stupid advice

Alexander books a ride back to school on the Cornell Bus. 

I am happy he has planned ahead as the bus fills up quickly.  Perhaps my son is becoming more responsible about the minutia of life.

Ah, but then I see my Amex has been charged $90.  It has always been $82.50 for a one-way ticket.  So I go on the site and see, in a hard-to-miss red box, the following:

I read the new rates and see that for students, the old rate still applies.  You just have to update your account and add your student I.D. number.  This my son does not do.

So I call to see about getting a refund.  It's only $7.50, but still. 

A very stern, by-the-books-no matter-what type person, answers the phone.  She is humorless.  I am probably her 100th caller since the new rules were put in place. She is unbending.  These are the rules and there are no exceptions.

As much as I try, there is no convincing this woman to give me a credit of $7.50.  But she does offer advice.

"You should tell your son that he needs to read the instructions better."

"Your son can get the discount next time.  Just tell him to make sure he enters his ID number on his account."

I say, "Thank-you.  I'm well aware of what I need to tell my son.  I bet you've gotten a ton of calls on this."

"Yes, we have.  And most people just move on.  I suggest you do the same."

And the funny thing is, there is not one bit of sarcasm in her response.  She is100% sincere.

"I'm sorry, did you say I should move on?"

"Yes," she responds. "Others have."

I thank her, hang up, and do my best to put this behind me and move on.  It'll be a tough road ahead, but with the support of friends and family, and maybe a good therapist, I think I'll be able to do it.