One thing to be aware of when selling and buying fragrances is that the item being shipped is likely to be transported in a way that may result in leaking and possible breakage. There are a number of things to consider when ordering from a provider; this is not meant to be a comprehensive guide to buying fragrances but addressing only this one aspect and that is items arriving with leaks, missing contents or breakage.

1. Handling by shipping companies is not always the most careful, especially when it comes to fragile items like glass containers. Packing the item in bubble wrap and using a reputable shipping service with premier delivery which usually allows for more careful handling is one way to try and ensure an intact package. Even with this extra care and cost, there can still be problems with shipping as the best shipping may result in air transport. (see below)

2. Even with the best shipping service (and in fact the more expensive, quick shipping especially) has an item shipped by air. One thing to keep in mind is that air freight may or may not be transported in a pressurized aircraft and a sealed glass container may be subject to catastrophic changes in air pressure, which result in overpressure or underpressure in a sealed container causing leaks or even breakage. Even shipping over land from sea level to a high elevation can cause this and if you know how items are shipped, sometimes the most logical transport is not what takes place. For example a package sent from New York to North Carolina would most logically go from point to point however because of transport measures, it may go to a station in Toledo, Atlanta or even Denver (the mile-high city). This means that your sealed container may be subject to a variety of elevations and suddenly under or over pressured.

3. I would personally recommend buying from reputable sellers and, as always reviewing their feedback before buying. Be aware that some sellers remove a volume of contents and replace it with rubbing alcohol, hopefully keeping a majority of the fragrance but retaining the high value fragrance for further dissolution into other bottles for more sales. Some fragrances come from over seas and may or may not be counterfeit but as always, look at the feedback before spending your money.

4. It is possible (but untested) as to whether the changes in air pressure and temperature might result in a chemical breakdown of a fragrance resulting in an unsatisfactory item coming to you. Please be careful when buying your perfumes, colognes and even essential oils where the contents may in large part be alcohol based. Also be sure to make note of the measurement of the container compared to the price as some may be in milliliters (ml) or ounces (oz), the difference being quite profound especially if you are paying $25 for 2 ml and you thought it was 2 oz.

I will add to to this guide as I am able to and continue to learn more about the ups and downs of buying and selling fragrances.