I’ll start off with quoting myself from a different thread.
I think this deserves a discussion in itself so hence this new thread.
Disadvantages
There is less likely to be experimentation with dosages since the acceptable cologne strength defines a narrow dosage range.
Less likely to be mixed if it is presented as a complete product. Most people tend not to mix colognes, although there are exceptions.
Some people won’t like the cologne, no matter what it is.
The cologne itself may contribute some influence to mood. For one used a lot like the neroli this probably is not a big effect and it applies to many products so any added effect from the cover scent probably evens out for comparative purposes. However, if 2 cover scents have different emotional impacts and they are used to try intercomparison of pheromones, any differences might be partially due to differences in the cover scent. Some may argue that colognes don’t influence mood in the same manner as pheromones. However, there’s some reason for the large industry that creates them and it’s continuity through the centuries.
The cologne may define the situations in which the product will be tested. For instance, some cologne may not be deemed appropriate for some work environments and few results pertaining to those environments will be obtained. Also, some environments have restrictions on colognes, and any cologne cover will rule out testing in those environments.
Advantages
There is less likely to be experimentation with dosages since the acceptable cologne strength defines a narrow dosage range.
Less likely to be mixed if it is presented as a complete product. Most people tend not to mix colognes, although there are exceptions.
More likely to be tested by the (large?) fraction of the market who like to simply spritz on a product without fuss and then go.
The cologne may define the situations in which the product will be tested. This effect could be used to advantage. For instance, if a putative showed promise for the bar pick-up scene an appropriate cologne cover could be used and testing might be focused on that scene. If this effect was sought after it might be advisable to mention the type of cologne cover and the environment it was designed for in the test launch announcement.
You can probably tell which way my preferences as a user and tester lean from the way I presented the lists. I find the cologne cover limits my usage. However the criteria I employ as a user may differ from those I would employ as a test designer. For instance, if I as a test designer wanted inputs in a fairly narrow dosage range I could use a cologne cover to inhibit the use of larger doses. As a whacko user I might want to try massive doses.
Any other advantages or disadvantages to the cologne covers for putatives? If so, throw them out there. Also, what are your feelings and desires about the use of cologne covers in the putative trials?
