[mikeash]

If only the packaging smells, then I agree, it's not damaged.

But they also said that sometimes the contents get smelly. That definitely qualifies as damaged.

Coffee smells come out a lot easier than cigarette smells, and you choose to go to those coffee shops, whereas the person I'm replying to does not choose to expose his brand-new clothes to cigarette smoke.

If I buy brand new clothes and they smell of cigarette smoke out of the package, damned right that means they're "damaged."

[enraged_camel]

Sounds like entitlement to me. Wash the thing and the smell goes away. Jeez...

[mikeash]

Really, it's "entitlement" to expect that newly purchased clothes don't come with a foul smell?

And again, cigarette smoke does not necessarily wash out as easily as you seem to think it does.

Would you be as understanding of the driver if he got ice cream all over the clothes instead? After all, wash it and it'll come out.

[enraged_camel]

Most people are smart enough to understand the significant categorical differences between an ice cream stain and cigarette smoke.

Also, "foul" is completely subjective in this case. Guess what: I hate the plasticy/industrial smell of certain types of clothing packages. But I'm not gonna go around claiming the item is "damaged" simply because I don't like the way it smells out of the box.

[mikeash]

What is the categorical difference between an ice cream stain and cigarette smoke? Because I honestly don't understand what distinction you're trying to make.

[enraged_camel]

One is a physical stain that might very well be permanent. The other is an odor that will come out after literally one wash (or after airing it out for a while).

[mikeash]

The ice cream stain might not be permanent, and the cigarette smell might be, all depending on the specifics, so I see no qualitative difference between the two.