Recently, I made some purchases at Walmart, Home Depot and Costco.
It turned out that I didn’t like the particular model that I picked out at Walmart, even though I’d used it. The item from Home Depot turned out to be redundant, so I didn’t need it after all. The Costco item was the wrong size.
On my way back to Walmart, I was worried because I’d used the item, and even damaged the packaging when I opened it. What if they give me a hard time? When I went to Customer Service at Walmart, it turned out I’d even brought the wrong receipt! “No problem”, they said. “We can give you a Gift Card instead of a refund”. Seemed fine to me – they weren’t worried about the opened, damaged packaging at all! I got the other model I wanted, using the gift card to pay for it. Easy as pie! Oh, and while I was there? I picked up a few other things I might need, too. They treat me well, and I treat them well in return (Get it? “Return?”)
At Home Depot, I’d forgotten the receipt. No problem there, either. They checked my cards, found the one I’d used, and gave me a full refund, without hysterical, accusations, calls to the police, or any of the other antics we’ve heard happens at Crappy Tire. They didn’t demand my home phone number (which is unlisted) and didn’t ask to see a driver’s license or even any other ID. And I figured, heck, I might as well get some other supplies while I’m here. Hey – salt! I could use some of that – and it’s not $20 like CT was charging last week!
Last stop: Costco. Wrong size? No problem – go grab one that will fit, and come back. I didn’t even have to show my membership, let along consent to giving invasive information like CT would. While I was in there, I spotted a couple of other things I knew would make my wife happy, so I got those, too.
All in all, I was very happy that I hadn’t purchased any of these items at Crappy Tire, where it would have been a nightmare to try to get my money back, given that the items were out of the package. When are they going to change that sign from “Easy Returns” to “Don’t Open the Package”?