Disclosing Smoking Home

[nsjvintage4]

I am new to selling on EBay.  I am trying to sell most of my Barbie Doll & Ornament Collection and Glassware.  I smoke.  The dolls and ornaments were displayed in both smoking and non-smoking environments, then stored in non-smoking environments for 5 years and then brought to my home in totes with lids and only removed to photograph and then again to mail.  Since I smoke, I have no idea the exact odor they have.  I received a positive review from one buyer but they noted the smell.  Another buyer never mentioned it.  But after the one did,  I immediately went to the only other listing I have right now and disclosed it.  I have 3 other items that have sold without this disclosure, but I also never said it was from a smoke free home.  Am I correct for disclosing this now?  What do I do if one of the other 3 buyers complain?  And does it have to be disclosed for glassware since that can be washed?  I really just want to be honest and get good ratings.  Any advice would be much appreciated.

[cynthealee2]

As a fellow smoker, every listing I have ever created stated in it some where that I smoke.

It's on my hands, it's in my hair, on my clothes, and floods my COPD lungs (don't yell the docs do enough of that).

I tell them simply cause buyers need to know.

I grew up with smokers, whether or not it SMELLS, it yellows everything it comes in contact with over time.  And it doesn't take long either.

Most of the serious doll collectors are going to want to know cause they (for the most part) are not going to want the dolls that were displayed in the smoking home, might have a better shot with the ones that were in a non smoking home for most of their lives.

Even Brother's items got the tag and they were stored in a non smoking home:

The Star Wars / Star Trek Collection, and other items belonging to my brother were not stored in a smoking home, they have been transferred to a 2 car garage, photographed, and packaged for shipping. The garage is in the basement of a smoking home, if you have severe allergies this needs to be noted. We do not smoke in the garage, or around any of these items.

[labs118]

@cynthealee2

Awe Cyn not gonna yell 

but hopef you had given it up   .

tough habit , did it for so many years myself until the breathing took a hit , quit cold

turkey and can now walk Miles a day, each time I want one I run up my steps & can breath now & say (this is why I quit &

can't have another )

wish you luck and maybe someday you can do it  

[castlemagicmemories]

Disclosure is a good thing.

Better safe than sorry.  Many won't care, and those who will, will see and decide accordingly.

[mistwomandancing]

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castlemagicmemories wrote:

Disclosure is a good thing.

Better safe than sorry.  Many won't care, and those who will, will see and decide accordingly.

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Oh, if ONLY that were true.  sigh..... 

[tweetystwades]

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@nsjvintage4 wrote:

I am new to selling on EBay.  I am trying to sell most of my Barbie Doll & Ornament Collection and Glassware.  I smoke.  The dolls and ornaments were displayed in both smoking and non-smoking environments, then stored in non-smoking environments for 5 years and then brought to my home in totes with lids and only removed to photograph and then again to mail.  Since I smoke, I have no idea the exact odor they have.  I received a positive review from one buyer but they noted the smell.  Another buyer never mentioned it.  But after the one did,  I immediately went to the only other listing I have right now and disclosed it.  I have 3 other items that have sold without this disclosure, but I also never said it was from a smoke free home.  Am I correct for disclosing this now?  What do I do if one of the other 3 buyers complain?  And does it have to be disclosed for glassware since that can be washed?  I really just want to be honest and get good ratings.  Any advice would be much appreciated.

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Always best to disclose, might have less issues that way. I do not smoke, and people that do not smoke can smell it as soon as the package is opened. I noticed it on some things that I have ordered on ebay. On clothing, glassware, no big deal because it will be washed.  Other items like dolls and decorative items, it will take time for the smell to fade.  If the 3 buyers complain, offer a small discount or return.  

[luckythewinner]

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@nsjvintage4 wrote:

And does it have to be disclosed for glassware since that can be washed? 

I really just want to be honest 

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Asking whether something has to be disclosed misses the point entirely.

The more relevant question is whether it makes sense to disclose it. And since you already know for certain that some buyers have an issue with it, I think you already know that answer. 

As for honesty ... isn't knowing about an issue and not disclosing it at least a bit dishonest? But again,  I think you already know that answer. 

[moondogblues]

"I would not mention if you smoke or not, these people are buying antiques.  Many are just looking for discounts to begin with."

I am an antique/vintage dealer as well as an avid collector, and am nauseated by the smell of cigarette smoke. I have had to toss things in the garbage because of it. Many things you would not think could absorb the smell will. I collect Lucite bracelets, some STINK. They get washed and if that doesn't work they go in the garbage.

I have animals too and when I still sold here I made sure that I put that fact in CAPS, lots of people are very allergic.

[moondogblues]

I guess I could also have said 'reek'.....lol.

[7606dennis]

I always include a statement that we cannot guarantee that the item comes from a smoke and/or pet free environment.  Even though our home is smoke free there is always a chance that the item will come in contact smoke while in transit or has been in contact with it previously during its existence.

[nsjvintage4]

  How do you offer a discount if asked?  I'm ok (positive feedback) on all the ornaments...but the dolls...I will have to wait and see.

[kattinsanity]

99.99% of my items come from thrift shops and I have no clue as to their history.  I also am a smoker but I'm careful with my items in keeping them away from smoking areas.  You should also be aware that plastic totes aren't safe either~~plastic sucks the smoke odors right out of the air.  I sold some VCR tapes once that the buyer said smelled like they had been in a fire (I have a wood burning fireplace).

I have a disclaimer in all my listings.  It's saved me several times  from having to accept returns due to smoke smell since I have a no return policy.  I sold a power cord for a small kitchen appliance to a buyer and she left me neg feedback saying it smelled of smoke~~ebay removed the neg due to the disclosure in the listing.

Make sure that disclaimer is in BIG print in all your listings~~there are MANY buyers whom it won't bother.  Years ago I had a mans coat listed and I got a neg for another item due to smoke smell.  That was my first experience with that problem.  I immediately ended the listing for the coat out of fear.  A lady contacted me about the coat because her husband really wanted it.  He was a smoker himself so I listed it just for her to buy and got glowing feedback.

Don't be afraid to place that disclaimer in all your listings~~including glass items.  That will save buyers who are affected by smoke from buying your items and there are a whole lot of buyers out there who aren't affected by smoke odors.  You are also protected by ebay against returns if you have a no return policy and you can ask for feedback to be removed if it pertains to smoke odor.

[ersatz_sobriquet]

As an ex-smoker of only 2 months I can promise you that you can't smell cigarette smoke right now the way you would if you quit. I'm washing everything in my closet--TWICE, treated,  and some still might just get tossed because of the smell.  

Vaping is great and I've used it to quit. If I can quit anybody can. but...no lecture. Vaping is untested and the way to do it is safety first which means with no flavoring because of the danger of diacetyl. I did not know this at first and there are no warnings in vape shops. 

The dolls are ruined by doll collecting standards and I would sell them outside at a flea market or yard sale. 

The glass can be washed-very well- and as long as not overly porous glass is safe to not disclose about previous smoke, but not safe if the boxes, bubblewrap, air are contaminated and your hands and clothing are unwashed. 

[ersatz_sobriquet]

I never disagreed with the complaint about smoke, and I had probably 5 over 15 years, sometimes because of me, usually because of a previous owner NOT me. 

It was never the complaint that bothered me. It was the delivery of that complaint. The type of woman that instead of quietly messaging the seller and letting them know there is a problem, feels somehow high and mighty by making sure to post their complaint always with the words REEKS OF SMOKE in bold on a seller's page, yet still wants to keep the item. 

[gadgetryz]

I never understood why sellers claim "pet-free home" and "non smoker" in their listing. Yes I am aware of people with pet allergies, but does it run through the buyers mind that the seller rubbed the X item alll over a cat's body before selling? Clean the item properly sure, but why would it be mandatory for the buyer to state "non smoking" and "pet free home"? If I sound ignorant, it's not intended. 

I don't smoke and I have a cat. I have two air filters, a robot vac, and a broom. 

[ersatz_sobriquet]

I have cats it is not disclosed in my listings nor will it ever be. 

I sell vintage that has come from who knows where it has been and its history! That a current seller's home has no pets means a big fat nothing burger. 

If people want clean room sanitized osha products, then they need to purchase new, preferably not from China.