Many people's first reaction upon entering the store is to ask about prices. In fact, opening your nose and eyes first is far more useful than rushing to place an order.
Don't look at the price tags first when you enter—ask the shopkeeper to bring out several sample incenses from different producing regions and smell them in order from light to rich. This isn't about buying; it's about calibrating your olfactory baseline. After smelling three to five kinds, you'll know whether you prefer clean and sweet or mellow and rich, and only then will you have direction when selecting material.
Region of origin, how the agarwood formed, how long the scent lasts, how to store it day to day—ask all of this clearly on the spot; it's more accurate than searching at home for ages. Our shop name is taken from the old incense and medicine shop in "Along the River During the Qingming Festival," and in 2025 we obtained a design patent for the shop sign (Patent No. CN202530328668.8). You can also see the physical character of this sign when you visit the store.
If you have material on hand that you're unsure about, bring it in and let the shopkeeper smell and compare it face to face. Being able to tell the difference is far more substantive than listening to ten explanations. Many customers, through a single comparison, have seen their previous misconceptions clearly.
The first goal of visiting the store is not to buy, but to establish your own standards.
Once you've done these three things, you'll be clear about your preferences, budget, and intended use, and the material you pick then won't easily lead to regret. Buying agarwood is slow work, and the Songzhuang store is inherently a place that lets you take your time.
Explain your specific situation clearly, and we'll give corresponding judgments and suggestions—sourcing, personal use, and appraisal are all accepted.
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