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AIBU?

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Original poster

More a WWYD - smelly Ebay purchase!

28 replies

harassedinherpants · 09/04/2011 20:59

I bought some shoes on Ebay the other day,they arrived promptly but was out so I had to go to sorting office to collect.

As I was walking back to the car I noticed the package absolutely reeked of cigarettes. Got the shoes out when I got home and they're lovely, just what I wanted, but they reek of fags too.

I've aired them in the garden, sprayed with that shoe deodoriser stuff and I can not get rid of the smell! It is that strong that I can smell it when they're on my feet Hmm

I've had a look on ebay and there a couple of feedbacks now that were not there before, and they all comment on the smell..... typical.

So, what would you do?? Shall I send them back? Or keep trying? They only cost me £4....seems a bit of a hassle, but I'm irritated!

OP posts:
scurryfunge · 09/04/2011 21:01

Unless they have stated they are from a smoke free home, I assume the seller is a smoker. For the sake of £4 I would not ask for a refund but I would not leave any feedback at all.

YouaretooniceNOT · 09/04/2011 21:03

Leave negative feedback!

squeakytoy · 09/04/2011 21:05

Some plastic bags have a really overpowering "smoke" smell.

It would also be very unfair to leave negative feedback without trying to resolve the matter first with the seller.

If it doesnt state smoke free home on the auction, then really you should ask before buying.

MillsAndDoom · 09/04/2011 21:07

I only buy stuff that specifically says "smoke free hom" - I'm such a hypocrite

MillsAndDoom · 09/04/2011 21:07

*home even

MillsAndDoom · 09/04/2011 21:08

Sorry and to answer the WWYD - not much you can do other than maybe comment in the feedback.

Original poster
harassedinherpants · 09/04/2011 21:10

Squeaky it's not smokey to much as faggy!!! Smells like the fags my Nan used to smoke actually.

I think I'll message the seller and see what she says, although other buyers have left positive and neutral feedback saying good service but smells!

OP posts:
MogTheForgetfulCat · 09/04/2011 21:37

Put cat litter in them to absorb the odour - top tip from programme on Channel 4 the other night about scrimping and saving - worth a try?!

Original poster
harassedinherpants · 09/04/2011 21:58

Thanks Mog, will def give it a try!

OP posts:
FabbyChic · 09/04/2011 22:02

It could be the bag she packed them in, some mailing sacks do make the item smell real bad of cigarette smoke especially the blue mailing sacks.

KenDoddsDadsDog · 09/04/2011 22:05

I know in your case it's not this but our postman smokes in the van and makes all my packages reek.

reddaisy · 09/04/2011 22:09

KensDoddsDad - people aren't supposed to smoke in company vehicles since the smoking ban so you should report him if it is that bad or have a word with him.

And op, leave negative feedback. I wouldn't bother getting into it with the seller for £4.

We bought a TV from ebay from a smoker's house, it was SO yellow when we got it and smelt so bad that we freecycled it and bought a new one. I didn't think a TV would absorb the smell so much but it did.

KenDoddsDadsDog · 10/04/2011 06:17

I know, I do think about saying something but then feel bad!

mycatoscar · 10/04/2011 07:20

do contact the ebayer before you leave negative feedback, she/he may surprise you!

mickeyjohn · 10/04/2011 07:53

I had this with some kids clothes before - lovely stuff, reeked of fags though! Luckily with clothes you can wash it out (just about - took about 5 goes!) I figured the service was good, as they came quickly, an the clothes were nice etc so left good feedback, but did put in the comments that they smelt of smoke... If they haven't put non-smoking home then not sure there's that miuch you can do?!

southmum · 10/04/2011 08:52

unfair to leave neg fb in this case IMO, unless it said on the listing that they are from a smoke free home.

SillyHat · 10/04/2011 09:01

I would NOT leave negative feedback if the seller didn't say they were from a smoke-free home. I would be irritated though and probably email the seller.

Try putting some catsan in them for an hour or so...

rathlin · 10/04/2011 09:04

Do believe you but Shock that it is possible for shoes to smell of cigarettes. Children's clothes smelling of it is even worse.

shrinkingnora · 10/04/2011 09:16

Our neighbour gave the children easter eggs a couple of years ago. They stank of fags. Even the chocolate inside the foil . Binned the lot, absolutely foul.

EricNorthmansMistress · 10/04/2011 09:30

Email the seller with a 'heads up' - she may not realise, as a smoker, how bad the smell is. For £4 I would not bother with a dispute and negative feedback would be unfair but she ought to know her ebay career could be cut short if she keeps selling smelly goods!

NestaFiesta · 10/04/2011 09:38

I'm sorry but I think £4 IS worth making a fuss about. The fag smoke smell really annoys me- I've had it on tops I've bought from ebay. It's possible, as others have said, that the seller doesn't realise how strong the smell is. Whenever MIL gives the kids new clothes they absolutely reek of roll ups and I honestly think she doesn't know.

Raise it with the seller. They should at least apologise. If it was me I would offer a partial refund and use it as useful advice in future.

reddaisy · 10/04/2011 12:27

I would leave negative feedback even if it doesn't say it is from a smoke free home. Because not everyone would know to look for that and you might stop someone from having the same experience. And items stinking are not acceptable.

NinkyNonker · 10/04/2011 15:45

Bum, we are a smoke free home and I never thought to put that on my listings.

Gingefringe · 10/04/2011 16:40

My DH bought a cycling helmet off eBay for £25 which stank of fags. He contacted the seller - he said that the helmet had been stored in the garage where his brother used to go for a sly smoke and didn't realise that the helmet had absorbed so much of the smell. He very kindly refunded and we sent the helmet back. So may be worth you emailing her asking for a partial refund?

FattyAcid · 10/04/2011 16:42

Why not just leave the shoes outside in the sun to air