Ever buy something and realize that you had picked up the wrong color or size by mistake? Or possibly thought that you were selecting the right color only to find out when you got home that you already had that one and should have selected a different color?
In bygone days, you would simply take the unwanted merchandise back to the store where you bought it, explain that you had selected the wrong size or color, and ask for an "even exchange." No money or paperwork was involved. The clerk would simply ask you to go pick out the correct item, the price would be verified as being identical, the replacement item would be placed in the bag, and you'd be on your way.
Now, this is usually not possible. Computers rule retail.
Try this same scenario today, and one of two things are likely to happen. You might be given a full refund and asked to go purchase what you really want as a new transaction - or you could just go home with the refund without making another purchase.
The other possibility is that the returned item will be scanned and entered back into the computer as new store inventory - along with a few refund slips and return receipts spewed out by the cash register to be signed by you, stapled together, and put into the cash drawer. Then the new item is scanned, removed from inventory by the computer, more receipts printed out, and then you finally get to leave with the exact same time that you started with - only now in the correct size or color.
Thus, for an "even exchange" it took you about 15 minutes and some 3 or 4' of register tape to accomplish this very simple retail task.
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