Okay so in case anyone is interested, this is what I bought yesterday:
DSC_0268p.jpg
DSC_0269p.jpg
As I bought them from a place that accepted Amex the Visa snafu / bungle didn't matter.
My daughter is pissed as I didn't get the stuff for her trip from the cheaper store (which doesn't take Amex, but oh well) and I got new shoes out of the experience.
What do all of you think?