[bellagal]

Hi, I've been a tpf member for awhile but being prego, I haven't posted lately. Anyway, here's a little story about my new Carly. I've ALWAYS wanted a chocolate Carly & finally decided to buy one. Before I went to the mall, I checked *bay first. I don't know how I got so lucky, but I guess I was online at the right time. I purchased a pre-owned large chocolate Carly for $180(ish)!!! I was SOOOOO scared that perhaps it wasn't authentic, even though the description said it was, the serial # is correct, etc., so my focus was the authenticity. I figured if it wasn't I could send it back & ask for my $$ back. Anyway, she arrived this afternoon! I was soooo excited to open the box. I opened the box, saw the original box that she came in, opened that box up & then out came a cloud of smoke! Well, not literally, but close enough. I'm kicking myself in the a** for not realizing that it didn't say from a smoke-free, pet-free home!!! Again, I was so focused on the authenticity and the fact that I got her so cheap! It's disappointing b/c this is not how I pictured it would be opening up my first Carly...even if it was a win on *bay.

She is beautiful, don't get me wrong, but she does smell like she's been out clubbing. Here's where I need your help!! What do I do "air her out?" The only thing I can think of is to set her outside or in the garage and hope the smell fades or goes away.

Another question, have any of you taken your Carly out on the town where there's smoke, or any signature Coach purse, and this happen to you?

Okay, enough writing from me, now I'd like to hear from you.

[divadivine682]

That really 'stinks'!! LOL Try putting dryer sheets in it and/or putting her out in the sun. Or you could use febreeze on her! That should help at least a bit......

[Suzzeee]

I just had that problem with a leather ergo I bought - to make matters worse, the seller had put dryer sheets in it so it smelled like floral cigarette smoke. I contacted her, aired it out for 3 days and when it still reeked, I contacted her again and she agreed to refund me (although she insisted it wasn't cigarettes at all), but I was out the shipping. The story ended well though - I walked into the outlet a few days later and found the same bag brand new for less! I'd contact the seller and see if you can send it back for a refund.

[Pursefanatic85]

sorry to hear that. The same thing just happened to me. Got a great deal & as soon as I opened it...before you even notice the beauty of the bag you get the nasty smell of smoke It's only been a few days & the smell is starting to go away.

I'm going to try using dryer sheets in it....that sounds like a great idea since it's been airing out for a few days already.
Let us know what you decide on doing. If it's a great bag i'd keep it, I'm sure the odor will go away!

[SunnyFreckles]

I really think Febreeze will help! I got a chair once that was like that...we had to spray it down a few times, but it worked!

[farmerswife]

Originally Posted by bellagal

Hi, I've been a tpf member for awhile but being prego, I haven't posted lately. Anyway, here's a little story about my new Carly. I've ALWAYS wanted a chocolate Carly & finally decided to buy one. Before I went to the mall, I checked *bay first. I don't know how I got so lucky, but I guess I was online at the right time. I purchased a pre-owned large chocolate Carly for $180(ish)!!! I was SOOOOO scared that perhaps it wasn't authentic, even though the description said it was, the serial # is correct, etc., so my focus was the authenticity. I figured if it wasn't I could send it back & ask for my $$ back. Anyway, she arrived this afternoon! I was soooo excited to open the box. I opened the box, saw the original box that she came in, opened that box up & then out came a cloud of smoke! Well, not literally, but close enough. I'm kicking myself in the a** for not realizing that it didn't say from a smoke-free, pet-free home!!! Again, I was so focused on the authenticity and the fact that I got her so cheap! It's disappointing b/c this is not how I pictured it would be opening up my first Carly...even if it was a win on *bay. She is beautiful, don't get me wrong, but she does smell like she's been out clubbing. Here's where I need your help!! What do I do "air her out?" The only thing I can think of is to set her outside or in the garage and hope the smell fades or goes away. Another question, have any of you taken your Carly out on the town where there's smoke, or any signature Coach purse, and this happen to you? Okay, enough writing from me, now I'd like to hear from you.

The answer to that question would be: NO! I will not take my bag in anywhere there is smoking.

I have gotten a leather bag on ebay that was so bad I couldn't stand it....finally dryer sheets and airing out worked. I still ended up selling it on Ebay, made sure I told them it did not come from a Smoke Free Home.

[amybaby]

Wow being a smoker myself I probably wouldn't notice, but that sucks for those of you who aren't. Made me realize that many many years down the road if I decide to *bay mine I'll take to a cleaner or something first.

Speaking of - can you do that? Do you think they would know how to handle it?

Or will the Coach fabric and leather cleaner get the smell out?

Hmm . . . now I'm ponderous!

[Jesscap5]

Eeeeeeew I would not be happy. I'd try to see if something worked first then if no uck, contact the seller for a refund.

I just won a wristlet on ebay for the first time getting anything Coach on ebay and I hope mine doesn't smell like cigarettes

[fieldsinspring]

Yuck I learned the hard way when I very first started buying on ebay to always make sure the item is smoke free first. I have a friend that bought a leather Coach that smelled like nasty smoke and Coach told her to put it in a sealed bag with baking soda for I think 3 days? she said it really worked even though she ended up selling it again! Good luck!

[bunnymasseuse]

1. Return first if possible. Just because it's a great buy isn't a reason to suck up the rest of the situation. Myself, has severe allergies to that and I can tell right off the bat if it has been in a smoke home previously, even if the prev. owner cant' smell it.
2. It took me about 3 months to air out smoke from a Longaberger basket I bought on *bay, but it is doable. I had to hang it above my dryer closet, with lint sheets, and let it sit outside in the shade (under an umbrella) to help bake and air the item. Eventually it was fine, but it took a great deal of patience.

[PhantaBitten]

Originally Posted by divadivine682

That really 'stinks'!! LOL Try putting dryer sheets in it and/or putting her out in the sun. Or you could use febreeze on her! That should help at least a bit......

Haha DD, sorry but I couldnt resist ur silliness!
This happened to me too once but it stunk like icky perfume. I put it outside inside out then Febreezed the c*&p outta it. When it was the evening, I turned it back the right way and put those dryer sheets inside and zipped it closed. I had to repeat this for awhile before it was completely gone but it did work. Congrats on the bag!

[monstamuffin]

Do you have an ionizor? Maybe you could air it outside in the sun, then put it in a small room close to an ionizor, finally I would put a few dryer sheets in it.

[Lady Blackney]

I have taken my bags to clubs and such but they do not ever come out smelling like smoke. They usually small like Coach within a day or two.

[baglady39]

I have a REAL problem with this. DH says I have a "dog nose", lol, so no smells get past me! I have used baking soda before with success. My Lily had a chemical smell I didn't like, so I got some crystal dishes from the lab and put baking soda in them. I put them in both inside compartments, and then one outside the Lily (after I placed the Lily in a garbage bag). I sealed the whole thing up, and it took days before I was satisfied, but I just kept it that way till I didn't notice the smell so much anymore.

Dryer sheets can help, but sometimes they just mask the smell...you know, it's like someone not showering but putting on perfume to try to "smell better", lol!

[rendodan110]

sealed with baking soda for a couple days usually works well, also you could try fabric softner sheet in dryer NO Heat just fluff cycle in a pillow case for a few minutes