04.05.07
DRAT!!!
Just 2 hours ago, some JERK passed me FOUR BAD Travelers Cheques.
YOU need to know this if you come in contact with the public and take money… I didn’t know most of this.
I visited this webpage and called the 800 # at the bottom of the page. Visa was NOT helpful, I have to admit. Athough, it does remain to be seen, I’m still in the process of filing a complaint.
Basically, you call the number, it asks the following:
1. Does the check have such and such bank on the bottom right (yes, and next)
2. Do you see the watermark of a dove on the left hand side (yes, although it’s muddy, but yes… next)
3. Do you see the foil strip on the right (yes… next)
4. Is the person present or did you check their signature and it matched up?(yes, I checked his driver’s license and the signature matched the two sign, next)
5. GET THIS… Are you happy with the transaction? (he spent a bunch of money, I’m still not sure if these are bad checks, he was super friendly… I “guess” I’m happy with the transaction? next…)
6. Here’s your confirmation number, write it on the check, thanks for using visa!
Something still isn’t right… the fact that the guy RAN out of the store is one clue, the second clue is the pantone “orange” they used for the visa logo was more of a red hue, I still wasn’t happy.
Called wamu, they couldn’t help me, called the visa 800# again and just happened to get the menu that a “$500 AAA (automobile club) check could be bad”. Got Silvia on the phone…
Dude has been gone about 30 minutes at this point. Silvia asks me all sorts of questions, how does the paper feel, what does the watermarked dove look like, then she asks for the numbers. Another 30 minutes goes by and I’m starting to get angry because it took 30 minutes for her to say “it might be bad, you should send them to us”. I’m not sending $400.00 of “might be bad” checks anywhere! She finally, FINALLY admits that the numbers are “not in the system” at the end of 45 minutes. Then she tells me to call the police and take a report.
Glendale PD got here pretty fast… they are AWESOME. If they would have been here 5 minutes into me getting the checks (I called visa RIGHT away because I had a feeling…) they could have found the guy running down the street with 4 large VAB bags with pink and purple tissue sticking out. We’ll have to see what my cameras come up with, also, they are checking the checks for prints… I know mine are ALL over them.
I walked around the store with this guy, talked to him about how he’s moving here from Atlanta, helped him pick out stuff for his mother, his girlfriend, his nieces and nephews… he touched my shoulder and told me I wouldn’t have to wrap anything, that his cousin could do it. He was a computer programmer and he wants to move to Encino.
He said his name was Michael Alba. He was about 6’1″ ish (I’m thinking shorter now) and looked like a cross between Carlos Mencia and George Lopez. He had a very friendly face but when he said he was a programmer and his hands were SUPER rough, I kind of knew then, too. He was in his early 40′s, wearing a bright blue top with a zipper and long shorts.
He bought (and his comments):
Two Candles @19.99 each – “These smell so wonderful!”
A purse for $42.00 “I saw something like this back home for $300!”
A wallet for $16.50 “Do you think this matches? I really think my sister will love it!”
two bags @ $56.99 each “This will be perfect for my girlfriend at the beach… the other is for my Mom!”
a Baby Bib at $11.99 He didn’t say anything but I’m telling you now, I put a hex on it
A keychain for $4.99 “This matches the purse!”
Some candy 4 @ $5.99 “Oh! Easter is on sunday! I need this for my nieces and nephews! they’ll love it!”
and some other little things… I’m too angry to remember right now… roughly, he got $110 in cash (he did two transactions back to back) and $290 in merchandise.
I feel violated. I’m upset. I feel like I can’t trust anyone. I want to close the shop. I NEED your help!!! Please send me good thoughts as I’m so irritated now and want to lock those doors and not ever expose myself to anyone who could harm me again AND send “shame on you!” thoughts to this loser who could take advantage of someone who was so sweet and helpful to him. UGH!!!!! This is still so fresh in my mind so I’m sure it’s more “mellowdramatic” than it will be later tonight. But… Ugh.
I am never ever ever taking traveler’s checks or large bills from anyone ever ever ever again! so there!
Especially AAA Visa Travelers Cheques that are FRAUDULENT… and Visa didn’t do much to help…I’m saying it again… hope someone from Visa, somehow reads this and shows me, a small business owner some PITY and gives me just a PART of my loss back… if you do that Visa… I’ll sing your praises and let everyone know how wonderful and helpful you are instead of debating whether or not to take your card ever again at my shop. Your company gets how much from me in merchant fees (thousands of dollars over the past few years) and now when I need Visa’s help, they do nothing. I feel even dirtier. Yuck.
Later that evening…
We visited an “investing in real estate” mini-seminar this evening and had a lovely dinner at the Cheesecake Factory in Riverside. Then, we went on a long walk and I was searching for little VAB bags down all the dark allies, trash cans and empty lots. I really hope he chokes on that pretty merchandise he stole from me. I wonder if he ditched it right away or really did give them as gifts? All jerky stuff aside, we had a great day today… sold a ton of Easter goodies and had a few internet sales, so it more than makes up for all this drama. One of my customers was there when the police were taking a report and asked how I was and what happened. I told her and she was so incredibly sweet about it. “If there is anything I can do, just let me know!” You’re doing it, the caring and smiles helps more than you know, thank you :)
sandy wood said,
April 5, 2007 at 6:42 pm
Oh my goshhhh HOW HORRIBLE!!!
Dont worry.. they’ll find him.. im sending good thoughts he’ll be found!
How sad… and how terribly violated you must feel right now..
:(
hang in there…and be thankful he didn’t do any harm to you..
keep us updated as to what you find out..
hugs..sandy
Colleen said,
April 5, 2007 at 11:34 pm
Omg, Carrie :( That just sickens me. I’m so so sorry! I can imagine how awful you must feel, and I’m so glad he didn’t hurt you (physically) although he seems to have done a real number on you emotionally :( Stupid stupid jerkhead, that is just so crappy. Thinking of you hon, hang in there, they will catch the creep, and I hope recover some of your items, or reimburse you. I’m so sorry, sweetie ((((((hugs))))))
ruthie said,
April 6, 2007 at 9:34 am
Hello, I’m very very sorry. I don’t know what else to say but please know that I’m sending good thoughts to you from far away and that you’re not alone.
blessings
ruthie
Rue Spexarth said,
April 6, 2007 at 10:51 am
That SUUUUcks!!! I know how it feels. I had mt wallet taken when I had a shop.(thought I hid it real well) Just wanted to let you know I’ll be thinking of you and pray that you can cope with what has happened. You’re in my thought!
Lallee said,
April 6, 2007 at 11:52 am
I’m so sorry this happened to you. Don’t you hate it when people spoil our trust? Hoping there will be a good ending for you at some point. May he choke on the candy!
Lallee
natalie said,
April 6, 2007 at 3:09 pm
How do people live with themselves when they do that type of thing? A few years ago, my family and I went to dinner at this quaint little Italian restaurant……I was home for a couple of hours, when I realized that I left my purse there. So I called them, and they said yes, that they had found it, and put it uner the bar to call me when they closed. So, I hightailed it over there, and when I arrived, the manager, couldn’t find it where she had put it……I was so mad, and she felt awful. About 2 weeks later, a police offier walked into my office with my purse!!! Apparently a sherriff’s officer had found it under his son’s bed…..and turned it in! His son had been our busboy!!! And to think, he got part of the tip too…….
Jill said,
April 6, 2007 at 6:49 pm
Oh Carrie, what an awful thing to happen. I work in a fabric store, and you wouldn’t believe the list of names we get every quarter of people who wrote bad checks – it’s SIX pages long, front and back! And that’s just for three stores in southern CA! I’m so disgusted with people who cheat and steal. But you reap what you sow – one day these felonious people will have the tables turned on them.
Dorothy said,
April 6, 2007 at 8:50 pm
Carrie, sending postive thoughts, vibes AND an email your way. Don’t give up OR give in!!
D~
Wendy Updegraff said,
April 7, 2007 at 5:14 am
Carrie- I am so corry! Thanks for the heads up, although I’m sorry you had to be the one it happened to! It must be in the water, we had a rough week at our store too- enough to make Jamie and I both say “Why are we doing this, let’s close up” but then you get a customer who you know is so appreciative of you being there and you remember that for every 1 bad apple, there is usually 500 who really care! Hang in there, the world is good and hexes do work!!!
Wendy Updegraff said,
April 7, 2007 at 5:14 am
sorry, I meant, I am so sorry! oopps!
Christiane Wilson-Grove said,
April 7, 2007 at 11:08 am
WHAT A FINK! To walk around the store with you and act so friendly and THEN STEAL FROM YOU?! What a weasel! I’m so so sorry. I know it is so hard not to get discouraged and think the worst of people in general when things like this happen, but I still think the majority of people are good and wouldn’t resort to low life tactics like this.
I hope he feels really good giving out those gifts, especially the “Easter” ones, kind of misses the whole point of Easter doesn’t it?
Take care and keep your chin up, I do believe people like that get their’s eventually. I hope Visa will help you out!
kiki said,
April 7, 2007 at 12:19 pm
Carrie, this makes me SICK, I read it aloud to everyone and they are offended and upset for you too. I’m glad PD was there so quick, they are amazing aren’t they? I guess it’s part of business to take a loss here and there but this feels so personal somehow!
I so wish it hadn’t happened to you but know this….the info is going to be helpful for someone else, none of us knew anything about this! I am running around town today, my eyes are OPEN for that bleeping creep!!!!!!!!!
Btw, the secret sister gift I picked up last week was a hit (duh) and now a whole new group knows where to shop :) I’ll do my part to really spread the word about the shop (it used to be my special little secret) and will pray for you to have peace of mind again along with faith that all these things will work out in the end. Please remember that your customers love you and the shop, so all is not lost. ((((CARRIE))))
Kat said,
April 7, 2007 at 2:10 pm
Holy Mother of Pearl, I’m sending instant karma to bite him on the fanny-hard!
I’m sorry you had to go through that, but thank you for sharing and possibly sparing someone else. Here in Austin, TX we had a ring of folks who figured out how to bleach currency and do a great job of turning small bills into large ones that passed eye scan (unless you know where the threads are in each denomination), feel and the counterfeit pen test. Grrr.
Jill said,
April 7, 2007 at 2:41 pm
What a creep! So sorry you had to endure such an ordeal. Shame on him! The big boob! I’m glad the other customer was kind to you. This sort of thing can really shake a person up. Unfortunately, the world is made up of all kinds….not all of them respectable. But he will get what he deserves. Keep smiling!
Babs said,
April 8, 2007 at 11:43 pm
What a little sh*t! And what a weird-o — you think a guy would hit some place like Best Buy for electronics or Pep Boys for car stuff, but he’s such a WIMP he’s too chicken to try that. Don’t worry…what goes-around-comes-around. xxoo
mel said,
April 10, 2007 at 8:15 am
Hey,
Chin up.
Karma is a big-fat-thick boomerang.
Looking forward to seeing you soon.
I know people who know people, by the way.
Sending a hug.
MT
Holly said,
April 13, 2007 at 10:50 pm
Carrie, sweetie, I am so sorry to hear what that miserable excuse for a human being did. :(
*SHAKES FIST WITH RAVAGING FURY*
You just hang in here and take comfort knowing that my good friend Karma is on his trail. ;-)
Holly said,
April 13, 2007 at 10:51 pm
Oops … sorry for typo.
That should read “hang in there” … not “hang in here.”
Although, hanging in here is fine, too! =)
Fritter ") said,
April 14, 2007 at 3:32 pm
Camera time! Post em on your blog if ever necessary (hopefully not) again! May he rot in Home Depot and forever be haunted by his actions and maybe even one day change his ways…
roxy said,
April 16, 2007 at 12:23 pm
Unfortunatley there is an ugly side to the reatil business called fraud and theft. I am just glad that this guy didn’t hold you up at gun point. Don’t let a criminal like this put a damper on your success. Your little shop brings a lot of happiness and joy to many of us and we will have to spend a little extra next time we come in to help you off set the loss. Have a blessed day dear and don let the freaks and fools bring you down!!
Best wishes for continued success!!
Roxy