With the cold weather upon us all, including Texas (38 F) . Does smoke free apply to fireplaces or cigerettes? Since I have started collecting we have not used the fireplace. This cold weather 38 F brrrrrr makes me want to throw plastic over the displays seal with duct tape and spark a huge one in the fireplace. Why is smoke free so important? Since everyone puts it in their sales clip so do I and no fire in the fireplace since I obtained my first light. So whats the deal?

Chuck brrrrrrr

I bought White Shoal on Ebay from a "smoker" and the light and the box were dirty and stunk! It took me about a month to rid them of the odor. I don't think a fireplace counts, in my opinion, because you don't get that same odor

I believe that the smoke-free thing is way over played. I don't smoke and haven't for 29 years, but, it wouldn't matter to me at all if I had a chance to buy a piece for my collection that I wanted if the person smoked or not. I have many in my collection right now that came from smokers and their is no odor left on either the box or piece. As far as I'm concerned their is no difference between smoking and cooking. Cooking will build up a residue of grease over a period of time also.

Chuck, burn your fireplace all you want and stay warm because if someone wants to buy your collection when you give it all up, they won't care whether your burned wood, smoked or cooked french fries right underneath your "gold" lighthouse. All they're going to be interested in is "how much" and what do you charge for "shipping". All kidding aside, I think that smoking in a lot of people's mind is the thing they are worried about and having a fireplace is not even brought into mind.

Keep warm and watch the Super Bowl.

Rich

I have had the same experience Jim. Besides the lighthouse smelling it also had a dingy yellow color to it. I won't consider buying one from a smoking environment again. Imho, it's not over played and certainly worth consideration. If I couldn't see it before I bought it I would have to walk away.

Anytime you buy a piece on ebay, you're taking a chance that the seller has the same idea of "mint" that you do. That's not always the case. The majority of the time, the light is going to be what you want. I've bought many lights on ebay and been very happy with them. Every so often though, your going to get one your not happy with. Then you have to stop and think, "how much did I pay for this?" Chances are you got it for a pretty good price on ebay. Now I'm not saying that I don't want my lights to be in mint condition, but if I get one with a box(? ?) that's stinky, or a light that smells, and I paid 60-75% cost, I'll probably be satisfied. And I'll just be sure to spray some extra potpouri in that area of the house. I don't sell any of my lights, and I collect strictly for enjoyment. It's my hobby, not a business investment. If you want EVERYTHING to be perfect, DON'T buy lights on ebay. There are plenty of people out there willing to sell their actual mint lighthouses at actual mint prices. Or, if you still want to buy on ebay, email the seller a list of 20 questions.

So how about that Superbowl?! Looks like my prediction was a little off the mark (at this point in the game).

Regarding the non smoking/smoking topic!

After my mother-in-law passed away, the children needed to get her house in order to sell. I had the job of doing this sad task. My in-laws had two fireplaces, and a wood stove in their home. They burned wood many, many fall and winter evenings thru the years. (No cigarette, cigar, pipe smoke).
I couldn't believe the amount of smoke residue on the walls, ceilings, furniture and such. It took hours and hours of spic and span cleaning, and carpet cleaning to rid of this odor.
When the time came, to close the deal on the home, we were very pleased with the end result!

We have a fireplace in our home, and do not use it, just because of the mess. Not because of my collectibles, just because of the mess!

My father, (83) has smoked a pipe for all of my life, and when he is in our home, he does not "light up"! Not even in the garage....an unsafe place to smoke! We am not pleased with his smoking, but that's our Dad!

Smoking leaves residue, has an odor, it's costly, and it can kill you!

Well, I quit smoking 13 years ago so it's not a problem in that area and my nose has become sensativity to the smell. However, I do miss my fireplace it was one of the reasons we bought our house. I think I will start having a fire every now and then. Our fireplace draws real well. Since I really don't sale any lights as a practice and if I do they can stay at work in my office.


chuck

no one wants to buy an item that reeks like crazy. Also, one would hope that the seller would indicate that a lighthouse has turned off color if has whether from smoke or any other reason. I've only collected for 8 months now, and I find that boxes come in all conditions.

I have purchased many of the older lights thru the Marketplace and a few on E-bay. Only problem I ever had was with a well known secondary market dealer from NC on an E-bay sale a few years back.

The light, box, everything reeked of tobacco smoke! I was so disappointed with the sale but I hadn't thought to ask about the non-smoking environment or home.

It took days of airing it out in the sunlight on low humidty, breezy days.

Actually wanted to leave a neutral feedback but decided to leave no feedback at all. Actually saw other buyers leaving positives but remarking on the odor.

Now I've learned to ask before I bid on E-bay or buy in the Marketplace.

BTW never even considered a fireplace as causing any problem with smoky odor/residue. You never smell any smoke in the house or on clothing if it is a good burning fire with good draft. We have a cast iron insert in our fireplace so it isn't an open burning fire.

Donna

Maybe I should have just written "Ebay can be risky! Ask questions!"

Chuck, I used to have a woodstove. Always made the house seem so much cozier. Unfortunately, my wife's allergies prevent us from burning any kind of wood in the house. Now that we're looking to move again, a gas log fireplace has become part of the criteria.

I have a woodstove in my home and use it all winter. It doesn't have any adverse effects on my HL collection that I know of. I never smell any smoke in the house or on any of my belongings.

If one of your HL's comes from a smoking household, you will probably smell cigarette smoke on the box. I don't believe HL's absorb odors. Air the box out well and I would guess that the smoke smell would eventually disappear.

I come from a smoke-free home and no one in my family smokes. If someone wants to smoke, well that's their business. Just don't do it around me...thank you!

Bob

I've had only one experience with a 'smoked' HL! The smell was quite shocking when I opened the box.

Oh yes they do, it took a couple of months for the smell to disapear.

Geez. I better move my curio farther away from the bathroom then!

Gee Digger, ...If you win the "Register & Win" contest and you get to pick a future HL, you should ask Harbour Lights to make a very special "bathroom" model. It should have a lantern room that you turn 1/4 turn and pull up to reveal an "air wick". (You folks do remember air wicks.)

The new HL Air Wick could come in several different scents:

Salt-sea air
Rocky coast kelp
Clam flat (low tide)
Clam flat (high tide)
Coco butter
Fume de la outboard motor
Sun screen sensation

No matter what scent you use, the next visitor to the applied area will be forever grateful. It makes sense/scents to me!

Just another view from the East Coast where it's a very balmy 20 degrees with a slight touch of snow flurries.

Bob

I purchased a light from a broker who was obviously a smoker. When I opened the shipping box, I couldn't believe the smell. And when I opened the HL box, I was half expecting to see an ash tray in it. Like Sean said... it took a few months for the smell of cigarettes to completely dissipate. Before I buy, I now ask!

Tim

Some sellers on e-bay do a good job at letting you know if it was displayed or stored in a smoke free environment.

Also, we are talking about resin and cardboard. Neither of these substances can repel odors, they can only absorb them.

If you think smoke is bad, try cat pee. I tried washing and everything else and finally had to just destroy the pieces and find replacements.

Eileen, sounds like it's time for John's dishwasher!

Might work on the smell!!!! (LOL)

If my dishwasher hadn't broken down I might have put the cats in it. They could do with a good wash!