Hi bettinamonk,
Overstock is sometimes hit and miss and It’s not the first time by a long shot that I’ve seen what someone received being different from what they ordered (which seems clear has happened). they are also quite evasive sometimes about the source of their products.
SLAB on the other hand is very knowledgeable, open, and helpful about the products they sell and while they cost more … sometimes it’s worth it to know what you are buying.
The smell also doesn’t sound “normal” to me although a slight vanilla smell that dissipates over time is normal. Your scenario is quite possible but I don’t know for sure.
The pillow profile that people do best with depends on their size and sleeping position and also on their mattress. If you have a mattress that allows your shoulders to sink in more for example … then the profile of the pillow would need to be lower than if you didn’t sink as far into the mattress to keep you in alignment.
It sure sounds to me like you received the wrong pillow. I would contact Overstock and return it if it isn’t what you either want or ordered (and when it is their error they also refund the shipping charges).
Phoenix
PS: There’s a pillow thread here which may also have some useful links and information.