Advice on a recent eBay purchase...

I'm not exactly sure where to put this, but since it involves a lens, I'm sticking it here for now!

So I spent a couple of weeks looking heavily for a Sigma 24-60mm f/2.8. One finally popped up on eBay from a very reputable seller, but the auction was going to end at a time when I wouldn't have access to my computer. So, I took a shot in the dark and offered to buy it immediately from the guy...and, to my surprise, he agreed! He actually ended the auction and relisted it as a Buy it Now. And he was incredibly helpful the whole time.

Fast-forward to today; I opened the box and upon looking closely at the lens, realized that it smelled like cigarette smoke. I can't STAND the smell of cigarette smoke. I've had a few other people smell it and it doesn't seem to bother them at all (it's really not very strong), but there's no way that I, personally, am going to be able to use this lens.

So I'm not sure exactly what to do. I feel really bad making the guy jump through hoops to get the lens, and I'm not much of a "complain forcefully to get what you want" kind of guy. At this point I've e-mailed him (only about 15 minutes ago) saying that I'd appreciate a refund but will understand if he won't do it (and that I'd end up giving him Neutral feedback). Sometimes I really wish I had more cojones as far as stuff like this goes! I'm still waiting for a response.

The question is: is it worth pressing hard for a refund or should I just accept that I created special circumstances for the purchase and relist it for a loss? He seems like a real stand-up guy, so I hope it's a moot point.

Thanks all!

Put the lens into a plastic bag with an open box of Baking Soda (Sodium Bicarbonate) inside the bag. Seal the bag and let the lens sit in there for a few days.

Wilt wrote in post #10710286
Put the lens into a plastic bag with an open box of Baking Soda (Sodium Bicarbonate) inside the bag. Seal the bag and let the lens sit in there for a few days.

Yupp. Or something like this:
http://www.petco.com …B9C043EB&mr:ref​erralID=NA

Also, wipe the lens down completely with a safe cleaning agent.

Get it returned. I always ask if it has odors in addition to fungus/scratches/etc before I buy.

No offense, but something as simple as cleaning and you can't figure out a way around it and instead want to return it because of cigarette smell? The lens has no fabric on it, smell will go away with a simple wipe down.

I bought a lens that smelled of smoke a few months ago. It went away in a week or two. Just give it some fresh air.

Threatening neutral feedback isn't the right approach IMHO.

If the auction said from a smoke free environment then you can ask for a refund. One thing you can do to get rid of the smell is rent a commercial ionizer machine. I use to have a business that cleaned air in cars, hotel rooms, businesses that had smoke smells in them. Most of the smell was from smokers, but we also cleaned the air and products that were in a fire.

Take Care,
Cheers, Patrick

Is it really that simple to get rid of cigarette smell? I feel a bit stupid now...I kind of always just assumed it was a "here to stay" kind of odor.

Still, I'm going to hope for a refund...but it's nice to know that it may be reversible. I consider cigarette odor to be a definite must-mention when selling things. I've seen the effects of nicotine buildup inside electronics and it's absolutely horrific. I'm definitely not going to do too much real "threatening" though because, as I said, aside from not mentioning that issue the seller has been great.

Kind of a moot point now since you already emailed him but since he seemed nice you could have offered to pay to ship it back to him and cover any relisting fees.

I agree with Dan C, threatening an eBay seller with feedback isn't a very good way to go. If he is reasonable see if he will take a return before you bring up feedback.

Good luck reversing an eBay transaction....eBay charges the seller a fee for the transaction.

Quit being so difficult and use one of the several suggestions. The smell of smoke dissipates in the air by itself. Deodorizers like baking soda simply help to hasten what would occur by itself. If you want to dampen a cloth with vinegar, wipe the lens, and then wipe the vinegar dry with a dry cloth, that works too.

BKATX wrote in post #10710518
Kind of a moot point now since you already emailed him but since he seemed nice you could have offered to pay to ship it back to him and cover any relisting fees.

I agree with Dan C, threatening an eBay seller with feedback isn't a very good way to go.

Ugh, I feel really bad now. I kind of figured that my paying all of that stuff was kind of assumed already. And I definitely didn't say "I'm going to give you $@$&ing negative feedback if you don't refund my money!" But I'm already regretting saying anything of the sort. I think I picked a bad situation in which to attempt to be more assertive!

In fact, here...you may read that particular, pathetic part of my e-mail right now:

That's literally what I wrote...how lame is that?? I post it here in the hopes that public scorn will teach me some sort of lesson!

No need to feel bad. I understand you spent money for something and didn't like the outcome. If there were ashes inside the lens then by all means I agree you need to be assertive and demand a refund. But there are many simple solutions to get rid of smell that the time you have spent on trying to get a refund you'd probably gotten rid of the smoke. The lens as delicate and cherished we photographers treat it, can take the punishment of a gentle cleaning

Is this for real.
If it is, words defy me.
This would have to be one of the most ridiculous things I've seen on the interwebs
Nuff said.

ps: I'm not a smoker.

philwillmedia wrote in post #10710655
Is this for real.
If it is, words defy me.
This would have to be one of the most ridiculous things I've seen on the interwebs
Nuff said.

ps: I'm not a smoker.

Well, A. the smell of smoke makes my eyes water. I can't really help that, and it certainly doesn't aid in looking through a viewfinder. And B. the smell of smoke implies other potential problems. Perhaps you've never looked inside a computer that's been in a smoker's home for a few years? The nicotine creates this orange/brown buildup that looks like some fungus that's been growing in a deep, dank cave.

That having been said, I definitely overreacted.

Edit: And by the way, I actually don't have any problem with smokers (sorry if it seems that way) or even being around smoke; but when there's no actual smoke in the area and I'm still having my eyes water in the middle of an eye-oriented activity, it's pretty annoying!

cptrios wrote in post #10710691
Edit: And by the way, I actually don't have any problem with smokers (sorry if it seems that way) or even being around smoke; but when there's no actual smoke in the area and I'm still having my eyes water in the middle of an eye-oriented activity, it's pretty annoying!

Agreed. Maybe just give it like, fresh air. Wait like a day or, 2.