"Does it smell?"

[Liz]

How do you respond to this question from potential buyers?

I’ve received 2 questions from potential buyers of different items, asking if the item in question smelled weird. It doesn’t smell weird *to me*, but smell is subjective. I don’t know how to answer the question without sounding coy.

[sonia]

I would answer that kind of question roughly like this:

“This is a difficult question, as different people smell things differently, and also have different levels of sensitivity to smells. Here’s what I can tell you:
1) I store this item in a bin/box/closet. When I open this bin/box/closet, I don’t notice any smell (like I sometimes do if an item does have a smell, which then gets concentrated when stored in an enclosed space).
b) It does not have the strong moldy/musty smell that I have noticed on some vintage items in thrift/antique shops.”

It’s also a little easier for me to answer this question, since I am *very* sensitive to smells of various kinds, so I also mention this to the customer, as a way to imply that if I don’t detect the smell, then it’s not there.

[ebaymom]

I block them! Smells like trouble down the road to me…

[Liz]

Ebaymom, I blocked someone last night because they were being a little too “intense” about a $20 needlepoint kit, and then asked “Does it have any musty or other smells?”. I checked their feedback history, and they had left many for other buyers, saying “This item arrived with xyz flaw, but seller gave me an immediate discount/refund”. Nope, not playing that game with you, lady! Blocked! She’s messaged me twice since then to demand an explanation for why I blocked her. Which proves it was the right decision to block her!

Then today, I get another “does it smell?” question on a different item. Ugh.

[Jay]

Sonia has a good, clear answer. We just say that items are from a non-smoking home and kept in climate controlled storage.

If the person is normal, that should do it. If the questions become too intense, we block since some buyers seem to front load a lot of worry that becomes a problem later. These are the kind of buyers who should buy things in person so they can do all the inspection they need to do.

[Retro Treasures WV]

In the past I have outright told a couple of these “special” customers that my item is probably not what they are wanting and I don’t want them to be disappointed. I have been thanked for my honesty twice. The others just go away.

[ebaymom]

Yes, I was going to add.. I will check feedback left for others to get a “sixth sense” about if this person is going to be a pain to deal with or not.. just don’t need more hassle over a $20 item…
The last time I was asked this question was regarding some used vintage tins.. “Did they have any odor”.. well yeah.. they are used vintage tins and smell kinda oldish… I just responded, “Yes, they do have an odor.. probably not for you…” (This way if they choose to buy it.. well, they know what they are getting themselves into and can’t complain.) I try to always downplay my items very slightly, like Jay says, disclose all the flaws so there are no surprises! That way the customers are usually quite happy with what they receive.
If the item is musty … I sit it out on my front porch in the sunlight/air for 3 days to freshen it up. I have also listed musty items and just explain there is a slight musty (or slight cigarette, etc.) odor and people still buy them if you put it in the description!

[Linda Shields]

As “How do you quantify a weird smell?” Then block them.

[Retro Treasures WV]

To get Engineering geeky, respond by asking them to provide the applicable inspection code and/or international standard that they would like you to inspect the smell to.

[Amatino]

Speaking of smells, does anyone have a solution for cigarette smoke? I bought a lovely leather suitcase set, stuck it in the car and drove to an errand, leaving it in the car for about 2 hours. The hour and a half drive home afterwards was torture, with all the car windows open wide in the cold! The set has spent the past six weeks in the carport, under cover but with “fresh air” and still reeks. The car is also driving me to tears (excuse the pun!)

I tried coffee grounds too, but they didn’t help either.

[Freds_Premium]

I had some nylon camo hunting pants last year that smelled of smoke. I hung it from a clothes hanger on a tree branch outside for a few days. It smelled really good afterward.

[Jay]

Heavy smoke is a tough one. We’ve tried sunshine, newspapers, everything.

The best way is probably to buy an ozone machine: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ozone#Production

Put it in a sealed room. Make sure no pets or humans are in the room.
This is how they get rid of smells when there’s a rotting dead body in a house.

[Jay]

Oh, and I’ve never used an ozone generator, but they are for sale on amazon: http://tinyw.in/6FT9

[Amatino]

ROFL!

This is how they get rid of smells when there’s a rotting dead body in a house.

Oh, dear lord, how do you know this stuff??? 😉

Thanks, Jay.

[Jay]

I learned it from Mike from Atlanta on these forums. Those smells don’t get rid of themselves.

[WBird]

In a related story, I got this message today regarding a jacket listing already described with detailed measurements:

“Will this fit a woman with a large bust comfortably (44D) 36 Waist and 44 Hips? She stands 5’3”

…I’m supposed to know if she will be comfortable in it???

[Linda Shields]

I once replied to a man asking for photos of my feet for a listing of sneakers, “Are you a pervert?” Then I blocked him. Maybe the same guy??”

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