Nicotined items - I never thought to ask!!!

larmy16

I feel such a loser. I really love old telephones from the sixties and seventies and went into a bit of a buying frenzy when I saw so many on ebay! Would you believe I had not so long ago binned a load, thinking no-one else could possibly want them! Then on ebay I see a few that I would dearly love to have and bought them no problems.

When I realised there seemed to be a market for these phones, I thought I would buy a few to sell back in the future. What a wally! It never occured to me that people would sell ones that have been ruined with nicotine and of course it doesn't show in the photos and I never thought to ask?? The last one that arrived smelled like an old ashtray, was really discoloured and even worse was dirty (one can always clean something up cant they?). I have left an email with the seller (polite) and didnt leave neg feedback as yet (I dont think I should til they have a chance to put right). The thing is the phone was cheap, it was the p&p made up the price and sending it back seems such a faff!

Oh well, you live and learn and somethings leave you just plain . No more phones for me!

masonic

Maybe they thought it added to the charm of the phone .

larmy16

masonic wrote:

Maybe they thought it added to the charm of the phone .

Totally charming - if you plug them in at night and view by candlelight!!

purplegirluk1

People who live in smokey houses often don't realise when something has a very strong nicotine smell i'm afraid so it may not be a case of deliberate deception. I usually look if the item is listed as comong form a non smoking household then that way you can almost guarantee that it wont be smelly and stained. I hope that the seller accepts that they have sent you an item that isn't how you would like it to be and will try to sort things out. On the other hand if you want to try and rescue it (and sometimes thats much more fun that buying it perfect!) you could try to use a smokers tooth paste on it as I think that should help remove the stain!

larmy16

I have been trying everything even tooth whitening but not the smokers toothpaste, bicarb soda, borax, sugar soap, oh too much to mention, but thanx.

pug_in_a_bed

I've just got this image of cybil fawlty on one of those phones, fag in one hand, choc in the other lol

larmy16

pug_in_a_bed wrote:

I've just got this image of cybil fawlty on one of those phones, fag in one hand, choc in the other lol

I think Basil was wise though and bought a black one and a grey one (if I remember rightly) so Sybils ciggies would not stain theirs! Its the beige ones that get it. Sometimes at car boot sales, you see old tvs and computer monitors which were originally beige but are now that "special" yellow.

blue_monkey_2

Have you tried those new 'Magic Sponges'? They get everything off. Give it a go. Flash and JML both make one!!

sjpkgp

I empathise. I once "won" a heavy-weight cream lace fabric piece - ideal for bed throw. I got a damp/nicotine smelling net curtain, albeit quite a thick design.

I put it down to experience, there is obviously some things you should simply not buy on ebay.

larmy16

blue_monkey wrote:

Have you tried those new 'Magic Sponges'? They get everything off. Give it a go. Flash and JML both make one!!

Thanks for that. Even they dont remove it!!! I am all out of ideas now. Its funny I thought I saw something in a Betterwar or Kleenex cat. showing this computer wiped with a magic something or other and the nicotine was gone, but you know I am beginning to think it was a wishful dream

larmy16

sjpkgp wrote:

I empathise. I once "won" a heavy-weight cream lace fabric piece - ideal for bed throw. I got a damp/nicotine smelling net curtain, albeit quite a thick design.

I put it down to experience, there is obviously some things you should simply not buy on ebay.

Oh yuck you poor thing. I have been visiting an old lady today whose washing machine is "that" yellow - in fact most of her flat is :eek:

You are right though, it is a learning experience. It is funny though cos, I bought one of those direct line phones, the red ones on wheels and as soon as I opened it and saw the "yellow" buttons, my heart sank!! The picture which probably was not this phone, showed nice whiteish buttons (it was a bit blurred come to think of it ), from now on I would always ask before I bid on anything originally white or beige!!