[maczero]

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheBlueMarvel

This is a pretty common problem within the 'loose' collecting community. One way to avoid this conundrum in the future is to pay close attention to the photos. When viewing a potential loose score on eBay, I utilize the zoom feature of my laptop touch-screen to closely inspect my nabs prior to committing to purchase **I buy many things out of the package - less for me to throw out** If the figure looks dusty, or unkempt, there's a good chance I'll pass opting to pay more for a figure that looks to be from a 'collector's' stash.

Funny you should mention zooming in on photos. I just put some figures up for sale on ebay and took pictures of them standing on a dusty tv stand. Even though the figures are clean, I wonder if potential buyers are passing on my auction because they think I'm a slob. Lol.

Quote:

Originally Posted by shortysben

Send them back and let the seller know he misrepresented the figures by not telling you they smell like smoke.

Eh, these figures are pretty rare and were bought at a decent price so I'm definitely keeping them. As for the seller misreprensenting the figures, I'm going to give him the benefit of the doubt. Smokers tend to be "nose blind" to their own smell so it's possible he didn't realize how strong the smell is to a nonsmoker.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Penguino

I got a Play Arts that reeked of stale cigarettes. I honestly just forgot about it and it was gone in a month or so... It was behind glass with tons of DC Collectibles figures that reek anyway of the plastic and paints. So maybe that factored into it.
w.

That works if you rarely touch your figures, but I constantly fiddle with my new toys for the first couple of weeks. Believe me, the smell gets to you when you handle them regularly. You are correct that the smell will become less noticeable with time but I'd rather they just not smell at all.

In any case, thanks to everyone who offered advice. I'm going to go with the baking soda tip.