When HD first opened their doors in our area they would take returns on anything, with or without a reciept. Cash refunds were no problem. No explanations were required or even asked. It didn't take long for that to change. Contractors were using HD as a free tool rental business. Big ticket items like pressure washers, and airless paint spray machines were consistantly seen parked around the return counter. It took a few years for them to tighten up their policies, and I really can't blame them for that. If I retrun something without a reciept, I now get a store credit instead of cash.

I did return some light bulbs once. A 3 pack of expensive flood bulbs. Every bulb in the pack was dead from the get-go. I made sure I had my reciept for that return.