eBay items stinks of smoke, seller denies responsibility

Wizzbang

Hi,

I purchased a ballgown on eBay which is beautiful- however when it arrives it STINKS of smoke. It is very large and heavy and is going to cost a fortune to get dry cleaned. I paid quite a lot for it, or else I wouldn't be complaining. I asked for a partial refund to cover the cost of cleaning.

I contacted the seller who is denying responsibility as she is a business and says her stock is held in a non-smoking warehouse. She claims to have another dress, exactly the same, from exactly the same source which she claims doesn't smell. She has nothing of the type listed on eBay.

Obviously this is tricky- how can she believe me as much as how can I believe her. As you can't bottle up a smell, my only choice would be to return the garment. I don't want to do this as it's not likely I will find another as it is a vintage piece.

Should I just accept the situation? I accept that vintage clothing sometimes has a musty smell, but this is totally another level of STINK. I fail to see how it would have picked up the smell in Royal Mail's system given it was in a sealed jiffy bag with plastic bubble lining.

[Deleted User]

Either send it back for a refund or file a Paypal claim as SNAD and wait for Paypal to investigate. They will ask you to send in a scratch and sniff email so they can smell the alleged smell.

mrcol1000

If the seller refuses to cover the cost of cleaning then all you can do is return. If you open a case for not as described then should get a pre-paid label to return and a full refund. If you want to keep it then no-one can force them to do a partial refund. You can leave feedback you feel appropriate though.

The seller may think its non-smoking warehouse but what the rules are and what staff do are very different things. There are also tons of other reasons it could smell of smoke. If the seller is selling vintage clothing then they should be on top of this.

Brywalker

MrCol's right I'm afraid. If you want the dress you're just going to just have to bear the cost of cleaning it yourself.

wannabeslim

Maybe you could leave the dress outside and invest in a bottle of fabreeze before paying for a dry cleaning bill

Andypandyboy

I know this seem like a strange question but are you abslutely sure it is smoke? I ask because I sold an item which the buyer said smelled of smoke and that wasn't possible. No one smokes here, and never has.


It turned out that the packaging ( purpose bought padded jiffy bag) was giving off a smell when it got warm which had been picked up by the item. I never used those types of bags again.

Double_V

If it means something.
I would just bear the cost and get it dry cleaned. Safe from all hassle.
These disputes sometimes takes weeks.

goodfella66

If the item was sent in a mailing bag, sometimes these leave a smokey type of smell on clothing.

wdah

wannabeslim wrote: »

Maybe you could leave the dress outside and invest in a bottle of fabreeze before paying for a dry cleaning bill

I second this - I've had the same issue a few times, and it's amazing what a difference a good airing can make.

lovinituk

goodfella66 wrote: »

If the item was sent in a mailing bag, sometimes these leave a smokey type of smell on clothing.

Yep, this is very common, particularly with some of the cheaper ones.

Obviously_the_best

Most likely the seller was telling the truth and it's actually the mailing bag responsible.

Those plastic liners often give off smokey type smells when they get warm.