Help! So discusted!

[Anonymous]

I could use any experience that you sellers might have and how to deal with this!

I have had three feedbacks in the last month saying my items smell like cigarette smoke.

I do not smoke and I do not ship from a smoking environment I am very careful about this.  I have been selling for 12 years.

Just for the heck of it I contacted five buyers that I have sold to in the last month all of which said my items did not smell like smoke and that they have non-smoking households so they would know.

I am receiving negative feedback for this and returns I do not appreciate any of this.

After 12 years I am ready to quit selling please if anyone has any ideas how I can stop this let me know!!

Ebay will do NOTHING.

THANKS!!

[chapeau-noir]

There's nothing eBay *can* do - they have no idea where the item is, what route it takes to get to the buyer, and the buyer circumstance.  There's something happening between your premises and theirs.  Do you wrap your items in plastic?  If so, they should be proof against loading dock diesel and the possibility that the carrier smokes.  If you don't, they're exposed to whatever environment they go through on their way to your buyer.  Check your shipping supplies - if you use poly envelopes are they gassing out?  I had a pile that did that and they smelled like smoke.

[rudy2828]

They can't do anything. Been here 20 years and never had a claim for that. Odd.

[2013grotz]

Smoke smell is a very possible thing even in a non-smoke free home.  Smoke has a lot of burnt tar in it, and will accumulate on anything that it touches, and will especially grate into clothing like what you are selling.  Think petroleum jelly and you get a picture of the kind of consistency the tar has when it condenses.

I recall spending a couple of hours scrubbing tar off of a section of tile on a wall where a smoker stayed and did that, mainly because the soap water just turned into a brown mess so quickly and I had to keep changing it out.  I've also talked with computer techs where they've literally could take a popsicle stick and goop tar out of a computer they were working on.It's especially hard to get out of clothing, too as it permeates the whole thing.  I've also been seen as a smoker in the past just for *being around* one and coming out smelling like smoke.

I don't know where you source your items, but it's possible either a previous owner smoked around those garments or a postal carrier was smoking at some point through the route or it was around some fuel.  If you wrap in plastic, you'll handle the last two, but the plastic will concentrate the smell of whatever it is in, and you would have smoke smell pretty readily for a garment that's had smoke exposed to it in the past.

That said, other than the suggestion already made of plastic, you might make a point to check your items for smell closer if you're getting them second-hand.  Even putting an item into a odorless plastic bag for a day or two and pulling it out might be warranted to determine if the garment has *been* in a smoke-filled environment.

Hope some of that helps.

[powell-memorabilia]

Receiving three complaints of cigarette smoke is indicative of a problem on your end, or somewhere along the journey. Best to look at your items, your house, how you pack, etc. than to blame buyers.

[spreadlovelikefire]

A few years ago I had this happen to me.  I had two customers, living in different areas, contact me that the items I sent smelt like smoke.  I do not smoke, I'm actually allergic.  A few days later I received a package and it smelled of smoke.  I figured out that my mail deliver person was smoking in the mail truck.  Even though the item was wrapped in plastic it still smelled of smoke.  This happens all the time even though they are technically not suppose to be smoking in the trucks.  When I saw him the next day I explained that my mail smelled of smoke.  I then reported my local usps and it never happened again.  Not that this is what is happening with you but it did happen with me.  

[soh.maryl]

Here's a suggestion:  Have no idea what the rules are for USPS, UPS, FedEx etc drivers in their vehicles, but I've more than once been at a light beside a delivery truck in the summer when the truck door was open and the driver was smoking.  At least one was a cigar.  

[stuff4divas]

@Anonymous   

Myself and the other tenants in our strict "no smoking allowed" building were receiving "strong cigarette smoke smell" items in our UPS delivered packages.

The driver was a chain smoker and we would see him with a cigarette in his mouth going to the back of the truck to get packages and carrying them into our and neighbors buildings.

When we went to the vestibule, you could literally smell the smoke emanating from the packages. It was disgusting.

We put in a complaint to UPS headquarters and after a few weeks, we had a different driver and never had that problem since.

At first, I too blamed the seller, but had to later apologize to them.

[ckimodog]

@Anonymous 

I had an issue like that a while back.  My USPS postal carrier was smoking in the truck.  I was told by one of the managers at my postal outlet, they're not supposed to smoke in the trucks.  I believe it's the same for UPS.  However it doesn't mean that the postal carrier is going to abide by that rule.  Once the package leaves your residence it's out of our control whether it's against the rules or not.  Sorry for your situation.  

[12345jamesstamps]

Drop the smoke-free statement on your items. I sell stamps in a smoke free place but do I really  need to post that on my stuff? I think just that statement gives a reason for buyers to complain about. Selling clothes is not easy...there are always a few...my own opinion here...buyers think clothes are on approval and easy to return since the buyer can't really try on the clothes...and remember those who buy something in a real store to wear one day and return it the next day. They actually suggest when you buy clothes in a store to wash them first in case someone tried them on in the store. Also, a lot of clothes and bedding are made in third world countries and can include free of charge bed-bugs....Very brand new stuff in a store. 

[fab_finds4u]

First, your policy is returns accepted. They can return it for any reason.

Next is you possibly have buyers that changed their mind but need a not as described reason  to stick you with return shipping. 

Your smoke  disclaimer is hurting you.

When eBay used to decide case by case smoke smells were not covered.  An eBay blue said "smells would only be a valid return reason if the listing states it comes from a smoke free home."

"If the seller has no disclaimer about smoke or pets, then the buyer's concerns regarding odors related to these factors would not be covered."

Since eBay no longer decides case by case I would remove anything about smoke from the description and report future buyers for abuse  that claim smoke or musty odors or smells  as the reason for a not as described claim. 

[ms.rodriguez*]

Perhaps buy some baggies and make sure that you seal it completely in the plastic bag. Make sure that you tape it to prevent the baggie from opening.  On the negative, why don't you email the buyer and explain that it must've been the mail carrier and ask if they will kindly revise the feedback  if you send them a feedback revision form. Promise them a partial discount of 10% or 5 bucks after the feedback is revised.  They just might do it. Then of course, send them the small refund.  Then block them just to make sure that they do not rebid.

I would also make a complaint at the local post office and also call that 1-800 number and complain there a few days later just to make sure that the message is received.

[456mainstreetshopping]

Some buyers use it to scam you. Maybe they dont like the item that much, paid more then they thought it was worth or it did not fit the way they wanted, just to get a discount. If they message you before leaving feedback, it surely is a scam.  I just tell them if they are not happy with the item, I have a simple  return for refund policy. 10% return the item the rest keep it. 

[meme6253]

I Get The Same Problem Now & Then, & WE Do Not Smoke !!

[soh.maryl]

Not sure I understand how a partial refund would erase the smoke smell.

And offering a partial refund to get FB changed sounds like buying FB and, if so, would be against eBay rules.