(no subject)

[valancystirling]

Well, crap. I ordered Topie some ABC blocks on ebay and i just got them. They REEK of cigarette smoke. So disgusting I put them outside so they don't stink up the apartment. I wrote the seller an email and asked for a refund. What's really annoying is that when I first paid for the blocks, she emailed me and told me that it's her policy not to leave feedback until the buyer gets the packages and leaves HER feedback. Um, hello? I paid within a few minutes of winning the auction. That deserves positive feedback regardless of if I ever even leave you feedback at all. WTF? They're so cute, too. They came in this neat little wooden box and everything. Guess I'll buy her some brand new ones. This is the first used toy I've bought for her, and I don't think I'll do it again.

Comments

[darkenedminds.livejournal.com]

Ick.

If the seller wont take them back, you can try to salvage them by coating them with a baking soda paste, letting it sit till its dry, then watering them down and letting them soak in baking soda water for a bit. It worked on a wooden purse I lent my sister when she went to a bar. Never again!

[valancystirling.livejournal.com]

Thanks for the tip. I'll try that. I got a response from her, and she apologized and gave me a full refund. I'm shocked. She didn't even ask for them back.

[aliyna.livejournal.com]

SUH. WEET.
I love it when that happens.

[brightsoul.livejournal.com]

that's pretty awesome.
when i was reading about her feedback policy i was worried that she'd leave negative feedback because you asked for a refund. i've had the pleasure of dealing with assholes like that before. luckily the last one that tried to threaten my with negative feedback (depsite my legitimate complaint) had already left me positive comments.

now i know this isn't at all natural but i wash all of our used wooden toys with the magic eraser. its amazing the dirt and grime that thing picks up. and on HABA toys, it doesn't wear down the paint.

[valancystirling.livejournal.com]

I was telling my mom about it, and she said the same thing. We both expected to get nasty feedback over this.

I've soaked the blocks in baking soda overnight. I'll go see how that did. Still, I feel nervous about it (paranoid probably) because Topie puts everything in her mouth, and I'm just not sure I'll be able to get this out of my head. Maybe if I was more scientific-minded I'd be better off. I wonder how much wood actually absorbs?

[spoothbrush.livejournal.com]

Baking soda, or vinegar, or citrus, or coffee are all good for smells. If you need somewhere else to leave them to have them be out of your apartment, let me know. Or just leave them in my carport :D

[valancystirling.livejournal.com]

I'm going to soak the hell out of them. I never would have thought of coffee.

Anyway, now I apparently have them for free. I'm still thinking of ordering some brand-new ones, but I'll think about it for a while.

[fi.livejournal.com]

That's a shame. At least she was decent and followed up properly. I hate sellers who say "I won't leave you feedback until you leave me yours". It smacks to me of a retaliatory approach, almost as if they're expecting negative feedback.

[valancystirling.livejournal.com]

Exactly.