Yep, anything rubber from HF smells like chit, and not in a funny way. At least a 3 day airing it out process out on the covered porch, and up, so it gets good air flow around it, and it quits making you want to puke.
I like the cart a lot. I think you won the DC loto by not spending the 700 bux. Not sure why, probably because my others always have, but I imagined a floor of sorts, but you are just letting the wheeled bin roll along it looks like. That would give me something to consider if/when I get well enough to make the jump myself.
Hope it solves all of your clean up issues. The HEPA part makes it something of a win even if everything isn't perfect. Net gain in floorspace is also a win, so you are on your way to paying for this thing.