ex(PR)essed

I hate Walmart. I’m not exactly sure when or how it happened, but my distaste for Walmart has increased over the years, reaching a fevered pitch as I traveled the state in my previous job and saw desolate downtowns and large, outlying, abandoned buildings left in Walmart’s wake. I don’t shop there and haven’t in nearly ten years.

That’s why it’s so incredibly puzzling that Walmart Discover card sent me a random check for a little over $130 in early April. With the check came my Walmart Discover card statement, which was in my maiden name, but sent to my correct address. I have never, never, never even contemplated a Walmart credit card, let alone carried one in my wallet and used it at their store. I was puzzled and called customer service immediately.

They were stumped. While it seems I did have an account with Walmart (which is curious and spooky in its own right), my card was inactive, showing that I had actually never used the card. Yet, somehow $130 had been credited to my very inactive account.

So, at the advice of the customer service lady, I voided the check and sent it back.

Then, last Saturday, a second check arrived for the exact same amount! In the 30 days that have passed, I still have not darkened the door of a Walmart. So, cleary the mistake prevails.

I called again and stumped another customer service lady. (I must admit, the customer service people I have spoke with have been very kind. They’re puzzled by my situation, but they are very polite, which I appreciate.) She also tells me to void the check and return it. Jeff is wondering whether they’ll start paying for our postage if this crazy trend continues.

I suspect that someone out there is growing increasingly angry at Walmart for never properly crediting their account while I grow increasingly frustrated at their inability to close mine properly. Either way, they’re not making friends, which is fine with me.

I’m pretty sure that we’ll cash the next check they send.