Harley,

I had a similar experience, but the cardboard box had UPS's label on the front of it from the time it was shipped to me. I told the lady that "you had just shipped it to me", and I had to send it back!

What she was smelling was the oil that lubricates it.

I think, it was just the matter of finding the wrong person with the wrong attitude, etc. I'm sure that if you go back a different time with a different person, it'll be just fine.

Raf