Early today, I began telling you the story
"The Quest for a New Camera".
I'd like to continue telling you via my hubs:

"I had arranged to take Jamin to my parents house so he could hang out with my mom while my dad and I finished a project for super summer. I asked Jules if she got her camera when she ran her errands to Wal-Mart that morning. She said she had forgotten and would have to go back again. I volunteered to go get it on the way to my parents. So then J got up we took off to Wal-Mart.

Unfortunately, after I made a quick stop I got back on the interstate going the wrong direction. I didn't realize it because a friend of mine called to discuss camp stuff. It wasn't until 10 miles later that I realized I was heading in the wrong direction of Wal-Mart so by the time we finally got to Wal-Mart, I had created for myself a 20 minute detour. A little frustrated, we quickly went in, thinking we'll grab the camera and get out fast trying to make up part of our time; boy was I wrong.

Locating the clearance table I searched frantically for the camera in the picture I'd seen earlier. It wasn't there, it wasn't anywhere. I got my phone out to let Jules know the bad news. It was at this point when a man about to check out literally turned around and placed the camera back on the clearance table. We quickly snatched it up and got a place in line only two people behind the guy who just checked out. Obviously we were at the wrong checkout because it was nearly 20 minutes later when we finally got our chance to check out.

Of course because the camera was discounted so greatly they had to call a customer service manager to turn a key and make sure everything went okay; add five minutes. We swiped our debit card and anxiously text Jules the total to show her how much we were saving on the camera {even lower than marked}. This is when the fun started.

Card declined. I swiped it again and waited. Another CSM, another turn of the key; card declined. I changed cards, tried the Visa, swiped the card, turned the key; declined. Again, card declined. Needless to say I was confused as to why neither one of my cards were working. Then it hit me, Jules had lost her Visa card last week and we hadn't canceled it yet. Visions of thugs buying stainless steel rims with my Visa flashed through my mind and I immediately concluded along with the customer service manager that our card had been maxed out by some vicious criminal.

"Can we try the debit card once more please?" I politely asked the CSM.
"The debit again?" was her annoyed response.
"Yes please."

Did I mention this entire time that my son is taking my hat off and on and then off and then on again? All while I frantically attempted to text Jules and double-check that we did indeed have the money in our checking account.

Card declined. This happened almost simultaneously with the text message from Julie informing me that the $400 charge from Wal-Mart for the camera had actually already gone through.

I immediately pass this information on to the customer service rep who is handing me back my debit card with a disapproving look. She did however believe me, and told me that if I was to go to my bank and get a copy of the statement showing the charges already gone through they would give me the camera and I'd be on my way. Not seeing much of an alternative, as my card had already been charged $400 and I was yet to have the camera, J and I exited the store, back to the car and on our way to Simmons bank.

Our quick trip to Wal-Mart had already been an hour and looked as though we would be delayed to my parents even longer as we had to make another stop by Simmons and then back to Wal-Mart to hopefully resolve the situation. When I got to Simmons bank I informed the lady what had happened, she printed me off a statement and we both discovered something awesome {insert sarcastic look here}.

We certainly were charged $400 by Wal-Mart, six times! After further review it was actually only three $400 charges each one showing up double on our Simmons statement. Back to the car, back to Wal-Mart.

As I was entering the store for the second time it occurred to me that if the two ladies who are gave me their word that I could get the camera with proof from the bank were not present this could get a whole lot messier. Knowing that I was going to have to go to customer service at some point, but not actually having the camera I proceeded back to the electronics section first.

Another line. This time a woman with an entire cart of groceries; add 30 minutes. Fortunately it was one of the two women who vouched for the proving approach. However, she took one look at the six charges on the bank statement, handed me the camera, and sent me to the front.

Another line add 20 minutes. Keep in mind I'm holding the 16-month-old toddler throughout this entire ordeal. And we're sweating. Having endured until my turn I got to the customer service desk only to have them realize there's nothing they can do. I did however learn that all the debit card machines had gone down throughout the entire store that afternoon and they were surrounded by carts full of groceries from the patrons who were unable to pay for them having only their debit cards.

The customer service agent flagged down an accounting specialist {repeat the entire story again here}. She disappeared into another room leaving J and I to hang out at the counter; add 15 minutes. When she emerged from the office she handed me a cell phone telling me Simmons is on the line needed my permission to speak to her. After getting Simmons approval she went back into the office: add 10 more minutes. When she finally emerged she handed me the phone again and the lady at Simmons informed me that although it did appear as though there were six separate charges only three of them appeared to reduce the balance, and my account was out of balance. Meaning that the computer had yet to reconcile with itself and would not do so until midnight that night.

So until that point there was no way to determine whether or not Wal-Mart had actually charged me at all. With the Wal-Mart computer saying they charged us nothing, they were unable to give me the camera. Unless I would like to go ahead and pay for it at that time. I politely declined not wanting to have charged yet another $400 to my already depleting account.

And so we left. Three hours later we left Wal-Mart. We went to my parents with nothing. No camera, and out $1200.
Until midnight tonight when we see whose computer is telling the truth. Regardless I get to return tomorrow, to the last place I want to go, and do this all over."

dun dun dun!!!!!

To Be Continued...

 UPDATE {10:45pm}

I just checked the bank account {1 hour 15 minutes early}.
There is no sign of any transaction....

Matt wanted to head to Wal-Mart now and buy the camera. He's a little afraid it won't still be put back in that accountants office tomorrow.
I convinced him that a 'safer' plan would be to go to Simmons 1st thing in the morning. Double check that their records show nothing. Get CASH out for the exact amount and head to Wally world where, hopefully, the camera is still there.

And I quote Matt,

This camera better be the most awesome camera EVER!

Let ya know more tomorrow ;o)

The Exciting conclusion of "The Quest for a New Camera"