Everyone pays for these false returns. I am certain we are paying for them when we buy these (Festool) tools. I have been at the service desk at both Home Depot and Lowe's and can confirm they will take almost anything back possibly even if it was not purchased there. These "used/not available to resell items" cost everyone just as credit card usage does. For those that don't know the merchant has to pay a transaction fee plus a % of the sale cost to their processor. The % can range from 1.25% to over 3% (AMEX). The number and range of charges (though only pennies in most cases) put phone and cable bills extra charges to shame. If you see someone with the little white square attached to their phone or using their terminal in the store with an iPad or other tablet they are getting hit for a flat 2.75% which is factored into the final price. No one is eating this. The exception is when a manufacturer dictates pricing.
At Home Depot I saw someone return a saw they said they bought, but had failed them after a few uses. This saw looked like it had cut down a forest. In my mind I think they had bought a new one then returned this one with that receipt. When in college I worked at at a chain store called Rose's at a resort town. They took everything back within a 90 day window and of course it was taken advantage of. We sold a ton of beach chairs and deck furniture over Memorial Day weekend that was promptly returned in late August.
At Home Depot I saw someone return a saw they said they bought, but had failed them after a few uses. This saw looked like it had cut down a forest. In my mind I think they had bought a new one then returned this one with that receipt. When in college I worked at at a chain store called Rose's at a resort town. They took everything back within a 90 day window and of course it was taken advantage of. We sold a ton of beach chairs and deck furniture over Memorial Day weekend that was promptly returned in late August.
