dedkends

So I recently purchased a ticket on AA.com. AA sent me an email with a record locator. The email contained a Record Locator and a line which read "Status: Purchased - Aug 15, 2013."

When I arrived at the airport, however, the ticketing kiosk directed me to see an agent, who sent me to the ticketing desk. The agent at the ticketing desk informed me that while I had a record locator, AA never actually issued me a ticket (or cancelled it). He told me that they usually contact the passenger to let them know there was something wrong, and he wasn't sure why I wasn't contacted in this case.

I ended up purchasing flights on another carrier at a substantial increase in cost to get me to my destination.

Does this violate AA's COC's or other regs/consumer protection laws? I took a look at AA's COCs but did not see anything helpful at first glance.

Thanks!