eBay

sin-n-dex · ‎09-20-2020

Anyone have a place where they store inventory infested with some kind of intruder? I've dealt with mice a couple of times, fleas a couple of times, and bedbugs.

I have a current insect infestation, but since my coins and coin packaging is at the B&M store, it's safe, and I bag everything in ziplock bags when I finish photographing so I can put an inventory sticker on the bag and file it on the appropriate shelf.

My stamps, since they're mine, not the store's are home, and they're on shelves in ziplock bags. The insect of my current plight likes carpets, baseboards and space under furniture, so anything on shelves is safe.

I did however discover mould under the carpet in the closet I use to store my bubble mailers and cardboard boxes (nothing that's at risk is very valuable, the boxes are used to get my items to Chit Chats, they don't go to customers, and so far as I can tell the mould is all UNDER the carpet, you can't see it on top.) But while cleaning this week, I could definitely smell something in that closet.

I imagine mould is a common problem for people (and IMO worse than bugs or mice).

So how did/would you deal with this type of problem to protect your inventory?

C.

sin-n-dex · ‎09-20-2020

@*madison wrote:
No, it isn't a good idea.

It's put me right off buying on ebay.

This isn't the first time that this type of discussion has come up... One seller had a warehouse of books that got attacked by mice, and I've ready stories regarding used clothing (which is why I prefer to avoid that, not all sellers take good care of their fabrics before they ship them). Paper and fabric are very susceptible to issues like mould, bugs, water damage, environmental damage, if not treated properly. I think it's a valid discussion.

Also it's not an eBay thing either. Anywhere you buy stuff that's stored in a warehouse you could be receiving an unwanted visitor. (I'm remember the thread about the seller who got a neg because there was a bug in the box with the antique. The bug got in while it was in the warehouse). Any venue can have this problem, it's just less likely by a long shot when you buy new things.

I have a bug problem on occasion due to pets... I also had to keep my inventory safe when I had a bird because they are very destructive (of banknotes and cardboard coin sets and coin holders).

Everyone needs to safeguard their inventory, I was just wanting to know how other people did that (and get some advice on how to solve my own basement issues).

C.

*madison · ‎09-20-2020

It's an horrible thread, I can't get certain thoughts out of my mind.

Sorry you are having to sell your loved possessions, 2020 has been an awful year for most of us so far, and it isn't even over yet..

sin-n-dex · ‎09-20-2020

@simba6 wrote:
Those large plastic storage tubs with the snap on lids are good for storing items under adverse conditions.

I use those instead of cardboard boxes to store things like fabric and craft materials. It's also easy to clean inside a closet when you just have a bunch of giant bins to move out of the way.

I use them in the garage too.

C.

silverstatetreasureboxes · ‎09-20-2020

@sin-n-dex yes get a dehumidifier after the mold problem is taken care of. (Sears makes a good one) The bugs..if your talking about earwigs ( they love dampy areas (cousin is an entomologist) place a damp paper towel roll down and keep it damp..they will crawl inside ( with all of those 90+ little feet..yuk!) and throw the tube away. But then you will have to address that issue too. Sure glad I have my bug guy but we get different kind of bugs out in the desert than Canada and they carry their own set of luggage! Best to you

sellingin-60 · ‎09-20-2020

When my parents passed away, we were moving into their house and getting ours on the market. I hired someone to help with a leak near the flashing around the fireplace on the roof. By the time they were done with demolition of wood rot, the whole back exterior was off the den and inside were carpenter ants, mold and termites. YIKES!

Since the house was empty, they recommended an ozone treatment. They said it kills everything, including houseplants. You might consider it, just make sure there is no living thing in the space for whatever amount of time the professional tells you.

*madison · ‎09-20-2020

This isn't the first time that this type of discussion has come up..

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It's the first time for me, in over 10 years, I've never seen a thread about bugs and fleas.

I've seen threads about mice, but they don't bother me because I am a mouse lover.

sin-n-dex · ‎09-20-2020

@*madison wrote:
This isn't the first time that this type of discussion has come up..
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It's the first time for me, in over 10 years, I've never seen a thread about bugs and fleas.

I've seen threads about mice, but they don't bother me because I am a mouse lover.

Fair enough, I will ask a mod to close the thread.

C.

kh-vince · ‎09-20-2020

Hi everyone,

This topic has been closed at the request of the OP.

Thank you for understanding.

c.b. · ‎09-20-2020

it doesn't matter where it comes from. i have had issues with clothes that were tried on in stores. i have had new products from china arrive with the carcass of a bug. and, many of the ebay sellers also sell on amazon and other sites, where i have received questionable products--new and old.

in the past, i have often received items that reeked of smoke, musty, or were visibly moldy. it has gotten much better everywhere, but it still does happen on occasion.

for years i have now adopted a policy of quarantining anything new--especially clothing. it goes down on the tile floor in a bag and is then washed before using. now with covid virus, we also spray all packages with alcohol and then let them sit a couple of days before even opening and handling the contents.

it's extra work, but given what we experienced in the past from all sources, we feel it's worth the effort. i can assure you, it's not an ebay-specific issue...but, any source of used items would be more likely to have those issues--esp local, second-hand stores.