And the manager actually told me he's sorry but he has to refund my 2¢. I politely told him no thank you. And he got all frustrated, mumbled a bunch, and I asked if I was able to leave and he said he wouldn't stop me.
That would be a first. What are they using to ban you? Seems fishy to me. They would have to notify you prior to purchasing that you are unable to return a purchase with or without a receipt. The return policy is on your receipt. It's almost contractual.
NEAT Receipts. Easiest way to find purchases right on your phone. Give me a UPC number or sku for a product and I can pull up each receipt with that product on it.
The asst manager was just being a complete a$$. He must have been in hot water. Store manager claims to know nothing about the situation and had no reason to speak to me. If an item rings up 1¢, we should sell it for 1¢.
It probably just boils down to convenience. Most associates have sharpies in their aprons. Just write on the box right then and there rather than finding tape and having to mark out tape for store use.