All I wanted . . .

All I wanted was a gift card for my niece.

It would have helped if I actually READ the rules in terms of gift cards. The store has two types. One is mailed and can be used in the store or online. The second one is only good online. But, I didn't read that. So, right before her birthday, I decide to order the gift card.

Sigh, now, I don't know if she likes to order online yet. Must teens don't like to wait for the package to arrive. Well, I don't like waiting either but I also like getting packages. So, I decided to buy the gift card that had to be mailed. That meant . . . it would arrive late for her birthday. I suppose that is ok, since I am almost always late with her birthday presents. Why make the change now? It might confuse her. She might think the world was ending or something.

I ordered the gift card and I did it online. Cool. I got an email saying that the order was placed. I forwarded it to my sister-in-law letting her know that something was coming for the kid. I was so proud of myself. I am great!

Five minutes later, I get another email. The company has cancelled the order. What??!! I go to my credit card (ok, it's my Paypal CC). And it shows the money is pending. Ok, that's not the problem, they know I have the money in the account. So, what is the problem?

I IM the live help section of the company. I ask what's going on. OHHHHH, well, it seems I placed the order from a foreign IP address. Shammmme on me. Not to worry, the money will be released back to me in a week or so (mannn, I hate that about Paypal). If I want to order, I have to call directly. Ok, fine.

I call. The lady had trouble understanding me. Has my accent changed that much?? Actually, HER accent was rather heavy. Southern California Spanglish sort of. After spelling each and every word (including "street"), the order is processed. I asked if it went through. She said it did. I got an email saying it went through.

I hesitated. Should I forward that email to my sis-in-law? Heyyy, I did it and the kid will get it someday. Or should I wait to see if they decide to cancel it again? Oh, let's go for it and live dangerously and hit forward.

So, the kid may or may not know she is getting a gift card. Her mom may or may not know either. But they both know its from me . . . the poor American with a foreign IP address. Damn, I am lost even on the internet!