[Ziggy]

I had a similar situation at Sears about 4 weeks ago with a "packaged item". I bought a manually operated valve spring compressor to remove some springs in one of the heads I had lying around the garage. I could not get the correct leverage on the tool and break the valve seat seal to get the job done and figured I would order the one I really wanted (air powered) from the local auto store.

I returned it to Sears (next day) told them "there is nothing wrong with this item but it wouldn't do the job ." And, they proceeded to tell me there would be a 15% stocking fee. I complained to the kid behind the counter. He eventually told me he did not even know what this tool was used for. He continued to tell me that if the part was "OK" and it didn't work as I expected, I'd have to pay the re-stocking fee. He then said, "However, if you tell me the part is defective, I can give you a complete refund."

He told me it was one of the most stupidest rules that Sears has made, but he saw me in there before and decided to tell me the ins-and-outs of their new policy. He filled out a form indicating that the part was defective, gave me the refund and I was on my way. Just last week, I was in their store again and the same part was in their "special sale bin" for less than a third of what I originally paid for it. .... Go figure!

Incidentally, my father went into his local Sears with a craftsmen wrench that broke. It was about 40 to 50 years old. They told him they would exchange it if he could produce a receipt showing that he bought it at Sears and not from ebay. My 80 year old father proceeded to tell them that he bought this wrench before they were born, before there were even computers and credit cards. He then walked out and told the manager he would never return again.