'I open the box to check the merchandise...she pretends to be surprised': 15+ Customers who thought they could outsmart cashiers to get free stuff

Remy Millisky • Writer and Editor

May 28, 2023 5:00 PM EDT

Cashiers aren't being fooled by these customers. But that won't stop them from trying to get their money back for random and nonsensical reasons.

When you work in retail, especially at a clothing or electronics store, you quickly learn that you're going to answer the same few questions over and over again. You basically memorize the answers to questions about the store's return policy, since you have to tell this to customers over and over. Still, some customers truly think they know better than you, the person who spends 30 hours a week doing this job. It's pretty infuriating! Some customers are definitely more clever than others about the way they try to do returns.

The most baffling thing ever is when a customer tries to return an item they did not even bring with them. A woman once tried to return her toddler's shirt and pants to the clothing store I worked at. She told me about the clothes, and said she'd brought the receipt. Great. But she didn't bring the clothes. I had to explain to her why I couldn't just hand over a wad of cash until she brought back the clothes, and she was stunned, like it hadn't even occurred to her. At least she had a good sense of humor about it, unlike these customers below.

Next up, this woman's great-aunt was passionate about ensuring all her female family members were able to get an education, but this woman's family spent the money, leaving her with no choice but to take their feud public.