I tried to return a book back to Barnes and Noble today to the location next to my office in Dallas. It was new/unused and was originally a Christmas gift that was not wanted. I also had the receipt from the original purchase.
Today was January 7th @ 11 AM
The date of original purchase was December 22 @ 8PM CST (based on the receipt timestamp)
They refused to give me a full refund to the original credit card, because it had been more than 14 days since purchase. (It had in fact been 15 and 1/2. 14 and 1/2 if you count that B&N wasnt open on Christmas)
I pointed out that it was a gift that wasnt even opened until after Christmas and they were not swayed.
They instead gave me the amount ($43.29) in store credit on a gift card. When I asked about any holiday specific return policy and pointed out again this was an unwanted gift, they continued to respond that store credit was the only thing they would give.
Though admittedly the casher was kind enough to press the point that "the value never declines on this store credit/giftcard' as I was asking my questions. So now I have $43.29 of store credit for a company I don't want to do business with. And two years from now, when I still don't -- I'll still have $43.29 on the gift card. Score!
I got back to the office, still annoyed, and called the original Denton store next to the house where I purchased the book. I inquired about the return policy without giving any background on the situation. The Denton employee said the holiday return policy had been extended companywide until January 31. Perplexed after I explained what I was told, she also confirmed with her manager. She apologized and attributed the incident at the Dallas Store as likely a seasonal employee mistake.
But now, because the Dallas Store issued me the $43.29 in store credit instead of following the Holiday Policy -- It's not like I can return the book to the Denton store and get the money I'm rightfully due.
In fairness to the Denton Employee, she was incredably friendly and apologetic. And as a last resort, her Manager was going to call the Dallas Manager and try to work something out. But I'm not confident I'm going to be able to get anywhere with this without disputing the charge with my credit card company.