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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

... to expect something I bought from ebay not to reek of cigarette smoke?

26 replies

tvaerialmagpiebin · 13/05/2009 21:46

OK the description didn't say "from a smoke-free home" but it was an item specifically for a toddler.. and it absolutely stinks. DS was so excited about opening the parcel but I had to put the item outside almost straight away as it was stinking the house out. What makes it worse is that the seller has obviously tried to mask the fag smell with about half a bottle of Febreze which has made it worse. It has been outside in the rain all day and I have just had a sniff but tis still smelly.
Even if IABU how can I get the smell out (it is not machine washable)

OP posts:
smallchange · 13/05/2009 21:49

YANBU that's horrid, but I don't think smokers really get how much the smell hangs around. Smoking reduces your sense of smell for a start, and they're also used to it.

I'd only buy from someone who stated smoke-free.

reducedfatkettlechip · 13/05/2009 21:50

What is it?

I hate when ebay clothes arrive honking of smoke. They're all washed, ironed but stink, I can't even bear to try them on until they've been washed. I honestly don't think people realise, you only really notice if you don't smoke yourself.

MrsJamesMartin · 13/05/2009 21:51

Is a risk you take with ebay I guess. What is it? Can you give it a good scrub with hot soapy water or hand wash it with washing powder?

izyboy · 13/05/2009 21:53

It is horrible and really disappointing when that happens, I agree, it is a filthy habit.

ChippingIn · 13/05/2009 21:53

I learnt my lesson with that one the hard way too - I think we are becoming so 'smoke free' that you don't even think about it, until you are made to!

Hope you get the smell out soon!!

Original poster
tvaerialmagpiebin · 13/05/2009 21:54

it's a little backpack. I have been after onefor ages without any Thomas/Dora/IgglePiggle on and this one is plain colours. But now I wish I had caved into the Thomas one....
I have sold things on ebay and never thought to put "from a smoke free home" because I don't smoke..... agree smokers don't notice but to over-Febreze it too.... boak

OP posts:
tattifer · 13/05/2009 21:54

yanbu! I bought jeans for DH once and I could tell something was wrong before I even unpacked them - the dog wouldn't stop sniffing the package.

They reeked of cigarette smoke. I left good feed back but commented ref the cigarette smoke (they had arrived promptly, as described etc etc). They sulked and didn't leave me any feedback. They were advertised as new, in bag etc etc definitely not expected to stink of fags.

Original poster
tvaerialmagpiebin · 13/05/2009 21:55

Thanks MrsJM. Will have a go with the hot soapy tomorrow when ds is not here. Maybe a spot of Zoflora too..... mmmm... love Zoflora [sad cookie emoticon]

OP posts:
thirtypence · 13/05/2009 21:59

I bought a bookcase off Trade Me (NZ Ebay) and it reeked of smoke. It's still in the garage and I don't notice the smell now - however it's been two years!

onagar · 13/05/2009 22:12

This brings back memories. There was a thread once where the courier had used a van which had been previously been smoked in (not while delivering) and the sealed parcel was supposed to have smelled so bad they had to throw it away.

wotulookinat · 13/05/2009 22:15

A friend of mine, who did smoke, sold all her maternity clothes on Ebay and put 'from a smoke free home'. She said as she didn't smoke in the house it was ok. she smoked while she was driving though, and in the garden, and when out walking...

kitkatqueen · 13/05/2009 22:30

I had v similar thing happen with a bookreader bought on ebay for a toddler. every book stank. I left good feedback because It was as described and worked and arrived promtly etc, but I messaged the seller advising that I had had to take away from dd because it smelt so bad. After about 2 weeks of being in the garage with all the pages propped open it was ok and the seller sent back to me an apology and a partial refund which made me feel loads better about the situation...

Ivykaty44 · 13/05/2009 22:40

Cut an onion in half and pop inside the rucksac - this will absorb the smell of smoke and then give it a brush over with hot soapy water.

marymungoandmidge · 13/05/2009 22:43

YANBU - Its disgusting...

onagar · 13/05/2009 22:43

Eating the onion probably works too

wotulookinat · 13/05/2009 22:44

Bicarb of Soda? Sprinkle it inside and leave overnight before vacuuming it out again. You could mix the powder with some ground spice too.

wobbegong · 13/05/2009 22:52

How annoying for you.

I have the same problem with a chest of drawers for my toddler's room. How the heck do I get the smoke smell out of that?

wotulookinat · 13/05/2009 22:55

I would leave the drawers in the garden for a day to air, and them leave a generous sprinkling of bicarb of soda in them. Then police them with nice smelling polish...for ages!

wotulookinat · 13/05/2009 22:55

I would leave the drawers in the garden for a day to air, and them leave a generous sprinkling of bicarb of soda in them. Then police them with nice smelling polish...for ages!

wotulookinat · 13/05/2009 22:55

I would leave the drawers in the garden for a day to air, and them leave a generous sprinkling of bicarb of soda in them. Then polish them with nice smelling polish...for ages!

wotulookinat · 13/05/2009 22:56

police them??? god, I am losing the ability to type this evening.

wobbegong · 13/05/2009 23:09

I thought policing them sounded quite good fun!

wotulookinat · 13/05/2009 23:37

Hee hee, scare of the smells with the long arm of the law!

wotulookinat · 13/05/2009 23:38

off
bloody Hell, I really must go to bed!

Eve4Walle · 14/05/2009 06:48

I leant the hard way with this too...in fact, I started a similar thread a while back and was told I shouldn't have bought from someone who didn't say their house was a smoking one!

YANBU though. It really gets to me me when I receive something I've paid good money for and have it reek of cigarette smoke.

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