[EquitableEngineer]

It was an SE. The manager was suspicious of me immediately. He had been told about me (I bought an expensive item with cash) and sought me out as soon as I came back to return the item. FYI, I returned it less than 2h after I bought it, saying that I got the wrong thing. Pretty plausible no?

Anyway, he said he'll process the refund as soon as the technicians have checked the camera and he took the box to the back of the shop. I literally just turned around and casually walked out haha

I had an eerily similar situation with a different retailer where I went in to SE an item but didnt like the vibes in there when i bought the item so rather than take it home and SE it and return it the next day I decided to wait a few hours and do a legit return that day. They point blank refused to accept it back until a manager was present so I had come back the next day.

Went back the following day and asked to return it and immediately i got the sense that they were expecting me. The manager was quickly summoned. When he came out he said give me a moment please, took the device and disappeared out the back for around 20 mins. He was back there so long i had to go ask someone to get him. He then emerged with the devices box still unopened. I couldnt believe this as I assumed thats what he was doing back there. He then proceeded to open the device in front of me, turn it on and do various checks.

The moral of the story here is trust your gut and yes large cash purchases definitely raise eyebrows in these post COVID times.