Barnes & Noble Horrible Return Policy Federal Way, Washington

I received a book as a gift from a friend that she bought at Barnes & Noble. Since it was not my type of reading, I tried to return it to the store. I didn't have a receipt as it was a gift. Store clerk, although very nice, said I couldn't return it without a receipt even though I had it in the original B&N bag. Book is unread, still on their shelves, and in absolutely perfect condtion. He called a manager and they said no. I asked if I could return it for store credit as I was also purchasing another book. They said no because they're computer wouldn't know the price. What? Nordstrom, Penneys, Macys, etc. can scan the item and will give you either cash or a store credit for the lowest price it was sold for. So, let's recap. I or someone else comes in, buys a book from you for a gift, and the recipient can't return it in exactly the same condition it was when it left the store within a reasonable amount of time? Okay, that just sucks.

B&N needs to realize that in these difficult ecomonic times the way to retain customers is by providing EXCELLENT customer service. This was not. Customer Service is everything! Even though their prices are great, I won't go back and I've been buying books there for years. One customer gone forever...and then some, and then some, et al. I'm telling everyone. Too bad.