💸 Philanthropy Masquerading as Entrepreneurship?
In the pilot episode of the show “What Could Possibly Go Wrong?”, a curious trend is making the rounds. The concept is simple: spend €164, earn €90 — and call it an innovation.
Welcome to the reality of Chinese perfume vending machines, where customers are promised a fragrant mist for just €2:
Tempting? Perhaps. But behind the flashy display is a formula in which profit… simply wasn’t part of the plan. Let’s break down the numbers:
- One bottle of Eros Najim Parfum, 100 ml — €164
- One spray — around 2.3 ml (generously measured)
- Total output — about 45 sprays
- Price per spray — €2
That’s €90 in revenue and a €74 loss per bottle. And that’s before factoring in maintenance, electricity, or the cost of the machine itself.
This isn’t a startup — it’s more of a parody. A tale as old as time: copy someone else’s idea and “wing it”.
- Instead of precision dosing — heavy-handed spraying.
- Instead of engineering — shiny wrapping.
- Instead of a sustainable model — a vending machine risks drenching the customer rather than delighting them.
And beyond aesthetics, an overdose of perfume mist can cause not just sensory fatigue but even physical side effects. So, what is an overlooked act of generosity? A social experiment? Or just another case of blind imitation? 🎞️ The concept is so absurd, it was already described in an old Soviet comedy sketch:
One thing is certain:
While users step in for a pleasant aromatic experience, these Chinese machines flood the air with such an overdose of scent that breathing becomes difficult — and the owners are left with nothing but sweet-smelling losses.
It’s that all-too-familiar “innovation” of cheaper and more, where the business starts off deep in the red. That’s what Chinese machines bring. And that exact gap — between the appearance of an idea and its working execution — is what clearly separates us from everyone else.
The example above is just one of many — and it speaks for itself.
PERFUMATIC created the perfume vending machine market over a decade ago — and has steadily developed it ever since based on engineering precision, exact dosing, and a sustainable business model.
Unlike the mindless copies that appeared in 2024, PERFUMATIC equipment is built around real economics, user experience, and technological reliability.
Originality, thoughtful design, and a product proven over time remain unmatched.
Choose wisely,
PERFUMATIC®
