[omowasu]

Many retailers have crimped down on their returns (and certainly appear to be acting the part based on your run-in) due to reduced revenue and profit forecasts. They are accounting for every dime, and will enforce repair times, etc to hold the manufacturers feet to the fire as well.

I stopped shopping at BB for electronics a long time ago - when I first say a 3 foot USB cable on the rack for $29.95. I get all my major purchases at Costco - they have a no questions asked return policy, they extend the manufacturers warranty, and they have a concierge / call center available for any issues. Cant complain there!