If a discount brand name fragrance deal or sale is too good to be true, it probably is. Perfumes are one of the most counterfeited products in the world - with both imitation brands and counterfeit copies being sold by dubious retailers.

Instead of buying your favorite brand name fragrance from the seller with the lowest price, you should purchase from a retailer that you trust. To learn how to find great deals on perfumes without getting stuck with an imitation, keep reading.

Go to a Trusted Store

Your best bet for finding a discount brand name fragrance is to buy from a trusted, bricks-and-mortar retailer during one of their sales. Most perfume counter salespeople at major department stores are happy to fill you in on upcoming specials and sales or when a product is expected to drop in price. So, don't be afraid to ask.

If you really want to be savvy, try signing up at your favorite retailer for text message or email alerts. Instead of constantly keeping an eye out for upcoming sales, they'll come right to your inbox.

Buy From Well-Known Online Stores

There are thousands of online stores selling brand name perfume for cheap and yes, the majority of these aren't selling the real deal. However, there are a few that provide quality, authentic products and at a pretty good discount. Remember, these stores have a minimal amount of overhead when compared to traditional stores, so their prices can be way lower.

In the U.S., you can try a site like Perfume.Com, while ThePerfumeShop.com is more popular in the U.K. and Europe.

The Duty-Free Store

Most luxury goods, like perfume, have major import taxes placed on them. Those import taxes, or duties, drive up the prices at retail stores. That means perfume, like imported alcohol, is one of the few products you can often get at a great deal at the duty-free store. So, if you're heading out-of-country anytime soon, hold off to check out the perfume prices at the duty-free.

Avoid eBay

Despite attempts by eBay to stop sellers of counterfeit perfumes, the online auction site is rife with poor imitations. In fact, eBay was recently ordered by a French court to pay a number of perfume manufacturer's royalties for failing to catch counterfeits on the popular website.

In short, if that great discount brand name fragrance deal makes you stop and think, it's probably too good to be true. Remember, perfume is one of the most counterfeited substances in the world. So, stick to retailers you trust and avoid dubious online retailers.