If something is 'New' would you expect it NOT to smell of smoke?

[InternationalFlight]

Just got some curtains, which are described as new, but they smell of stale cigarette smoke

Also the length is supposed to be 128" but it's not - rather, it is in one place, but the other end is only 122" and they're not hemmed. I needed a drop of 120 which is going to be tricky.

Also they are very amateurly handmade, well it's not dreadful but it could definitely be better.

I'm so disappointed, but do you think it's unreasonable to complain?

Other than that how on earth can I get the smell out?

Was it a private seller or business seller? Did the seller make them his/herself, or were they just selling them on?

Either way I'd expect things not to smell of cigarette smoke!

Sounds like with the measurements being off, you have a case for the item being 'not as described' and getting a refund.

Thanks...private seller, very kindly added a buy it now for me as I thought they would be a perfect fit...sadly not (the other one is 124"..)

I suspect by the lack of information in the listing, that she made them herself.

It doesn't say 'home made' or anything.

Ho hum. Have emailed her saying what the problems are (heading tape also different style on each curtain!!) and asked her what she thinks we should do.

What has she got for her returns policy? Did the listing say anything about the item coming from a smoke-free environment?

Most of the stuff I buy seems to say 'smoke-free home' and I always put that on my listings (it being the truth). Even do it if I have a 'new' item I'm selling. Smoke smell is really a deal-breaker for a lot of people, so I wouldn't feel bad about complaining.

I will have a look, thankyou for being reassuring!

Hope she is nice about it. I like them, but not sure if I can actually manage a hem leaving them long enough...will have to redo the heading tape, as well - I may as well have bought some nice material and made them myself.

It'll be a bit dear to send them back so if she won't pay return postage, I might just accept a partial refund and do the work iyswim.

So frustrating...why does this always happen to me on ebay? I think I get carried away thinking something is lovely and don't ask enough questions, because I can't bear it not to be as nice as I think it is.

Then it arrives and, erm, isn't as nice, and I get very cross.

I know exactly what you mean IF.

I keep meaning to give up buying on ebay and concentrate on only selling stuff.

However, I've not managed that yet !!

Lol Galava. I tell myself this every time...gradually it's sinking in I think!!

Anyway she's emailed back all jolly and knowing nothing about any problems...very vague language including 'making enquiries' and 'been in a workshop where no smoking is allowed' ha.

Apparently it's colourfast at 40, but I don't want to risk it especially as it might shrink.
She says she's got hold of the last 2 metres of the fabric, which she can send me so I can make a 'false hem' whatever that is (I can't sew) and will also refund £10 which was basically the postage...I've said no thankyou and please can I return them to her.

Waiting for the OK to do this...anyone know a cheap courier?

Was it packaged in one of those plastic bag things? as it's apparently a known fact that they can give things a smokey smell.

You don't have to wait for an OK to return them to a seller, they HAVE to accept returns, whatever they mistakenly think nd put in their listings
You won't get the postage back for returning them as a rule ( up to sellers discretion) but you will get full price back inc original P&P if you go through PP.

www.senditnow.com www.parcel2go.com are a couple of couriers I have used.
Make sure you send it tracked method if you do it through the PO.

Thanks very much MaryPoppins, that's really useful.
Yes, it was in a blue bag but I know what you mean about the smoky smell and I don't think it was from this type of bag iyswim...I have had that a few times with black bags which was a different plastic afaik...also they were so strong, they made the whole room smell last night.

I'm waiting for the Ok from her as I want it to be clear she's agreed to have them back - this way she has to answer, so I know what her take is on it. Then if she is agreeable I'll feel safer to go ahead and send them, and if she isn't, I shan't send them until I have a dispute opened and am asked to by paypal.

I'll probably use Parcel2go, thanks for that

Message withdrawn

My sister sent me some brand new babty dresses when I had my DD. They stank of smoke. they had been in a cupboard in her DDs room for a few months - so they were new but not recently bought. She never smokes upstairs let alone in her DCs rooms butthey still smelt.
I think people who smoke don't realise how the smell of smoke goes everywhere

Misssunny, it makes not a jot of difference if it was significantly not as described, even if going through paypal and winning, paypal still say the buyer has to pay the return postage, so it WILL be up to the discretion of the seller.

As for smoke....sometimes the plastic bags do have a funny smell, but it goes very quickly once out of the bag if this is all it was....if it stinks of smoke and it's out of the bag, it's smoke!

Get a refund, as long as you're not loads out of pocket for returning them.