eBay dress 'new with tags' stinks of cigarette smoke. WWYD?

[flashbac]

Just opened an eBay purchase. A dress with tags marketed as 'new' reeks of cigarette smoke. Aibu to ask for a refund? I wouldn't mind if it was not sold as new. It was only 6 or 7 quid though.

You could always put it in the wash if you'd prefer to keep it.

What can you do? It could well be new, from a smoker's house.

How much will it cost to return? I couldn’t really be bothered to open a dispute, rewrap and go to the p/o to pay to send back and wait for a refund for a couple of quid tbh. Annoying though. I’d just see if a good wash will get the smell out.

Just wash it!

You could try washing it. You'd have to wash it first to wear it anyway.

Wash it?

I'd return for a refund. I always find the smell hard to shift. If you do keep it hanging it outside (particularly when raining) is good for stripping smells from things.

I'd wash it.

It is BNWT. It just comes from a smokers house. Leave it outside for a few hours and the smell will go. I have to do that with the things I cannot wash after spending an evening with my friend.

It might be stolen id be worried more about that than cigarette smell that you can wash out ! I'm not really sure what you are expecting.

I had this once, soaked then washed. Now if isn't already specified, I'll message the seller to clarify before I bid.

Stolen because it smells of smoke?!

Why would it being smelly make it more likely to have been stolen?

If the listing doesn’t say specifically I always email before purchase to ask if it’s from a smoke and pet free home. That doesn’t help you now of course...

In your case,if you love the garment, I’d probably just take it to a dry cleaner’s and chance my luck, since you didn’t pay much for it. Or you can cover it in bicarbonate of soda for 24 hours to neutralise odours as much as possible.

It was described as new, so your argument does have merit - if it stinks it’s not actually in ‘as new’ condition. I’m sure eBay would side with you, which they almost always do anyway as they’re heavily biased toward the buyer.

@GreyhoundG1rl

Why would it being smelly make it more likely to have been stolen?

Because all thieves are dirty smokers, silly!

I learned about this the hard way too.

If it doesn’t say ‘from a smoke free home’ specifically, then presume it’s a smokers home.
You could email to enquire but I’d just move onto another listing.

The dress IS brand new. So that’s accurate. The smokers probs don’t realise their stuff stinks.

Wash it a few times and hang it outside to dry.

Assuming it has a tag, they haven't mis-sold it. Just wash it and remember to check eBay listings for 'from a smoke-free home' from now on.

I don’t pp was saying it’s stolen because of the smoke - a lot of people think BNWT automatically means it’s stolen goods. Which isn’t the case at all.

It's a little known fact that ALL shoplifters are smokers.
Honest.

*I don’t think

@Pollypocket89

Stolen because it smells of smoke?!

Yes all thieves are smokers, well known police technique. Is the suspect a smoker?, Yes, then guilty

Just wash it. It was new with tags as described, just the person smoked like a chimney!

New with tags = probably never worn but potentially years old & if it's stored in a smoker's house then it's going to stink.
Wash it if you like it, I would anyway tbh! Probably not worth going for a refund, you could mention it in feedback though.

Was it in a plastic mail bag? I learnt the hard way that they smell ‘Smokey’ after getting a few eBay complaints (I’ve never smoked!) and switched to brown paper

I’d keep it and clean it but I would make sure I gave neutral feedback on eBay and clearly write “item was BNWT as described but unfortunately has strong cigarette smell” to warn other buyers.