Return a item purchased at one Wal-mart store to another Wal-mart store?

Wal-mart is an interesting and unique store. Because of some of its core values and policies, it has become a top store in the US.

One part of Wal-mart is specific to your question. I don't know when this happened, but Sam Walton (founder/owner of Wal-mart) was obviously still alive.

Wal-mart has always had a "loose" return policy, but one day, a woman tried to return a few items purchased at another store along with some Wal-mart items. The manager refused of course, but Sam Walton was nearby and overheard the argument. He had a talk with the manager and soon the woman was able to return all the items; the ones from Wal-mart AND the ones from other stores.

So what did Sam say to the manager? He said (paraphrasing), "Look, I know that we didn't sell those things to her, but we sell things like those. We may or may not be able to get our money back on those items, but where is our money now?" He pointed at the woman they had just helped heading deeper into Wal-mart instead of out the front door. "We gave her $15 dollars for her items. Where do you think that money is going to end up?"

My own personal experience happened when I bought a video game racing wheel control from Best Buy. Due to the holidays, I was unable to get back to Best Buy before the three week return policy was up. (I was two days too late) They refused to take back the item for cash OR store credit.

I left Best Buy very unhappy and went next door to Wal-mart to get some kitchen stuff and coffee. While I was in there, I passed by the electronics department and remembered the main reason I wanted to return the racing wheel control was for the $60 that would put me in reach of buying the new XBOX video game console.

I went back to my car to grab the wheel control, then to the front of the store to the returns counter. I knew they sold an item like it, but the lady reminded me that they didn't sell this particular product. She was nice, but firm. She did call the electronics manager over to chat with me.

The electronics manager told me the same thing, emphasising that they didn't sell this product. Then I remembered the Sam Walton quote. I then said: "You know, the reason I wanted to return this was so that I could buy and XBOX. Do you sell those here?

The manager's eyes widened slightly and with only a pause, said, "You know what, I think we can help you out." He turned to the returns lady and approved the return.

I got rid of a wheel control I didn't need, and got an XBOX. Wal-mart got an item that they will probably only get pennies on the dollar for, but sold an item they probably only PAY pennies on the dollar for.

Net win for Wal-mart, but I was happy with my XBOX.

And I will always be happy to take my business to Wal-mart.

Hope this helps. Good Luck!