Washington, DC – Judiciary Square – A First for Everything

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Have you ever had the experience of being behind someone in line whose credit card was declined?  You patiently wait as the person insists there must be some mistake!  Ultimately, the person either buys less with cash or leaves empty handed.  Either outcome makes for a very awkward situation.   

Never in my life would I think I would be in that predicament!  Yet, in life, there always seems to be a first for everything.  On my way home from work, I pulled into my local gas station.  I always use the same credit card at this gas station and when I put it in, the screen prompted me to punch in my zip code.  I did as usual, but this time the screen had a different message:  “See cashier.”  Strange, but I didn’t think anything of it.

I explained to the cashier what had happened and he asked to see my credit card.  He ran it and it came back as “declined.”  I declared there must be an error, so he ran it again.  Again, it was declined.  At this point, I was shocked and confused.  I pay my balance off every month so I could not comprehend this situation.  I stood firm and told him the error must be on his end.  He acquiesced and tried again to no avail.  He said there was nothing more he could do and asked if I could simply pay with cash.  Well, I only had $2 on me and the last thing I wanted was to hand him $2 and give him more reason to regard me as a loafer.  I told him I would just come back later.  I departed, utterly embarrassed. 

At home, I called my credit card company and there was nothing to indicate anything was wrong with my card.  I was assured this was a merchant error and if it happened again to just call them from the gas station.

Later that evening, my dad and I went back to the gas station.  I put my credit card in and got the same message:  “See cashier.”  Crestfallen, I called my credit card company to complain and vent and handed my dad $40 to pay in cash.

When I looked up, my dad and the cashier were conversing.  The cashier turned to look at me, shook his head, then turned back to my dad and continued talking him.  What was that all about?!

Well, my dad also uses this gas station and only pays in cash.  The cashier was confused when he did not see my dad’s car.  That when Dad explained that he was here with me and that I had been there earlier, but had credit card issues.  The cashier remembered and assumed my dad was with me to bail me out of my “financial woes.”  He even thanked my dad for being such a great dad!

Embarrassed, I asked my dad, “Why didn’t you tell him that was my money?” 

Dad became sheepish and responded with an “I don’t know, the moment never presented itself…” 

The moment never presented itself?!  I demanded he go back in there and tell the cashier it was my money!  However, Dad never got the chance because the lights went out and the gas station closed.  Saved by the lights! 

Now, I will forever be regarded as the “deadbeat daughter.”  Sigh!  Fortunately, the next time I was there, I had no issues with my credit card.     

Have a wonderful week.  🙂

Lizzy’s Latest for this week is the Michael Kors Ciara Embellished Suede Slingback Pumps.  My review of these heels will post on Wednesday of next week.  For now enjoy the pictures!  🙂