Hmm...it's not such a big deal. I've found that newer members with discretionary income tend to spend a lot on e-bay or LJ buying the rare exotics. After a little while you've just flat out tried most of them -- no new introductions are allowed to slip through your fingers, and you become savvier about where you spend your money. Viola! Problem solved. Sometimes that person becomes the woman who buys a bottle of everything every update and who people can always count on for the first impressions and reviews, or they become more selective but buys 5 bottles of the things they think they'll like.

Several thousand dollars in a few months IS impressive, but you're not alone. I know a number of forum members (including, I must admit, myself) who own at least that much (it is generally agreed, for example, that Shelldoo is the woman who owns ALL the BPAL.) Look at a couple of the chatter threads, and you can figure out who's who.

I would be a hypocrite for condemming your excitement about past releases of BPAL, because I was once infected with it myself. Any scandal for spending $50 dollars on an imp of Storeyville (to use your example) is, for me anyway, firmly entrenched in the idea that you COULD have been spending that money on several bottles from the Lab, and had that money go to them. (Although I have no market study data to back it up, it's my opinion that the resale market of BPAL IS hurting their business, as the assumption that people selling BPAL will use that money on new order from BPAL has become highly unreliable in the last year as more and more speculative profiteering has occurred.)

Then again, I have a bottle of Storeyville, and how's this for scandal? I think it's overhyped. It's very nice, don't get me wrong -- but I don't think it's irreplacable. Go mix The Lion with Antique Lace and I bet you could get within spitting distance of the same scent. (Of course, I also think Blue Moon is overhyped too.)

People obsess to much over what they can't have. Human nature, I suppose. I don't think you should feel guilty or bad because you have enough money to make that dream happen -- but hey, you can always go hunting after the e-bay sales that Puddin puts up. The profits from those go directly to charity (usually animal rescue) and you're buying from the Lab to boot. I dare anyone to say boo about that.

I just won one of Puddin's eBay auctions today!

Anyway, thank you for writing such a thoughtful comment -- I appreciate it.

I have spent lots of money on stuff that no one can buy from the Lab anymore, but I'm sure I've spent just as much directly at the Lab's website. And I'm pretty much caught up now with almost everything the Lab's ever made, so from here on my money will be going straight to the Lab for all the new updates (and those bottles of GCs I haven't gotten around to ordering yet). Like you said, problem solved!

I'm not motivated by wanting what I can't have, I honestly just want to try everything. Not hoard it, just try it. When I first found out about BPAL I was blown away by the sheer magnitude of the catalog and had no idea what to try, and I certainly didn't think there was any way I'd ever try them all. But the first few imps I received were unlike any perfume I have ever smelled. I was so hooked I can't even describe it. Every imp I got was like magic, and they still are. I can't tell you how many hours I've spent sitting on this couch opening imps with a dumb grin on my face and thinking about what I'll say in my review. And I get compliments like twice a week. Seriously. No one ever commented on my perfume in my life until I started wearing BPAL oils -- now it happens all the time.

I haven't been so excited about anything in a long, long time. Usually it's over music or books, and when I get that way I buy everything that band/author ever produced -- it's same thing with BPAL. But the difference (and the best part) is that there is this forum filled with people jumping up and down when they get their BPAL packages and gushing about the scents just like I do. I've never had this with music or books I love. I like being part of it. OK, I love being part of it. When I read the disparaging comments on that Wank thread about Shelldoo's collection (which I personally think is really cool) and about people who spend "insane" amounts of money on "just perfume oil," it made me feel like maybe I'm not as much a part of it as I'd hoped.

I guess maybe that was the only snarky comment that I thought could be applied to me, which is why that's the one that made me feel guilty.

Naw, don't feel bad. I completely, absolutely agree. I'm very much the same way (although I like bottles best, because I'm a fumple fingers and always splatter all over myself with imps, and I just hate it when they break on me.)

I think people who dismiss BPAL as "just perfume oil" really just don't get it. Nevermind that for some of us it's not just perfume oil, but our livelihoods and passions and what we DO every day -- it is also culture and art and mnenonic triggers of passion. It is a way to connect with each other on a level that is rather primal and definitely beautiful and seems to lead to a general awakening of the senses that has everything and nothing to do with "just perfume."

Errr a long way of saying: BPAL = good!

OK, let's declare a moratorium on guilt! Don't feel guilty for having the disposable income to spend on BPAL. Are you kidding? I would do the very same thing if I could! The only reason I wouldn't is because my body chemistry is a real pisser and I can't wear a lot of scents without giving myself or those around me a headache. You're having fun and you support the Lab.

It's good to see that you went lollygagging over to my blog! Never apologize because you want to feel satiated!