feedback advice please

ggjacks

hi

would like some advice from you experienced ebayers please!
ordered some personalised party invitations for my sons birthday party. it stated first class delivery in the listing.

I paid immediately, and a week later still hadn't received them. I contacted he seller who said they were on their way, they arrived 2 days later, so 9 days in total.

but my issue is that they absolutely stank of cigarette smoke. when I opened the envelope my 4 year old said "urrgg mummy they smell disgusting!" I went and bought a bottle of febreze which has just about got rid of the smell. I don't know how things can smell so strong, the seller must be making the invitations whilst "having a fag!"

anyway the invitations actually were nice, and after a good airing and spraying have almost got rid of the smell, just a faint linger. what would you leave? tempted to leave pos but a comment about the smell?

thanks

cestlavie

i'd mark down on delivery and deffo mention smoke-smell in fb. maybe seller, if a hardened smoker, has no idea re smell! ( = was amazed to watch tv prog on lily allen last week - she was filmed about to open a boutique of vintage clothes... everyone in her office seemed to smoke like a trouper and all the clothes were in the same room.... doh! how dumb are they??!)

mikey72

I'd email the seller, and leave a response based on what he replies.
Cigarette smell isn't acceptable at all.

botanical

I'd leave a positive with a comment on smoke smell. Although most people only check up on neutrals and negatives, it's still your overall impression of the completed transaction, so it would be accurate, which is what feedback is for.

botanical

cestlavie wrote: »

i'd mark down on delivery and deffo mention smoke-smell in fb. maybe seller, if a hardened smoker, has no idea re smell! ( = was amazed to watch tv prog on lily allen last week - she was filmed about to open a boutique of vintage clothes... everyone in her office seemed to smoke like a trouper and all the clothes were in the same room.... doh! how dumb are they??!)

There are no stars for delivery, only dispatch. If the seller dispatched the item within the timeframe on the listing, she should receive 5 stars. If Royal Mail delivered it slowly, why should the seller be marked down?

theonlywayisup

It could be the bag used has caused them to smell. It is not uncommen for cheap plastic mailing bags to smell smoky.

Despite whether the item said first class or not, what is important is what the listing said for dispatch time.

botanical

theonlywayisup wrote: »

It could be the bag used has caused them to smell. It is not uncommen for cheap plastic mailing bags to smell smoky.

Despite whether the item said first class or not, what is important is what the listing said for dispatch time.

If it was the bag (I've heard that too), then asking the seller would be the thing, but they may simply lie.

Although to me cigarette smoke does smell very unpleasant. Stale perfume and body sprays don't smell that nice either.

I feel a bit guilty because I recently left a remark about cigarette smoke in positive feedback without first contacting the seller.

OP, are you sure it was cigarettes?

ggjacks

thanks for the replies everyone. yes I am 100% sure it is cigarette smoke. despatch said next working day.

thanks again

building_with_lego

I bought some toys recently that absolutely reeked of smoke. (Packed in paper so no plastic bag to blame!). I initially wrote "positive feedback... but smelt of smoke" but changed it to "smelt of smoke BUT ...positive feedback" as I was happier with the transaction than cross with the smell. I felt that that informed other buyers but lessened the criticism a little.

botanical

building_with_lego wrote: »

I bought some toys recently that absolutely reeked of smoke. (Packed in paper so no plastic bag to blame!). I initially wrote "positive feedback... but smelt of smoke" but changed it to "smelt of smoke BUT ...positive feedback" as I was happier with the transaction than cross with the smell. I felt that that informed other buyers but lessened the criticism a little.

wonderful exactitude!

building_with_lego

I thank you