Smoke free / Pet free homes - WHY no pets?

[aspie*mum]

I sell clothes, and have on eBay for 10 years.  I keep my TOS to a bare minimum (people rarely read them anyway) so don't mention my home is smoke free; I feel in this day and age that should go without saying.  

When someone asks me if my home is smoke free, I am happy to confirm that.

But I don't get "pet free".  What is wrong with pets?

I sell clothes - my dog/cat/bird/stick insect/snake/rabbit whatever other animal I might have, DOESN'T wear the clothes....so why would it be relevant?  What is wrong with buying from a home that has pets?

I've always wondered?  If you buy something from online, chances are you will wash or dry clean it before wearing it (and if you buy from the shops as well) as who knows who has tried it on or worn it before you!  So that would take care of any allergy issues.

So why no pets?  I tend to think people who dislike pets are angry people, therefore troublesome eBayers, therefore best to block them as soon as they ask the "pet free" question.

I have just replied to someone "My home is defiantly smoke free.  I am a proud pet owner, but please, rest assured that none of my pets wear any of the clothes I sell".

[foxette-in-sox]

Atchooooooo

Bless my little cotton socks 🙂

[ausgeoff1946]

But I don't get "pet free".  What is wrong with pets?

I sell clothes - my dog/cat/bird/stick insect/snake/rabbit whatever other animal I might have, DOESN'T wear the clothes... so why would it be relevant?  What is wrong with buying from a home that has pets?

Firstly, I can't quite understand why you've reacted so aggressively to this more-than-common request from potential buyers.  It's just a "yes" or "no" answer that takes all of 10 seconds' time to respond.

Anyway.....

About 10% of the U.S. population has pet allergies and cats are among the most common culprits.  Cat allergies are twice as common as dog allergies.  But contrary to what you might think, it's not the fur or hair that's the real problem.

People with cat allergies are really allergic to proteins in the cat's saliva, urine, and dander (dried flakes of skin).

Symptoms of a pet allergy can develop in just a few minutes—or take hours to appear.  About 20% to 30% of people with allergic asthma have severe flare-ups after coming in contact with a cat.

[putney32]

 ~~~

I'm always a bit wary of sellers who do state their items come from a 'smoke free, pet free home' they are usually the same ones who say they're not responsible for items lost in the post.

well I do take responsibility for items lost in the post, however, after listing lots of vintage linens over the years, the most 'Ask Seller A Question" s that I got were, is it a smoke free/ or is it a pet free home  So now, to save time I put a disclaimer in my description

From a smoke free and pet free home.

not because I have something to hide, or feel superior being a non smoker or whatever, just because that is what I was questioned about the most!!

[jameshouseofstyle]

ausgeoff - thank you for the info on cat allergies.

And is exactly my point: being as serious as that those who suffer it should't contemplate buying anything from other people's homes - even if the sellers re- assure them. They can do so because they are lying, because they don't know themselves, they may not be even aware of the serious consequences.. etc.

Another words, one wouldn't have any right to count on the information to be 100% accurate and the item 100% safe.

Same as people  or kids being allergic to nuts - and accepting a bisquit from someone just because it's free - even if the giver is well meaning but not entirelly sure there are no even a traces of nuts in them.

[cosmosgrove]

well I do take responsibility for items lost in the post, however, after listing lots of vintage linens over the years, the most 'Ask Seller A Question" s that I got were, is it a smoke free/ or is it a pet free home  So now, to save time I put a disclaimer in my description

From a smoke free and pet free home.

not because I have something to hide, or feel superior being a non smoker or whatever, just because that is what I was questioned about the most!!

It's bizarre, I know I'm not in the same selling league as you Putney, but they are two questions I can honestly say I've never been asked. 

[davewil1964]

" And just in case there's anyone reading this and thinks, as one person did, that I shouldn't allow smoking inside when I make baby items, smoking is not a criminal offence - it's a personal choice "

Which means you don't care if babies wear smoke contaminated clothing. That is disgusting !

Smoke contamination is easy to fix. 'He who is without sin, etc...'

[the_hawk*]

Chezzy - I have never heard of anything that smoke smells stay in for months.
It ceratinly doesn't mean item like that doesn't exist, just can't think what it may be!

But if it's clothing or textile items smoke smell goes within hours, even without washing, or with dry cleaning. (it reminds me of clubs few years ago, so full of smoke that all your clothes are reekeng, then your car is reeking on the drive home while you're sitting in it).

If it's curtains or furniture, steam cleaning gets rid of it straight away. And if they were second hand items chances are they were much cheaper than brand new so you are still way ahead even with cleaning bills.

I just don't get it - and never will - what is it with second hand buyers even thinking of asking sellers about their smoking or pet ownership - unless it's toxic substance, like nerv gas or radioactive or something - and will seriously endanger life.

Smoking smell has nothing on car fumes - just step out into the trafic anywhere - anytime.

with comments like this you must be a smoker, what you are saying is not the case, anyone who is sensitive to cigarette can smell it even after washing and airing.

[jameshouseofstyle]

putney, that's great if you volunteer the info. We can all do and say and disclose anything as long as we are not pressured into it just because someone is nosy.

No one has ever asked us the same thing - almost unbelievable that they haven't - after reading all this!

Couple of years ago we had a client - someone from McQuarrie Bank - they had a huge house where pets rulled the roost. There was nothing and nowhere in there that was off limits to them. When I was there there were cats perched on the back of the sofas, and one sat on the drainig board in the kitchen - owner said "she likes it there as it's nice and cooL"

And on top of that everyone in the house smoked, including the kids!

We listed the garment (forget what it was) exactly like that, with the above description, as an auction as nominated by the client - and 10 days later it sold for HEAPS! And as expected - buyer was very happy.

And don't ask me why - maybe it's just my imagination - but it seams to me that people who spend big time on things are somehow always much less likely to cause trouble, be difficult, demand all sort of things than those who spend peanuts and squak the longest and loudest.

You'd think it would be other way around.

[jameshouseofstyle]

with comments like this you must be a smoker, what you are saying is not the case, anyone who is sensitive to cigarette can smell it even after washing and airing.

Sorry hawke, you are the one who is wrong, on both counts.

[*new2vintage]

" Smoke contamination is easy to fix. 'He who is without sin, etc...' "

A parent who doesn't notice the smell puts contaminated clothing on an infant who can do nothing about it. And don't quote the bloody bible to me.