Resolved!

[LittleSpiffy]

I am torn!

I purchased a lot of vintage Sylvanian Family type bears and I really like them...but they all reek of mildew/mold!

It seems that the bears are in very good condition and aren't the source of the mildew, but the stench is so darn bad (not to mention it's making it difficult for me to breathe - I'm not having an asthma attack, but if I opened ALL of these bears I probably would).  They came in little individual boxes.  I removed one from the box and it filled a 16 x 20 room with the stench 

Now, I know the old trick of burying items under kitty litter to remove odors...which means I have to go buy kitty litter and wait for it to work.

On the other hand, should I open a claim against the buyer on eBay?  I mean, there is no way she didn't know these stink.  She listed they have age related wear, but nothing about this stench.  I don't want to sound like a jerk and tell her "hey, I want to keep these bears and want a partial refund because they're a health hazard and to clean them up is going to cost me money & time."

*sigh*

Thoughts?

[ponylady]

I think before you open a claim, you should approach your seller via email and see how she would like to handle it. Unfortunately she may request they be returned for a full refund. She also may surprisingly be a gem about it and offer a partial before you request one.  It's going to be up to her. The thing is even if you do open a claim, eBay will most definitely tell you to return them back to her if an agreement can't be made. 

[Aadra310]

Well, that's a bummer! 

It could be possible she couldn't smell them.  I buy used toys from garage sales, charity shop, flea markets, etc.  Sometimes, I honestly can't tell there's anything funky about them until I get them home and open the bag.  If her whole house smells, she honestly might not know.

I've washed Sylvanians before.  Even scrubbed really manky ones with a soft bristle brush and let them dry for a few days, rotating them to make sure any water has a chance to come out.  If you don't want to wait for litter, it might be worth a shot.  Sticking them in with a dryer sheet might help, too.  Do the boxes smell?  If those aren't an accessory to the line, maybe you could toss them.

[LittleSpiffy]

I had to put the whole box they were shipped in (bears and all) in a thick lawn-sized trash bag a few moments ago - I can't breathe

Everything smells - the boxes, the bears, the clothes - it's awful. 

If her whole house smells, I'm worried for her health!  I mean, these are BAD bears.  But I know what you're sating, Aadra - sometimes I can't smell (or see) problems until I get them home (or if they're at home, take them outside).  Secondhand items are tricky!

Ponylady, it seems that there is no option for a claim - just a return where I pay the shipping.  Which, at this point, maybe I should be glad - return shipping is $11.30 for the flat rate box she shipped them in (ouch).  I'm a bit ticked that I'll be out $11.30, my time, and have to figure out how to repackage these darn bears without feeling like I'm about to die (I guess go outside where it's negative-something or other).

Okay, now I'm just complaining

How does this sound?

"Hello - thank you for sending the items so quickly!  They are very cute and look great, however you didn't mention that they have an overpowering mold/mildew smell in your listing.  Although I would love to keep them, I don't know if I will be able to remove the smell.  I've had to place the box you shipped them in (bears and all) in a thick trash bag to contain the odor (I have asthma and they're causing me to have breathing difficulty).  How would you like to proceed?"

[ponylady]

I think that sounds perfect  Hopefully she will be willing to work things out.

[CupidStrikes]

I had a seller give me a partial refund for items that stank of cigarette smoke. I had to stand my ground a bit as at first he denied he smoked, then said he did, but not in the room where he handled his merchandise, then finally admitted to smoking in his workroom in the past week (pity he was such a piece of work, I'd bought from him before with no problems).

If the seller doesn't offer it, I think you could reasonably get Ebay to either cover the cost of return postage or force the seller to, as they haven't properly disclosed the condition of the items and they're a health hazard.

[LittleSpiffy]

I had a seller give me a partial refund for items that stank of cigarette smoke. I had to stand my ground a bit as at first he denied he smoked, then said he did, but not in the room where he handled his merchandise, then finally admitted to smoking in his workroom in the past week (pity he was such a piece of work, I'd bought from him before with no problems).

If the seller doesn't offer it, I think you could reasonably get Ebay to either cover the cost of return postage or force the seller to, as they haven't properly disclosed the condition of the items and they're a health hazard.

Thank you for the advice - I initiated a return request after hearing back from the seller.  I'll contact eBay to see if they'll cover the return shipping costs.

Here's what the seller said:

"I had no idea I did not notice any smell on the bears, but I dont think I smelled them. The box could was from some estate. The bears can be returned for a refund. I do apologize for not catching the smell."

[Loa]

At least she's honest and is offering a solution.
If you are wanting to keep them,  perhaps you negotiate on shipping costs?

[LittleSpiffy]

At least she's honest and is offering a solution.
If you are wanting to keep them,  perhaps you negotiate on shipping costs?

I think it's best for me to return them - I don't know if I'll be able to tolerate deodorizing them (if it's even possible)

[Ringlets]

I'm glad that your seller is willing to work with you   . At this point I think you are right to return them if the smell is so bad that it is making you ill  
It cant hurt to contact ebay about it either  tell them about the problem but that 'your seller is genuinely helpful and didn't realise the problem - they have agreed to do a return/refund - the only problem is that it is going to cost --- to ship them back and they are only worth ---  so could they please offer you some advice since you or the seller will be out of pocket by shipping them back but you feel that you cannot keep them due to the effects of the mold on your health' something like that. Occasionally ebay will pay return shipping... 

[LittleSpiffy]

Update:

The seller authorized the return and I printed the return label eBay provided on 2/18 (and the seller is paying for return shipping, which is great!)

Dropped off the box at the do-it-yourself kiosk at my post office with my outgoing eBay packages on 2/19.

Tracking for all of my other packages was logged in....

...nothing for the box 'o bears

It was Priority Mail 3-Day, so she should get it by Tuesday.  I am really frustrated that USPS didn't scan the box 'o bears.  *sigh*  I should have taken it to the counter to be scanned in.

[Ringlets]

That's great news about being able to return them and that the seller is paying for it   not such good news about the PO/tracking   ( yep typical that its *that* parcel they didn't bother to scan ). At least you do have the tracking number on it though right? so the seller knows you sent it back (even if the PO are messing up with the tracking right now)

[LittleSpiffy]

Yes, I have the tracking number.  It'still giving a message along the lines of "shipping info sent to USPS, doesn't mean item was actually shipped." :/

Post Merge: February 23, 2015, 09:13:45 AM

Son of a gun!  It updated!  No updates from my local post office or the Philadelphia sorting facility.  It arrived in Texas yesterday & is out for delivery!  Yay!

Post Merge: February 23, 2015, 06:17:18 PM

Yay!  It's been resolved.  Seller can now smell how badly they reek now that her nose isn't stuffy (lol, I only kinda-sorta believe this excuse, but it's all good since she made good on the refund)

[Ringlets]

Awesome!