I just received a request for a WL book I have on my shelf with the RC shown below. The book, in my estimation, doesn't smell like anything, but I'm still leery. I know that books can pick up smells just sitting on a truck. I'd like to accept, but I'm also nervous that if I do, I could get dinged for something as vauge as "books that smell like smoke," especially since teh requestor has severe allergies. Any suggestions?

I will not accept books that smell of smoke.  We have severe allergies. I do not want books that have loose pages. Spine creases are ok. Thank you!!!

I wouldn't do it.  Too subjective.  Maybe if it said not from a smoking home.  But even then what if it smells from the previous home and they don't believe you???  I would go to the next wisher.

If you aren't sure where your book's been before you got it, I'd go ahead and decline with the mention of 'severe allergies.' I think the only way I'd accept that one is if it was a book I bought brand new and I was the only one who'd read it.

Cheryl

I agree, that's too subjective. In your place, I'd pass on it.

I probably wouldn't take a chance on that one either.  One that just says "not currently in a smoking home" or something then I would probably accept, but maybe this person has reactions to something that you wouldn't even be able to smell.

I would not send to someone with that RC. My ex-husband smokes and even though he is not here very often, I would be worried. I would also be worried that the package might pick up something from my mailman. I would hate to have someone's allergies triggered just because it sat in a very smoke-filled mail truck for a few hours. A person with severe cigarette smoke allergies would have a real problem with my mailman - ALL our mail arrives REEKING of smoke.

As one who has a very similar RC, if in doubt, don't send me a book that will make me sick. I have received a few that I have had to sequester to the garage and one that I had to literally throw away. The vast majority, however, have been wonderful with no smell. I rarely get turned down for my RC, but have no problem with anyone turning me down for any reason. It is your book after all.

If it becomes too big an issue for me, I can always go back to buying books, but so far, I am very happy. So, I hope it doesn't concern you too much.

I would accept if it was a book that's been in my house for quite a while since we dont' smoke.  If a complaint was made I would just refuse a credit refund becase I know the book didn't smell-and I would respond that we don't smoke and so the book didn't leave my house with a smoke smell. 

If it was one that I bought used recently then I might deny just incase they can pick up a smell that I can't. 

I do deny the ones that just say "no smelly books" or "no musty smell" because all books have a funky smell to me from the glue and paper. 

If I knew the recent history of my copy, I would accept the request. And if it had been in my house for a long time, I would accept as well, since we are a non-smoking home.

But if you don't feel comfortable accepting, then then decline and politely say that you can't guarantee that your copy is smoke-free, and that you hope someone else will be able to send the book to him/her soon.

I have a fairly good sense of smell, so I will accept ones that say "not from a smoking home" and "no noticable smoke smell". However, when there is mention of severe allergies, I'd only accept if I bought the book new or got it new from someone who doesn't smoke. 

I'd pass on that one.  If it's a WL book it's going to go to the next person anyway so you'll still get to send it out and not risk getting dinged for not meeting their RC.

If I'm home by myself, I pass on anything that asks me to smell.  Subjective, and I have a lousy sense of smell anyway.

If my SO is around, he can smell smoke from five feet away, so I give it to him. If he clears the book, I have faith there is no smoke smell when it leaves my house.

Any other subjective RC is just turned down b/c, well, they're subjective.   Knowing I have a sensative nose down the hall I will sometimes deal with a no smoke smell, but only if he's there.

I'd turn it down.  If you have "severe allergies" then you're probably allergic to smoke residue thats too faint to smell anyway.  I certainly can't smell the pollen I'm allergic to.

I hate to pass because of RCs, but I always pass on RCs that require a sniff test.  I don't trust my sense of smell that much.  (I'm happy to accept RCs that tell me "books in currently non-smoking environment" because that's clear and not at all subjective!

If you're not a smoker, you would definitely notice if a book smells. If this book has been you, the house is smoke-free, and you don't think it smells, I don't think it will be a big deal. This advice comes from someone who has the same RC.

If you're still not sure, ask for a second opinion. Have someone who doesn't live with you smell the book.

I hate to receive cigarette-smelling books myself, and it's one of my RC. But I was once told that smokers may not even realize their stuff smells, they're so used to it. I'd hate to lose a book because the sender is a smoker and thinks that I will automatically dislike his or her book.

I personally would pass.

Unless I purchased the book new, I would pass due to the 'severe allergy' wording.  My own sniffer isn't always reliable.

I received a couple of used books with smoke odor.  I've tried fresh air, baking soda, and kitty litter, but months later they still have a smoke odor.  Shipped with fabric softener sheets?...that one smelled the worst.

I wouldn't send it.  I'm a smoker, but I never smoke in the house, so my books shouldn't smell of smoke, but you just never know.  It's a chance I wouldn't take.

When someone says 'smoking' and 'severe allergies' I turn down the request.  I hate to, especially on a WL book, but most of my books had a life before me and I don't know their history.    When it says 'current smoking environment', I don't have that problem - we don't smoke.   Good luck on your choice.  Pat

I wonder how many people truely have allergies and how many claim they do simply because it sounds nicer than saying I hate nicotine smoke.

Honestly, I hate the smell of nicotine, but it's so much better to blame an allergy than insult someone's bad habit.

DISCLAIMER: No I am not accusing anyone of lying about bein allergic to smoke. Just random thoughts, s'all.

Given that I have a perfectly normal sniffer, I'd give it a whiff. If it didn't smell like smoke, I'd send it - if it did or was borderline, I'd politely decline. I respectfully submit that under normal circumstances someone should be able to tell if a book smells like smoke.

The worst case scenario if you're wrong is that you're out a credit. After 3 years here, I've not received a single such RC, so I wouldn't be likely to worry much, myself. If I were a smoker or had any other reason to believe my "sniffer wasn't up to snuff", I might feel differently.

I'd think that anyone so allergic as to become ill from a book that a normal person could not smell would be extremely unlikely to be trading used books!

Laura,

That is too funny, I never thought of that, but you are probably right some folks just hate the smell. I do have asthma and I can have wheezing attacks if I walk into a room where someone is smoking or a field of Johnson grass, etc. I have only received a few books that smell of smoke and I give them away if I am not able to get the smell out from all the suggested methods here. I have no problem being turned down, and I have not asked for a credit back due to a smokey book either. I don't exect all your noses out there to know what will trigger my allergies, only my nose knows...... So, send books when you can and keep them if you think they are too smokey and thanks for all the great reading I have received so far.

Given that I have a perfectly normal sniffer, I'd give it a whiff. If it didn't smell like smoke, I'd send it - if it did or was borderline, I'd politely decline. I respectfully submit that under normal circumstances someone should be able to tell if a book smells like smoke.

The worst case scenario if you're wrong is that you're out a credit. After 3 years here, I've not received a single such RC, so I wouldn't be likely to worry much, myself. If I were a smoker or had any other reason to believe my "sniffer wasn't up to snuff", I might feel differently.

I'd think that anyone so allergic as to become ill from a book that a normal person could not smell would be extremely unlikely to be trading used books

Well, I don't think I have a perfectly normal sniffer.  Sometimes I can't smell odors that others say are pretty strong, and sometimes I smell odors that others can't smell at all.  I don't smoke, neither does anyone else in my home, but I certainly would not want to be responsible for someone having an allergic reaction or asthma attack.  What is "normal" anyway?  Just because a person has asthma or allergies is not a reason to stay off this site.

* I have received a few that I have had to sequester to the garage and one that I had to literally throw away

* I'd hate to lose a book because the sender is a smoker and thinks that I will automatically dislike his or her book.

Meh, I'd rather someone decline my request than receive a rank book.

It was very, very hard to throw away a 660 page volume of  Earnest Hemingway's short stories last week.

Three days in the sun did nothing. The book was an doggone ashtray.