( 
)
Does your seller disclose if your item has ever been exposed to pet/tobacco odors?
Use this guide to avoid giving/receiving negs from others that are more sensitive to smells than you may be.
BUYER: It's almost impossible to say whether an item has or has not been exposed to odors that you may find offensive, unless the seller has had control of the item from listing to sale. In that case, the seller should have defined its origin, and done the best job possible to sanitize it for the benefit of others. If you have specific questions, ask your seller via their eBay ID. If an item arrives that does not meet your expectations, there are a variety of choices for assistance, if your seller will not help you.
SELLER: if you smoke, or have pets, you should say so, because it affects your items (whether you know it or not). When I listed/stored items, they were in a separate room, equipped with a weather-stripped door, and an air filter, changed on a regular basis. I showered, no perfume, and used hand sanitizer, for those sensitive to any smells. I made this effort for all my customers. You should, too. It's better to declare it now, than be negged later. It only takes a small amount of effort once you get into a routine of doing so.
Especially with the competitive nature of eBay in the current state. You do not need a reason to hand a buyer a neg because your item "smelled funny". Also, do NOT use Fabreeze, Lysol, perfume, or other products to cover up the smell, then package it up immediately. It won't work, and may make any allergies of the buyer even worse because the smell(s) will increase upon shipping.
When I sold items, they were described as:
"Pet/Tobacco Odors" -- As I obtain my merchandise from a variety of sources, in most cases, I am unable to GUARANTEE that the item has never been exposed to pet(s) or tobacco. However, when possible, items have been laundered, cleaned, or sanitized before listing. Auction items are stored in a pet-free and tobacco-free area.
I am a smoker, but none of my customers knew it...upon receiving their item, because I took extra care to clean my merchandise, and stored it in a smoke-free environment, after I obtained it. I also mentioned it in my TOS. If you are a smoker and also sell on eBay, this may be helpful to you, as well. Smokers cannot detect a "stinky" smell that non-smokers will immediately pick up on.
For cleaning items, here is what worked for me:
1) clothing: launder with perfume-free detergent, twice. Dry on gentle cycle with non-perfumed dryer sheets. Store in tobacco/pet free area in clean, zippered plastic bags
2) glassware: soak in a mild detergent/bleach solution for at least 30 minutes. Rinse in clean water. Soak in clean water for another 30 minutes. If necessary, clean with an old toothbrush to remove stains. Store in tobacco/pet free area in clean, wrapped paper.
3) shoes: For tennis shoes-type of footwear, launder if possible. Otherwise, liberally spray with Lysol, set in sun for at least 30 minutes. Let sit for about a week in closed area. Store as noted above.
If you found this helpful, please click the "YES" button below. Thank you
Use this guide to avoid giving/receiving negs from others that are more sensitive to smells than you may be.
BUYER: It's almost impossible to say whether an item has or has not been exposed to odors that you may find offensive, unless the seller has had control of the item from listing to sale. In that case, the seller should have defined its origin, and done the best job possible to sanitize it for the benefit of others. If you have specific questions, ask your seller via their eBay ID. If an item arrives that does not meet your expectations, there are a variety of choices for assistance, if your seller will not help you.
SELLER: if you smoke, or have pets, you should say so, because it affects your items (whether you know it or not). When I listed/stored items, they were in a separate room, equipped with a weather-stripped door, and an air filter, changed on a regular basis. I showered, no perfume, and used hand sanitizer, for those sensitive to any smells. I made this effort for all my customers. You should, too. It's better to declare it now, than be negged later. It only takes a small amount of effort once you get into a routine of doing so.
Especially with the competitive nature of eBay in the current state. You do not need a reason to hand a buyer a neg because your item "smelled funny". Also, do NOT use Fabreeze, Lysol, perfume, or other products to cover up the smell, then package it up immediately. It won't work, and may make any allergies of the buyer even worse because the smell(s) will increase upon shipping.
When I sold items, they were described as:
"Pet/Tobacco Odors" -- As I obtain my merchandise from a variety of sources, in most cases, I am unable to GUARANTEE that the item has never been exposed to pet(s) or tobacco. However, when possible, items have been laundered, cleaned, or sanitized before listing. Auction items are stored in a pet-free and tobacco-free area.
I am a smoker, but none of my customers knew it...upon receiving their item, because I took extra care to clean my merchandise, and stored it in a smoke-free environment, after I obtained it. I also mentioned it in my TOS. If you are a smoker and also sell on eBay, this may be helpful to you, as well. Smokers cannot detect a "stinky" smell that non-smokers will immediately pick up on.
For cleaning items, here is what worked for me:
1) clothing: launder with perfume-free detergent, twice. Dry on gentle cycle with non-perfumed dryer sheets. Store in tobacco/pet free area in clean, zippered plastic bags
2) glassware: soak in a mild detergent/bleach solution for at least 30 minutes. Rinse in clean water. Soak in clean water for another 30 minutes. If necessary, clean with an old toothbrush to remove stains. Store in tobacco/pet free area in clean, wrapped paper.
3) shoes: For tennis shoes-type of footwear, launder if possible. Otherwise, liberally spray with Lysol, set in sun for at least 30 minutes. Let sit for about a week in closed area. Store as noted above.
If you found this helpful, please click the "YES" button below. Thank you
Guide created: 08/09/08 (updated 06/08/09)
Thank you for voting. If your vote meets our 
