newandold
Stranger
Reged: 02/27/03
Posts: 20
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I originally posted this on the VIP board, however, haven't seen any replies as of yet and am curious if anyone else has had a similar experience:
I recently had an intl. OP re-ship and they sent Registered Mail. I noticed something odd after signing for the letter/package. I could tell that it had been taped over, and obviously opened, AFTER the origin country's postage permit had been paid (non-stamped) - there was tape over the metered postage. It had no customs note on it and the mailman was looking at me in a very odd way. Maybe that's just me. Who can open Registered Mail after the fact besides customs? Can the local post office tamper with? I've received shipments from this OP before and I know it's been tampered with (some tears in odd places). Once the shipment was signed off for, I saw him go back to his delivery car and get on the cell phone.
Thanks for any of your input.
- BTW, after this little bizarre incident - the shipment was flushed, along with a whole heck of a lot of other non-scripted meds. Call me paranoid, however, I'm thinking that there's more to this because I've done this for a while.
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prettyday
Threadhead
Reged: 02/09/03
Posts: 914
Loc: Coastal Sage Scrub
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Well, only you know your lifestyle and the methods you employ to alternately tolerate and/or improve your everyday existence. And, as long as you are not harming or endangering anyone beside yourself, I fervently feel that is your business.
But you may want to do some searches regarding this in recent news archives; some of the new homeland security proposals are suggesting mail carriers become goverment observers--of an alarming amount of different information--from reading material subscriptions, to packages received, to 'suspicious-looking' individuals, to how many people are in one apartment, to whether people are keeping farm animals in their back yard.
I am not sure how far these proposals have gone or even if they are legal yet, but we all know hall monitors who have grown up to be what they always dreamed of: zealots.
I sure don't know how to advise you from this point, though, and it would be arrogant of me to try. Does anyone else have some suggestions, please ?
I also would like to know what to watch for. 
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First they ignore you, then they laugh at you, then they fight you, then you win.
- Mahatma Gandhi
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limper
Member
Reged: 12/07/02
Posts: 196
Loc: USA
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I too wonder about all of these things. We know that alot of people strongly desire any kind or hint of power,however they may come by it. Yes, I too wonder...and have many,many more thoughts on this/these subject(s)..just thinking better of it at this moment..sorry..Remember..we ARE on our own in trying to take care of ourselves..I know we must have courage..personal courage..that is what this amounts to. Think about it.
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tracerb
Board Addict
Reged: 03/21/03
Posts: 322
Loc: USA
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I regularly receive my scripts in the mail from online pharmacies. Course I have scripts for all of them, but to be honest, I could really care less what the post office or mail carrier thinks. It's none of his business and I simply won't tolerate any loss of freedoms because of 9/11 and "homeland security", and to be honest, I regularly talk with the mail carrier if I see him. He is not the type to scrutinize mail. He lives and let lives.
I don't feel any more or less secure than I did before OR after the attacks. I also live in a less densely populated area and ship alot (I sell on Ebay) and to be honest, I think the clerks and mail carriers could care less what I receive or send through the mail. They know me, I look respectable, and naturally I'm not out to harm anyone. I suppose if I were muslim and walking in PO with a turban on, they might not be so fond of me...then again who knows.
Terrorists can do what they will and receive their just desserts for it. I feel for the state of affairs that everything "thinks" they are caught up in since 9/11, but I honestly do not worry about it. I feel for the victims of 9/11, but I'm not going to live a life of fear over it.
I think the state of the drug laws and the fact the DEA even exists is sad. This "drug war" initiated during the Nixon administration has proved one thing: It's futile. They have had no impact on the illicit drug trade and have wasted countless taxpayer dollars that could have been better used for things such as medical care and education. I really have to wonder at the DEA focusing on a few pills rather than terrorism. I honestly cannot see a valid agenda in going after those who would treat their conditions via I/OPs because of the sad state of affairs THEY have created with doctors in the U.S....i.e. afraid to write proper scripts for pain management because the DEA has been given WAY too many powers and has abused them.
The current oxycontin "epidemic" is the best example of the DEA running rampant. I'm not sure on the statistics of how manny people die from overdoses from disabling the time release feature of oxycontin, but I can almost guarantee it pales in comparision to the number of deaths from alcohol each year. The DEA would condemn the manufacturer of Oxycontin for not warning about the subverting the time release feature? I mean any half who can figure out a pill contains 80 mg of oxy and knows how to subvert the time release feature, then obviously they know they are putting 80 mg of oxycodone in their body all at once. Duh!!
Furthermore, I simply cannot fathom how cigarettes are still on the marketplace considering if they are used as directed, they will kill you. I don't know of any pain med that will kill you if used as directed. I understand the that social acceptance plays a factor, but the irony seems lost to some. The call MDMA a "scourge" because it killed a small number of users last year. Wow, cigarettes resulted in over 500,000 premature deaths last year.
The drug laws and the enforcement thereof is ridiculous and horribly inconsistent in this country. The demonize marijuana, yet overlook the fact that it's the potheads that are usually the more peaceful bunch. I could go on...but I've ranted enough.
Sorry, if I have violated any posting rules I don't know about. Please do edit my post DB if I have 
Edited by tracerb (05/08/03 06:00 AM)
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sara43
Member
Reged: 05/14/02
Posts: 196
Loc: Mississippi
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custom and the post office can open your mail... On the news this morning they had radiation (sp) come through, or threw. the mail in a letter and they are checking it out now! At my postoffice they heard a box rattle and they took the box out to the area in case it was going to blow up and they called the police to find out it was a womens product with the batterys still in it. lol sara43
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knak
Banned
Reged: 06/08/02
Posts: 88
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WOW! What a great post! I agree 100% with everything you had to say. Thank You!
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limper
Member
Reged: 12/07/02
Posts: 196
Loc: USA
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Tracerb,
Your wonderful post is evidence of all the "pentup feelings,thoughts and knowledge" that an awful lot of us on these boards have and know..we are all frustrated. We all know this whole situation is and has been actually manufactured by a neverending parade of know nothing,pandering,lying,vote buying "politicos"...all,everybit of this that has evolved,is very,very shameful..Of course that(shame)is something politicians know nothing of. As a result..here we sit..trying our best to fend for ourselves..trying to take care of ouselves and trying,as we can,to help each other. This situation is actaully.."a crying shame"..A wonderful post,I can see how frustated you are and how determind you are not to let them dictate to you..trying your best to live life on your terms..I salute you..I salute you! Carry on!!
Limper
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Jesse024
Enthusiast
Reged: 04/24/03
Posts: 276
Loc: MidWest
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Tracerb, first I'd like to thank you for your post, I couldn't have said it better myself.
Second, I'd like to encourage EVERY ONE OF YOU to write letters to your Congressmen and representatives, and let them know what YOU think.
Nothing will ever change if our voices are not heard, and lets face it, no one of great law making importance reads this message board....although I wouldn't doubt that a few senators do exactly the same things we do.
Basically, when it comes right down to it, we need more social activism these days. I know me personally, if I had to make a decision, and I had already made it, a handful of people probably wouldn't pursuade me any different, however, say 10,000 people telling me to change my mind sure would make a difference (but then again, thats me, and not congressmen).
The "War on Drugs" has failed, and has since its beginning. Look at the number of people using illicit drugs these days compared to twenty years ago, hell, compare 2003 with 1999, and there's a HUGE increase in the number of people who user certain "street drugs". So what has the "War on Drugs" accomplished?
If you ask me, the only thing its accomplished is a war on ourselves and personal freedom and liberties.
Let me ask you this.....if I grew 5 marijuana plants in my backyard for my own personal use, who would it be hurting? Absolutely no one, including myself. Marijuana has never been fully 100% proven to kill anyone, and there is only ONE case of a marijuana death, and its still undetermined if that person was on other "street drugs" at the time (which I imagine for him to die, he had to have been).
So again, the "War on Drugs" hasn't done anything but prosecute innocent people and put them behind bars.
If we released everyone who was in jail for marijuana related offenses, we'd probably be freeing up our jails by about 40-70%, as marijuana possession and distribution is one of the leading charges that lead people to prison. Not murder. Not rape. Not assault. But marijuana? I'm sorry, but what the hell is wrong with our country?
I mean, I work a full time job running an Internet Service Provider in a small town. I am involved heavily in a number of non-profit organizations. I pay taxes. I even, for the most part, uphold the stupidest of traffic laws (speeding, etc.). I would definately consider myself a valuable member of society, and by no means would I ever cause anyone harm. Lets just say I got pulled over in my car. I'm young, have a fast car, so the cops instantly suspect that I'm a drug dealer and up to no good. So he's going to want to search my car, without a warrant mind you, and he may or may not find about a quarter ounce of marijuana either on me, or in my car. I'll get arrested, put in jail, fined, and probably get court supervision since I'm young and have a good record. However, it will have costed me thousands of dollars in bail, lawyer, etc. and it will also have cost them thousands of dollars for the police, jail time, prosecuter, judge, etc. etc.
So in the end what did the war on drugs in that case accomplish? Well it accomplished me getting a felony, which I have to report to any potential employers, it voids me from ever receiving Financial Aid for college, and it costed me and the government thousands of dollars....
So, whats your stance on the War on Drugs?
I say, Just Say NO to the War on Drugs!
Peace,
Jesse
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less is more.
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toe
Pooh-Bah
Reged: 10/09/02
Posts: 1422
Loc: MidWest USA
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Interpharm ships from SE Asia and packages their products very smartly. BUT, like in any poor country, the postal workers are corrupt and will go through international mail hoping to find money in them. The only reason anybody gets mail sent or received internationally to any of these countries reliably is if it is registered. Because it's registered, and the contents are of no interest to the postal workers, the letter is neatly retaped and sent on. This is a combination of my own experience living in one of those countries and the reply sent to by the contact at interpharm when I first started getting these retaped envelopes months ago.
I'm not saying you shouldn't be cautious, but I have used meds coming from corrupt countries in tampered envelopes many times and never had a problem.
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"It's the end of the World as We Know it. . ."
-REM "and I'm seeking asylum in Canada"-toe
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potatoboy99
Permanent Fixture
Reged: 02/04/03
Posts: 1199
Loc: Deep North (East)
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Good post, tracerb. You said it all, or most of it.
I live in a small town, there is no mail delivery so everybody goes to the PO to pick up the mail, the postmaster and the clerks know most of us by name etc. They could really have their nose in everybody's business if they wanted to, but I have seen no sign of it. I buy stuff on e-bay, I have several expanding collections of epehemera, and so I have at least 2 or 3 packages a day coming in, from all over the place. It has crossed my mind more than once what the clerks must think I am up to with all these packages, but nobody has ever once expressed the slightest suspicion or even curiosity. Of course mixed in with all the ebay stuff are my various pharmacy orders.
I'm as paranoid as the next guy, but the post office hasn't up to now given me any real reason for concern. I'm very curious to hear from newandold if there is a followup to this story. Did you flush your meds for no reason, or are they really paying attention to your mail? Let us know!
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WussDoctor
Stranger
Reged: 04/12/03
Posts: 18
Loc: Honolulu, HI, U.S.A.
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Customs can open and reseal a package without stamping it PASSED FREE, or whatever. Many people freak out when their packages are opened by Customs and Customs doesn't give any sign of who did it on the envelope. And no, they don't always use that green tape. In fact, i've heard many talk about that green tape but i've never seen it on anything.
After mail clears Customs, it usually requires a search warrant to open your mail ... the privacy protection is the same for Registered as for regular First Class mail.
If your carrier was calling the cops to tell them he'd done a sort of controlled delivery they would have shown up and executed a search warrant.
WD
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Jesse024
Enthusiast
Reged: 04/24/03
Posts: 276
Loc: MidWest
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I agree with WussDoctor, I think he's got it nailed.
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less is more.
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grateful
Member
Reged: 11/26/02
Posts: 170
Loc: everywhere
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I have received shipments from international pharmacies that were sent regular international mail and received a pink slip in my mailbox stating that the particular package was sent registered and just names the country of origin, not the shipper. It even had a number that appeared to represent that of a registered package as I had received an additional pink slip for a local and legitimate package the same day. I feared they were going to do a controlled bust and I really didn't want to go the post office to pick it up. Luckily, the "must be present to sign for" box was not checked, like my other slip, so I just signed the card and replaced it in my mailbox. The next day the package showed up in my mailbox with no problems. I guess, if they want to use my signature as proof down the road they can try, but good luck finding it. Anyway, this post is to assure those who receive a registered pink slip for mail that was sent via regular international not to worry. I have used this OP on many occasions and this was the first time it happened. A little unnerving, but in the end it was all good.
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Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.
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IMSUSCOT1
Threadhead
Reged: 10/23/02
Posts: 868
Loc: usa
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First, OP's don't ship registered...they ship "return receipt requested, signature required"....Registered is the most expensive and most secure form of delivery, requiring the addressed recipient to produce I.D. and sign....anyone could sign for and pick up an item shipped "return receipt/signature required"...but ONLY the named addressee can sign for and receive "registered" mail. Registered mail is used generally utilized for very expensive items, or legal documents...also the post office sometimes does place clear tape over metered postage...to preserve the image throughout transit...so if the item gets wet, torn, etc, the postage remains legible and intact (my spouse is a postal supervisor) and if they wanted to do a controlled delivery, they'd get it all set up PRIOR to delivering it to you, they'd be watching as you signed for it and you'd be popped when you took delivery. Also, your carrier isn't supposed to be calling anyone on his cell phone on his route...unless it's a true emergency...in fact, they don't like them carrying cell phones and they sure don't like them to use them while their on their routes, unless they are stopped and clearly on their lunch or break. I think you unfortunately wasted a lot of good drugs. Sorry
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samw420
Member
Reged: 12/19/01
Posts: 142
Loc: NYC Metro Area
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You are mistaken about this. Many IOP's send their shipment via Registered mail (interpharm, to name one of them). Express mail that originates outside the US becomes registered mail once it enters the US. The official rule may be that only the recipient may sign for it, but the PO ALWAYS releases registered mail as long as you produce the peach-colored slip they leave for you. On many occasions, i've picked up regeistered mail without the slip.
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SW
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Jeremiah
Agape GrandParent
Reged: 07/14/02
Posts: 705
Loc: U.S.A.
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Thanks for your post!
This is exactly how the USPS is supposed to work,yet,as in Samws',it does not always work via the rules.Hence,another complaint ledged by a postal customer.
As posted on the VIP board, No One can open a Registered Letter within the USPS. Period. This mail is treated more securely,ex..registed Mail has it's own cage within the distribution centers,only awarded bidders can enter with ID.
I,too,think you flushed a lot of meds without reason,but we each must do as we feel is safe for us. Letter Carriers are NOT to use cell phones while on duty,hence another misappropriation of rules. He probably called his girlfriend.
Sigh..
J.
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I can't see me lovin nobody but you,for all my life
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Trampy
Pooh-Bah
Reged: 04/02/02
Posts: 1222
Loc: Southwest U.S.
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Quote:
.... The official rule may be that only the recipient may sign for it, but the PO ALWAYS releases registered mail as long as you produce the peach-colored slip they leave for you. On many occasions, i've picked up regeistered mail without the slip.
I would never use the word "always" to describe what USPS does in any specific situation. There's *always* someone who doesn't follow the rules and there's a few who make up their own rules. I once lost a registered mail that they sent back to Germany because the addressee was not here to show her ID. The mailman would not accept that peach-colored card where she had designated me her agent and authorized me to receive that mail. The mail carrier had made some notation on it that an unauthorized person was trying to receive it. When i went to the post office to try again they called the supervisor to the counter and i was told that i'd have to bring in the ID of the addressee if i wanted to pick up her registered mail. And i'd lived at that address for three years ...
If i'm home when a registered mail comes for the first time i've *never* had to show ID. I could scribble anything and it could be addressed to anyone. But if i'm not home and go to the PO i've always had to show ID ... even if i have the peach-colored card with me.
If you miss a registered mail, you don't need the peach-colored card if you have ID and go to the PO. And most of the time they'll just give you a registered mail addressed to someone else if you say it's your husband, roomate, etc. But not *always*.
All it takes to prove a negative is one counterexample.
Trampy
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Your mileage may vary ...
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newandold
Stranger
Reged: 02/27/03
Posts: 20
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Wow... Quite the thread. Haven't been on the free board in quite awhile and the question was basically answered. Thanks for everyone's input.
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EmberV
Stranger
Reged: 05/05/03
Posts: 9
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I agree with with your post. I was suspicious of my postman after not receiving the very first order I placed with an international OP. One time the postman left a package on our doorstep. It had important books in it. No one stole it (probably because it was clear that it had books in it), but I was not happy that he left it like that.
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