Viktor&Rolf - Spicebomb Eau de Toilette - Woody & Spicy - Cologne for Men - With Notes of Citrus & Tobacco

Received the cologne today and it smells like what it's supposed to BUT when I opened the package the first thing I noticed was a VERY strong odor and it clearly had leaked some (not a ton but enough to leave wet oily residue on the top cap and surrounding area, and side, insomuch that some of the black PAINT on the chain to the medallion was coming off!) and the BIGGEST issue IMO is that someone has CUT the Viktor & Rolf Secret Service code off from INSIDE THE BOX with a razor!!! This was like this DESPITE IT BEING WRAPPED NICELY IN PLASTIC! I don't know about everyone else but I have not seen this with cologne's from the department store! It kind of irritates me because somehow I doubt that V&R would be cutting out the code in the inside of their boxes in a sly manner and in such a way to minimize notice of it. In other words, smells good, but it just smells bad in the way of potentially NOT being a genuine product!!! If I'm wrong I would love to hear from the "Viktor & Rolf" seller about why the codes are cut out and the boxes rewrapped all nicely as if they came right off the bottling floor. I have also never seen genuine products come with mess all inside and oily residue. Would love to hear an explanation because as it stands now its just sus. Be warned. It DOES smell very good but just doesn't smell right, lol. I will try and upload pics and I should also note that there is a code on a barcode on the outside sticker on the wrapper but that just weird it would be cut off with a razor by hand. REALLY weird. Will update later if there is a reasonable explanation for this. Kind of sucks, too because I was going to order another variety but I'm not that sure about it at this point.Also want to note that A LOT of buyers are saying the boxes are wrapped nice and look authentic (probably are) BUT they look old and well worn! Mine is no exception! See pics! I would give 3 stars because it smells really good but I doubt authenticity. I place 5 star so people will SEE what I am saying.

I admit I jumped the gun before I did Due Diligence on this Amazon bought Spicebomb. After I bought this bottle on Amazon I did copious amounts of online research AFTER THE FACT and I was literally sickened about the vast quantities of FAKE inauthentic bottles of Spicebomb out there. Some even making their way onto Amazon. I spent days researching this because this product isnt cheap and there is NO Return Policy.I know..I TRIED to get a refund. It was two hours WASTED on Customer Svc with Amazon. Got the run around. I was ill with anxiety that I wasted a hundred bucks on something that I should have done research on BEFORE.Anyway, i got the bottle today and jumped on YouTube and did research and I saw a video doing a side by side comparison of a genuine article alongside a craftily manufactured fake Spicebomb. I followed the video carefully and i am RELIEVED TO SAY that I have an ORIGINAL non-fake bottle.Whew ! Still I would now recommend that IF you are going to spend ALOT of money on this brand i would spend the extra twenty or so mark up and buy it at a reputable store like Macys instead of the excruciating anxiety I put myself through waiting for its arrival.The smell is pungent and slightly sweet...Hopefully the longevity is there. MY wife who worked at a perfume store said to keep it in a dark cool place and IN THE BOX to preserve its scent.HOWEVER I did research on the "Batch Code" stamped on the bottom of the box and it is 2021-01Aged 2 years 11 months 26 days !The product I purchased had printed on the box a '24' month freshness indicator.You do the math.So it is Original BUT past expiration .Next time buy THIS A COLOGNE at Macy's and make sure you look up the Batch Code before purchase..Mixed feelings .

My box arrived with the bottom cellophane popped open at the folds. I was able to get the box our without ripping the cellophane and able to replace the box afterwords, which proves someone else was able to do the same. Inside the box, the Viktor & Rolf "secret service" code was missing from inside the top flap. It appears to have been cut off, taking only the very top layer of the box material with it. This technique prevented the damage from being seen from the outside of the box. For those not knowing the significance of this code, Viktor & Rolf operate what is called the "secret service" on their website. On this site, you enter this code from each Viktor & Rolf product you purchase. It is recorded on your account and in the future, your purchases will qualify you for discounts and special items. This code is also found on the "after-shave balm" & "shower gel" Spice-Bomb products.Once I received my product, and feeling concerned the cologne might not be authentic, I went to Nordstrom's and purchased the exact same size (just at full price). Comparing the two scents side by side (on each arm), I was unable to distinguish between the two. Because Amazon has a no refund or return policy for items such as cologne, I have no choice but to keep both purchases. The fact this item was shipped for free to me using a free trial Prime membership, I saved not only shipping but tax as well, so I can live with the fact someone tampered with the box itself. I did however cancel my free prime trial membership in an attempt to recover the upcoming $79.99 charge I was scheduled to pay, which more than covered the $71.00 purchase price of the cologne.I still give the item 5 STARS because I love the scent, and I honestly think Amazon was scammed by whoever sold them the product (my purchase was stocked and sold by Amazon). Perhaps their buyers should be instructed to learn how to detect package tampering, or expand their return/refund policy to cover fragrances.Even after this experience, if I was in the market for another cologne purchase, and could not pass up the price Amazon offers, I would still only purchase the item actually stocked and sold by Amazon.