BIG LOTS Buying at Big Lots basically means "purchase is final" Mesa, Arizona

I agree, but man you can find some cool stuff, like horseradish mustard, soda with sugar (as oppose to High fructose corn syrup) and other rare food items.

Seriously do you think you shopping at a higher class store such as a Walmart?

But on a serious note. Most stores return/exchange policy require that you keep all of the tags, packaging, instrutions, accessories to be able to return it.  Yes even if it is defective.  Now would they go to the level of having to keep some plastic wrapper..depending on exactly what this plastic wrap is probably not. 

But again exactly where do you think you are shopping?

You must not shop at Big Lots very much.

They are very, very clear on their policy and post it in multiple places in the store and on the back of the receipt.

"Merchandise must be accompanied by the original sales receipt and is required for all refunds and exchanges. Purchase must have been made within the last 30 days and the merchandise must be in its original condition, complete with accessories, packaging and instructions."

If you fall within these guide lines and have any issues they have a Customer Help line at 866-BIG-LOTS.

If you don't fall with in the policy, they can get you the same item that is not defective.

The merchandise that they sell is not defective. Every store at sometime or another will have around a couple of defective items that slip through out of the millions that they buy.

Also, these "rude employees" that you say are there. Is that because they enforce what comes from their corporate office?  How would you feel if someone came into your work and asked you to break your #1 rule? Would you do it? I bet not.