I aint got no UPC code....

Wal-Mart customer service rep: Hello?

Me: Hi! I'm looking for a product called Bright..Beginnings..Soy..Pediatric...Drink..and I'm wondering if I can purchase it at Wal-Mart?

Wal-Mart customer service rep: What is it?

Me: Bright..Beginnings..Soy..

Wal-mart customer service rep: Yeah...but..whats it..like baby food?

Me: Oh...um..yeah..like baby formula...actually its more like pediasure.

Wal-mart customer service rep: You're gonna hafta talk to someone in infants. Hold.

Sue: Infants this is Sue.

Me: Hi Sue. I'm looking for a product called Bright Beginnings Soy Pediatric Drink and I'm wondering if I can purchase it at Wal-Mart?

Sue: Let me check.

(2 minutes)

Sue: No.

Me: Okay. Is there anyway you could order it for me?

Sue: What do you mean?

Me: Could the store order it for me and I'll come in and pay for it?

Sue: Whats the UPC code?

Me: Silence.

Me: I don't have a UPC code...I'm calling around to see if anyone carries the product or to see if they could order it?

Sue: I can't do nothing without no UPC code. (yes....this IS what she said)

Me: Oh....well...is there a warehouse list or a catalog that might have....

Sue: Theres no list.

Me: Silence

Me: You guys don't have some sort of list of the different....

Sue: Theres no list.

Me: okay.....do you think maybe the pharmacy...

Sue: (irritated) Theres no list! How could there be a list? Where would it end?

Me: (feeling a little needy while at the same time feeling offended at Sue's outburtst) Well...is there someone else who I could talk to quick? I just want to make...

Sue: Nope. The managers are all on break. Is there anything else you need?

Me: (irritated) Pause.......when do they get off break?

Sue: SIGH....I'll just go get one of em.

(5minutes)

Sue: I talked to the manager.

Me: And....

Sue: .....I can't do nothing without no UPC code.

On a MUCH happier note. The people at CVS in Anoka came through for us when no one (Target, Wal-Mart, K-Mart, Snyders, Walgreens, Costco, Sam's Club...) else did! I talked to Jessica in the pharmacy this morning. She knew that they didn't have it in the store but checked THE LIST and saw that it COULD BE ORDERED FOR ME (imagine that). She took my name and number and had the manager call me back. Bri, the manager, let me know that she could order as much or as little as I wanted and it would be there the next day!

On a whim, I mentioned to her that I wanted to try to get it covered by insurance and that I had the Doctor write a prescription. I gave her Paige's insurance info along with the prescription info. She was pretty skeptical that insurance would cover this kind of thing (I was/am too) but said she'd try to "run it through" and see what happened. An hour later she called me back and said:

Bri: Well, instead of just running this through, I went ahead and called your insurance company. They said that they might cover it if they have documentation from your doctor explaining why Paige needs it. SO, I went ahead and called your doctor. He is going to write something up for your insurance and fax it over to us. I'll fax it on to the baby's insurance, and they'll let me know if its covered. Either way, I'll call you and let you know as soon as I hear back....is there anything else that you need?

Me: Silence.....wow.....

Anyway....keep your fingers crossed. I ordered a bunch online (sadly NOT through CVS) that will get here by the end of the week. With any luck, Bri, my new favorite friendly pharmacist, will have good news for us! Its around $40 for a 24 pack...Paige will be drinking at least 2 cans a day.....needless to say we would LOVE if her insurance could help us with the cost.

Just a note: As a gal who loves a bargain, you'll still see me in my local Wal-Mart.....but when I'm in infants I might peel off a few precious UPC codes just to mess with Sue.