posted on November 11, 2000 08:48:40 AM
Hi all....I have to say I have always been a skeptic about people complaining about cigarette smells, I have bought dozens (hundreds??) of items on eBay and never noticed any smells that were strong enough to take note of. I smoked for 10 years, quit for health reasons, and still miss it (very reluctant quitter,and NOT a nonsmoking nazi). Yesterday I got a package of glass beads in the mail in a bubble wrap mailer. Inside was a plastic sandwich baggie containing a lot of 50 glass beads I had won. When I opened the plastic baggie I was hit by an AMAZINGLY strong smell of cigarettes!! Glass is non-porous and really shouldn't have absorbed any odor--maybe it was the baggie? or the mailer? In any case it was bad!!! I put it outside and today it smells ok, but I can still catch a whiff of the smoke. So I have to say, that smell does cling....
Otherwise the transaction was fine, and I left her a positive. However, what do you think about my emailing her with a hint that it was pretty darn strong? Is there any point or should I just let it go? If someone who received this batch had allergies, this WOULD have been a fiasco. Luckily I'm the type that doesn't care but the seller is really setting themself up for a neg or two or twenty if they keep this up, given how many people detest cigarette smoke. Advice??
posted on November 11, 2000 08:55:26 AM
Cigarette smoke makes me gage.
But I also realize that some people who have been smoking a long time don't even smell it anymore. I always ask if I'm buying any textiles if they come from a non smoking household. I would never have thought to ask that if buying glass.
Wow.
I would email her with a very nice polite suggestion. If you start of by explaining that you used to smoke too it may not sound as judgemental as it would otherwise.
I'm sure many smokers have gotten sensitive to criticism with all the smoking bans that have been popping up in recent years.
posted on November 11, 2000 09:03:09 AM
i received a little hand held video game once that was so smoky the white plastic was yellow, and it stank to high heaven too, and I am a smoker! I would have expected that with clothes, but not with a plastic video game! Weird.
I smoke outside only though, and I keep all my ebay inventory in my husband's office/guest bedroom closet (even though I don't smoke in the house, I keep the stuff away from the smoker, me, as an extra measure), and everything is washed and Febreezed and has to pass the "sniff test" by my husband before I list it (since he can smell and I never can, constant sinus troubles, imagine that! ).
I would guess that if this seller has no one else to "sniff" the item then they probably have no clue it smells like smoke. I would probably find a gentle way to mention it.
posted on November 11, 2000 09:17:05 AM
I am also a smoker and I always worry about the possibility of cigarette odors in my packages. Please write a kind, gentle email to let the Seller know that it while it wasn't a problem to you that it might be a problem to others. If you take care not to have a "holier-than-thou" attitude it should be ok. I know I would greatly appreciate any "constructive" remarks regarding this subject.
While my husband and I both smoke, we use air filters/cleaners to remove as much as possible from the air. I know it still lingers, sigh .. hopefully it isn't to bad. I haven't had any complaints or comments .. yet.
Yes, we are both going to quit. I know I need to .. lungs are really starting to wear out.
Everyone please remember...most smokers would really like to quit. The damn cigarette companies lied to us and now we are addicted. After they made sure to hook us ... they raised the prices so high it's ridiculous! All they want is our $$.
It's a bad, bad habit and extremely hard to break.
posted on November 11, 2000 09:45:50 AM
I never really understood why people put in their auction descriptions "from a non-smoking household" until I got a Puffkin that I had won and it stank so bad I could hardly take it!
I had noticed in a lot of Puffkin auctions this was stated and now I know why.
I febreezed that little sucker until it was wet.
"Don't go around saying the world owes you a living. The world owes you nothing. It was here first."---Mark Twain
posted on November 11, 2000 09:56:47 AM
I think a nice note telling your seller would be fine.
I smoke, and I used to put a "smoking household" warning in my textile auctions. I received one very nice note, and one hostile one concerning the smell of cig smoke on the items.
That was enough for me - all my eBay inventory is now in the basement, and I never smoke down there. While we do pack/ship in the main body of the house, if it's a textile item or a book, we pack it downstairs.
I've taken the warning out of my auctions, and haven't had a complaint in about a year. If emailed, I always answer honestly.
The nice email by the way was the one that convinced me, and I appreciated the info because I appreciate anything that makes me a better seller. The hostile one just ticked me off and was replied with, "Thank you for your email."
posted on November 11, 2000 10:24:19 AM
What sellers should know-- is that if they smoke, the inventory is being contaminated by the smoke in the area. What they need to do is keep their inventory in a NON smoking area and give it a good shot of disinfenctant before shipping.
I smoke (outside) and if I have any concerns about the item -- especially clothing.. it getsa shot of lysol or wonderful talcum in the bag -(even though I'm sure there isn't any odor).
Now, at a flea mkt -- it's another story- I know it wouldn't stop anyone from buying a Picasso from a raggedy, tobacco stained dealer, LOL LOL!!
posted on November 11, 2000 10:43:39 AM
I am an ex smoker and the kind that can smell smoke from another car as it drives past mine. I am completely compassionate towards smokers, and I wish it wasn't that way, but it is.
I am posting for the benefit of those who wish to quit.
Do give that non-smoking drug Zyban a try.
I struggled to quit smoking for probably 15 years. To be completely candid, I never went 24 hours without a cigarette in spit of countless $ spent on nicotine gum and patches, never mind accupressure, etc. I used to wake up in the middle of the night to smoke, and beleive me, no one including myself ever thought I would manage to quit.
Okay, so I took this drug.
I took it 3 days and day 4 I quit, and I mean I quit with TOTAL ease. Effort on a scale of 1-10 was .5, I am not kidding. It was a miracle.
The downside?
The drug is an antidepressant and I found it very difficult to cope with. I was up over night, not thinking about cigs, but happy thoughts until I was miserable from being so happy.
However, NO cravings.
NONE. My husband had the same experience.
The drug is prescribed for 6 weeks. We both went off it in about 4 and have not smoked since (3 + years). The amazing thing is that neither have us have ever had a serious desire to smoke since. It is as if this drug goes in and cuts the ties and that's that.
It's worth a try folks...
Good luck!
posted on November 11, 2000 11:38:27 AM
I think I can under stand the smell with the packageing of the glass beads.
If the person who packaged this item was smokeing at the time they packaged it blowing the smoke around and in the packageing filling it with the smoke and odor in this case it wouldnt matter if the items were kept in the smoke free area untill shipped to you.
they sealed the packageing that was full of smoke no matter that the odor cant get in to glass perminately the solids the smoke can cling to the packageing and the beads.
I avoid this type of thing try to keep my item out in the garage and my boxes and packageing too never smoke when I am pack or around where some one else is packing items.
I discovered when I wasnt smokeing something most smokers dont even think about like someone who eats a lot of garlic your clothes and hands hair ECT not only smell of smoke but even if you shower the odor dont go cause its in your system when you sweat the nicotine and odor is right back.
if you clean the glass beads they should be fine toss the packaging if all is well with the sale and no claims are required
posted on November 11, 2000 11:45:04 AM
I am a non-smoker who not only grew up in a family of smokers, but who also bowls 5x a week where smoke is THICK! How I escaped becoming a smoker, I will never know...Anyway, I have recieved several packages, primarily clothing, where the smell was so strong I could hardly handle the item, and I have spent most of my life smelling like smokeas a result of my surroundings! But I also must add to this thread that what is worse than the smoke is the liberal use of Febreeze, lysol, ect, that trys to mask the smell. Some of them are so strong of a fakey sweet/cleaning smell, I do not which is the worst. Just a friendly warning, sometimes 2 "wrongs" don't nessecarily make a right!
(I don't want to make anyone mad who practices "contolled" use - I am talking about the dousers).
posted on November 11, 2000 12:58:15 PM
I cannot stand cigarettes. As soon as I get near one I start coughing and wheezing.
I work with many chronic lung patients. 99.9% of the time, they tell me that their illness was caused by years of smoking. Smoking is the most damaging thing you can do to your body.
Most smokers I know wish they could stop but cannot. There seems to be many smokers that post here--how about a stop smoking support group. The Lung Association could help you with upcoming Great American Smokeout Day.
Can you quit for just one day? Do you have a support person to coach you?
Having a chronic lung disease is worse than cancer. Imagine years and years of being short of breath, on oxygen, unable to have sex, etc. At least cancer kills you a little quicker than emphysema.
Ask yourself if you want your loved ones subjected to your debilitating illness or untimely death. Would you want to give up your life to take care of someone you loved who didn't love themself enough to quit smoking?
By the way, I had severe asthma with frequent hospitalizations until I was 12 years old because of my father's smoking. I only improved when he quit. It was too late for him--he died of lung cancer anyway.
posted on November 11, 2000 01:17:28 PM
Are you sure you're not a nonsmoking nazi? You sorta remind me of one. I know that when I quit smoking, my sense of smell was much keener and sensitive that any amount of cigarette smoke was repellant to me. You might want to mention something to the seller as she could be selling other items with the offensive odor. I know that smokers usually lose any keen sense of smell they may have had before they started smoking, whereby the offensive odor of cigarettes on clothing, etc. is not as overpowering to them and make a non-smoker feel like running in the opposite direction. Can you imagine what it's like kissing a heavy smoker??? Yuck!!!
posted on November 11, 2000 02:02:39 PM
You are right, Harvest Moon--I am a nonsmoking Nazi, and proud of it. I also think that Las Vegas would be absolutely perfect if no smoking was allowed.
All of my ebay stuff is kept in closed plastic bins to keep out cooking odors (who wants to wear a dress smelling of fried fish?).
I don't see how anyone can afford to smoke--in California it's heavily taxed.
posted on November 11, 2000 03:00:09 PM
I can understand totally about people being very put off by cigarette smoke, even though I am a smoker.
Not a complaint yet in over 3 years, reason; everything is kept in a room in the basement, INCLUDING all packing material (boxes, peanuts and bubble wrap) and there is no smoking allowed down there.
On top of that, of which most of our items are glass, we also wash them on top of keeping them away from any cigarette smoke, before ever shipping out.
If ever I do sell something that is textile in nature, when I get it, it goes into a plastic bag and put in with the other items in a non smoking area. I never febreeze anything though, some people do not like that smell.
VeryModern, I was going to try Zyban, but found out I couldn't since it interferes with the other meds I take; anti convulsive and heart. I did try the patch for one day, and found I couldn't use it, so it will have to be some other way to quit. I really do want to, not just health reasons, which is #1, but the cost of the brand I do smoke up here, are reaching almost $5 a pack.
posted on November 11, 2000 04:11:36 PM
you guys, what is Febreeze?????
sadie, I don't understand why you got ANY notes, nice or otherwise, if you were cool enough to put the "smoking household" warning in your ads. If those people had a problem with that they shouldn't have bid!!!!!!!
I'm a nonsmoking nazi myself....and happy to be that way! After having grown up in a smoky house I really appreciate nice clean air!!
posted on November 11, 2000 05:10:38 PM
brighid, you might want to drop a polite email to the seller letting them know what happened with you.
I don't know if there is anything the seller could do about it short of quitting. One day they might sell to someone who will drop dead on the floor when they open the packagae and that horrible stench hits 'em. At least they would have been forwarned.
I know if I were offending my sellers I would appreciate knowing about it.
posted on November 11, 2000 05:25:09 PM
I am one of those sorry losers who can smell if the guy at the intersection is smoking. I am not a smoking nazi. I spent 20 years and smoked up a Jaguar!
I wanted a new car & when DH said we couldn't afford it, I sat down and figured out how much I spent on smoking (including interest) 45,000 dollars! Yikes.
I went on the patch for a long time 3 months.
October 16th was my 10th anniverary of quitting smoking! YAY for me!
Now I am never sick.....save my hard earned dough for treats!
But I can smell a strawberry field five miles away....that goes double for cigarettes!
posted on November 11, 2000 05:45:50 PM
dejavu - you sound like me.
I drive by someone smoking at a bus stop and smell it for 4 or 5 blocks. My husband OTOH sticks his nose in the rankest of the rank and says "seems fine to me.."
Once I was at a yard sale and there was this poor Barbie doll in her box. A holiday one, but beyond that I don't know. She was in a green dress though, I will never forget. Anyway - she is the lone toy, and this guy is standing next to her smoking. I am thinking I should inquire how much, but also thinking "I bet she is awfully smelly". I don't do Barbie, but in the end I just HAVE to ask.
So I do, and to answer he blows the smoke right at her, and it is curling up around and over her box and into the little corners. Yes. I can SEE smoke in the box with her. He tells me she is collectable and that he imagines he will take $250. He raises an eyebrow like this is the wild west and a match of wits or something. He is bluffing. See. He will take $240. He thinks I gotta have her, he has been waiting for the likes of me all day.
It was all I could do not to bust out laughing.
Scalp toys often?
I don't think so.
That poor gal has got to be *the* most miserable Barbie in 18 states. I was thinking they need a Barbie rescue, like animal rescue. I'd have called them on him that's for sure. They could go in, distract him, snatch her, give her a gas mask, a bath ...
posted on November 11, 2000 07:31:24 PM
I am a heavy smoker. In my sales I have a disclaimer that states that I smoke and anyone who has a strong aversion to smoke needs to know this. Since we live in a very small apartment, it's a little hard to store things in a non smoky place. I have started putting them in the trunk of the car, I will not smoke in my car. This is my first big step to nonsmoking. Hopefully it will spread to other parts of my existence.
I have had 2 very nice emails telling me of the smoky smell. That is what caused me to hunt for other storage possibilities.
posted on November 11, 2000 07:34:07 PM
rarriffle, best wishes to you for quitting smoking. That is pretty much how I quit. The cold turkey thing did not work for me, I had to work up to it in steps.
posted on November 11, 2000 07:55:49 PM
Hey, everybody! I'm sitting here reading your messages about smoking and saying to myself holy cow, I never realized that most AuctionWatchers were smokers. Until it hit me that probably more smokers would respond to this thread than perhaps to others! Duhhh.
I have never smoked--anything!--and I'm someone who forms habits quickly. When I was in college I worked summers in an office with three other women--all smokers. One day they all went off to lunch and left me to answer the phones. One of them also left a smoking cigarette in an ashtray. I went over and lifted it out of the ashtray, brought it up to within an inch of my lips, and (miracle) put it down again. I've thought of that often and thought how easy it would have been for me to get started smoking.
I send good thoughts your way, all of you. I've been told by relatives how hard it is to quit. Best of luck to you if you give it a try.
[ edited by roadsmith on Nov 11, 2000 07:56 PM ]
posted on November 11, 2000 08:13:28 PM
I smoke a lot and it has always concerned me that I may be mailing my smoke in my eBay packages. I take all kinds of precautions, and have never gotten a complaint, so I am wondering if their are any other sellers out there in the same situation who have shipped many items never gotten a complaint?
Fortunately, my primary collecting interest is casino memorabilia so I've shipped a lot of old ashtrays and I definately better not hear it from them.
On a related note - my chief assistant in my eBay chores is a long haired border collie. She is constantly at my side, so a little bit of Maggie goes out with every package I send. Would this bother anyone?
Finally, someone who has never smoked should not attempt to preach about it, or offer any advice whatsoever. You haven't been there, and you don't realize what you sound like. Reformed smokers - fine, I will listen. But if you never have, please don't go there.
posted on November 11, 2000 08:59:22 PM
dejavu--Congratulations on quitting for good.
I recently took care of a very nice lady, dependent on a respirator for life, who had a heavy smoking history. Her chest was shaped like a barrel and her neck had long disappeared into the barrel. I could not believe she lived this long in her condition because dead people have better lungs than this poor woman.
Dying from a smoking related illness is just about the worst kind of death there is--slow and agonizing. Once your lungs are shot, it's downhill from there.
Think about your family. Every cigarette is another nail in your coffin.
posted on November 11, 2000 09:17:43 PM
kathyg, many people would not like animal hair on their items!
I paid good money for a quilt on eBay, and when it arrived the nasty thing was loaded with cat hair (which I am very allergic to). The seller made no mention of this in her TOS, and if she had I would not had bid. Now I always ask first if it is an expensive item.
posted on November 11, 2000 09:23:51 PM
Hey mzalez - I agree. If my husband just looks at a cat, his eyes puff up. But I am not talking about being 'loaded up' with the stuff. Just one or 2 strays, non-fabric, clean items.
cassie: If you want to refer to yourself as a Nazi, this is your business.
posted on November 11, 2000 09:29:51 PM
kathyg, that's one thing about having a pet. Static electricity makes it nearly impossible to have anything hair-free.
The thing about the 'No Smoking Nazi' reminds me of an earlier thread mentioning the 'Nicotine N-----'...I don't mean any disrespect here but if you read this thread you would die laughing...
posted on November 11, 2000 09:39:43 PM
VeryModern- LOL! I got a real kick out of your post. I do agree- a smoky NRFB Barbie isn't one I would touch. WAY too hard to re-sell.
kathyg- you're right, I don't think you're going to get much griping from ashtray & casino memorobilia buyers!! I would think that if it DIDN'T smell at least a little like smoke they might wonder if it was authentic???? LOL! Anyway, in my opinion, dog hair on my collectibles isn't too bothersome, but dog hair on anything wearable is. And anyone who has the nerve to smoke anywhere close to me will "hear it". I may not know what I sound like, but apparently they don't know what they smell like. I respect other peoples' right to smoke, but I DEMAND that they NOT DO IT AROUND ME!!!!
posted on November 11, 2000 09:53:06 PM
I don't smoke but my room mate does. She smokes outside and I have never had a complaint.
Now I am not saying this is me, but let's say a seller was smoking...err...non-cigs...for medical reasons. I wonder if that kind of smoke would be noticable. In my state you can smoke "stuff" for medical reasons. I take classes in a community college, and I can pick THAT smell up a mile away.
posted on November 11, 2000 10:16:42 PM
OK, Linda, it's edited. But if the word is so offensive, why does AW allow the thread to which I'm referring--which is totally about that word--to go on and on, repeating the word over and over?
I know you moderators don't like us arguing with you and I'm not arguing with you...just a rhetorical question to think about. I won't use that word again. Sorry.
).
