An observation about retail comsumers
Retail consumers do not have a problem with entitlement, exactly. Their problem is a need for instant gratification. If a customer was returning a blouse she bought and decided against and returned it with her receipt but without the security or price tags I would say to her, "Ma'am, I'm sorry, but we can't accept merchandise from which the security tag has been removed." Most of the time, she would be bummed, but probably go shop some and leave happy with a new blouse.
If, however, the same woman returned the same shirt with the security tag in tact but NO price tag, I would say "We can give you store credit for this purchase in the form of a merchandise certificate which will come to your house within 10 days." She would FREAK THE FUCK OUT and demand her money back, a new shirt to replace the old one, a discount off her next perchase and spend 10 minutes telling the poor checkout girl (not me, but i witnessed) about how Old Navy was full of nazis and condescending thieves.
People. Seriously.
If, however, the same woman returned the same shirt with the security tag in tact but NO price tag, I would say "We can give you store credit for this purchase in the form of a merchandise certificate which will come to your house within 10 days." She would FREAK THE FUCK OUT and demand her money back, a new shirt to replace the old one, a discount off her next perchase and spend 10 minutes telling the poor checkout girl (not me, but i witnessed) about how Old Navy was full of nazis and condescending thieves.
People. Seriously.