March 25, 2004
Dear Everyone:
Last Friday, when I got my shiny, new water heater (for $35.00), I tried to use my usual credit card. This is the card that I use for most purchases because I get “points” based on how much I spend. I do have a couple of other cards that I use in special cases. For instance, one card is only for paying my monthly AOL subscription. That way, the card stays active and I know exactly how much the bill will be each month.
So, last Friday, when we tried to charge the shiny, new water heater to the usual card, it wouldn’t go through. I wasn’t too concerned. Once before, when I tried to order something over the Internet and the card was refused, it turned out that a new card had already been sent in the mail, but hadn’t arrived yet. The card was still good for in-person purchases, just not over the phone. This particular card would expire in May, so I figured the new one was on the way and I was “on the cusp”.
On Sunday, “Marshall”, who had come up from
I bought myself a sun visor (another little birthday present from me to me). And again, the card wouldn’t go through. I used another card and we continued on our way, visiting a winery that “Marshall” knew had caves that we could tour. The cave was very dark, and wet. The champagne, along with the other wines we tasted, was very good.
Later that evening, I called our Weekender Wear representative to order a couple of tops that “Jeannie” had chosen from the catalog that I finally got her to look at while we were driving up to the Wine Country. Again, the card didn’t work. By this time, I was getting annoyed and made a note to call the credit card company on Monday.
On Monday, of course, I got very busy and forgot about calling the credit card company. This explains why I’m a year behind in getting my eyes tested for a (desperately-needed) new prescription. Monday evening, when I got the mail, there was a special letter from the credit card company asking me to contact them.
So, on Tuesday, I called and found out that they had the wrong phone number for me. This wasn’t a case of “that was my phone number when I worked in ‘Livermore’, which changed when I moved to ‘Pleasanton’, which changed again when I moved up to “Pleasant Hill’.” The number they had was one I had never heard of.
But it seems they tried to contact me when a
“suspicious” charge was made on the card.
The weekend before, “Jeannie” and I had walked into a very
high-end shoe store in
I splurged and bought myself (birthday presents from me to me) three pairs of hand-made leather sandals. Yes, they were expensive, but I’m worth it. Besides, those sandals will last (literally) for years. And my feet are one part of me that doesn’t change sizes.
Nevertheless, a purchase like that didn’t fit my “profile”, so the credit card company called and, when they realized that wasn’t my phone number, they put a hold on the card. When I called and verified that I really was me and I really did spend that much money in one place, they lifted the hold. Although, I haven’t had occasion to test it yet. Maybe this weekend. I still have that $10.00-off coupon at Macy’s that dies on the 31st.
In other news…
Being all alone in the “Pleasant Hill” office does have one advantage. I can get a lot of work done because there are no interruptions. I have completely rewritten the training materials for the document management system. And I have the “As-Is Work Process” flowcharts for my facility drawings audit project almost wrapped up as well.
All in all, life is good.
Love, as always,
Pete
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