To leave negative feedback on eBay about a stinky chair?

[needsomesunshine]

I bought a rocking chair on eBay. I stupidly didn't think to check if they had written from smoke & pet free home. I've got it home & it stinks! I'm do disappointed as I am 38 weeks & was planning to use it for breast feeding.
I've used disinfectant, febreezed it, left it by the window but still smells the same. How else can I get the smell out? Has anyone managed to banish smoke smells from upholstery ( it is faux leather).

[needsomesunshine]

Yes she is transferring it. Good idea to wait until it has cleared & see if she does my feedback.

[whois]

Totally lying by omission to NOT state that the item is from a rancid smelly smoky home.

I would contact the seller and see if they woudl discount / accept return of the item. If no joy there then leave negative or perhaps neutral and say the item stank to high heaven.

If you were caught out, then other buyers will be too!

[needsomesunshine]

Something I learnt though is you can get a refund through PayPal even if you do pay cash as they also do normal money transfers. She even put extra to cover the fee! I hope to god the smell comes out now!
Im glad I've learnt to be calmer with age

[needsomesunshine]

Well just to Update the seller has said she will pay £10 for cleaning products or I can return for a refund. She said she didn't notice the smell. I have accepted the money as I am hoping it will air out eventually.

[HeadfirstForRomance]

"ebay sellers don't describe goods as "NOT being from a smoke/pet free home" and it would be VU to expect them to do this."

But they do have to list any faults/damage/problems. If it had a small tear in the fabric an ebayer would be expected to mention this, and a good ebayer would show a phot of the damage so that the buyer could make an informed decision.

I think they should have to do the same for items that stench of smoke, I see it as a type of damage.

[dimplebum]

Well I wouldn't but I have personally received two negative feedback comments for far less e.g it took too long to arrive - 5 bloody days!

[sarahtigh]

I think with a not as described case even with ebay they are less likely to find in buyers favour if they copllected item and paid cash as that is a chance to check item over, you can't get a refund from ebay as not paid via paypal, that said no-one in right mind would take paypal for collection only

ebay are changing rules in a few months that will stop you leaving negative feedback for seller if you do not try and work things out with seller, you will have to notify seller and only if no satisfactory response in 8 days will you be able to escalate to dispute

Try asking her if she will do cash refund if you take chair back to her

[greeneyed]

Had the same problem with a leather sofa bought from ebay - complained to seller but they weren't interested, I cleaned with Leather wipes and treated with a leather balm twice, didn't help immediately but the smell did eventually just go. It will no doubt be okay if you keep airing. I wouldn't leave bad feedback just chalk it down to experience

[needsomesunshine]

It was £35 more than the nearest listing but I was willing to pay more as it came with a stool. Waiting for her reply, don't know why I'm nervous!

[hellymelly]

I bought a vintage table for my kitchen- several years later and every method under the sun it still stank of smoke, it lives in the garden now. The smoke had impregnated the wood and the formica top (50's table). Someone had obviously chain smoked at it for decades. I don't have much hope of your chair being much better tbh. And I wouldn't use it for bf as ciggie smoke is so full of toxic stuff (as is faux leather, if it has any PVC in it). I would buy a new chair, and email the seller.

[needsomesunshine]

That's what I'm worried about ken that it won't disperse. If it was fabric at least I could wash it but I haven't got that option or painting it.

[needsomesunshine]

She has replied & said she will pay for cleaning products as the smell will disperse. Is this a good compromise? As a non smoker I don't know whether the smell will disappear or how long it will take.

[Kenworthington]

i once picked up a childs bunk bed that id bought on ebay. i had to drive about 100 miles to get it, when i got there i had to help her dismantle the bloody thing and try and get it in my car alone. after driving about 5 miles i became aware that it STANK of cigarets and I'm a smoker myself (though never in the house) it was unbearable. after all the fff of getting it i couldn't be bothered going back with it. it just never occurred to me that wood would absorb the smell so badly. and it was in a childs room too :(
in the end i just couldn't get the smell out and it was starting to stink the house out too so i ended up painting it. was the only thing that worked.
i didn't leave neg feedback but i wished id said something at the time of collection.

[VolAuVent]

Agree with HipHop that "ebay sellers don't describe goods as "NOT being from a smoke/pet free home" and it would be VU to expect them to do this."

I'd try carpet shampoo.

(Febreeze stinks BTW, it's even worse than most other smells I can think of!)

[HipHopSkipJumpomous]

Is it a specially designed breastfeeding chair?
If not, how is a rocking chair a baby item?

[needsomesunshine]

But if it's a baby item like a rocking chair I would expect people to be considerate of this. I know smokers that say they don't notice the smell of smoke so I'm hoping to give her the benefit of the doubt. She seemed nice & ive just checked her previous feedback which was all positive so I shall see what she says.

[HipHopSkipJumpomous]

YABU - ebay sellers don't describe goods as "NOT being from a smoke/pet free home" and it would be VU to expect them to do this.

Some sellers list goods as being from a smoke/pet free home - there is a difference. (I usually forget to add this line).

If anything the motto re buying goods on ebay is "buyer beware" - and if it's NOT listed as being from a smoke free home, then you need to ask them the question, or assume that it is.

You might have grounds to complain as the smell negates the claim to being in "good condition". But as you collected it yourself and paid cash, I think the seller has every right to argue that you should have commented on the condition before paying and taking the chair away. On that basis I'd say you have made a mistake and have to suck it up.

Good luck with getting rid of the smell - I'd try some of the above and then drown it in essential lavender oil or something else fragrant and baby friendly.

I'd start off with a wash in hot soapy water with some white vinegar added - wash everything inc underside etc. When I brought my flat it stank - I cleaned everything thoroughly and repainted/decorated. I could still smell smoke. Eventually I discovered the back of the handbasin pedestal hasn't been properly cleaned & smell was coming from there.

[needsomesunshine]

This is what I sent to the seller-
Hi, UnfortunateIy when we got home we noticed the chair smelt heavily of smoke. I know you might not have noticed but you stated the chair was in good condition. I am trying to air it out but as I am due to have a baby in the next couple of weeks I won't be able to use the chair. Please consider stating that it is not from a smoke or pet free home in the future. I don't want to leave negative feedback for this & I was hoping we could come to a compromise. Please let me know.Thanks

What do you think? I'm giving her the benefit of the doubt for the mo.

[needsomesunshine]

Has anyone managed to get the smell of smoke from furniture? The covers aren't removable

[needsomesunshine]

I'm thinking of sending her a text saying that the item is not in good condition as it smells. We paid cash on collection as requested so I don't know how we would work out a refund.