Removing smoke smell

I'm asking this question so I can link it to a person I sold a lens to. I'm not trying to cheat the buyer out of a refund, but they are unwilling to try the simple remedies I offered.

I requested they put it in a box with baking soda, or spray the box with febreeze and then sit the lens in the box.

I'm leary on this particular deal, because I've sold many things on this forum that have came from a home that involves cigerette smoke. I have also sold equipment that has been exposed to a campfire, which smells a lot worse then cigerette smoke. The remedy I used in my Lowepro bag that reaked of campfire smoke was baking soda.

If you guy have any other remedies that will work, I appreciate it. I didn't realize the lens smelled that bad of smoke, since my equipment was in a bag and I febreeze my room daily. My Mom smokes in the home and my room very seldom smells like smoke. This is also the first complaint I've had about cigerette smoke on my equipment, and I've sold an extensive amount of equipment.

did you tell the buyer that it came from a smoking home before the purchase? if not, you are SOL. give him the refund.

people who worry about smoke don't only worry about the smell. smoke can do bad things to the inside of electronics and if it smells like smoke that usually means smoke got inside of the electronics. how much damage is probably minimal but some people are real sticklers.

i would refund it, relist it and ask a mod to delete this thread or sell it on ebay.

Put it in a box with some fresh coffee grounds, as thats what the spill on the floor and then sweep out semi-trailer vans with to remove any smell from the previous cargo.

I grew up on a tobacco farm, and thats how we got the smell out of stuff.

baggie with a fabric softener sheet in it for a day or two, but if it was not disclosed beforehand, I would consider a refund.

I am one of those that cannot stand equipment that stink of smoke. I bought a lens just like this story, and every time I would take a picture, I could just smell it. Every time I would move the zoom, all it would do is emit the odor. I was able to get most of the smell out enough to not bug me, and when I sold it later, I did a full disclosure. I used WD40 dampened rag, wiped every bit of the exterior down, then use the baggie/softener trick, and that was helpful. The problem is the insides of the lens (elements, electronics, etc) all soak that up, and it is nearly impossible to get that out.

I love how people complain of the smell of a cigarette, yet have no issues standing beside a racetrack or living in a smog infested city....LOL

Bosscat wrote in post #8779700
I love how people complain of the smell of a cigarette, yet have no issues standing beside a racetrack or living in a smog infested city....LOL

When you grow up with a smoking parent, and everything you wear, breath, eat, etc. tastes like old cigarettes, well, yes, it is pretty disgusting. I equally love those that smoke don't realize how others that don't may feel about it.

Time may also help. You can tell them to wait for a month and if it still smells, you could give them a refund.

CosmoKid wrote in post #8779667
did you tell the buyer that it came from a smoking home before the purchase? if not, you are SOL. give him the refund.

people who worry about smoke don't only worry about the smell. smoke can do bad things to the inside of electronics and if it smells like smoke that usually means smoke got inside of the electronics. how much damage is probably minimal but some people are real sticklers.

i would refund it, relist it and ask a mod to delete this thread or sell it on ebay.

I didn't even think to mention that it came from a smoke environment. I offered a refund only if they try the remedy and the smoke smell is still unbearable. I'm not trying to stiff anyone, but this is something that cost $2 and can be done while you're sleeping and at work. It's not really any more effort and I've done it before with great results.

Had a Lowepro bag that was outside with a campfire. My bag and camera smelled like a campfire. Sealed the bag at night with baking soda and after 2-3 it was gone. Used very little febreeze in the bag as well.

I was more ticked that the person didn't want to try the remedy. It's so cheap, why not?

True Disclosure

sebr wrote in post #8779718
Time may also help. You can tell them to wait for a month and if it still smells, you could give them a refund.

Time doesn't help. I once bought a camera case that reeked of cigarettes. I put it outside on my covered patio and months later it still smelled.

However, a person who comes from a smoking environment probably could not smell it. When I smokes (20+ years ago) I couldn't smell the odor of tobacco on anyone, anywhere. However, my nose is much keener now.

Did I ask the case seller for a refund? No! But, the case only cost me ten bucks and a good bit of that would have been eaten up by shipping it back to the seller. I chucked it in the trash.

I should have found a smoking photographer to whom to give or sell it.

I am smarter now. I don't wait for a disclosure. Before I buy any item (new or used) on eBay; I ask if it comes from a smoke free environment.

I would probably send it back if it smelt like that too. Sorry. I wouldn't try the remedy either.

If the smoke is completely unbearable, then I have no issues with issuing a refund. I would be more willing if they would try a remedy first. Sounds like other people have dealt with this same issue as well, so I'm not the only one. Offered compensation for the headache as well.

Yeah, if you didn't disclose that it was from a home with smoke, you should give a refund.

Also, tell your mom to smoke outside. It's 2009.

Anke wrote in post #8779767
I would probably send it back if it smelt like that too. Sorry. I wouldn't try the remedy either.

Why would you not try the remedy? I'm just curious. I feel really bad, because I didn't think about listing it being in a smoke environment. I don't want people to perceive me as trying to cheat them out of money or anything like that. Just really didn't think about it at all.

MikeFairbanks wrote in post #8779780
Yeah, if you didn't disclose that it was from a home with smoke, you should give a refund.

Also, tell your mom to smoke outside. It's 2009.

If my equipment goes up for sale again I will make sure and make a disclosure. I will also leave it sealed with baking soda until it sells again. I feel pretty bad about this one, because I understand their frustration. I'm more frustrated then they are.

I don't want to look like I'm cheating anyone either.

weezerfan84 wrote in post #8779789
Why would you not try the remedy? I'm just curious. I feel really bad, because I didn't think about listing it being in a smoke environment. I don't want people to perceive me as trying to cheat them out of money or anything like that. Just really didn't think about it at all.

Like others have said though, tobacco smoke will always be with the equipment, pretty much like cat piss, you can't really get rid of it. You would have to take the lens apart and clean out the insides, because the smell is really layers of particles over time accumulated everywhere. You can make it better, you can't get rid of it completely. I was willing to work with it when I received mine, but others just don't want to mess with the attempt.

Some people's olfactory senses are more sensitive than others too, so maybe the buyer has this heightened sense of smell. My two good senses in my old age are smell and hearing, I don't remember what the others are!