Negative feedback received

kangoora

My first negative feedback received in 3 years on Ebay (for any reason) for 'item stinking of smoke'. It's taken me down to 99.6% positive feedback.

There was no contact from the buyer by message or any returns request - just negative feedback left a week after delivery.

I'm a smoker but do not smoke where I store my ebay stock which is in a separate building from our house (garage extension). I don't advertise as coming from smoke-free home either. Unfortunately, as a smoker, I literally can't tell if something has smoke scent on it.

Is there anything I can do to get this feedback removed or do I just have to suck it up?

Flyonthewall

Suck it up, it's a perfectly valid comment.

Just because you don't advertise it's from a smoke free home or can't smell it yourself doesn't mean buyers should be happy and accept that some items may smell of smoke! For any non-smokers, the smell of smoke is horrible and it can be a pain to get rid of it out of items.

If you don't want any future feedback regarding smoke smell then make sure not to smoke just before dealing with the items and be sure to wash yours hands first, although even then there's a chance an item could smell. The longer you can leave it between smoking and dealing with an item the better.

soolin

Flyonthewall wrote: »

Suck it up, it's a perfectly valid comment.

Just because you don't advertise it's from a smoke free home or can't smell it yourself doesn't mean buyers should be happy and accept that some items may smell of smoke! For any non-smokers, the smell of smoke is horrible and it can be a pain to get rid of it out of items.

If you don't want any future feedback regarding smoke smell then make sure not to smoke just before dealing with the items and be sure to wash yours hands first, although even then there's a chance an item could smell. The longer you can leave it between smoking and dealing with an item the better.

Harsh as it seems even washing hands probably won't stop the risk of people complaining about the smell. It carries on all clothing and skin, you'd need a shower and complete change of clothes to even try and stop the smell. Cigarette smoke permeates everything and to a non smoker it is obvious and unpleasant.

All I can suggest for the OP is to state in their listings that they do smoke but items are stored away from the home , then if someone does leave a similar neg ebay may well remove it as the description should cover the issue.

Flyonthewall

soolin wrote: »

Harsh as it seems even washing hands probably won't stop the risk of people complaining about the smell. It carries on all clothing and skin, you'd need a shower and complete change of clothes to even try and stop the smell. Cigarette smoke permeates everything and to a non smoker it is obvious and unpleasant.

All I can suggest for the OP is to state in their listings that they do smoke but items are stored away from the home , then if someone does leave a similar neg ebay may well remove it as the description should cover the issue.

Agreed. If it's bigger items that are held against clothes while being moved/packed or if it takes longer to deal with the item then then just washing hands won't be enough. If it's small items that are picked up and popped straight in to a box/envelope then just washing hands should help, but there's still risk of complaints.

While ever you still smoke there's a chance an item will smell of smoke regardless of what you do to try and get rid of it.

Alisha2008

I think it's a bit unfair, they could have asked for a refund if they were not happy. Sadly those are the rules and there's nothing you can do about it. I think it clears in 1 year and if you don't get more negative feedback you go back to 100%.

kangoora

I did some searching and it seems, in USA anyway, that people do put disclaimers about goods being pre-owned and may smell of smoke and for buyers to be aware this can occur. One seller said they get negs removed by Ebay when they get them because of the disclaimer.

One reason I never sell clothes also

It may reduce my sales but I'd rather that than negatives

ballisticbrian

In my opinion it's highly unlikely eBay would remove feedback because you have a disclaimer like that. I'm not saying it didn't happen. Every opinion counts according to eBay and some buyers don't read anything at all in the listing prior to purchase.

lofielectronic

I had this once, only no one in the household smokes and the item was also washed before it was sent.

Can't comment on your case but I think some people are just odd and/or like to complain. As said, give it time and it will be forgotten and I doubt one negative feedback would put someone off bidding on anything, frustrating as it is.

soolin

lofielectronic wrote: »

I had this once, only no one in the household smokes and the item was also washed before it was sent.

Can't comment on your case but I think some people are just odd and/or like to complain. As said, give it time and it will be forgotten and I doubt one negative feedback would put someone off bidding on anything, frustrating as it is.

I'm rarely put off by a negative in otherwise good feedback, but the mention of the smoke smell might be enough to move me onto another seller, assuming the item is common. I do have a real issue with the smell of cigarette smell, I can't change the way I react to it which is probably OTT, and would not buy from anyone where I might risk getting a smoky item.

theonlywayisup

kangoora wrote: »

My first negative feedback received in 3 years on Ebay (for any reason) for 'item stinking of smoke'. It's taken me down to 99.6% positive feedback.

There was no contact from the buyer by message or any returns request - just negative feedback left a week after delivery.

I'm a smoker but do not smoke where I store my ebay stock which is in a separate building from our house (garage extension). I don't advertise as coming from smoke-free home either. Unfortunately, as a smoker, I literally can't tell if something has smoke scent on it.

Is there anything I can do to get this feedback removed or do I just have to suck it up?

If you are concerned about the comment/feedback you might want to try to resolve the buyer's problem.

Have you offered a paid return and apologised - explaining what you have explained here about not smoking near stock?

It may be if the problem is resolved the buyer may revise their feedback.

theoretica

It is also possible the smell was not cigarette smoke. Some plastic mail bags leave things in them with a smell that is more smokey than plasticy.