes on. To me, discontinued cologne is like purchasing a carton of milk with an expired expiration date. To my way of thinking, the word discontinued conjures up devaluation; like buying damaged goods.

Colognes and fragrances are a very personal thing and should be selected by you, or someone close to you, who knows your taste and style. A fragrance can summon special meaning from the brain. It can trigger your memory to recall a special event, a song, or a remembrance of a loved one. A fragrance is designed to make you feel refreshed and wonderful when you wear it. A beautiful fragrance can even boost your self-esteem.

I have had several favorite fragrances over the years and while I have experimented with new and trendy scents that have come along through the years, including a couple of designer fragrances, I always return to my favorites albeit their cost. It gives me a sense of security that I have not compromised the fragrance that defines my character and spirit. I will continue to be true to my favorites yet won't close my mind to something new that comes along. However, one thing makes a lot of sense to me and that is no discontinued scents!

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