I would like this blog to be considered a warning for all who read it.

Double-check everything you do.

This may sound foolish and if this had been told to me two days ago, I would have just brushed it off, like you are now.

When considering purchasing something of great expense, like an iPod or a new video game, make sure it can be returned without any hassle, in case something goes wrong or something about it is just not right.

In those cases, that iPod and video game can be returned with your receipt, but what happens when you drop $157.66 on something and you are then told it is non-refundable because of your own dumb mistake. This was my case last night.

I clicked the Return key on my laptop after entering my Visa information unsuspecting to the mistake I had just made.

I had booked a bus ticket to visit a friend in Edmonton next weekend, on a non-refundable ticket. This was mistake number 1.

I connected my printer to my laptop and printed out the tickets while texting my friend and so excitedly making plans for the weekend.

Until I looked down at the ticket, dropped my cell phone and covered my mouth. What had I just done?

The ticket read, “Departing Lethbridge at 7:45am NOVEMBER 12, 2010” I accidentally booked my ticket a week prior to when I had wanted to leave.

A million thoughts rushed through my mind like “I have to work this weekend! I can’t go this weekend!” and “I bought a non-refundable ticket, my mom is going to murder me.”

I held my phone once again hesitant to dial the bus centre 1 800 number afraid what was waiting for me on the line.

After waiting on hold for what seemed like forever I was on the line only five minutes and was told I couldn’t refund and couldn’t re-book.

I wasn’t going to give up. I called my mom, got yelled at as expected and called several other numbers to get my ticket refunded.

In the end, 12 hours later, I got the refund.

All because I hadn’t double-checked my ticket before I paid for it.

Let this be a lesson to all, if you don’t want to spend your whole evening listening to terrible hold music on one line and an angry parent on the other.