My version of "The Return"

I just had a baby less than a month ago. I did not like an outfit she had received at the baby shower. Shawna wanted to go to the store where it came from so I decided to go with her.

I walked up to the counter while Shawna and her children looked around nearby. The lady working the register asks for my receipt. I reply “I don’t have one,
You can just give me store credit.” She takes my drivers license and tells me she is not able to complete this transaction. Why I ask? “Well, it seems you have returned too many items recently.” So now it’s my fault that I got crap gifts and wanted to return them for something better? She apologizes and begins to help the next person in line.

Oh no! SHAWNA, I scream to get her attention and up to the counter I’m at. SHAWNA! She starts to walk over; the kids are confused about the public outburst. Shawna is at my side and calmly asks what’s up? I explain the situation and advise I need for her to return this. She turns to the woman and says “I need to return this.” The woman tells her that she may lose her return privileges. Shawna explains that she doesn’t return things so it won’t be a problem. The woman then asks “What is the reason for the return?” Shawna turns to me, what is the reason Michele? I reply “It’s Winnie the Pooh.”

The outfit of course had been clearance out since the purchase. A store credit in the amount of $6.98 was issued. At that point it wasn’t about the money it was the principal. To think that someone could keep me from returning an item would not be tolerated in my eyes.

I took a stand that day. The clerk will remember the scene, the children will remember the outburst, I will remember not to return there without a receipt and Shawna will remember to never go with me to a retail store ever, ever again.