Someone sold me a baby moblie on ebay, and it smells of fags...

[KatyCustard]

...not massively, but it was noticable when I opened the parcel. She has obviously febreezed it, but I did not want to hang it over crib. My question is, would you use it at all? I did think about using it in the kitchen where it would be higher up from the baby and more ventilated. What do you think? Am I being too paranoid? My inclination is not to use it at all (and also complain to the seller). Grrrrrrrr.

that should say "baby mobile" by the way!!!!!

What did it say in the description? Did seller state it was from a smoke free home? If you go over to eBay topic, fergoose will advise you!

I would not use it and complain.

You are not paranoid or unreasonable to not want to hang something smelling of tags over your lovely baby, urgh.

I would be rather peed off, but then I am very anti smoking.

Oh and no I wouldn't use it. I'd be really annoyed.

I would be annoyed as well.

Did they have on the listing "from a smoke free home"?

Email them and tell them you want a refund.

Sneaky I think that if you are buying anything off eBay it is not unreasonable to expect it not to stink of fags. Especially baby equipment.

If it isn't listed as from smoke free home then, according to the ebay rules, there's nothing wrong with it.

IMPO any baby equipment that stinks of fags is not fit for purpose and therefore should not be sold.

Try asking for a refund, not sure what you can do if they say no though.

Thanks for your responses. I know that when buying stuff from ebay there is always a risk and maybe I'm just a bit naive but I would expect baby things to not smell of smoke without them explicity having to say so.

I cross posted with plaguegroup - I'm going to put this down to experience - havn't got anywhere with the refund!

Try hanging it outside for a couple of days and see if the fresh air gets rid of the smell.

Unfortunately though it may well have got into the plastic and/or the stickers on it and so not come out.

I agree that with baby stuff if it wasn't washable I always look for "smoke free home" on the listing, or send a question to the seller. I asked someone once and she replied saying "This pushchair is smelly free, hope this helps!" Err no, because my idea of smelly and your idea of smelly might be quite different.

Clothes don't bother me because I can always wash them first.

The smell might have been in the packaging, though, so it is worth trying hanging outside. If DP's parents ever give us anything it always stinks of smoke but sometimes (e.g. food from their freezer) if we transfer it to another bag or container, the smell goes because the food itself hasn't been in the smoky environment, only the bag in the cupboard.

Did it comewrapped in plastic?? The packaging often smells smokey for some reason

Same for those people who get a waft of cigarettes smoke when sat on the sofa..... It's the plasticky bit of lining under the sofa!

Hang it in the garden for a few days.

X posts Bertie!

Bil in law stored some Xmas presents for us and they stank of fags, I put them in the loft for about a week and they were fine, might be worth a try.

Unfortunately I had a similar experience which is how I found out, I would always look for 'smoke free home' now. Depending what the mobile is made of vinegar gets rid of smoky smells - sprinkle liberally and leave outside if you can.

I will try that soupdragon

sorry, I keep x posting! I will also try vinegar too !

Generally speaking, I find a few days in the garden sorts most things out without the need to wash - I can't bear the smell of whatever XH washes the children's clothes in (even washing won't take it out) and 3 days in the garden sorts it nicely :o In the summer, it stays out all night too

I've fallen foul of this before with some knitted stuff that stunk ... Luckily managed to wash on a delicate cycle but I didn't know how to contact her to point out how skanky it smelt.

leave poor feedback re smoke - it will warn anyone else checking out the seller in the future

Make a paste on bio washing powder, paint it on. Hang outside to dry, wipe off then wipe with water - will get rid of smell and yellow tinge to plastic - poor baby though having to grow up around those parents :(