Am I worrying needlessly or not here? Comments, please.

[catzies]

My cousin/roommate was talking to my mom on the phone last Sunday, and telling her how pleased he was with a just-purchased gadget, and that he was going to buy her one too as a gift because she would find it equally useful. He did, and gave it to me to send to her overnight.

So, what am I worried about? Well, we do live in Ayatollah Ashcroft's America, after all.

What's the item? Well, it's a small, round, compact two-piece container, designed for a specific purpose. You take one of "God's flowers," (Bartcop's phrase) and place it inside this small container, give it a few twists,and what you then have is a finely milled product suitable for use in items such as papers & pipes.

FedEx doesn't have the pkg. in their tracking system at all, and when I called my mom to let her know, all I got is her voicemail. The item was sent with no other material, and had no label, no instructions and was simply wrapped in bubble wrap, and sandwiched between two pieces of cardboard.

So here I am, sitting at work in a state of elevated anxiety because I had a bad feeling about it last night, and then after calling for package status this morning, I now have the inescapable feeling that FedEx snagged it, tagged it, and the Dept. of Homeland Security is tracing it to me right now and they'll be here by this afternoon.

Overreacting? Suitably cautious? Mercury retrograde? Should I call a lawyer?

Help, please.

[Misunderestimator]

1. Yuck.... I'd be paranoid too... sorry that's probably not a help :) n/t

[henslee]

12. I wouldn't worry....

Sounds like the item has a variety of kitchen uses. It is more likely that it is a snafu or if it was snagged, it was by a FEDEX employee. Furthermore, if the package was really suspicious, they would deliver it and then nail the recipient... which is exactly what they tried to do to me.... Here's a good (and true) story...

My relative sent me my printer via FEDEX. I answered the door at 8 am. Though the voice through the door said "FEDEX", I opened it to find three cops, plain clothed, narcotics division, one with a video camera, asking me my name and asking me to open the item in front of them. They explained that their sniff dogs singled out the package. A little scared, I asked them to shut off the camera. I called my relative first and told them what was happening. We both were puzzled. Though outraged, I nevertheless opened the package in front of them and there was just a printer inside. These cops were rude and told me I was lucky they didn't dismanted my printer and never gave me a copy of any paperwork which they said they would do and which they are required to do by law. This was in L.A.

[catzies]

13. Now see, that scenario is what I'm worrying about now.

I can imagine that happening to my mom as we speak, and wondering if that's why she didn't answer the phone. :scared:

Wonder why your printer caused such a fuss... :shrug:

[henslee]

17. I have a few ideas why...

First off, sniff dogs make mistakes.
Secondly, the box used to send it was from the trash. Who knows what smells could have been on it.

[Misunderestimator]

15. No way.... that's really awful! n/t

[Bunny]

2. When did you send it?

Sometimes it can take as much as 24 hours before your item gets into the system so it can be tracked.

On edit - if you sent it FedEx it probably should have been in their system. It's UPS that is sometimes slow getting your tracking number online. Hope it all works out okay.

[catzies]

3. Sent yesterday for morning delivery today. Hence the concern.

I've sent many pkgs. FedEx overnight for 1st thing in the morning delivery. This is the first time this has ever happened to me. :(

[ZenLefty]

6. You can track your delivery

Find out where your tobacco shredder is.

[catzies]

8. FedEx doesn't have the airbill number in the system at all.

Says pkg. doesn't exist, which is when I get worried.

Put it in our bldg's drop box as I have many times before; they (FedEx) have never not emptied to drop box.

[ZenLefty]

14. That only happens when the FBI intercepts the package.

:+

[catzies]

16. Shut UP.

Really? Please do not jerk my chain on this...

[yella_dawg]

4. You're paranoid about a spice grinder...

unless someone had already used it for "other" purposes.

[catzies]

5. No, never used. Still shrink-wrapped.

You're absolutely right; it's just a spice grinder! :) !!!

[Az_lefty]

7. unless there's a trace of some substance in it, don't worry.

sounds like a nifty pepper mill to me.

[Kremer]

9. Never use FedEx; they inspect everything. I would worry more about

the police or the FBI not Dept. of Homeland Sec. Regardless, the item you speak of is not illegal anyway correct? My cousin used to be a DEA agent and she told me when they found a package w/ illegal drugs like marijuana being sent through the mail, they would track the package and let it go all the way to the intended recipiant. Once the person opened the door and signed for the package, boom they move in and arrest the recipiant and the shipper as well! So you could refuse the package once it arrives and act like you have no clue who sent it or what it is.

[catzies]

11. I knew it would be xrayed, figured that's SOP. It's metallic but empty.

Was never used for any purpose, and was alone in the pkg.

My mom is a smart cookie, with years of experience in these matters. I have no doubt she would handle it correctly if she had to.

But your words of advice will be well-heeded by me in the future. :) I've never shipped anything like that ever anyway.

[Bertha Venation]

10. delete

[Dookus]

18. relax

it's a spice mill. Perfectly legal.