Opening sealed items in stores..
By Michelle
@infatuatedbby (94909)
United States
June 9, 2016 11:54am CST
Prior to purchasing items like lotions, deodorant, shampoos, conditioners, nail polishes, other products of that family: Do you open the cap to smell or test the product? It is very common for stores to have a sample/tester but if they don't, what do you do?
And, when it comes to other items that are sealed or boxed up such as toys, electronics, household items: Do you open the packaging before purchasing?
I am curious on what everyone does? If there aren't testers, I will open and sniff real quick because I can't stand a lot of scents. However if there is a seal, I won't. All the stores I shop at have a return policy, so worse case scenario I will be able to return it just it'll be an inconvienence. Same with items that are sealed, I'll purchase, then open in the comfort of my home. If anything return it. However, I often see people opening practically everything in the stores!!
10 people like this
14 responses
@LovingMyBabies (85923)
• Valdosta, Georgia
9 Jun 16
Usually I go with the brands I already know and like. For something new if they don't have samples to smell than I just won't buy it. I don't want to open something that is sealed.
2 people like this
@infatuatedbby (94909)
• United States
9 Jun 16
I am like you. I do not want to open anything new that is sealed.
2 people like this
@sunrisefan (28524)
• Philippines
10 Jun 16
Good morning, Ms. Michelle! 5 days to go LOL! In our country, you can only open the seal if you assure the store you'll buy the item. No buy no smell LOL!
1 person likes this
@infatuatedbby (94909)
• United States
10 Jun 16
Ha-ha. Is there a return policy?
1 person likes this
@infatuatedbby (94909)
• United States
10 Jun 16
@sunrisefan Oh I see! Here is less strict, if it's open you can still return it! Even use it on some stores too!
1 person likes this
@sunrisefan (28524)
• Philippines
10 Jun 16
@infatuatedbby There is but when it comes to opening seals, I think it's not allowed. When you're ready to buy and you open the seal you can't go on with the buy only when there's really something wrong with the item. Not really so sure about this though.
1 person likes this
@ElusiveButterfly (45941)
• United States
12 Jun 16
The seals are put there for our protection. If they are broken I won't buy the item. Makes me angry to see broken seals on products in the store.
Yes, you can return the item. I have returned many products because they were overly perfumed.
1 person likes this
@ElusiveButterfly (45941)
• United States
12 Jun 16
@infatuatedbby I have returned items that had the seal broken and I didn't notice until I went to use the product at home.
1 person likes this
@infatuatedbby (94909)
• United States
12 Jun 16
I like the seals for our protection, I won't buy an item that has the seal broken either! I have returned items too!
1 person likes this
@infatuatedbby (94909)
• United States
13 Jun 16
@ElusiveButterfly Me too as it is our safety! 
1 person likes this
@Marcyaz (35316)
• United States
11 Jun 16
@infatuatedbby
If they don't and people open the product then that is the fault of the store management.
1 person likes this
@infatuatedbby (94909)
• United States
12 Jun 16
Yea or else people will just open the seal @Marcyaz
@infatuatedbby (94909)
• United States
11 Jun 16
Yes you are correct, they should have samplers available.
@toniganzon (77064)
• Philippines
10 Jun 16
These days I check out reviews online before purchasing anything. But most of the things I buy are organic and natural products with no smell because artificial scents give me allergic reaction. I'm too sensitive about that.
1 person likes this
@toniganzon (77064)
• Philippines
10 Jun 16
@infatuatedbby I think there are a lot in the States to choose from. Mostly are online.
1 person likes this
@infatuatedbby (94909)
• United States
10 Jun 16
@toniganzon yes there are a lot of shampoos to pick from!
1 person likes this
@infatuatedbby (94909)
• United States
10 Jun 16
I need to find an organic shampoo I recalled you talking about.
@Blue_bubble (697)
• Raipur, India
9 Jun 16
If it it is anything involving fragrance I only purchase it if there's a tester available for it.
I used to do that quick sniffing part too but now they have everything sealed so cant really do that.
As for other things I don't mind buying them. If I don't like them or find it defective I simply return them.
1 person likes this
@infatuatedbby (94909)
• United States
9 Jun 16
You are correct, if I don't like the item or finding it not for me - there's a return policy
@infatuatedbby (94909)
• United States
10 Jun 16
@Blue_bubble I agree! It is awesome that we have return polices, some countries do not allow that.
@Blue_bubble (697)
• Raipur, India
10 Jun 16
@infatuatedbby The return policy is a blessing. I cant imagine shopping online without return policy.
1 person likes this
@youless (114117)
• Guangzhou, China
10 Jun 16
Here usually these products have the samples. If not, I will look at its packing very carefully to see whether I need it. The return policy is a little troublesome here unless there is something wrong with the product quality. I don't know whether they can accept the returned good just because you don't like it after you buy it.
@AbbyGreenhill (45490)
• United States
9 Jun 16
I try to buy products that have no smell. Smells really irritate my asthma and my stomach. I use unscented detergent, soaps, deodorant, etc.
1 person likes this
@infatuatedbby (94909)
• United States
10 Jun 16
Very true, I like minimal scents for products I use. But for scents like perfume. I do buy some but I don't often use it.
1 person likes this
@AbbyGreenhill (45490)
• United States
10 Jun 16
@infatuatedbby I am outside a lot, so perfume is a no-no due to attracting bugs, etc.
@infatuatedbby (94909)
• United States
10 Jun 16
If it isn't sealed, I would only if I am interested in purchasing otherwise worse case scenario we can return (I agree)!
1 person likes this
@Daljinder (23193)
• Bangalore, India
9 Jun 16
I don't if the testers are not available and seals aren't in place.
1 person likes this
@infatuatedbby (94909)
• United States
9 Jun 16
Same, if there's a seal - I won't open it.
1 person likes this
@teamfreak16 (43567)
• Denver, Colorado
9 Jun 16
I don't. My girlfriend will open perfumes and stuff like that.
1 person likes this
@infatuatedbby (94909)
• United States
10 Jun 16
My boyfriend doesn't either. I do it for him like for deodorant, lol!
1 person likes this
@ModernDayWriter (3318)
• New Delhi, India
9 Jun 16
I stuck to few brands never try others
1 person likes this
